Road Kill Educational Program At Bham Zoo? You Betcha!

Dax and I got a chance to go to the Zoo with Isaiah's class on their field trip. For D, going to the Zoo is fun, but going with older kids is down right "big boy" fun. Other than getting hit with a huge migraine half way through the trip, I had some "grown-up" fun myself. And by grown up fun I don't mean throwing back a few Budweisers while pushing a stroller around. I mean getting my authority on by seeing who could yell the loudest at a couple of unruly kids or counting how many times I got to tell them "no" in 5 mins or making fun of the other shady weirdo chaperon mom that was in our group (okay, I'm totally kidding of course... about the making fun part...). Between the shady chaperon mom, the exhilarating educational program and wanting to tangle with a 7 year old it really was quite the day.



Last Thursday was cold and overcast but a great time at the zoo. Good thing we didn't need the sun to have fun. Which did come out as bright as ever AS soon as we got home. Quick! how many as's in that sentence - without looking?

I love the zoo, but really hate that I do have to add it to the list of migraine triggers. I think the smell coupled with looking left to right constantly, totally did it. Thinking back, I got a migraine the last 2 trips to the zoo. Bummer.

The kids we had in our group were a lot of fun. They were so sweet to Dax and really looked out for him. Good apples in my book. We had 2 other chaperon moms besides me and Leandra and one Grandmother. The other 2 moms were nice. Well, one of them was anyways even though neither of them seemed to have cared that the kids would run off and totally disappear from sight. Maybe I'm just knew to this chaperon thing, but isn't that the point? To make sure the kids in your group don't get lost or kidnapped by some pedophile. I don't know, maybe me and Leandra take the job of parents entrusting their children to us a little too serious?!?! Well, even if I am, I don't plan on changing.  I'm sure Le doesn't either.

For fun, I have to tell you about the educational program that 3 old ladies from the zoo put on for the kids. You'd expect them to pick some exotic animals to pull out, show off and tell us about them. Right?   Uh, no. If I'd have been editing the agenda pamplets to hand out, I would have entitled this "educational" program - Name That Road-Kill.  The animals they did pick to show to the kids were a possum, a lizard (geico [sp] to be exact), and a screech owl.  Oh, they did show a boa constrictor, but it was the length of my arm.  I couldn't help but laugh out loud when the old lady said: "Now, when I bring this BIG boy out, nobody scream..."  Pa-leez lady.  I know these kids are young but that's no reason to patronize them.  ha ha.

For a total WTHay moment.  While the kids were playing on the zoo playground where they had a fake rock formation with a tunnel.  A 6-7 year old kid came running out of the tunnel.  Dax just happened to be standing there, minding his own business and this kid looks over at him and then pushes him (for no reason) so hard he sends D flying.  Landing only an inch or two away from the fence.  If ever I wanted to hurt a child, this was it.  Did I cause a scene.  No, I scolded the kid to never push anyone - and that D is just a baby but that's just about it.  I know I know.  Mom to the rescue?  total failure.  If I was a quick thinker, I'd have discreetly reached under the kids arm, grabbed a pinch of the fat piece and twisted it until the kid came off the ground.   Hear comes my Dr. Eveeel  laugh...

So, all in all it really was a wonderful trip, that I will take again.  Migraine or no.  Spending time with Leandra and the kids is always a blast and seeing Dax laugh and run and know he had a wonderful time is totally worth suffering a migraine.  I'll just bring a bucket of Maxalt with me and maybe a few other provisions to keep me better laid back and chill.  That way if I encounter the bully kid from Hades again, I won't go to jail.

Ian and Dax

Poor Dax, one day he'll be tall enough

The Lion's loose!!!!

This would be right b/f it devoured my child.  I can't help but think of Alfred Hitchcock's movie when seeing this picture.  You know which one.

Among her many talents

My 2nd Godson, Isaiah

Riding the train is some serious business

So is being in the cage with a wild bird

Oh, to be a kid...

Pass me the Bongos, Daddy-o

Me & D

Rocky Mountain High