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.

August 16-17

After our adventurous evening NO ONE was complaining when I suggested we end our school week at home in the backyard! Trinity has said she would love another walk, just NOT to McDonalds! But we did it and I am VERY proud of it!

Emanuel finished his subtraction book… we are covering some of the basics one at a time… next is addition then onto the beginning reading sounds. I know he KNOWS most of this but we are really starting his schooling shortly and I feel it is important to review and get him in the right frame of mind. I am lax in Kindergarten generally to learn by play but I do want more of an organized gr. 1 so it can be a bit of a shock!!

Of course we still had time to enjoy nature!

Drawing it, talking about it and sitting in the sun!

I also need to show off the amazing penguins Gavin assembled using a kit we got at Michaels that really had TOUGH instructions. He stuck with it and they are TERRIFIC!

Saturday was our final prep day before Echo’s big party. So of course we ran off to Lakeshore to do the weekly craft! I checked, they go year round… so when we have the vehicle free (trust me, importing a 10+ yr old vehicle has been a royal PAIN) and the day we head over.

I picked up some marvelous little dictionaries for each of the boys. I want to relieve some of the stress of writing so they can check and see if they can find the spelling 0n those words they are unsure of in these, and record new ones as well!

This had us near JoAnn’s so I was able to get supplies for two of my Christmas presents, and head over to the nearby mall to pick up free Victoria’s Secret panties (I do so love a good coupon!). Echo takes instant possession of any and all bags lately! Especially ones that are pretty with ribbons!

What to do after errands and crafts with sunshine? PICNIC and PARK! We thought ahead and remembered the soccer ball this time!

All in all a fun way to work our way up to Echo’s 3rd birthday party!

June 25-26

We started our Tuesday with the rather fun activity of making paper fans… we took rectangular pieces of white paper (in hindsight cardstock may have been a better choice) and drew Independence Day themed pictures… fireworks, flags, etc. We then used an accordion fold and stapled it at the base. Another idea out of one of our books. But something I remembered making as a child myself! Fun!!

Serious designers

July 4th themed!

We had a Lego magazine come in the mail (we have a couple of their free subscriptions). This was geared at the younger group so the 3 littles sat down and enjoyed it together.

Gavin was totally in the puzzle mood. We got some lovely new ones in our latest package from Gammie!

We played around with some different brands of bubble soap. Sadly still not as good as the machine’s brand!

Got some sun though

There was a little time for a dino dig as well! But we kept it rather sedate as Wednesday was a day with a big plan!

THE ZOO!!! We made plans to meet up with Steven and Quinn, and then once Bree got done work and such we added in Lily and mom.

We had sun, rain and fun in the rain! It was terrific!

Drowned rats, happy but drowned

Sunning Sea Lion… be sure to check our zoo overflow HERE.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE REST OF OUR PHOTOS FROM THE ZOO HERE.

Ken got to relive a bit of his childhood and made a plastic mold in one of the machines they have around the zoo. We made a gorilla. The plan is to get a different one each visit.

I am just so pleased… Ken’s anniversary present got here as well! A special t-shirt based on a saying I saw on a Grumpy Cat picture off Facebook. He was well pleased!!!

Where I got the saying from… Grumpy Cat