At the Zoo!

Note for Nana: This post contains no pictures of the animal whose name I will not even mention. In fact, I purposely didn't even take pictures of that animal because I intended to not ever mention it.  But I know that you know it was there, so I wanted to reassure you that this post is safe to view!

If you have read the blog over any of the last 3 summers, you would know that I love zoos.  So, when I was putting together the spring playgroup schedule, I knew that I wanted to try to get a group visit to the zoo.  I was so excited when I called and found out that not only was it possible to get a private presentation personalized for our group, but the cost was incredibly reasonable (a deal since it actually included admission at a rate cheaper than normal admission!).  I've been so excited!  Sadly, I forgot to check my camera battery the night before, and it died about 2 minutes into the presentation.  Apologies in advance for the sad phone pictures that will have to suffice.

We got there a little late, but, thankfully, the program before ours ran over.  Here is the group checking out the animals near the presentation building before going inside.  You can see the program director pointing us in for our program to start!

 Everyone waiting for the program to begin (do you see the cousins?  They joined us!)

The program was about the different coverings each animal has (fur, feathers, etc.).  This is Allie and D waiting for their turn to pet the box turtle.

D made friends with one of the babies in the group.  He loved playing with the ruffles on her shirt, and by the end they were giving each other kisses!  It was so cute.

 My least favorite, the Hissing Cockroach (which they did not let the kids touch).  The docent tried to convince us that they are good creatures because they clean up after us.  I was not convinced...

 Another look-but-don't-touch animal was the dove.  She cooed the entire program, and the kids got all excited every time they heard her.

 Ryan petting the ferret.  The twins had just watched a show about pets the day before and one of the kids had a pet ferret.  So he was pretty excited to see one in person.

 Allie petting the rabbit.  It made me think about (and miss) my days in the activity department when we had animal visits!

After the program, we planned on seeing the zoo.  Unfortunately, as the program was ending it started to rain.  We did stick it out long enough to see the indoor exhibits, but it was seriously pouring by the end.  Honestly, I love the rain, and it was a pretty warm day, so if we had been there alone, I probably would have still tried to see the whole zoo :)  But I needed to get the group to a warm, dry place.  So we headed to the mall for lunch at the food court and some playtime at the play place (for the kids to work out the energy they didn't get to run off at the zoo).

There were half a dozen coin operated "rides" near the play place that the kids were desperate to try.  All of us held out as long as we could, and then we caved and let everyone have a turn on this roller coaster.  It actually showed a real time, real life video of one of two roller coasters at Cedar Point while the seat moved accordingly.  It was pretty cool...

The kids definitely slept on the way home.  Even with the rain, it was still a fun day, and a new and memorable trip to the zoo!