It's a ZOO out there!!!

It’s a ZOO at there!

Being that the 4^th of the July fell in the middle of the week this year, we had to think of something we could do for just the day.  So, we decided to visit the Lowry Park Zoo.  Madelyn’s been doing so good with recognizing animals and making the animal sounds that we thought it could be a good time to go.  Although she didn’t respond to seeing the animals as I had imagined, I still think she really enjoyed it.  I was expecting so much excitement that she would be crawling out of our arms; however, she would point at it like “Ya, look – a whatever it was”, and look at me like I was crazy to be getting so excited about it”.  Overall, it was really a great day with something for all the senses that really made it FUN. 

We saw “rhinoceros snort and snuff” (a line from one of her favorite books)

We touched sting rays (they would come right up to the edge and flap their wings out of the water for you to touch)

We played with the manatees (it just came right up to her and was doing ballet flips)

http://youtu.be/mrOmzD9kF7E

We fed a giraffe (first piece she wasn’t expecting the long tongue to come out to take the food, so after that she was quick to let go of the lettuce)

http://youtu.be/jFxv-j_ud5o

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And even fit in some time after lunch to dance to some music (it was some really wild jungle music, but she loved it)

Just when it got hot (a popular word these days—everything is hot and gets blown on), we stopped for a cold treat (so we’ve been working on learning cold)

I don’t have a picture for it, but they even have a mini splash mountain and we stood in the “splash zone” and got all wet!

OTHER EXCITING NEWS!!!  We moved up to the toddler room this week and she loves it!!!  The room is much bigger and the play ground is about three times the size.  On the second day I dropped her off and she ran over to the play kitchen area immediately.  So, I said “OK, Bye Madelyn???” and she replied without pausing or looking up “BYE!”.  A little sad, I followed up with “Aren’t you going to blow me kisses good-bye?” and she quickly smacked her hand and threw her hand into the air without even looking my direction!  Although I was a little sad like that toy that becomes forgotten, I smiled the whole ride to work knowing how happy and excited she was to be there.