Yesterday the kids and I (along with Hilary, and two of her kiddos) headed down to the zoo. If you know me at all, you probably find the idea of me going to the (outdoor) zoo in January quite remarkable. Well, the weather has been so very mild this winter…and I’ve been running in the cold almost every day, so when Hilary suggested a trip, I decided it sounded like a fabulous addition to our school week.

Tucker, age 6. Doesn’t he just have the best smile?

I was under the mistaken impression that since I ran in the cold and kept sorta-warm, I could walk around at the zoo (in 45 degree weather) and stay kinda-warm…I actually froze, but that’s okay, we had a great time. But see that red in Tucker’s fingers and his nose? It was definitely chilly.

Avi was delightful the entire day! It did this mama good to see her cope so well. Because it’s January, the zoo was practically abandoned, so there wasn’t a crowd. Avi gets very overstimulated in crowds. It was wonderful to see her enjoy herself.

Tilly (13) gets credit for this and the rest of the photos. I was busy and had to hand the camera over to her.

If you follow me on Instagram (littleearthling) you may recognize Apollo’s sweater. I finished it the night before we headed to the zoo- just in time! It turned out exactly how I wanted it: roomy enough to layer, but not too big to wear. I am hoping he gets a full year out of this.

Adalia (15) at the penguin exhibit.

Hilary’s son, Gideon.

Avi, Hallie and Hezekiah.

And here are a couple from Instagram:

Apollo calls Enoch I-noch….yes, as in iPod and iPhone. So Enoch has been trying to teach him to say “Enoch”. He’s been telling him, “penguins say ‘eeee’ then knock on the door”. So Apollo has been repeating him and saying “eeeee-nock”. Because of this, Enoch was eager to show Apollo the real penguins. When Apollo saw them he started saying, “eeeeee-nock”. Now, if you ask Apollo what a penguin says, he’ll say, “Enoch” and he still calls Enoch I-noch…it’s absolutely hilarious. Oh the joys of learning to speak!

Avi and Kalina at the top of th world!