Milwaukee County Zoo Ala Carte

We blessed with such beautiful weather during the last week of summer vacation.  Upper 70s, low 80s, just perfect.  This isn't really beach weather so we had to dig further into our summer options to make the most of our remaining free-time as a family.  So, on a lark, I suggested that we head up to the Milwaukee County Zoo last Friday night to take part in their Ala Carte Night.  I equate it to what would be Taste of Milwaukee with bears.  There were dozens of Milwaukee food vendors spread throughout the zoo along with six music stages.  I think we arrived around 6:30, a late night for Sweet Pete, but more on that later.  There was a line backed up on Blue Mound Road leading into the parking lot.  Our Zoo Pass got us in for free, but didn't help us with the back-up.  But, in true Doug fashion, we arrived in this terribly crowded parking lot, turned the opposite way of all to the lemmings and ended up with a space 100 yards from the entrance.  Peter got loaded into his stroller and we were on our way.  Our main goal of the evening was to see the dinosaur exhibit and eat some yummy food, which is exactly what we did and it was the perfect plan.  The dinosaur exhibit was an extra charge so not many people had it on their agendas for the evening.  Therefore, it was not very crowded and Peter got to roam rather than ride.  What a treat!  He is so much fun to watch when he is free to do as he pleases.  He stopped at every dino, pointed and squealed!  And when I asked to take a picture, he would stand and look at me with his hands folded in front of him.  So very formal.  

After the dinosaurs, it started to get darker and the animals were harder to see.  We grabbed a little food, sat down with the bears as they took their evening dip in the pool and listened to Los Lonely Boys for a bit.  It was then on to the famous zoo train.  We made it in time for the last ride of the night and it was pitch black out.  And as the zoo normally closes at 5:00, the track is not lit very well, so it was extra spooky.  Let's just say everyone was pointing and squealing, so much fun.

After the train, we used our remaining tickets to get some dessert and then back to the Land of Lincoln. It was about 9:30 so I put Peter in his pajamas anticipating a nice sleepy ride home.  He fell asleep when we hit 132 in Gurnee.  I don't think the other two made out of Milwaukee proper.  Oh well, best laid plans...

So here is the photo portion of the photo blog.  Lots of Dinosaurs...

Did I mention that they all move and roar?

Pointing and squealing....

Brachiasaurus

Properly posing...

This little girl was roaring and Peter was fascinated.

Jack and one of his faves, the Stegosauarus.

ROAR!!!!

Peter and the T-rex babies

The T-rex, the main attraction

Side view, huge!

The famous Moldarama - T-rex, of course.

Sleeping bear listening to Los Lonley Boys.

The Midnight Train...

Passengers A

Passengers B

The Carousel at night a great sight to close the evening...

First Day of School 2012

Today was the day!  Kate started 3rd grade and Jack had his Kindergarten open house leading up to his first real day of school tomorrow.

Kate seems to really like her teacher and the people in her class.  She is especially happy that a boy, Jacob, is not in her class this year as he is the one that would chase her on the playground.  She came home with a take-home-binder, instead of a folder, this year, complete with an assignment notebook.  Let's hope that she puts that to better use than I did in school.  She has been packing her own lunch the night before, tonight it took her a 1/2 hour, but she really likes deciding what goes in and she has been making some really good healthy choices.

Jack's day consisted of finding his cubby where he will put his back-pack every morning and where he will keep his brand new gym shoes and putting away his giant box of school supplies…all of which is community property which really kicks all of the fun out of bringing in your own supplies.  I have gotten smart and just bought the supplies straight from the school "PTA".  We bought the supplies outright Kate's first year and lost our steam when we couldn't find the mandated brand of scissors at Target and then had to go to every office supply store in northern illinois to find the.  Ugh.  Tomorrow is is first real day where he plays on the playground before school and then walks into the building with his class.  We'll see if I can hold it together.

The other big event for tomorrow  is that Kate gets to ride her bike to school.  Shannah and I sat the girls, Kate and Alannah, down and had a discussion on rules and routes offering them several scenarios asking how they would react.  The main rule is that they must always stay together, no exceptions.  They are both so very excited at this little taste of freedom.  Plus, it will make our little school bus much less crowded during the nice weather.  And as Kate pointed out, if we have a winter like we did last year, they may be able to ride all year long. Ha.

So, that's the wrap up on the big day.  I think everyone, including myself, was ready to get back into the routine.  Now the next question is how Peter will like being home with me alone.  I know that I am certainly not as much fun as either of the other kids. :)

I hope you are well, and we hope to see you soon.  Here are the pics from today.

The big 3rd Grader!!!

Finally at the same school.

Big Kindergartener!

Obligatory picture with the sign.

Jack and Justin...

pray for their teacher.

Mommy and her big boy.