Bink’s Birthday Bash–Part One–The Zoo
Bink’s first birthday was last Wednesday (you may have noticed a post…or 12…about this topic). Hubby and I decided to take the day off from work to celebrate with him. We started the day at our favorite Donut shop, where Bink got two yummy donut holes to start his birthday off right. Hubby, K, and I have been coming to this shop every Saturday morning since before Bink was born. He’s been in every week since he was 2 weeks old and it’s been fun to see the “regulars” there interacting with him. As you can see, donut holes = big hit with one year olds.
We left breakfast and took K to school before heading to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. We got there right as they opened, got our tickets, and headed inside. Hubby had been to the Zoo more recently than me, since he went with K’s class a few years ago on a field trip. I hadn’t been since I was about K’s age myself. Some of it was just how I remembered, but lots of it had been updated, renovated, and just general jazzed up.
We took a tram ride from the gate to get closer to the exhibits and Bink loved that. I loved that the stroller fit right onto the tram and that the nice Zoo employees helped us hoist it up there. Everyone was really nice all day long, wishing Bink “happy birthday” and dealing with the stroller.
We got to see LOTS of fun animals…Polar Bears, Lions, Elephants, Leopards, Cheetahs, Monkey, even barnyard animals. I took tons of pictures so that I can make Bink his own animal book about the zoo.
The highlight of the trip was our trip to the Giraffe Feeding Station. For $2, we got a giant piece of greenery to feed the Giraffe. The Feeding Station is up on a platform so that you are at head level with the Giraffe and you just stand there with your Giraffe munchies until one of them wants to come visit you. We waited a few minutes for our turn and for the Giraffes to decide they wanted a little snack.
Hubby helped Bink feed the Giraffe and I have never seen such a look of amazement on his little face. It was the best $2 I’ve ever spent in my entire life. Hubby seemed rather impressed too.
To commemorate his Giraffe encounter, we bought Bink his very own baby Giraffe.
And then it attacked him (apparently). I’m fuzzy on the details.
Don’t worry, they recovered and decided to be best buddies. Giraffe rode around in the stroller with Bink all day and currently lives in the diaper bag because he must. go. everywhere. with us.
Also, if you don’t own one of these awesome snack cups
We also stopped by the Giraffe house to see some of Bink’s Giraffe buddies that were hanging out indoors on such a sweltering June day. Apparently, Giraffes really like Bink. Maybe his squealing noises are actually some kind of Giraffe bonding call. This guy came right up to the window to check out Bink.
And Bink made this face…
We had a quick snack and then went to the Children’s Zoo area, which had lots of things to climb on, over, and through. Bink was a little too small for most of this, but we will definitely be back to try them out. They even had a slide coming out of a giant tree exhibit!
See, I was there too!
All in all, excellent birthday trip to the zoo! There will be plenty more birthday fun (a photo shoot, party at Grandma’s, and the big birthday bash) covered the next few days.
Until then, I’ll leave you with this picture of Bink with his Mommy-created mohawk.
@Maybelline_V
June 8th, 2010 @ 8:36 pm
Awww!! what an awsome day!! he looked very very happy!! I love Giraffes.. they are so stylish.. hahaha.. but I think I like them because their tall and I’m not.. =( by the way I got the baby’s passport yesterday on the mail, and I got the tickets today.. yaayyyyyyy!! I’ll be gone august 1st and come back september the 5th.. Hubby is happy but sad at the same time.. my family is just histerical!!
Christina
June 9th, 2010 @ 1:13 am
I would like to say, first, that donut holes = big hit with anyone who has sense.
Second…what a fun day! We haven’t been to the zoo in a long time, and our youngest has never gone…what is up with that? We will have to fix that soon!
And good for you for getting in the pics!
Caitlin
June 9th, 2010 @ 8:54 am
That’s very true! I do love donut holes! Definitely need to get your littlest one to the zoo, such a fun way to spend a nice day.
Caitlin
June 9th, 2010 @ 8:54 am
That’s so exciting! Good luck on your big trip!
Laura
Twitter: cameron_crazy
June 9th, 2010 @ 12:19 pm
Looks like so much fun!! Love that you got to feed the giraffes, I am so jealous!!!