Sky: cloudy
Ground: wet
Mommy's mind: needs checked
Zoo attendance: next to nobody, which makes it perfect for us
But, we went anyways. The zoo opened almost two weeks ago and I've been dying to go - I can't believe we had to wait this long and I wasn't willing to wait any longer. Yes, we can go as much as we want whenever we want all summer long (Thanks, Grammy and Grandpa Dave) but we need to say, "Hello, Spring" to all of the animals.
So, when Peyton awoke this morning, I asked if he wanted to go. It was a definite yes response. Then I asked a goofy question (sign #1 I need a mental health check), "Do you want to go to school and then the zoo or just go to the zoo?" Now, it can also be called a hookie day!
So, with wet pavement, windshield wipers on, long sleeve shirts on, jackets with hoods up, stroller and snacks in hand we were on our way.
As we drove, I told Peyton and Layla they could each pick one favorite animal to see today, hoping we wouldn't have to do the entire zoo.
Peyton picks first...the drums. What's that you say? The drums aren't an animal. Well, don't tell Peyton. He was adamant that's all he wanted to do. Yes, that's right. We're on a trek in less the 50 degree weather with mist in the air...to play drums. And, yes, we do have drums at our house, but apparently not as enticing as the drums in the African Veldt.
Oh, and I should tell you, that's the only thing in the African Veldt right now. It's under construction and there are no visible animals for another month.
But, walk we did, for 5 minutes, straight to the drums and straight out.
And now he says his favorite animal is the orangutan. So, off we go. They were adorable. They played peek-a-boo with us and since we know their names from last year, you could hear Layla saying, "Peek-a-boo, Melati."
Meanwhile, Layla tells me she wants to see ducks. Oh, great, yet again, another animal that can easily be seen many places other than the zoo. Not the least of which is the pair of ducks which usually appears in our backyard this time of year. I'm sure they'll show up tomorrow just to make this zoo trip even less needed. However, they are easily spotted at the zoo without walking out of the way, at all.
So, now it was up to me to decide which other part of the zoo we traversed. Oh, wait, not yet, now Peyton wants to see the sharks. So, off we go, but he's scared of them?!?! As he was the peacocks (any and all of them) and this little bird in the rain forest. It was on our path and he was extremely afraid to pass by it. I was tempted (and Daddy would've done it) to jump and scream as he went by to scare him, but that would've ended our great zoo trip too soon. You want to know if Layla was scared of anything? Of course, she was. The sea lions, just like her brother last year, and the baby chicks, I think just because a friendly zookeeper came to hold them for us and let her pet one - she wanted nothing to do with that.
Finally, I decide to trek through the farm on our way out and you guessed it, we saw the entire zoo except for the kangaroos. But, we had a fabulous morning together. Peyton and Layla listened amazingly well, never ran off and were ready to go before me. I guess there's hope for many more zoo trips yet this summer and they're sure to be warmer.
One of the best parts and best pictures from this trip came at Layla's instigation. It was the most helpful thing to me, as well. When she finally decided to walk and not ride in the stroller she wanted to be holding Peyton's hand. And since he kindly obliged today they were always within my reach. You see, Peyton usually likes to run through the zoo, with me 20 feet behind, saying Peyton stop, come back here, wait...you get the idea. But, since Layla had him under control he was not running and it was much more enjoyable. Again, if that keeps up, we can go to the zoo anytime they want!It was also fun to hear Peyton tell me about things he's learned at school this year and can connect to the zoo. They've been talking about South America and the rain forest and so he was very interested in the animals around the orangutans. I have a funny feeling that will be the constant on our zoo trips this summer. Also, when we were looking at the wallabies and I pointed out the baby. He immediately said, "It's in her pouch." I have no idea if he remembers that from last year or has learned it this year, but it's always fun to hear him learn.
Then I have to remind myself he's all boy! For the next most interesting thing at the zoo today were each and every one of the animal butts. If he saw anything close to the rear of any animal he was sure to tell me he could see it's butt! Oh, what fun!
The whole way through the zoo I was thinking about what I'm teaching them when I bring them here, about all the animals, their environments, just by the words I use and wishing I had something for them to hold, read, draw, write or connect it to when we leave. So, that's what I'm looking for now - resources to help me help them learn more about everything we see at the zoo instead of just making it a fun place to go run around and once in awhile look at animals and, of course, their butts. Any suggestions?
