Zoo Day!!

 

Last winter, we had an unexpected gorgeously warm day in January.  I couldn't stand to not take advantage of it, so I pulled Larger Child out of school, and the boys and I went to the Zoo. It is one of our favorite places in the world.  We had so much fun that day that we made a deal that every year we would do the same.  Skip a day of school to sneak off to the zoo.

Yesterday, house was still under construction, and I needed to spend the day AWAY from it.  I knew we were going to be having a gorgeous weather day, so I approached Larger Child and told him that his brother and I were going to the Zoo, and asked him if he might like to skip school the next day and join us.  I expected an instant reaction of unbridled glee.  What I got was a, "Well... hm...." followed by a pro/con list and several minutes of careful consideration.  (hearbreak) I tried my best to not show emotion or disappointment on my face as he weighed the positives and negatives of Zoo versus School.  (tear) I tried to focus on the positive that he LOVED school so much that it was a difficult decision to miss a day.  (sniffle) But, after what seemed like an eternity... he finally said, "Yeah Mom! I think I want to come!" (Victory!) I played it cool.  "Alright, sounds good.  Well, that will be fun."

The next morning, the boys got ready.  I packed lunches and snacks, and called the school.  The attendance secretary asked if he was ill.  I hesitated.  I felt like a kid about to be in trouble again! I finally said, "Well, if you want me to be honest, no.  We're kind of just playing hooky today." She laughed (phew), and said that she'd let his teacher know.  And we headed off.

On the way, I asked LC what animal he REALLY wanted to be sure and see while we were there.  He said, "The snakes!... Oh, and the fishes. Wait, also the kimono dragons.... I really want to see the Galapagos tortoise babies too."  Then I asked SC the same question.  He promptly replied by putting his hand in the air and trumpeting like an elephant.  I can handle that!

Once we got there, we decided to check the times for the giraffe feedings.  This is a feature they have had for several months, but every time we go, we seem to miss the time window.  We were right on time this visit, and headed to see the long-necked beauties.  A line had already formed, but they boys were patient for the most part... besides they had some pretty fantastic scenery to check out while they waited.

We got a handful of lettuce and waited to feed them.  I wondered how it was going to go with SC, but they both surprised me... Perhaps I have a couple of future Zoologists on my hands.

 

I was holding SC, so it was really difficult to take a picture.... however, I think I kind of love how it turned out!

 

And a button to boot!

Giraffe Facts: We found out, while trying to teach Larger Child animal sounds as a baby that Giraffes don't make sounds... they don't have vocal cords! (Although SC is convinced that giraffes say, "Moooo!" and will NOT be convinced otherwise.) Also, their tongues are black because they are out so much during the day, the black coloring prevents sunburn.  AAAAND Giraffes have the highest blood pressure of all land mammals because it takes so much effort to pump blood all the way up to their heads! (Pretty fascinating creatures!)

All of the giraffe feedings made us hungry.  After a quick stroll, we found some nice tables, and some bison to share our lunches with.  (What did the daddy buffalo say to his son when he left for school?  Bison!)

After lunch, and a quick bathroom break, we headed to the Children's Zoo.  This seems to be the boys favorite part of the Zoo.  (Maybe mine too??)  The barn and the goats are always a favorite.

 

 



That's the cutest critter in the zoo!

On our way to the lorikeet exhibit, we spotted a lady doing glitter tattoos.  They were "super awesome." So, of course we had to get one.  I am really digging the combination of the glitter tattoo and a cobra design.  Nice choice LC.

We found out the lorikeet exhibit was closed for 30 minutes, so we used that time to explore the water feature of the Children's Zoo.  (Or as SC calls it the "bath.")

While we were waiting for the lorikeets...

Then finally... the BIRDS!

This was the first time that LC was willing to feed them, and allow them to land on him.  He has always been a bit timid of them, but secretly I think he was afraid of being pooped on.  I definitely proved to him this trip that getting pooped on wasn't the end of the world.  The good news is that since they mostly just eat sugar water all day, the poo isn't too terrible. (yuck)




this little guy keep trying to stow away in the stroller

"Hey Bubba! What'cha got?"



Aaaaaalmost....

After the lorikeets, we went to the Aquaticus center.  They had put in a "new" touch tank inside.  (It is the same one that was open when I was a kid... I was so happy and nostalgic to see it's return.)  The boys both got to pet horseshoe crabs, star fish, pencil anemones and LC got "hugged" by a brittle star.

 

 



We also saw Lionfish, clownfish, sea lions, seals, and many many other marine animals.

 

 

The dark finally allowed SC to conk out for a bit...

 After the aquariums, we walked along the lake to see the meercats, anteater, and porcupine.  Then we made a visit to the Galapagos tortoises and their babies.

 

It's hard to believe something so tiny grows up to be such a huge life force.

Then again, maybe not so hard to believe after all.

LC was getting impatient.  And while SC was still sleeping, LC was determined to see the herpitarium.  The only catch, strollers aren't allowed.  So, I had to finally wake him up, and drag him out to see the snakes.  This didn't go too well until we met THIS GUY.  He will wake up even the groggiest of sleepers.

 

This, my friends, is a spitting cobra... and he was NOT happy to see us.  I am not sure if you can tell by the picture, but the glass is still wet with his venom.  That was an impressive display of "DAAANG NATURE! You scaaary!"

A lot of the herpitarum was under construction.  It looks like they are doing so major renovations, which while was a little disappointing that day, we were all excited to see what the Zoo has coming next!! They never disappoint!

After a long wait at the snack stand, and a short snow cone break, we made our way past the pachyderms, and headed to the Oklahoma Trails.  We saw all of our favorite friends, the deer, the turkeys, the wolves and the roadrunners.  We coo-ed and talked to the raccoons for a while, then went into the night barn to check out the nocturnal animals.  I ALWAYS love the Owls.  They are just so regal.  This particular trip, I was focused on their feet.  Look at these things...

We visited Will and Wiley, the grizzly bears, and headed inside the Oklahoma aquarium.  That is when I spotted a new addition to the Zoo.  A new Alligator Snapping Turtle!! About a year ago, the Alligator Snapping Turtle that had been at the Zoo since probably before I ever went to the zoo as a small child, passed away.  I always adored visiting him.  He was huge, and awesome. He had a kind face (for a snapping turtle), and for some reason I connected with him.  I was so thrilled to see he was getting a new tank in the Oklahoma Trails.  But then he never moved in, and then he passed away.  The Zoo has had many big losses this year.  Their male lion, one of their silverback gorillas, but for some reason, the snapping turtle hit me hard. So, when I spotted a new one in the tank, I was so excited to go meet him!!

 

I think he likes me too!

At this point, we had been there for close to 5 hours.  We were all pretty beat, sunburnt, and all around exhausted.  So, we took a quick bench break, and headed off to check off the last animal on our "must see" list... SC's choice, the elephants!

It was an INCREDIBLE (and exhausting) day! Because we didn't spend most of the day in the stroller, and were able to take a nice long nap, LC and I were BEAT.  He ended up dropping in the car ride on the way home.  SC was ready for round two.  He may need to give me a couple of days.

(Blessed life.)