Zoo Day

We headed to the Santa Barbara Zoo today,as planned. Turned out to be a beautiful day. The weather was perfect. Helps that on the clear days, the ocean can be viewed perfectly, as it is barely 1/4 mile away from the Zoo. Not bad on the eyes and there is nothing like the smell of fresh ocean air. We are spoiled to live where we do and I am really trying to appreciate the fact, that to be able to be in the sunshine ,most all year long,is truly a blessing. Our drive is breathtaking as we head up the coast for the 45 minute drive.Most of the drive it is only a guard rail that separates you and the Pacific Ocean. I have made the drive hundreds of times and I still don't think I spend enough time taking in the beauty. The zoo is the perfect size for little walking legs. We have had a family membership,on and off for almost 19 years. Well worth it. They are in a state of construction right now. Remodeling exhibits and building new ones but most all of the animal are still there for viewing. The kids run aimlessly from one animal to the next, sometimes pausing for just a moment till it's full speed ahead to the next exhibit. Sometimes I wonder if they have even seen the animal that is housed behind whatever window,fencing or water hole they have just flown by. No matter. They are just happy to be hanging out,enjoying each other,for the most part.My two nieces Sydney,who is 17 and Sophie who is 8, came with us. The kids crack each other up and it's just joyous to watch them all together. Everyone held up fairly well. Everyone except .... my sandal. Yep, 15 minutes in, my flip flop popped. No replacement of any kind in the gift shop and it was impossible to try and walk. Little alternative, as I certainly couldn't walk around barefoot at the zoo. Yuck. So I had two teeny, tiny strips of leather that I had to tie together,cram my Fred Flinstone feet back in and make the rounds. Boy was I glad to get to the car and ditch those things. Zoey did great. Her teeth are really bothering her but she is plowing through her days. She really isn't able to take in what the zoo is all about yet but I hope one day soon she will be running aimlessly right along side the rest of the kids. We closed the place down at 5pm. Only minor meltdowns in the gift shop. But all resolved quickly. We headed out, hit no traffic and made excellent time home. The boys showered ,Zoey tubbied,, they ate and we watched School of Rock. Love that movie.A few choice words here and there. Joe was clueless and Jake assured me each time one was said, "Don't worry mom,won't use that one either". He's not the one I am worried about. Joe will be the one that finds me screening caller ID's from classmates parents one day! Little ones were passed out by 8:30 and the day was dubbed a success. My late nights seem to be catching up with me. so at 11:50 I am signing off. Another day ends and rolls right into another. Always grateful for that. Most of the time,depending on where life has found us.Will it be a day that finds me wanting to pull the covers up over my head and ignore the world around me or will I roll out with ease ready to face the day? Doesn't really matter which one it is, in the end,I'll be getting up regardless. Tonight I leave you with, what else ..... a quote! It was on the fence when we were taking the train ride. It is from. Dr. Jane Goodall, "Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference." Simply and eloquently said,don't you think?