Last updated on July 28th, 2020 at 10:53 am
Last weekend, was a chilly one but with Daddy gone to America for nine days we wanted to fill our time up so B asked if we could go to the zoo. We haven’t been since MM was a newborn and I thought it was an excellent idea. For us, it’s only an hour drive to the zoo. Now that they are both old enough to really get excited about various animals and do more activities, I think we will be visiting more often. We grabbed Granny on the way, to join us on our family fun adventures at Chester Zoo.
It was a completely different experience this time with older children. MM of course was only a newborn and now she was pointing and shouting for each animal to come say hello to her. B took over as tour guide and was reading the map perfectly, telling us where to go next and what we were about to see. I was so impressed with his guiding skills. I think that might have been his favorite part of the day, bossing us all around the zoo. 
We got there when they opened as the animals always seem to be out having their breakfast. It was great getting to watch the staff feed some of the animals. The baby animals were all roaming around their parents’ legs like my own to toddlers were doing to me. There is something so amazing watching animal families interact. We especially loved the elephants and their babies spitting water at each other. It was adorable. I have always had a soft spot for elephants and it was cute to see that they were MM’s favorite animal too. They are fascinating creatures. 
B somehow seems so old to me at Chester Zoo that day. I don’t know if it’s just him being away during the week at school or being with older kids at school but he has changed so much this past month, I am trying to keep up. He speaks more clear and asked more detailed questions than ever before. I am loving this new school stage where he just wants to know and learn everything. He really does soak it up like a sponge. I hope he is always this eager to know more and learn more from everything around him. I best get the encyclopaedias out though as some questions are beyond my knowledge. The animal questions haven’t stopped since we got home. He wanted to know why we cage animals, why there are not more animals, what they eat, why they eat that, where they sleep and do they get to come out and play at the park? Some questions are answerable, some questions had me even wanting to know the answer. I have always thought B is an old soul and he was great to stop and explain things to his sister. He was patient with her and holding her hand when she was scared of the bats. Let’s be honest, I needed my own hand held in the bat room where a bat got in my hair and then inside the hood of MM’s stroller and between the two of us shrieking for the door and Granny shouting behind us. What an experience. B was man of the day and took care of us all.
B was ever so curious about he camels and wanting to know why they had humps on their backs and not called horses and are the horses, donkeys and camels all a family related? MM just wanted to called them horsey and feed them hay. Camels have always had a target for me and spitting so I stayed far back as I could. 
MM woke up from her nap in her stroller and wasn’t feeling well. I could tell she had a bit of a temperature and probably had caught what B had the week before. It’s typical on a day out isn’t it? Bless her so she stayed in her stroller most of the afternoon but B was running, happy and wild, through the zoo. I haven’t seen him this excited since I bought him his first Lighting McQueen car. He was already asking when we can come again and see more animals and tell them stories about his school. He really had the best day ever and has been talking about the zoo all week this week. I am so glad we went despite the cold weather.
I love that we have Granny (my MIL) with us on family days out. With most of my family back in the states and Mr P’s family in Ireland, she is the kids’ sole extended family here. They love that she gets to come on holidays and day trips with us. I do too. It’s great to sit back and see her bond with the kids. While we were looking at the giraffe’s I sat back to watch them together. She has done so much for them I am forever grateful for. The kids just adore her. I saw the baby giraffe’s playing with each other and rubbing on possibly their mother’s legs and there were two more adult giraffes together and in my own little happy bubble, at that moment, I thought I hope that’s their grandparents. All together as one big happy family. Grandparents are such a huge part of my kids’ lives and I feel so lucky for them to have them around to help guide them, love them, support them and grow up with them. 
MM has always been the strong one of the family. Even when she is feverish and a little cranky, I still can always get a smile out of her. She loved riding the little train from one side of the zoo to the other. She even got out of the stroller to race water boats with B. They have a lovely positive competitiveness in their relationship. I love that as I feel like I seem a glimpse of me and my brother in them when they compete at something.
There is so much to do at Chester Zoo, I was impressed. The first time around we didn’t take the little train, or see the boats and haven’t even been to the new islands that have been added too. We can’t wait to go back and see the rest of the animals and catch things we have missed this time. 
On the way to the zoo B had asked if there were any antelope there. I had no idea if there would be or not but I was more impressed that he even knew what an antelope was. He was so excited when we rounded the corner from the bears and spots the antelope. “Mommy, you did it, you found the antelope”. I would love to take the credit son but it was just a coincidence. He kept giving me thumbs up and I was roaring with laughter. We must have sat watching those antelope just lay there for an hour. He was hooked and didn’t want to leave. He even made sissy get out of her stroller and look at them which was so sweet. He had his arm around her telling her all about them. I am assuming they must have been learning about them at school because I have no idea where he was getting his information from. It was hilarious. 
It was a cold english winter’s day but we braved the wind to have some family fun and see all the amazing animals. There is so much more to see at Chester Zoo the next time we go back. I think I can say I love the zoo as much as the kids do. Please check out our video of our full day of adventures below, let me know what you think. I would love to hear from you.
What a brilliant day out! You all clearly had so much fun – apart from with the bats, eek – and yay for B as a fabulous big brother! It is amazing how much they’ve changed even from just a little time at school – big steps indeed!
We had the best time together and it was lovely to have just the kids on adventures and bond with them. I love having their attention sometimes all to myself. Selfish I know.
Looks like you had a really lovely time! Jac always takes the map and directs us where to go! Must be a boy thing! xx
I was really surprised how into the map he got and directing us all. He normally isn’t the bossy leader type so it was good to see him take charge. He was the man of the house all week so it must have done him good. 🙂 We love the zoo.
What a lovely day out you all had. I love all the questions from B, its great when they are at the inquisitive and wonder stage. Eek about the bat getting in your hair and in the hood of the stroller. I feel for you as when we last visited Chester Zoo, I had a butterfly land in my hair and it stayed there for 10 minutes. I SO wanted to freak out but had to just stand there lol x
He was hilarious with his questions, I was like I am not a zoo keeper go get one of them for quiz time lol. I should have listened better in school when it came to the animals for him. Bless. We had a wonderful time together. Love when days out go smoothly.
What a lovely family day out – love that B had so many questions about it all even if some of them weren’t so easy to answer and am very impressed by his map reading. Sorry to hear that MM wasn’t feeling so well and hope that she feels better soon.
I was actually shocked at how good he was at using the map. It was impressive and being the little man of the family for the day leading us ladies around, so cute.
It looks like a fun family day. It’s only a shame your husband couldn’t see his son raise to the occasion!
I have mixed feelings about ZOOs. I know that they are the only way for most kids to see animals live, but I always feel sad. I don’t like to see proud animals like lions and wolfs trapped in small enclosures.
I do too, I kept saying that with my mil that I wasn’t sure how much I did actually love the zoo if I think in bigger terms of the animals being locked up and stared at all day. It makes me sad than I try to be positive and think they are some animals becoming instinct and zoos are keeping them alive and safe. Not sure it’s a hard one isn’t it?
Love that photo of you and M. I went to Chester zoo a good few years ago, it is great! Thanks for hosting #Sharewithme xx
Thank you hunny, we had a fantastic day all together. Could have been a little warmer but nevertheless loved the zoo.
It looks like such a lovely zoo! I’m usually a bit funny about zoos but this really looks like one that is very nice to visit, especially with the kids #sharewithme
We had a great time and the kids loved all the animals but I do get sad when I see some animals closed in tight places and not looking happy in their environment its hard to think what’s good or bad about them.
Looks like you had a fab day. He’s so clever too. Looks like he’s learning so fast from being a school and cute to see him being the man of the trip 🙂 #sharewithme
He really is learning so much at school at a faster rate than I thought kids learn. But I am so impressed with his map skills too. He amazed us all and took charge. proud of my little leader.
Great pictures, it is one of the places that is on our list, we may have to organise a weekend away beginning of next year and go as it looks fab xxx
Thank you ever so much Kara you are too sweet. yes you must get over to see it. It’s worth it. We had a great time together.
Chester Zoo is somewhere I would love to visit, I have seen posts from here before on Country Kids and it always looks amazing with so much to see and do you could easily enjoy return visits. I love how you have made it into a real family day with the Grandparents too, I’m determined to go one day..
Oh yes you must get over to see it Fiona worth the travel if its far from you. So much to see and do we need to go again to capture it. We love taking granny with us and making it a family affair.
Sounds like you had a great time! I’ve totally experienced that strange phenomenon where suddenly your child seems so much older! It’s weird isn’t it? Usually right after I have that thought mine does something that reminds me of when she was a baby and the world rights itself 🙂 It;s awesome that your son has such a thirst for knowledge and is so good with his little sister, looks like you’re doing an amazing job, mama!
#sharewithme
Thank you so much. It really is surreal when you blink and suddenly they can read a map, how did that happen? Then I love the moments they get sleepy and need cuddles and it brings it round in circles again. The beauty of parenting isn’t it?
Lovely photos as always. We live quite near Blijdorp zoo in Rotterdam and bought a years pass for the whole family for my little man’s birthday. It is one of the best presents we have ever bought. We only needed to go 3 times in the year to get our money’s worth but ended up going much more than that. Every time we went we discovered something new. I would highly recommend it for animal mad kids. #sharewithme
I was just saying to my husband I wonder if we should get a pass and go more the kids loved it that much and it’s only an hour drive that’s nothing. Would be worth it. Zoos are great for family days out.
Lovely ! Just up the road from us! #sharewithme
Oh you might know it well than, such a lovely area to live.
Sounds like a lovely day! It’s great when kids are curious and want to learn. I’m impressed you even went in the bat room, even if you were screaming – I would have been firmly staying outside! I hate rodents. I hate flying things. I don’t consider rodents that fly fun! The elephants are cute, though! #sharewithme
Well in my defence I thought they would be behind a fence and just flying around so we could see them from a far not open room of bats and one getting in my hair and going for MM in the stroller was the tip of the iceberg. Will firmly wait outside the next time. lol
This looks like a fab day out, I think our nearest zoo is in Bristol, must check it out with my littles who are similar ages to your two! xo
Thanks Lizzie it really was a great time together. I love when a day out runs smoothly especially with two toddlers in tow. Oh I bet they will absolutely love it. 🙂
Looks like so much fun! I can’t wait to take my daughter for the first time – though the last time I went to the zoo we were wandering around behind a grandma and a little girl of about 3. Every time her grandma pointed out an animal (‘look at that hippo! Isn’t he big?’), the kid would just be like, ‘Can I go on the swings *now*? Who cares about animals when there are swings!? 😀
That is hilarious. Luckily and weirdly my kids both hate the swings so we were golden with the animals. Although we did take B when he was two and he could care less about the animals so it was good to wait a little older whereas MM loved them right from baby age.
Ah what a lovely day at the zoo! This looks like an amazing zoo too. The train ride across would be half the fun. I also love the elephants, especially when there’s a baby to watch 🙂 Thanks so much for hosting #sharewithme x
It was so fun and had so much to do than I originally remember the first time we went. Definitely have to go back and catch the new islands there too.
we are big fans of zoos here too. Fantastic when grandparents can be such a big part of their lives
It really is and we only have my hubby’s side but I am SO grateful they can be apart of the kids lives so much. The zoo is always a fun place for the whole family.
What a great day out and so much more exciting now that both kids can appreciate it. We visited a zoo over the summer and will be doing a lot more of this kind of day out in the future. It’s so cute when Tin Box Tot talks about the time the elephants ate a carrot from her hand and it tickled 🙂 #sharewithme
Yes we did it when MM was way too young and B wasn’t quite ready and it was a waste of a lot of traveling and money but now it’s amazing the transformation and will be going more. We had a great day. Thanks hun.
Looks like you had such a great time with your B and MM! I love the details you wrote, but also the video. It’s like watching your words come to life (and the song is lovely as well!). Thank you for sharing how your family is growing, Jenny, and for hosting us on #sharewithme this week! Have a wonderful week 🙂
Ahh thank you so much for your amazing comment and so lovely for you to say. I think sometimes its nice to add a video and share the adventures in reality and watch the kids come to life.
Looks like you had a fabulous family day out! B is just the same as my little boy who likes to hold the map every time we go on a family day out, they’re just so cute little tour guide, aren’t they? Have not been to Chester Zoo yet, but this is one place I consider to visit now next time we go visit England again. Thanks for sharing! #sharewithme
Oh we really did and I love that it was all b’s idea for the day out. He usually picks some good ones. It’s always great to bond with the kids solo and watching them play together at the zoo was so fun. Wish the weather was warmer some of the animals were hidden but a great family day out. Thanks.
You look like you had a fun day out. What’s more, the weather held out for you too.
Chester Zoo is not somewhere we’ve visited, but it’s certainly on our list now, especially as we all love visiting animal attractions.
Our local zoo is Marwell but our favourite is Cotsworld Wildlife Park, although both are definitely recommended. Also, on a recent trip to Cornwall, we found ourselves visiting the Cornish Birds of Prey. If you’re ever in the area, it’s another definite must, especially as your entrance ticket lasts for seven days.
Thanks for hosting #sharewithme
We really did, it was a grand adventure. The kids really loved all the animals too. Oh I have heard good things about Cotsworld too. I will keep those in mind if we go down south. 🙂 Thanks.
I havnt been to a zoo in years, but I always use to love it.
I remember how my boys suddenly seamed far more grown up when they started school. Its a strange feeling, being both incredably proud of them but at the same time a little sad too.
#sharewithme
It really is like a catch22 as the saying goes, you feel sad for the stage that is ending but excited for the one that’s beginning. So many mixed emotions in it. We love the zoo, it’s been awhile since we went but as they get older than get more into it I think.
We live quite close to Chester Zoo so go quite often, There is so much to do there, we love it. It is so big though we are usually exhausted after we have been!X
We were tired and didn’t even get to the new islands added either. Definitely on our list to go back and go more often. It’s a great place for a family day out. Lucky you live close.
I have never been to Chester Zoo but have always wanted to visit. It looks like you had such a lovely day out x
Looks like such a wonderful day. Sorry that MM wasn’t feeling too well, but that smiles says that she enjoyed herself anyway 🙂
How lovely that your MIL can go on days out with you! We often take my boys’ “pops” ( my dad) and it makes the trip so much more special!
What a great day out. I love it when the kids are inspired by a day out and are full of questions. Like you I often find myself wanting to find out more! Thanks for hosting #sharewithme
Awww I love your post from the stories you’ve told that made up the day to the style you and your little girl have. The old soul your son has. It’s fantastic to hear and see what happened.
It also brought back memories of a school trip I heard about and the result they got banned. They’d got in with the animal enclosures and fed a mobile phone to one animal!
As for grandparents the way my parents interact with my daughter makes me wonder whether that’s how they interacted with me when I was tiny.
Thanks for hosting #sharewithme
Looks like you had a fab day. All those smiles! I don’t know when the last time was we went to the zoo, will have to put in my to do list! #sharewithme
What a wonderful day you had! I remember LP being super inquisitive about everything, he still is sometimes and often stumps me with his questions. I turn to Google most of the time! 🙂 #sharewithme
What a lovely day out. N’s never that keen on zoos, he just likes the play areas! It always amazes me some of the questions and facts they come out with. N’s most recent was telling me he was going to Africa, and that dinosaurs live in volcanoes. No idea about where those came from!
B wasn’t when he was younger but now as you can see in love with them. That’s brilliant N sounds so smart. I love his facts.
The zoo is always a fab day out, whatever age the kids are. Looks like you all had a fabulous time and I love elephants too 🙂
Looks like a really lovely family day out Jenni. I love that your little boy did the map reading – so cute! Eek, I dont mind bats at all but I think I’d completely freak out if one got stuck in my hair! xx #sharewithme
Thanks Louise… I will send the bats flying your way. lol If they would have stayed high in the air I would have been fine. Think it caused a fear of bats now. lol 🙂
What a lovely day you had, its so lovely to see the world through children’s eyes, looks like B is a little expert and teacher for MMI, adorable x #sharewithme
Ahh, I really want to go to Chester Zoo but its quite a way from us! Looks like you had such a lovely day! Your photographs are lovely too, I need to start ‘documenting’ our days out more as I get home and realise that I have no photographs!
A lovely post 🙂
#sharewithme
We are lucky its only an hour drive but I have heard there are a few other great zoos in the UK maybe closer to you?? Thanks Becca, I have been trying to do more family videos for the kids but I am not very good at it yet.
What a lovely day, thank you for sharing it and the wonderful photos. #sharewithme
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. It was a great day out with the tots.
So cute that B took over as tour guide and was “bossing” you around the zoo! 🙂 It looks like you all had a lovely day, except for MM feeling sick. Really cute video and pictures! My son also loves the zoo. We have a yearly membership at our local zoo, and it’s about an hour away too. We’re going again soon when our weather cools down!
He was the best little leader ever. I was so impressed with his map skills no idea where he even learned that. He now is obsessed with maps. I keep thinking we should become a member but it’s still a far drive to go a lot.
It looks like an amazing day was had by all, and so great that Granny could share in the fun! Though the bat incident does sound pretty horrific, lucky you had your big boy to protect you! Becky x #sharewithme
Thank you Becky it was a great bonding day out for us. We can’t wait to go back again. We are grateful Granny could come too. 🙂