Zoo with 13 five-and-unders . . . and five moms

Some of our wonderful friends from church are moving a few hours away, and so we met with our playdate group for one last gathering of kids and moms.  We were able to find a Friday morning that worked for all for a trip to the zoo.

We took over an indoor exhibit while waiting for everyone to arrive, and the kids ran from one side to the other while the moms got to catch up and keep an eye on the littles.  Maya tagged along, excited to be part of the crowd.

There's a fish tunnel you can crawl through, which became a pre-K boy hang out.

Maya barged in, her first time to try it (mostly because I've never encouraged her in before, assuming she'd get stuck and I'd have to crawl in after her)

And her friend Cameron, just a few months younger, explored the tunnel with her -

Once we had everyone, we headed to the gorillas, the newest exhibit at our zoo.  Maya looks happy, but her first glimpse at the colossal gorillas that came right up to the glass had her running between my legs.  Once she understood she was safe, she was happy to get such up-close views.

But Maya was happier to get up-close views of babies.  She followed sweet Juliet around patting her head, and often we'd get her to move to the next exhibit by telling her to go find baby Hugh.

We didn't last too long outside in Houston in June without finding water, so after we rounded out the African exhibit, we headed to the splash pad.  

 

We had a great morning with friends, and are thankful for this group and all the park-childrens museum - zoo and home play dates we've had over the years!   I'm thankful my kids have some really sweet friends at church to grow up with, and I'm so blessed by the wisdom, encouragement and laughter these friends bring to my life!

 Our gang less one three-year-old who had slipped out of the photo -