We're going to the zoo!!

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo

How about you, you, you?

You can come too, too, too

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo.

(Chorus of "Going to the Zoo")

Today was the Home School Day at the Hogle Zoo--all homeschoolers (and I'm thinking anyone else who showed up because the ticket stands were closed) were able to get in free. This was my first "major" outing, on my own, with all 4 kids and it was hectic.

Moments of Annoyance: 1. Of course my kids assured me they didn't need to use the bathroom as we passed one on the way to lunch, but 5 minutes later when the younger 2 and lunch was unpacked they had to go really bad. loading everything bakc onto the stroller at top speed and dashing to the bathroom, we fortunately made it in time.

2. So it wasn't a surprise when I was horribly tempted to let Nyah wet her pants later when we were minutes into the Reptile house, Jolie almost asleep in the sling and Olivia ecstatic to be out of the stroller, having passed a bathroom just before going inside. Ah, the trials of motherhood. By the time we trooped back outside through the crowds, reloaded unhappy toddler back into the stroller, went to the bathroom, back to the reptile house, unloaded and back inside with all the crowds, I was frazzled and ready to leave. So we raced through when sadly, its probably the place we would have liked to spend the most time. Oh well, next time we'll make it our first stop and hopefully it won't be as busy earlier in the day.

Lesson learned: As the mom you know your kids will have to go to the bathroom sometime so you might as well make them while you are by a bathroom.

Thankfully there were plenty of enjoyable parts to the trip as well. We arrived just after it opened and the Zoo was the quietest I've ever seen it. As a result, we were able to do some things I had planned on avoiding like the train and carousel rides, and playing at the playground. At last year's home school day the weather was nicer and we arrived later so there were lots more people. Olivia loved the train until the man's voice came through the intercom and startled her, so she cried for the first part of the ride.

While it is always exciting to see the exotic animals, like elephants, rhinos, gorillas, and lots more, I was especially interested to see the animals we have been studying in science lately. We saw a striped skunk, bats, squirrels, and cotton-tail rabbits. Unfortunately, the prairie dogs and marmots weren't out, but we did see a wild weasel, not part of the zoo exhibits, but just living there, scurrying around. We also saw a number of birds of prey--bald eagles, hawks, owls, and a kestrel. I'll post most of these pictures on my homeschool blog.

Sadly, I didn't take enough pictures--my hands were too busy!!

Highlight of our visit--petting a Chinchilla.

Happy Jo

Slide--Olivia's favorite!!

We expect Nyah to hatch any day now :)

Austin the Explorer

What a sweet girl!

Being eaten by a crocodile