South Carolina Trip

So Alexa and Andrew and I went on an adventure to the Riverbank Zoo and Charleston this week.  I won't lie to you- shortly before we left I got a tidge nervous about traveling alone with 2 kids- one of them being Alexa. 
We were staying with one of my oldest and bestest friends- who has no children.  I was frightfully nervous about how things would go.  I know she loves my kids so I wasn't worried about that.  She's been around them plenty- so I wasn't worried about that.  But sometimes people who don't have children aren't used to . . . a) all the questions b) possible endless crying c) lack of privacy d) all the talking and e) all the junk.  It went great for the first 2 days, unfortunately today Alexa began to suffer from ear infections and . .  . was not her sometimes delightful self, but understandably so.  (Alexa has developed Andrew's affinity for ear infections- she now has her 6th double ear infection since April- she's getting her tubes next week.  Set #1.  Hopefully she only gets 1 set- as opposed to Andrew's 4)

So anyway- we started at the Riverbank Zoo.  I assumed Alexa wouldn't really care one way or the other, but she was very interested in the animals- and seemed to spot lots of them.  She particuarly loved the fish, but with all of the hairy animals she would say, "Ohhh!"  It was cute! 



Andrew got over his fear of monkeys this time-
since his baby sister wasn't afraid- he couldn't be either.



While we were standing at the bear exhibit, Alexa started
growling- she'd go "rrrrrrr."  It was so CUTE!

We went to this fantastic park that was recommended to us.  It's located under the Cooper River Bridge.  Literally- underneath it, which helped make it really shade.  Plus it was really cool, all of the play equipment was shaped like the bridge!  Alexa had a fantastic time on this twirly thing (that's the video- don't get dizzy.) We also got to walk out on the fishing pier.  Poor Andrew.  While we were walking back some man dumped the fish he caught in his net- on the pier and left them to flop around and die.  It hurt Andrew's heart. 

   

Finally, we went out to Folly Beach.  It was Alexa's first time hanging on the beach- for a long period of time.  She might have had more fun- but for the ear infections.   However, she did enjoy playing in the bucket of ocean water for about an hour.  She did NOT like the ocean waves.  I was surprised she didn't like the water better.  She loves the pool.  She must be like me and Andrew- we're pool people.  Not so much with the ocean, there are . . . creatures in there, lurking, waiting, and hunting for innocent, oblivious bystanders.