Going and doing things with a baby is a lot trickier than it is when kids are older. When Kye was our only child, though, we did a good bit with him as an infant. Often when it comes to Tess we tend to take the “big kids” and leave the “baby” at home. Now that she’s getting older I want to include her in more experiences. I think having quality time with the big kids is important, but time as a whole family together is something I cherish!
When we went to Melbourne for Kye’s first Thanksgiving we also took him to his first visit at a zoo! We went to the Brevard Zoo and had a great time (you can see the post here). We also took Britt on her first zoo visit at a young age. It was our first trip as a family of four (and Kye got lost which still freaks me out to remember!). You can see her first zoo adventure post here 🙂 Since we were going to the area for Spring Break I asked begged Zach for us to work a zoo trip into the plans. We decided to get up early on the day we were leaving Cocoa Beach. I woke Tess at 6:30 (she usually gets up at 7) and nursed her then put her down for nap at 8 (she usually doesn’t go down for nap until 9). We then loaded the car and got her up and hit the road at 9. We got to the zoo a little after they opened at 9:30. We were able to hang out and see everything before hitting the road to go home at 12:30! It worked out awesome and I’m SO glad Zach agreed to go! It was a GREAT time and probably my favorite thing we did on this trip.
I found this flashback photo from Kye’s first visit at the same zoo 🙂
When Britt was a baby we used the double stroller all the time. Now that we have three though, we tend to use our travel system stroller more. Britt wouldn’t want to ride in the double when she can run around with Kye 🙂
Zach isn’t a big zoo person. Usually when the kids go to a zoo, it’s not with Daddy 😉 I try to take them with friends or cousins or something as I know it’s just not something Zach really likes to do. He’s never really been a big fan of animals. However, he even loved the meerkats. Oh my goodness they were SO stinking adorable and we all wanted to bring them home!
Britt had one mission: see crocodiles
The only real memory I have of our visit to the same zoo when Kye was a baby was seeing the rhinos fight. They were all nice this time!
They now have a giraffe feeding area and it was SO cool. I like seeing animals but I am WAY more into experiences like getting to touch them 😉 We didn’t buy any food (shocker) but the giraffes were super friendly anyway and we all got to pet them before the staff told us we weren’t supposed to. Oops. I mean hello if they let you feed them how can they not let you touch them?
Baby giraffe!
Cute photobomber 😉
We also got to meet a snake!
It makes my heart happy when my kids aren’t afraid to touch animals. Kye was eager to feel the snakes skin and Britt, of course, was right behind him
“Does the baby want to touch?”
Um. No lady. My baby does not need to touch a snake and get nasty germs. I’m all about experiences but let’s not take this thing too far!
Before the trip the kids and I checked out the zoo website to have a good idea of the animals we’d get to see while there (the last thing I wanted to do was promise them some animals that the zoo didn’t have!). Kangaroos were on our list of ones we were excited to see. They are SO strange looking!
A fun little fact about Zach…he does NOT like birds flying around him haha. They had one of those areas where the birds flew freely and you could feed them and they’d land on you and stuff. We went in the hallway and then all turned back and left. Kye FREAKED when we went in as a baby and I knew Britt would freak and I knew Zach might freak out too bahaha.
Can you tell by his face that he does not trust birds?
Another animal on our must-see list were the flamingos!
Finally! Britt’s favorite! Crocodiles (or alligators…I just prefer crocodile b/c it doesn’t have the word “GATOR” in it!). Britt LEGIT said “aw! so cute!” Whhhhhat?!?!
She would have stayed there ALL. DAY. Most little girls like puppies. Maybe ponies. But crocodiles?!?!
We made sure to include Tess in seeing everything! Visiting each animal really does take longer the more kids you have haha
Since our last visit (which was 5 years ago!) they have added SO MUCH to the zoo! A new kids area was near the exit so we saved it for last knowing it’d be a great way to burn off energy before the long drive home. It was so cool to see that it’s sponsored by Harris. My dad worked for Harris for years (he actually met my mom there when she worked there too).
I love making memories with my crew!
Tess drank her bottle while the kids played in a little play area. My husband is such a goof 😉
Zach took the big kids to go potty and change into bathing suits while I finished up with Tess. She was in SUCH a cute mood. She was laughing and laughing at me 🙂
The shirt doesn’t lie 😉
There was a great little splash play area for the kids. If we’d had more time I probably would have had Tess play too but I didn’t want to get her all wet and risk her getting upset or being miserable. Zach and I were able to sneak a little snack in without the kids even noticing because they were having so much fun.
We almost forgot about the petting zoo but remembered at the last minute and had enough time to check it out before we left. Y’all know I love me a petting zoo 😉 They didn’t have many animals but it was enough to get to pet them.
We had another bathroom break and were able to buy an ornament for our tree before leaving. Tess was SO adorable. She was exhausted and just laid her sweet little head down on her stroller to rest. It was like she just ran out of energy to even hold her head up anymore. I was REALLY impressed with how amazing she did. She only got about 45 min of sleep that morning but was happy as could be the entire time. She’s just a joy and makes life even more fun 🙂
Bahahaha
I jumped in and started pumping while Zach loaded the kids in and got them ready for the 4 hour drive home!
We earned a slushie 😉 We stopped and I nursed Tess at 3 while the kids got a snack
Tess did not do as well on the ride home as she did on the ride down. I think it’s better to feed her and leave for a trip RIGHT after she eats rather than right before she’s supposed to be sleeping. She didn’t sleep as long as I would have liked and after I fed her at 3 she was just OVER IT. I crawled in the back and rode between her and Britt for the rest of the ride. I had downloaded a couple random baby things on my iPad and even tried to get her to watch them, but it wasn’t successful. Lots of tears which made me sad! Just another reminder of why we do like St Augustine haha 2 hours is WAY easier than 4!
Britt loved having me back with her 🙂
My sweet baby girl 🙂
We had a really wonderful day and it was the PERFECT way to end our little beach trip! I loved having the big kids home with me the rest of the week and loved having these fun memories to talk about together!
