"Where da zebra go?"

Our second mini trip was to the NC Zoo in Asheboro.  We had been telling Carli for over a week that we were going to see the animals.  Joe had been reading stories with African animals in them and going over various animal noises.  Finally the day had arrived.

After packing a picnic lunch and snacks, we headed out. Carli fell asleep before we even got there.  Once inside, we began the trek around Africa.  First up, the giraffes, ostriches, and zebras.  We saw the giraffes and ostriches, but the zebras were no where to be seen.  Carli was disappointed and asked, "Where da zebra go?"

looking for the zebras

Next up, the lion's den...both the "mama" lion and the "daddy" lion were out sunbathing.  Carli thought the lion laying with his belly in the air was funny.  She even roared like a lion, which did get his attention, briefly.  Then he went back to his nap. But again, "Where da zebra go?"

The chimpanzees were the next animal to see.  Carli loved watching the almost two year old chimp play.  She was running around the habitat, climbing all over the other chimps, rock, and the branches.  Reminded me of another two year old!  But again, "Where da zebra go?"

watching the chimps play

The gorilla was a HUGE animal.  It even came right up to the glass and sat down in front of us.  It was an incredible sight to see.

After a quick stop for a map check and a cool snack, we headed to see the baboons (a word Carli loved saying over and over again!).  The red butt on the leader made her giggle.

Could she be looking for the missing zebras?

up high to see the baboons

The rhinoceros had gone under cover, so it was off to the elephants.  The elephants at our zoo are not gray as in all our books, but red.  There were a bunch and Carli liked watching them.  Then we went in to a little elephant park to take a break while Carli climbed on the statues.  But still we heard, "Where da zebra go?"

Carli and Daddy on a rhino egg model

Since the circle around the zoo was complete, Joe took Carli back around to the zebra exhibit hoping they had shown up. THEY HAD!  Carli finally got to see her zebras.  It even came up pretty close for us to see.

FINALLY a zebra!

As we were leaving, we stopped into the gift shop to get her a stuffed zebra.  She named it "Mommy Zebra".   We thought Carli would sleep most of the way home, but she never did! She just played and played with the new zebra.  Since our trip, Mommy Zebra has slept with Carli nightly and gone around the house.  Sometimes it goes even before Elmo.  We had a good time.

looks a little pooped!