So if Saturday was Ladies Night, that must make today Ladies Day! My same group of girls from Saturday went to the zoo together today – except we had the little ones with us and were therefore double the number. 4 adults and 4 kids. 1 : 1 – always a good kid : adult ratio in my book.

Although our nasal passages weren’t pleased with us, we visited the birds upon our arrival this morning. I was a little shocked to find these guys RIGHT THERE, feathers and all, not held back by any cage or fence, just a couple of free birds.

Maxine wouldn’t stop saying how stinky it was and asked to leave, so we did – but we were followed!

This picture was taken from the other side of a glass door. I would not stand there like a dope taking pictures while being stalked by a giant lunatic bird. Oh sure, everyone in the back there is smiling in that picture, but smiles turned to nervous laughter as they worked escape without letting this renegade bag of feathers reenact The Birds.

Maybe that’s why they weren’t caged? The zoo is hoping he’ll eventually follow someone home and they’ll be rid of him? Well I’m not falling for it.

Moving on.

Ava was impressed that this rodent ate popcorn like she does.

Speaking of eating, before we knew it kids were crying and we realized it was time for lunch!

We enjoyed a picnic lunch in the sun, brought my salad – To Go style.

A little dressing…

And tossed! I’d like you to believe that I’m winking and flirting with you but really I was squinting from the sun. The flirting sounds much more interesting though so let’s stick with that.

Tossed and perfectly coated!

After lunch came playing in the Zoo Animal Clinic for Kids.

Dr. Max observes an x-ray and thinks things are looking sort of grim for this little bugger.

More zooventures, waiting for orangutans.

Waiting for orangutans makes me hungry! Fortunately I had a lovely concoction of dried apples, raisins and walnuts to tied me over.

A long day at the zoo – and Maxine is done.

But there’s always a little energy left for a quick playground stop on the way home.

Why yes she is wearing a different dress, thank you for noticing. That’s what happens when you drink too much water and mom doesn’t double check if you have to go potty before we leave the zoo. Now we know.

Tonight for dinner I had Mary and Tina’s Black Bean Chili with Bulgur on the brain! They both gave it rave reviews and once I realized that I had almost all the ingredients for this recipe I knew what we’d be having for dinner tonight.

I didn’t have any bulgur so I subbed the fabulous psedo-grain that I happened to have on hand; Quinoa!

I diced and sauteed a small red onion and some minced garlic in extra virgin olive oil until soft. I added two 15 oz cans of diced tomatoes, 2 cans of rinsed and drained black beans and then about 3/4 c of rinsed quinoa. My spices were oregano, paprika, chili powder, roasted red pepper and cumin. The quinoa cooks pretty quickly and this was ready in about 20 minutes.

It turned out great! I topped mine with diced avocado just like Mary Girl and Tina Baby. A perfect topping.

Now I’m off to have nightmares about stinky bird attacks while the giant popcorn eating rodents use my air popper and don’t even try to save me.