Memorial Day Weekend '11 - Saturday.

What were we thinking?  When I heard M. suggest the National Zoo for our Saturday morning outing, it sounded perfect.  We hadn't been in awhile.  It was sunny outside.  A. loves the zoo.  E. would most certainly nap.  Right?  Right.

But it was also MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.  And a SATURDAY.  And HOT.  Which equals LOTS OF TOURISTS, LOTS OF LOCALS, LOTS OF CRABINESS, etc.  Indeed, M. said to me as we entered the zoo, "I bet we're going to hear a lot of stupid things today."  Me to M.:  "I think this zoo is the unhappiest place on earth right now!"  . . . But A. had fun!  That's all that matters right?

Er, until she decided to *vacumn* the busy pathways with a dried magnolia-tree leaf, jamming up people and stroller traffic in every which way, ultimately leading her to a tantrum when M. removed her from her cleaning (and, of course, A.'s tantrum lasted in the car, leading to a tearful E., too!).  Then, there was the not-so-kind grandpa who was impatient with my slow stroller pushing and loudly said, "C'mon! Women drivers!"  REALLY, GRANDPA?! (For the record, I was on the fringe of a path, not in the center, walking alongside my two-year old daughter who, ironically, he was admiring as followed the elephant foot prints with her own feet, bouncing along in her red, flappy hat. Had we not been surrounded by so many children . . . I don't even want to go there!)

Um.  So, that was not ideal.  And thus ensued our new rule:  trips to the zoo in late Fall or Winter (any day allowed) or Summer early morning trips.  The zoo should be a happy place.  Period.

(Later that evening, we made our first trip to the local pool, ending our day on a high note.  M. & A. swam while E. and I lounged and watched, making friends with our pool neighbors.  I wish I had pictures, but pool rules forbid picture-taking.  Maybe I'll sneak one on another day!)