Even though we've lived in LA for a while, we've never visited the LA Zoo until today.

I'm not a big fan of zoos in general, but Grandma wanted to take us all, and I thought it would be fun to see Kelley react to the various animals she knows from her books and TV.

Overall we had a decent day at the zoo, but Kelley underwhelmed us. She spent less time looking at the elephants than it took her to tell us what they were, for example. She basically had zero interest in the animals.

She did enjoy the petting zoo somewhat and the live-birds show more, but really didn't care much for the bigger animals like lions, zebras, monkeys and others she knows.

Maybe she was tired or having an off-day, but the LA Zoo ain't exactly inspiration either. Too many animals in too-artificial cages and knowing it. Sleeping, hiding: not good for kids' viewing.

Perhaps we'll try the San Diego Zoo in a year or so if we're still on this coast.





Another cage without much to observe.




Waiting for the bird show to start.