Erin Go . . . Roar?!?

It's St. Patrick's Day and also the middle of Spring Break here.

What should we do? We could:

A) Stay home making corned beef and cabbage

B) Build a leprechaun trap

C) Drive for several hours to visit the Phoenix Zoo in 90 degree weather.

Of course, we opted to visit the Phoenix Zoo along with 2 million other people. (I found out while we were waiting for our over-priced fast food that 47 school districts in Arizona are on Spring Break this week. Apparently, they were all required to visit the Phoenix Zoo.)

So I packed up the children and met my friend, Trina and her sister at the zoo for a fun-filled day of sweating and animal gazing. Three adults, 9 children, what could be better?

For some reason, my children had other plans.

The children were most excited about our visit to the Farm Country section of the zoo. I'm not sure why the horses, sheep and goats were suddenly exciting. But that was surely the highlight.


Jaqy and Andrew petting a goat. Notice Andrew's outfit. It was 90 degrees that day, but I couldn't convince him to wear something more appropriate. Luckily, is like Grandpa Buddy and rarely gets to hot. I don't think he broke a sweat all day.

They did agree to eat lunch - an overpriced hot dog and chips.

Dillon and Brianna enjoying refreshment in one of the few shady spots.

And who can pass up a chance to sit in a giant clam?

Most - but not all of - the crew

Mostly, they played on the plethora of playground equipment. Maybe next time we won't bother with the exotic animals. We'll go straight to the big swing or the giant-rope spider web.

I wonder . . . would the same swing be as popular in our backyard? Nah.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!