Breakfast with Dora

We found out that the 2nd weekend of September, there would be a very special visitor at the zoo.  Of course, being members, we dug and found out that we could have breakfast with Dora ( and sundry friends) on Sunday morning and jumped at the chance!  Being still very warm out and not fall like at all, we wanted to take advantage of the day and headed up with MeMaw, all ready for the big day.It's kind of a hike up there for us, so we were prepared, we had videos to watch and games to play, but truly--none of us knew what to expect (we're kind of new to this character breakfast thing, though quite a few there were veterans.)  We arrived to a huge breakfast of sausage and eggs, breads, cereals and juices.  Not to mention they had giant birds who flew to trainers literally over our heads, and armadillo, some kind of groundhog looking guy, and a snake--there is always a snake.  I particularly enjoy watching the parents and grandparents squirm and move away, while the kids run to the animals--no fear.

She was particularly fond of Chilly, the Polar Bear--no surprise sine that is her favorite attraction at the zoo--and no matter where we went in the room, she always had her eye out for him.  I bet we visited him half a dozen times.  She also liked this turtle/chameleon/dinosaur guy (i never got clarification on what he was) and there was an eagle and a few others too.When we finally got to visit Dora, she was starting to get worn down by all the excitement.  She enjoyed seeing backpack and map especially--and wasn't scared by anything, but not entirely enthralled either (especially up close).  Funny enough, we saw them all in a character caravan in the streets later that morning, and she seemed much more interested in them AFTER we had seen them, and in cars, than while we were in the room with them.  Since she loves the merry-go-round, we headed over that way before going home.  I didn't realize the zoo had converted from tokens to paper tickets, so we had to wait in line (excruciating for an anxious 2 yr old) not once, but 4 times b/c she kept asking to go again :)  It was worth it though, she LOVED it!

After all the merry go riding, we headed over for a snack of popcorn and lemonade and watched some kids jumping rope for a bit--that was a good enough note to end on, but not before hitting the gift shop (a tradition we can thank daddy for) and a small stuffed eagle to match one of the characters from the morning that she liked a lot.

Overall a very fun and action-packed morning for all of us--we hear Diego is coming to COSI in November, so we'll have to look that up and round out the experience for the year!