What can I say, we seem to gravitate to the Como Zoo in Minnesota. And what is better than enjoying the zoo on a day where it is NOT packed and not more than mildly chilly? Why going with new homeschool friends! Nathan, Drew and Bella are so much fun. With their mom and Ken and myself we had 8 kids, no crowds, and all the time in the world. They are new to the state so it was fun to take them around and show them our favourite parts… talk about future get togethers and explorations… just generally get to know each other better. 

It is such a gift to get to know some homeschool families that are local. This is the second such family that we are getting to know and love. It is wonderful to have moments where the questions are different, the experiences are common and the laughter about personal stories is shared with an understanding that they have been there too! 

As it was the end of April when we went to the zoo it was still a breezy spring day, so many of the animals were relegated to their indoor housing. I cannot count how many times we walked into one and the kids remarked on the smell… it is funny how you see how they almost believe the animals should smell like flowers and potpourri instead of animal and musk.

Gavin took this one in case you were wondering what he was certain was the issue in the giraffe enclosure!

We were able to take our time at each location and talk about things, speak with the interpreters, take pictures. It was relaxing to not have to hold the kids back but let them run and explore within a greater visual area. 

But enough about all that… time for just a wild series of enjoyable images!!! Make sure you scroll to the end. After my favourites are the best of Gavin’s… unedited!!!!

Just the girls

Starfish

PENGUINS! Emanuel demands extra time each trip to visit his all time favourite animal.

Polar Bears! There were two in the enclosure. They were just hanging out, wandering. Somehow I think the weather was somewhat warm to them, possibly quite pleasant.

Spot the snow leopard.

This female tiger is on loan from the Minnesota Zoo for breeding… she was pacing a little… we were wondering if it was man troubles… I could just see her grumbling under breath – stupid tiger thinking I would just clean his fur and be all in love.. wine me, dine me man.

Arctic Foxes look like toys, Echo and Nathan were in love.

Gorgeous bonsai

Monkey House

Such a stately gorilla.

I wish I had taken video of this little guy… he was adorable.

This was the best Ken could do with the wolf… but dang super close!

And now, Gavin’s photo efforts!

Sleepy cat

Ostrich!

This duck was a kid favourite and not even one of the exhibitions.

Sloth… Butt???

And a picture of me taking a picture of something.

Ok WOW this has been here a while without posting (like last year prepped and not quite posted)… talk about a look back… long hair on me and tiny Echo! Well better late than never! A bit of a filler before I get the January reflection up and running. So enjoy the glance back at our fun in Minnesota!

There is just too much to see and do in Minnesota and we plan to do our best to share it all!!! Enjoy the overflow.

MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER

I had to do these two pictures as Scouts is new and so much fun for our Emanuel! So anything about them interests him!

Checking out an old fashioned nursery

An old projector

The house through the years had some amazing variety in cultures that had lived there!

You can see the capital building from here!

Learning all about how the Native Americans utilized the bison.

COMO ZOO

Bison

NATURE IN GENERAL!

MINNEHAHA FALLS!

View from the top

July 21-26

The days in July are ticking away as is the kids’ time with their cousins before they make the move to Florida. So when we have the chance and they are over school is set aside in favour of play. But the week STARTED with half days.

Trinity finished her booklets about her July 4th experience and the 4 days of VBS (she did a page for each day)… sorry about the fuzzy pictures. We had a drawing and then a couple sentences that talked about her experience or what she learned.

The girls have been working together a lot lately. AND Miss Echo made her first real go at using scissors… it was… interesting!

Of course we took advantage of our recorded Wild Kratts episode. The same on Tuesday.

Tuesday was a backwards day with pool and tent trailer in the sunshine THEN school.

Wednesday was a day of worn out toddler… but there was a silver lining – Baba snuggles. She seemed to have caught a slight bug.

The weather is definitely holding lately. With the whispers of another cold winter I am chucking these guys out NOW to enjoy all the sunshine and run out the excess energy! Clothed or not!

Thursday was another of our limited time only cousin get togethers. It is so weird to be on the opposite side of the visit in Minnesota! We have tried to tell the kids to take advantage of their time with Gabbi and Zachary. And I think they did a decent job. Of course we had school in the morning before Nana and Baba returned with the cousins.

Then it was out into the yard… the tent trailer was finishing airing out before heading over to Joe and Faithe’s for them to stay in as they finish their cleaning out of their house for the big move.

And the backyard garden was just screaming for us to come and pick and poke around.

Don’t forget the pool! We inherited new water guns that were not slated to head to Florida for the kids to play with as well.

The next day it was breakfast all together made by Baba, of course. Followed by a very special tea party with REAL tea hosted by Miss Gabriella.

Chicken noodle supper rounded off the meals (a common cousin request).

So much cousin fun.

Saturday the cousins went home and we made do just as us. Inside and outside we made Saturday count WITHOUT electronics.

BUT that night… BONFIRE and just for Ken and myself! Shandai (my bestfriend from Canada who moved here blah blah blah) had moved into her new rental with her boyfriend Ravyn (super nice guy). We left our kids with Chris Schwartz until Nana and Baba could get home and had a blast… booze, food and a bonfire… oh and two snuggly kitties. Not only did we have a blast but Ken got in a nap. With the cats!

I have to admit… I have not drank so much in ages but it was so much fun! We were out past 3 am I think!!

I was finally able to gift my housewarming present… when I was growing up my mom always took spider plant cuttings potted when someone moved into a new house. I can never remember what plants are cat safe AND am not able to keep many plants right now so I figured why not make some to gift!! I also made some to sell. I have plastic pots for those. For Shandai’s I used tiny clay pots and saucers I purchased at Walmart.

So we have been busy and made good use of our days…And our evenings. Mid week Ken and I snuck away and went to Chris and Renee’s KIDS FREE to drink, have a bonfire and hang out.