Animal menagerie

We are not ones to pass up free offers. When our friend invited us to the zoo since she has free guest passes with her annual membership, off to the LA Zoo we went to join them last week. I haven't been to the zoo since I went on a kindergarten field trip, where all I remember is eating a ham sandwich my mama made me during lunchtime. What a world of difference to experience it with grown-up eyes and my own daughter this time around! It was a sweltering summer afternoon, and I noticed so many families with young kiddos there; the zoo could have served as a stroller convention. I daresay all the kids were as thrilled to receive free sunglasses at the entrance as they were to see the animals. I'm pretty sure that was Serene's favorite part. Seeing them on her is mine. We stayed for about an hour since it was the day before we would leave for our mini vacation up to Big Bear, and there was too much left to prep and pack. Thankful for a fun outing with our dear community, even if I have mixed feelings about going to the zoo or places like Sea World (especially since watching Blackfish!), particularly when animal care ethics are in question. Not sure how to reconcile them yet, but I have to admit that we aren't opposed to taking Serene to the zoo again when she is a bit older, when she might actually remember beholding all the animals and squealing in wonder as all the other kids were. Childhood really is so magical. :)

P.S. Want to win a pair of Freshly Picked moccs like the ones Serene's wearing in the photos above for your little love? Enter my giveaway here!