A real live LION!!

Cassandra and Mike (Micah's sister and her husband) drove all the way from Michigan and met us right at the Franklin Park Zoo.  I've been to this zoo probably once in elementary school and didn't have huge expectations, but we actually had a great time!  It's setup more like a park than exhibits so there's more walking, but there are tons of trees and it's nice and shady.  It's in Dorchester which is a rougher part of Boston, so there were constantly cops flying by with their sirens on, which Emmett loved.  It wasn't crowded.  There was actually a pretty good assortment of animals.  Even more impressive, the animals were actually visible and not hiding behind rocks.  Lots of them were actually right at the front of their viewing areas, which was great.  Most importantly, the LION did NOT disappoint!  He spent a lot of time roaring and moving around.  I thought Emmett was a little young (although of course he is brilliant) to make the connection between his stuffed animal and the real deal, but after a minute of watching the lion, he started making his sign for the lion.  He LOVED it!  We got a few videos of it roaring and at home that night, my sister Betsy showed him the videos a few times.  Later, he kept signing lion and pointing towards the table and I was confused, because little lion was no where around.  I finally realized he meant the lion videos and he sat and watched the same 30 second clip over and over again.  Needless to say, we'll be going back again sometime! 

In the farm animals' barn

This little 'choo choo' tractor was a hit, of course

For Emmett's favorite Savannah

Emmett's a little confused as to why the 'door' to see the lion is closed.

Here he is pushing on it...

And then his hands up in that 'what's going on?' pose

Emmett led the way the whole time...like usual

Fences are for wimps!

Blowing a kiss goodbye to that huge snake...don't know who told him to do that 

but I'm pretty sure it wasn't me prompting that ;)

This tamarin/monkey came right up to the window...

...so Emmett showed him his monkey sounds-

and then 'rocked it' with him!

One of Emmett's all-time favorites is the 'Wack Wack!'

Black Swans?!?  Pretty cool!

A Bengal Tiger-there was also a white one!

This land rover is actually half way into the lion's cage and is the coolest viewing area!

We had a BLAST with Aunt Cassandra & Uncle Mike.  Thanks for driving all the way (on Mike's birthday) just to take us to the zoo (and stay for a few more days) - We loved your visit!

Here's a quick one of the lion