Boo at the Zoo
Hi all! It's been a while since I blogged. I've been extremely tired my first trimester, so I had to use all the energy I could muster on work. Now that I'm fully in my second trimester, I am feeling more like myself again~
This past weekend my husband and I headed over to "Boo at the Zoo" at the Bronx Zoo, via the 2 subway train (from Manhattan). We were excited for Chase's first Halloween parade which they hold at noon and 2pm! There are 3 more weekends left until their last day on October 30th and I recommend it if you want to feel the Halloween spirit with your family!
With this pregnancy, my back has been killing me when I sit and work all day, so it was nice to leisurely walk the entire park!
They have a small art station where kids can color pumpkins - next to the pumpkin carving demonstrations.
The space is perfect for toddlers to run around safely and freely. If you are around children, you how helpful that can be. Dippin' dots was my ultimate favorite ice cream as a kid, so I was excited they had a stand (it was by the mouse house/4D theater when we went). When Chase is well behaved we allow him to share a treat! We got the "festive" orange colored ice cream by chance since it is not pictured on their menu: the flavor is cookies and cream. My go to flavor (on the bottom) is banana split!
As we entered the Hay Maze, we passed at least 5 kids saying the maze was not a "maze" at all and they found it unchallenging. You can see from this image why they thought so because you can see above it. However Chase, being 2.5 years old, had the biggest smile on his face and copied the older kids running after them.
Chase loves making friends! His costume is from last year so you can see the bottom part is open. Last year he didn't want to wear this costume at all - it went back in the closet after 1 photo for the 'gram. I thought if we were lucky he will be distracted and just keep it on for the parade. But everyone points out each other's costumes and shower compliments - Chase soaked it up! He would pull the hoodie over his head as he went up to people to show off his costume! He was proud to be a shark and kept it on the entire day! Literally took it off once we got home in our apartment lobby.
If you eat in the outdoor food court, peacocks will come right up to you. They've been around picking up fries for as long as I can remember (decades ago haha). I will share a cute video of Chase gently running after them on Instagram: "peacock escapes shark".
There are candy stations around the park so bring a trick or treating bag! This sweet kid is about to share with Chase when his mom mindfully points out that Chase might be too young for candy. We did bring a small bag for Chase to use, but once we got here we saw that the barrels are taller than his height. He couldn't see the candy - phew! They are smart. I grabbed a bag of mini sized gummy bears (it was in the Zoo Center when we went) and used one gummy at a time to bribe him throughout the day.
As part of the parade, there are several characters and they hang out throughout the park as well. They came to the food court while we ate lunch - Chase was a bit nervous of this grasshopper! So we stayed at the back of the parade away from the tall mascots. They might be intimidating for little ones but the older kids were fascinated and posed for photos with them.
Nap time! All the excitement will knock a toddler out. There are lots of peaceful nooks to calm them. He wanted to see snakes, so we saved that part of the park for when he woke back up. I won't post photos of them in case you have a phobia. He said "Hi" to every snake~
We got general tickets and we barely covered half those sections because of all the halloween stops. The Jack O'Lantern exhibit is an additional $3 per person or covered by an upgraded ticket (addition $14 per person). We made it at 4:50 and they let us in for free since the zoo closes at 5. Good thing because its held in the dark bat cave with spooky music and Chase did not want to stay in there. He left saying "no pumpkins". It was cute overhearing some of the older kids wondering if the jellyfish pumpkins (pictured above) were really in water.
My husband and I went to the park making note to appreciate and really enjoy the fact that it's just the three of us! Once in a life time memories to cherish :)
Side note: I've been wearing these Mickey Mouse leggings often since it became fall. Many of you ask where they are from. I got them at a market in Korea - if you've been to any markets in Asia, you know they often don't have any official brand tags and commonly "one of". They seem like a really easy iron-on DIY with patches. I opened up Amazon and looks like appliques go for only a couple dollars (I found a mixed dozen for $4!). Tag and show me if you make any!
Lastly, I don't want to be a mood killer or anything. But I will disclose saying - yes we had a wonderful day and I want to relive it! All I want as a mother is to watch Chase have fun, laugh and learn. However zoos are a bit depressing for the animals.. The polar bear was pacing back and forth and it looked extremely boring in there.. I can't imagine any man made space doing justice for lions.. I will teach Chase that animals should be free in the wild.
Get the look:
Last minute Halloween shopping? Be ready for lots of "aww"s with a shark costume!
Use code "MAINEVENT16" for these looks on Shopbop.com until Oct 14, 2016 for up to 30% off!
Aaaaaaand~ shameless plug from my line:
Thanks for reading!! Let me know what you and/or your kid is going to be dressed as this year! Chase will be Marshall from Paw Patrol on Halloween weekend :)
