Day Two - Atlanta

Other than Brogden waking me up a few times, I slept like the dead. The most gracious, bestest, kindness, sweetest, thoughtfulness hostess brought me a cup of coffee in bed! I was ready to give up the whole trip and move in at that moment. Turns out that the baby and I were the last to wake in our room. George got up and headed to a 6:00 am class at Crossfit Addiction.

Just two crazy guys at Crossfit Addiction before the sun rose

We were treated to a scrumptious meal of Belgian waffles, bacon, sausage, strawberries, mango, and all the powdered sugar! Adults and children were moving slower than normal with the late night arrival. With eyes on the prize of Zoo Atlanta, motivation was found to dress and fill water bottles for the day. Tiny even caught a pretty stellar picture of Brogden while keeping him entertained during the sunscreen application of all girls.

Decent eye for a two year old

Atlanta traffic around noon is serious business. Having full confidence in George's ability to follow the lead car and block for lane changes, I sat back and typed up two blog posts on the way to Grant Park. Zoo Atlanta is nestled in a neighborhood that reminded me of parts of home with tighter streets. Made it safely to the zoo and got everyone unloaded from the car and Brogden loaded into the carrier. If you decide to take your family on a huge trip, I highly suggest becoming a member of your state's zoo/aquarium and childrens' museum. Our NC Aquarium membership awarded us half off admission and a discount in gift shop. Our first stop was at the flamingos.  This amazing and 'with it' momma packed and dressed the younger girls in matching flamingo outfits just for this occasion.  Not really.  I packed them and they were in the selected bag when George procured clothes for the family that morning.  Nonetheless, the girls HAD to show their kindred spirits they were twinsies.

Then came posing with lion statues.... all the pictures. Girls would have been happy if they day stopped there.  Our friends' youngest lead our group confidently around the zoo, making sure to keep us together and on task.  I desperately attempted to bring him on the rest of our journey.  Well, I wanted to bring all their children.  Their daughter was energetic enough to keep up with Tiny and their eldest son was seriously a baby whisperer.  Bubble got some *good shots of animals mainly the turtles and others in the reptile exhibit.  Brogden had the best day in my opinion.  He had so many options for people to hold him that he was hardly ever in the carrier.  

Once the zoo kicked us out at closing time, we headed to dinner.  The adults google searched the mess out of dinner with kids, family, and groups to finally settle on a Tex-Mex place called Superica.  George and I both wondered about the kid-friendliness of this dining establishment but were proven wrong.  It looked so fancy inside and totally hipster.  

All the children sat at their own table beside the adult table.  We could supervise coloring without being surrounded by it.  Once one of them realized they forgot the blessing, we saw a ring of arms joined and several prayers sent up as each child was allowed to recite their own rendition. 

Dinner blessings are abundant

Fancy hipster latte

We walked out a side door of the establishment to find a whole market of different restaurants and shops.  It was like the flea market met a food court and had a baby.  Purchases of coffee, drinking chocolate, Kissing Mermaids chocolate bar, and a new bone for the German Shepard pup were all made.  Everything is fancier in this realm we found.  The water dispenser not only provided chilled or non-chilled water options but sparkling as well.  Just hanging out in the middle of the rustic tables where individuals could select from myriad of dining choices and meet back up for a cohesive gathering.

Our whole gang loaded up to head home for swimming time.  The gals nominated the guys to take the children to the pool.  That afforded some quiet visiting porch swinging and our sweet hostess allowed me to take a shower while she cuddled a baby that may have cried most of the time.  I know Brogden was please to not touch anyone once everyone got home.  George bathed the girls, rung out bathing suits, and dressed clean girls, all while I feed Brogden.  Full of memories and depleted of energy, girls drifted off to sleep. 

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George selected the perfect assemble for a zoo day

Steps taken: 10,128
Miles driven: 77.3