a bust

We tried the zoo today and although i wouldn't say it was a total failure, I would definitely not call it a success.  The odds were stacked against me from the beginning, since Lauren and I were the only ones that wanted to go in the first place.  Ashley actually used the phrase, "I don't care what you do to me, I'm NOT going to the zoo."  Not sure what got her all weirded out about it, but she was totally crazy.   She was able to shake it off, and even promised to try to stay positive.   The rest of the day went something like this - Brooke gets to listen to her Ipod in the car, so Ashley gets grumpy while Brooke is pleasant.  Brooke gets grumpy because it is hot and her sisters want to go to the sea lion show.  Leave Sea Lion show a little early because it is hot and now Ashley doesn't want to be there either.  Lauren is now crying because she wanted to watch the rest of the show.  Lauren snaps out of it and everyone is pleasant for about 15 minutes (see monkeys, tigers, hippos).  Lauren sees a frozen lemonade cart and I tell her she can't have one.  Lauren cries again.  Brooke sees nachos and pretzels at the food stand and I tell her no.  Brooke is now mad, too, as she has looked in my wallet and can assure me that I have just the right amount of cash needed.   Ashley is constantly saying, "I'm the most cooperative one now, right?   I'm not causing trouble right now, right?" which is secretly annoying me, even though she is technically being the most cooperative and is currently pushing the stroller so I can hold Lauren's hand and try to perk her up.  Try to see giraffes and girls decide they don't really care about animals anymore and just want out.  Brooke and Ashley are now being pleasant, Lauren is still crying.  Cries most of the way home and is still talking about the elusive frozen lemonade.   longest 1 1/2 hours at the zoo ever.