We spent Friday (May, 21st) at the Cologne Zoo. My sister and I had planned to take the kids to the Zoo if the weather allowed and we were able to kill two birds with one stone by also making this day a very special day for my great-aunt.
Although she’s relatively healthy, being 88 years old and still able to care for herself in her own home, she is very limited when it comes to getting out and about. She can’t walk very far and therefore is pretty much home-bound.
Unless, you can convince her to swallow her pride and not let it get in the way of having a wonderful day with her family at the Zoo, by using one of the wheel chairs — provided by the Zoo at no cost!
And now, please!
Would you just take a look at that face? I just luuurve Greta’s intense facial expression in this picture.
We had just entered the Zoo and at the sight of the first animals, she excitedly pushed herself up in her stroller, as high as being buckled in allowed her, and intensely starred at the animals. She was completely fascinated. Greta had been to the Zoo before, but this time – at 17 month old – was the first time she really noticed and acknowledged the animals, I believe.
We had an absolutely wonderful day. We had a picnic,
we spent time at the playground,
and Greta was especially excited about the elephants, shouting “Benni, Benni” over and over (referring to “Benjamin Blümchen“, a speaking elephant from a German children’s audio-book and animated TV series).
Tom unfortunately is not old enough to enjoy the Zoo as much as Greta did, but he seemed pretty content in the stroller, soaking up the sun and enjoying to be pushed around.
This day really stood out for me from my vacation – not just because it was a beautiful, sunny and fun day, but because I realized and was strangely aware that day, exactly how precious and rare those moments are, when four generations of your family can spend an unforgettable and carefree day together.
This photo pretty much sums up just exactly how much fun we had together.
More photos, as always, here.
kim
June 17, 2010 at 12:38 ami LOVE your pictures and you know i LOVE your family. this made me teary and i’m so glad you got to spend this day with your loved ones. you’re right, it’s really special to have all these generations together. xoxoxo
.-= kim´s last blog ..i love it all =-.
Steffi
June 17, 2010 at 2:27 amI love the pictures of Greta!
I don’t know her but seeing this pictures really made me have a little baby girl myself. :-)
.-= Steffi´s last blog ..House =-.
ilka
June 17, 2010 at 5:37 amthe first thought i had seeing the first picture of greta was she looks totally like you. just in blonde. her eyes and facial expression. lol beautiful pictures my dear. and awesome to hear you guys had such a great time at the zoo.
Emily Jane
June 17, 2010 at 6:11 amOh my gosh she is PRECIOUS!! I love those pictures! Sounds like such a wonderful time.
.-= Emily Jane´s last blog ..Twenty-Five =-.
Maribeth
June 17, 2010 at 6:18 amI love the last picture the best, San! How wonderful! Greta is beautiful! So is Tom!
And you are right. Those days, with 4 generations are rare indeed.
My sister and I with our girls, and my Mom and Grandmother all had a tea party on my grandmothers bed shortly before she died. What fun we had, sipping tea, munching cookies and laughing together!
I love the Zoo too. I had an especially wonderful time in Berlin at the Tierpark Zoo.
.-= Maribeth´s last blog ..Hitting The Wall =-.
emmysuh
June 17, 2010 at 11:57 amGreta is so adorable! Zoo trips are fun no matter what the age. And like you said, it’s amazing that your family got to spend a day together with four generations — pretty special, not too many families can say that anymore. :)
I wish I had been there, I love zoos and I never got to go to Koeln…maybe someday…
Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks
June 17, 2010 at 12:24 pmThis post reminds me of my great aunt … the only one left living from that generation on my mom’s side of my family. Those moments really are few and far between. I will have to make an effort next year to get to NYC with Sweets, Grasshopper and my parents so we can spend some of those special moments – among 4 generations!
Karen
June 17, 2010 at 6:16 pmGreta is so adorable! I love the expression on her face in the first picture. How lucky you are to have your family! And I love the picture of the orang utan (?).
.-= Karen´s last blog ..The long-awaited vlog (#1) =-.
terra
June 19, 2010 at 3:50 pmOh! That last photo is perfect!
.-= terra´s last blog ..The bitch that’s June & the problem of chronic multi-tasking =-.