And then I considered leaving Peter at the Detroit Zoo . . .

Our last day in Michigan, we took a winter walk at the Detroit Zoo.  That is one really neat zoo!  We started in the penguin house, and the kids especially loved all of the interactive exhibits.

On the long walk to our next stop on the winter walk, we decided we needed a little break from the sub-freezing temperatures (with icky gusting winds) and stopped for some hot chocolate and crackers.  Peter found the salt shaker especially entertaining.  I would like to personally apologize to the workers at the Arctic Cafe for the salt Peter spread all over the place.

On our way to the polar bears, we stopped to play in some Inuit structures.

The kids loved the goofy polar bears.  One of the rolled in the dirt so long that he looked more like a  black bear by the time he was done.

A footprint!  A footprint!!

Inside, there was a place you could see the seals and polar bears swimming from underneath.  The polar bears were being shy, but the seals were having a blast showing off their swimming skills for us.  Since there was a display explaining how polar bears catch seals in the wild, we're assuming they didn't have access to each other in this tank??

Ooh!  Aah!

The polar passage was really cool.  We spent a long time in there warming up and letting the kids run around like crazies.

One of Charlotte's few still moments.  She loves the new hat NanaB knitted for her.

I can't get these two to pose for a picture together to save my life.

A random peacock ambled by and Peter decided to try and climb on.  NanaB grabbed him before Peter had a chance to do any damage.

We played hide and seek in this cool tree on the way back to the car.

Peter and I headed to the car (after carrying him kicking and screaming for about 18 miles, I was DONE) while Charlotte and NanaB checked out the butterfly house.  You can see a little white butterfly sitting next to Charlotte on the little wall there.  We can't wait to go back in warmer weather to see the rest of all the animals!

While Peter took an epic nap that afternoon, Charlotte and NanaB made princess cookies . . .

. . . and picked out some heirloom teacups for Charlotte to take back to Tennesee for a little birthday tea party (when NanaB and GrandDad visit for Charlotte's birthday in a couple of weeks).

And then Charlotte decided to do another modeling session.  Work it!

Oh my.

Charlotte finished up the afternoon by washing all of the play dishes 49 times each.  Thank goodness for grandmothers with high tolerances for messes in their beautiful homes!

Thank you for our fun winter weekend in Michigan, NanaB and GrandDad!  We can't wait to come back this summer for the third annual Camp NanaB.