What I Learned Spending A Day in Santa Barbara

On the second to last day of 2007, we took a little excursion to Santa Barbara along with my parents and my sister. After a lovely lunch we headed to the zoo. The day was not only fun but also educational. Being the giver that I am, I thought I'd share with you some of the things I learned:

• Santa Barbara is too close and too cute for us not to go more often;
• When I grow up, I'd love a little cottage near the beach there for weekends away from the hustle and bustle of the suburbs;
• Just when I think I have the three most hellacious kids in the world and question my own sanity by taking them to a restaurant where innocent people are trying to enjoy a meal, they can completely surprise me by acting like human beings;
• My family and I are just not animal people.
• Some giraffes seem quite enthralled by drinking the urine of other giraffes;
• Being 2 feet away from a lion is creepy regardless of the 6 inch thick glass separating us;
• Regardless of the fact that the Santa Barbara Zoo is cute and small and perfect for an outing with kids, it still smells like animal poop;
• Those animals there are residing on some prime ocean side real estate;
• The crappy gift shop at the little zoo train has quite a selection of train-themed (even Thomas!) items.
• It's never too early to start shopping for Brady's birthday;
• Just because you can legally fit 8 people in an SUV doesn't make it the best idea;
• Souplantation has a great concept but they can sure work out the logistics better;
  
• There is no day that can't be improved by a train ride (if you're 4) or a trip to Starbucks (if you're me);
• There is nothing cuter than grandparents interacting with their grandchildren;
• Time spent enjoying family is always time well-spent, even when you have to miss a football game.