Our Family Staycation: Irvine Regional Park

The final destination of our staycation was Irvine Regional Park.  Specifically, we were interested in going to the Orange County Zoo.  I had taken the kids to the zoo myself once before, but everyone wanted to return with Daddy for a chance at some of the other activities available, like riding horses, a surrey bike or a paddle boat.  We found most of the activities to be expensive, but we really wanted to take the boys on the train and offered the girls either a train ride or a pony ride.  The girls, of course, chose the pony ride.  There is so much more to do at Irvine Regional Park, and we do hope to in the coming years, but we had to limit ourselves in order to allow time for naps. 

The Orange County Zoo is a small zoo, especially in comparison to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, but, in my opinion, it's the perfect size.  The zoo focuses on plants and animals native to the southwestern United States, so you won't find elephants and tigers there, but you will find bears, bobcats, and coyotes!  At the entrance, we discovered they had a scavenger hunt for children.  Upon completion, the children can choose a decorative patch to take home.  There is also a small petting zoo to explore.

After spending the morning at the zoo, we went on a train ride through the park.  The girls changed their minds about the ponies and opted instead to come along on the train.  It was definitely a fun-filled day.  It was also inexpensive because our admission was free with a coupon we received from last summer's library reading program.  Plus, we had some BOGO coupons for the train ride.    

Mary doesn't mind waiting for Josiah to finish eating before we can go in!

Matthew and Jonathan are looking at an owl.

This is a picture of my friend, Bia, who came along with her son, Josiah (Yoshie).

This is a picture of Josiah, the First.

Mary really enjoyed the scavenger hunt.

Maggie's wingspan is that of a barn owl!

Mary's wingspan is that of a red-tailed hawk!

Jonathan was a little apprehensive to pet the goat.

Matthew was not really apprehensive but was characteristically rough.

Maggie, on the other hand, is very gentle!

Everyone's ready to ride the train: Yoshie, Matthew, Mary, Jonathan, Hezy, and Maggie!

This is a picture of my friend, Esther, trying to get a picture of all of us on the train!

Matthew and Jonathan were really excited!

And so was Josiah!

This is Esther's son, Hezy!

Clearly, trains bring great delight to Matthew!  You wouldn't know it from this picture, but it is WAY past naptime!

Jonathan has the sleepy-time sillies!