becoming mommy: zoo membership!

I've gone and done it. On Mother's Day, I bought a family membership to the Detroit Zoo for the year. So far, Bridget and I have been there twice—once by ourselves and once with my dad (both days have been Al's working days). And so far, Bridget hasn't made it through the zoo without falling asleep.

The thought has crossed my mind that perhaps I jumped the gun a little on the zoo membership—should I have waited until Bridget was (is) actually old enough to walk through most of the zoo? To really pay attention to the animals? But she had so much fun when we went with my dad this past Sunday that I don't have any doubts left. She played in the froggy fountain, she tried pushing and pulling her wagon, she pointed at birds and butterflies when she walked through the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery and Free Flight Aviary with dad (I couldn't go in since they don't allow wagons/strollers). She loves the play area. She may have even noticed an animal or two. And while it's definitely easier for me when I have adult company (I can go to the bathroom, for instance), it's a way to get us out of the house, outside, and active for fairly cheap (the family membership cost $69, includes parking, and is good until next Mother's Day).

I wish I had time to write about other things—the way Bridget tries to sing all the time now (especially to the ABC song the magnets on the fridge play); the way she desperately wants to help me while I'm making dinner each night; the way she dance, dance, dances and tries to jump, jump, jump (can't get her feet off the ground); and especially the way this girl loves to play in the water. But I'll have to save those for another post because I've got to get working. Until then, enjoy some zoo pics—I'll even break with my typical layout to bring you more photos and include captions.