Tag Archive | Minnesota Zoo

A Zoo Date~

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. DSCF6156

IMAG2950It 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! DSCN1541

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!

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. IMAG2939DSCF6146

DSCF6107But 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

Just the girls

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Starfish

Starfish

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

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

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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.

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.

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Spot the snow leopard.

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.

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.

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

Gorgeous bonsai

Gorgeous bonsai

Monkey House

Monkey House

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Such a stately gorilla.

Such a stately gorilla.

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

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

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

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

IMG_20160427_151358And now, Gavin’s photo efforts!

Sleepy cat

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Ostrich!

Ostrich!

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

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

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Sloth... Butt???

Sloth… Butt???

And a picture of me taking a picture of something.

And a picture of me taking a picture of something.

Sunday Sunday

October 21

Sometimes with being the parents of 5 the best gift we can be given is the one of TIME! Especially time without all of the kids. This is something we have been sorely lacking with our extensive sitter/family/friend base left up in Canada. Sunday was a terrific gift to Ken and myself as Nana and Baba decided it was THE DAY to take the 4 bigger kids out to the Minnesota zoo! So from rather early in the morning until supper time we were playing solo with just our baby girl! 

Miss Echo with her duckies

So what do the parents of 5 do when they do not have the bulk of the children… well… nap… duh! And after said nap we packed up our littlest minion and headed out to leisurely window shop and peruse the bits and bobs in a few different stores. Jo-Ann’s is much more enjoyable when there are two adults and only one set of little grasping fingers, though I think she touched ALL the yarn in the store at least once! We had Christmas present ideas to discuss and colours to look at and think about. With the crochet ideas and patterns I have gotten with my subscription to Crochet Spot I am constantly thinking of gift ideas to make. I absolutely love that Ken is willing to be involved in discussions about yarn and colour combinations! 

We stopped by the mall nearby to see the carousal horses in the main area and walk around the upper level so Echo could look down through the glass and talk away about the people and things on the ground floor. And really that was that for being out and about. We returned home and since it was a lovely and WARM fall day Echo and I headed outside… so that she could watch Pocoyo on the iPad in the front yard??? She is so her father’s daughter.

Silly baby

Out with Daddy

Of course our relaxing day was not to last as the rest of the family DID have to come home. Full of stories and with faces painted and some crafts to do during the week in hand. I think we ALL had a blast in our own way… and Echo was even slightly excited to see her brothers and sister again! Enjoy the zoo pictures!

Fish

Seriously a SEAHORSE!

Walking along

FACES

Painted faces

A magnificent scarecrow

Checking out the animals

Groundhog

BONES

Monkey

Critters