The Living Desert!

Today we had a fun adventure...Kylie, Cooper and I piled into Tabitha's new van with her, Portia, Nico and Gabe (her nephew) and we headed to Palm Springs. I have heard that the Living Desert is a fun day trip for kids, but we had never been. The car ride was of course the first part of the adventure, 4 car seats, 3 adults and lots of books and toys. Nico was so excited to have someone to look at from his rear facing seat, he spent the first part of the drive just saying Kylie (Ky Key) and Cooper (Coo Coo). The forecast said it would be a high of 75 with 40% chance of rain. So we dressed appropriately, pants and we brought sweatshirts. When we got there is was sunny and hot, just like it always is in Palm Springs. We covered the kids in sunscreen and I was mad at myself for putting them in pants and expecting rain. So we left the umbrellas in the car and headed into the park. Within about an hour, the clouds had rolled in and it was starting to cool down. About 4 times during the day we had a very light sprinkle of rain, almost like someone had turned a mister on. It was perfect, 75 degrees with a light sprinkle, ahhh. We stayed much later then we planned, the kids were having fun and so were we :o) I am excited to go back and take Craig. There were many of animals and lots of open space to run around, so fun!!

Who says it's not a 3 kids stroller.

 Riding the warthog was a big hit.

 Kylie was especially interested in petting some animals today, there were some small goats that we could pet, however there were a few that were not so interested in having children close to them. It made for a slightly stressful petting time.

 Funny faces during our picnic lunch.

 Both boys took a post lunch nap.

 Although we were not able to find the cheetah in its habitat, the girls liked "riding on" and "feeding" the fake one. 

 Yay for ergo carriers. Nico wanted to ride on my back while Portia was on Tab's, so fun!

 Super mom.

 Trying to ride the model of a Kit Fox.

 The carousel was a big hit of the day, we rode twice. Kylie was able to ride on her own and she did great. Her first ride was on the big horned ram and her second was on the cheetah. 

 Lots of fun things to climb on at the kids play area.

 Group shot!

 These two goats don't like kids, the women told us only after Kylie tried to pet them both.

 Brushing the baby goat.

 Cooper loved his ride on the carousel, as soon as it stopped he did his sign for more and said "mo mo mo mo," so of course we went again.

 Kylie found a little house in the play area and was kind enough to give us all a tour.

 Coopie climbed up there all by himself, big boy!

 Kylie wanted to do a little modeling with this big lizard.

It was a wonderful fun filled day! can't wait to go back and maybe next time Craig can come instead of studying all day :o)

I start my first day of teaching clinicals tomorrow, so off to bed, good night,
Natalie