Ho Ho and a Pooping Elephant

Wednesday night my dear friend from college (and my roommate for four years) called me and asked if the girls and I would meet her family at the Columbus Zoo on Thursday. We try to get together every year even though we are three hours apart, but we had a great friendship during college and still remain strong. We try to jump on any opportunity to get together. Anyway, we met them at the zoo this morning, grateful that the weather was cool and cloudy. It was perfect for a day at the zoo with little kids. The best part was that we got in free because her family has a season pass. Thanks Kim and Larry!

We got to the zoo before Kim's family arrived so the girls and I waited in front of the zoo entrance. Sara loved this because she was able to walk all over the place and explore. We were enjoying this time together when all of a sudden Mya was clinging to my leg. She was grabbing on so tight that I was stunned. All I heard her saying was, "Mommy, it's Ho Ho! Ho Ho is here!" She was terrified. Ho Ho means Santa Clause. Mya spotted a man with a long white beard and was convinced that Santa was at the zoo. It was pretty funny. I managed to snap a photo of Santa Clause.

When we got into the zoo with Kim's family we had an early lunch and then got in line to see the baby elephant. We waited and waited in line for about a half hour to see one baby elephant. The kids were so excited. We did get to see the baby elephant and he was adorable, but we also saw something else. As we were watching the baby play with a big ball, we looked over at the mommy elephant and watched her pee and poop. Have you ever seen an elephant do this? Not only is the poop rather large, but the elephant pees A LOT and for a really long time. That was worth the wait for us and for the kids!

The rest of the day was full of lions, kangeroos, fish, merry go round rides, and cotton candy. It was a wonderful day.