Manic Monday

#1- You might remember that last week Chad and I chaperoned a school field trip to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. We had SUCH a great time!!! I debated on whether or not to bombard you guys with zoo pics today or just share my general let’s-try-to-get-happy-on-Monday stuff. In the end I decided that the animals are happy. Like this alligator that really wanted to eat my kid.

#2- Playing is happy.

#3- Napping is HAPPY.

#4- Eating (We got to feed these guys!!! They eat kale. Baby Giraffe here is licking his chops) is happy!

#5- This guy made my heart happy. His name is Chaka. He is 28 years old and despite this ugly concrete room he’s in (where he really wanted to hang out so he could see all the children) he has a pretty great natural habitat. Chaka is a Western Lowland Gorilla who likes to do puzzles and help out with daily tasks. He was sitting on this burlap sack and kept peering over his shoulder at me. I’d perched on a bench in front of a bank of windows while there was a lull in the crowd with the hopes of getting a really great photo because Chaka was AMAZING. But while I fiddled with my camera Chaka turned, walked over to the glass, and suddenly we were nose to nose. He looked me straight in the eye and I wish I could accurately explain to you the catch in my throat or how I felt this big guy was staring into my soul. Best part of the day.

#6-  Baby Koalas are SOOOOO happy.

#7- Some wild animals never adapt to their domestic habitats. Like Norma Jean, for instance.

It’s Monday. Have a great Week!!