Simon Goes to the Zoo

On Friday afternoon, Mark and I took Simon to the Indianapolis Zoo. We have had some hints from him that he enjoys animals and thought that this would be a fun family outing for us. The zoo was a good first outing for us because we went to the Indy Zoo on Sept. 22, 2008 -- the day we started our adoption process and Mark's birthday. Little did we know at that time that Simon Kebebe would be born three days later in Ethiopia.

Here are some photos of our day together. Check out Simon's stylin' ride -- thank you to Aunt Heidi and Uncle Thinh for passing on Brandon, Andrew and Mason's wagon. This wagon has many miles on it!

Simon watched this elephant for quite a while! He didn't have much to say to the elephant. What I don't have photos of that he really enjoyed were the dolphins and meerkats (sp?) The Indy Zoo has a really cool domed walk-out in the dolphin tank where you are surrounded by water. You can watch the dolphins swim all around you. Simon LOVED it! He was shrieking so loudly we thought the glass dome would shatter. Other zoo guests were laughing at him -- he was in his glory trying to find the dolphins swimming in the water and when he did, oh the screaming that commenced!

We have two photos of giraffes from the Indy Zoo hanging in Simon's room. Mark took the photos during our trip to the zoo in Sept. 2008. Simon talks to the photos all the time. He really liked looking at the giraffes and wasn't intimidated when Mark and he went to feed them.

Another favorite was watching the seals, sea lions and walruses swimming. Notice the cup of cheerios in hand. What would we do without them?

Now this was one activity Simon wasn't too keen on -- petting the dog sharks. It's a really cool exhibit where you can actually pet the sharks and the sharks seem to like it! Simon gave one shark a quick touch but that was enough for him.

And yes, once in a while, Mom gets to hold Simon too and here is proof. When it's just me and Simon, we are best buddies. But if Dad is around, well, Mom isn't even allowed to pull the wagon! It is all Dad, all the time. We spent the day together today and I got lots of kisses and hugs. He is such a joy!!

We ended our day in Indianapolis with a trip the Ethiopian restaurant, Abyssinia. Simon chowed down! The wife of the owner brought him his own plate of yellow lentils and injera. He amazed us again with his ability to tear off a piece of injera and used it to pick up his lentils. When it comes to Ethiopian food, the boy can eat! He chatted up the restaurant staff and made a good impression as a restaurant guest. In fact, his bib was clean -- the only food that he doesn't waste on his bib!


We had a really fun day together as a family and look forward to many more trips to our favorite spots in Indianapolis with Simon!