Cactus!!!

While we were in Phoenix for Spring Training we also managed to take a few of the sights. One of Nick's favorite things to point out were cactus. It became a game - who can find the first cactus? We hit the mother lode here.


Since the game we went to on Monday was a night game, we took the day to hit up the Phoenix Zoo. Once Nick got a snack in him (Mr. Grumpy Pants was with us when we first got there) he decided that riding the animals was more fun than seeing them.


I could NOT get a picture of the dang tiger. He kept moving around and I kept moving to catch him... bah.


Lion? Much easier.


Nick got a kick out of the flamingos. "Mommy, where are their heads?"


So after we explained how flamingos nap, he decided to do his own interpretation.


The Zoo has an area where you can walk in and mingle among the monkeys. So, theoretically, if a monkey wanted to jump on your shoulder, he could. Thankfully, the monkeys could care less that we were there and we were not attacked. Not sure how I felt about that exhibit - I think I prefer a less interactive experience.


Here begins the "I want you to take a picture of me on every animal I can sit on, near or in front of, Mommy." Mixed in with Kevin's claim of "I can smile more than you can!!" - it made for some fun pictures.

Komodo dragon:


Kangaroo pouch:


Lion:


Wart hog:


Elephant:


Meerkat:


The only reason he is not ON the rocks is that there is a sign that says "No climbing on the rocks" behind him.


Alligator:


Orangutan:


Turtle:


This one cracks me up. I had to do a little convincing to get him to climb into the shell (he was worried it was going to close on him).


They had a farm set-up with tractors, cows, etc. They had a petting area too, which Nick loved. Didn't get any pictures though.


A cow milking demo.


The elephants hanging out.


Nick loves carousels, so of course...


A day running around the zoo can be exhausting - especially after all that smiling. Nick was kind enough to nap while Mommy & Daddy had a relaxing glass of wine & snacks.


Caught him right when he woke up. Mean Mommy.


We also went to the Arizona Science Center. That was very fun - lots of cool exhibits for kids big and small. They had a huge nose that was set-up to demonstrate a sneeze. You'd stand in front of it and you'd hear the sneeze build up - and then it would sneeze and little foam balls would come flying out. It was hysterical and Nick LOVED it. Alas, no pictures. Oh well, next time.