Vaca in Omaha

This summer Bailey and I decided to take some weekend trips a little closer to home for our summer vacation(s).  I have wanted to take her back to the Omaha Zoo for a couple years now since she was only 1 year old when we went the last time in 2003 and she slept most of the time.  Our trip back did not disappoint us (despite trying to find the monkey house for an hour, only to find out that it had to be closed and the monkies reassigned to another area of the zoo because they were being naughty).  Since we did not get to some of the exhibits, the Omaha Zoo has to go on our 2011 summer schedule so we can go back and revisit the penguins, walk through the rainforest again and check out the Madagascar exhibit.  Maybe I'll get her to ride the Skyfari next time too.  We also went to the Omaha Children's Museum and had a lot of fun in their science exhibit area.  We've been to a number of children's museums throughout the years, but this time was the first time we did not spend the entire day at the exhibits.  Could this be a sign my child is growing up?  I'm afraid so.  In a couple of weeks we are planning another weekend trip down to Saint Louis with lots of fun in store as well.

1st stop: Penguins in Scott Aquarium--We spent almost an hour watching the penguins, but easily could have spent the entire day there.

Bailey spent about 45 minutes watching the penguins swim underwater and getting nose to nose with them.

See the shark in the background

Bailey with her new friend, Omaha

I usually don't want just animals in my pictures so I ask Bailey to pose with the animals in the background.  She's a good sport about this and plays along with me on this simple request when we visit zoos.

Yes, Bailey has blue lips.  No, it was not cold in the rainforest.  We had stopped for an ice cream treat prior to going to Lied Rainforest.

Omaha Children's Museum

This was a pretty amazing set up where kids could load plastic balls into different areas of the contraption.  They collected in the ball drop area and then a siren went off and the balls fell out.

And they all fall down.

Last stop before heading home.