We went to the “Zoo Boo” last weekend. The kids wore Halloween shirts, but not actual costumes because a.) Luke’s costume is mostly white and he’s a messy kid, b.) Luke will not put his costume on (so that first reason doesn’t really matter I guess), and c.) Adam and Maggie’s costumes aren’t finished yet (Luke’s was store bought – which does not mean I love him less. His costume would have cost more to make than to buy, and also, it would have been much harder for me to make than the other two).

How’s that for a bit of a tangent? I should probably warn you that I had caffeine tonight for the first time in days and I apparently CAN’T HANDLE CAFFEINE ANYMORE. Or something. Also, I would like to point out that it’s after midnight and Maggie has been asleep for over an hour, but thanks to the CAFFEINE, I can’t sleep. So I’m tired, but hyper, and that’s not a good combination.

Get back on topic Sandra, they are here for the pictures of the kids, not your rambling.

They had trick-or-treat stops set up throughout the zoo. Each station had a piece of candy and a small toy (except for the stop with the bendy straws – they were out of bendy straws and Adam was very sad – buuuut I just happened to have two bendy straws hidden away at home AND one of them was green, so it ended up being okay).

Luke was in a pretty wild mood (fitting since we were at the zoo). It sort of made me understand why people use those leash backpack things on their kids. Then I saw a couple with their kid wearing one of those things and remembered that I hate them. (The backpacks, not the people. I didn’t even know the people.) I will concede though, that having your kid on a leash is preferable to having your small child mammal jumping in to the leopard exhibit. So if that’s what you need to do to keep your offspring safe – go for it. I’m all for keeping kids safe. And now that I’ve made my opinion known on those safety harness leash things, I will probably end up having to get one for one of my kids someday – since that’s how this parenting thing seems to work for me. I swear I will NEVER do something (drive a minivan, give my baby a pacifier, etc) and before I know it I’m eating my own words.

Focus grasshopper, focus.

Dave and I took turns switching between Maggie (who only wanted to be held) and Luke (who only wanted to run around like a crazy person). Adam was very well behaved, but we also had to juggle the empty stroller, since, of course, none of them wanted to actually ride in that. Luke did calm down after we watched the elephant for a while though. That boy loves his “ellies”. Once we left them he was fine with riding in the stroller and was really awesome the rest of our visit. Maybe we need to invest in an elephant, you know for its soothing properties and all.

Both boys loved watching the penguins.

One of them swam right in front of them, startling Luke.

I tried to get a picture of the two of them, but Luke was more interested in looking at the penguin behind him.

We brought along the penguin outfit for Maggie in case it got cold. Technically it is a costume. I got it for cheap on super clearance when I was pregnant with Adam. We used it for a fun picture with Adam for his first Christmas, and that was it. Then, when Luke was a baby it dawned on me that, hey! this thing is cute AND warm. So we used it all the time Luke’s first winter. It wasn’t that cold while we were at the zoo, but we put her in it specifically for these photos (you’re welcome).

Also, Maggie was not in any danger during the taking of these photos. Dave was right next to her during that last picture (I cropped him out) and he was holding her tightly in the next one (he used his real arms, not those worthless fake penguin ones).

Before we left the zoo we had to go back to this elephant statue for pictures. Luke was in crazy-mode the first time we went past it.

I’m so glad we did. I think this is the first decent picture of me with all three of my babies. Sure, I’m the only one looking at the camera and Maggie isn’t all that thrilled to be sitting on an elephant, but I’ll take it.

We saw this Magpie on our way out too. It’s pretty cute, but not as adorable as my Magpie.

It was still really nice when we got home, so we spent some time outside.

Luke was pushing around his car, so I put Maggie in it. Luke was not on board with this decision, “No car baby!”

While we were outside we heard the music from the ice cream truck. Adam has asked all summer if we can get some ice cream from the truck. We’ve always told him no in the past, because the truck drives through our neighborhood before dinner time (and truthfully I think it’s a little creepy). But this time, we said yes.

The boys waited for the truck at the end of the driveway. Luke wasn’t hurt here, he likes to pretend to fall off of things and then yell, “I OKAY!”

ICE CREAM BEFORE DINNER! WE ARE CRAAAAAAZY REBELS!!!

They both loved the treat though, so it was totally worth it (slightly creepy truck and all).

Okay, I think the majority of the caffeine has worn off, so I’m going to bed. Also, I totally won’t blame you if you only look a the photos from now on and don’t read the words.