The New Orleans Zoo

Saturday, we went to the New Orleans Zoo. I couldn't believe how nice it was. It was really well planned, with the attractions close enough together to not have a long walk with nothing to see; it was was really well shaded; clean and very entertaining for Grace (and me)! It wasn't as big as some zoos I have been to, but I think it is my favorite one!

One of the first things we saw were the elephants. Grace was more interested in the smell than the animals. She kept asking me, "What's that smell?" Finally, I said it was elephant poop...and, of course, she asking could she go see the poop really loudly. Later that day she told me she needed to poo-poo like an elephant.

She kept asking to see a camel (I think because of a song named Alice the Camel . Thankfully, we stumbled upon some. She was quite impressed with them.
Of course, they had a petting zoo. It wasn't as good as some (like Houston's Zoo), but she had fun getting up close and personal with a "climbing goat."

Her favorite part of the day was the "sandbox." Inside the South American section of the zoo, they had a giant sandbox filled with artifacts from the Inca Indians - or, maybe, the Mayans. She LOVED digging in the sand, getting completely dirty...she even laid down in it and rolled around. The only thing she didn't love about it was leaving it.


Shortly after leaving the sand pit, we changed Grace's clothes and left the zoo. She wasn't in a good mood any more (the lack of nap mixed with not wanting to leave the sand pit). We saw a few other animals, then took off.

On the way out, you have to pass through a gift shop. Nonni told Grace to pick out a souvenir. We kept showing her all these animal items (stuffed animals or games). She picked out a sister for the twins (the purple ballerina's). This one is also a Groovy Girl (the brand of the ballerina's) and is a pink princess. I asked Grace what her name was and she thought for a while, then named her Cassie. I have no idea where she ever even heard that name.

After leaving the zoo, Grace was plain tuckered out. She fell asleep while eating animal crackers. She stayed asleep through valet parking, elevators and all that - slept for 3 hours!