In an effort to mix things up and do some different activities, I signed the kids up for a couple "Zoo Tot" classes at the Springfield zoo. They offer a class a week, each focusing on a different animal at the zoo. The kids get to meet the animal, do an art project related to the animal, and some sort of activity. It's only an hour long class and seemed like a great way to spend a cold day!
First up was penguins! I really hyped up the idea of going to meet the penguins leading up to the class. We had just bought "Mr. Popper's Penguins" and the kids loved it, so it was great timing!
John and Max were at the house doing some work so I was going to take all three by myself, which really didn't bother me. I thought the class was from 11-12, so perfect to grab lunch on the way home. About 9:50 I had a strange feeling, "was the class at 10?!" Sure enough it was. I panicked a bit and had John and Max help get everyone ready and out the door as fast as possible. Needless to say, we were a bit late! ... and that seemed to set the tone for Class #1. Luckily, we arrived in time for the end of the penguin showing. The kids were so timid. He was a cute little guy, waddling around his little cage.
The instructor also had a couple fake penguins to teach the kids more things - where this or that was and point out things. They kids could touch these and they looked so real that they would tell anyone that they got to pet a real live penguin!
The craft was making a little paper penguin that could wiggle if moved just the right way. We also went out to the hall to match up different species of penguins with their families.
All was good until story time. Avery insisted she wanted to stand in the middle of the circle and take her clothes off. What a nightmare. I had to take her to the hall - and just leave my baby hanging out in his stroller! - to try to get her to calm down and talk some sense into her (which was nearly impossible!). As we were leaving another mom there said, "You handled that really well. I feel for you. I'm here with my youngest of three. Some days are hard!" - which was SO nice of her, but you also hate to be that mom that has to be comforted because your kid is so horrible.
After we got done with class, this is how Avery decided to throw yet another fit. I think she may have actually licked the floor of the zoo. And, yep, that's Rudy digging in my wallet searching for "monies" to put down the drain... nothing like being in complete control...
All was well - eventually - and I had to drag them out of there (because they were having so much fun, not because they wouldn't get off the floor :))
John and Max met me for lunch after. Thank goodness I had John to go home to - it was one of those days that I needed a strong hug!
So next up: Snakes!
I have to note that Tony was home during this time and opted out of the class.
John was able to come for this class - after the first one I wanted reinforcement! - and of course it went perfectly smooth
They met three different snakes - they just kept getting bigger and bigger!
Rudy was surpringly brave and touched one of them - so quick though that we couldn't even snap a picture fast enough!
Each kid had a turn pretending to be a snake and wiggling along a mat.
The anticipation of the HUGE snake!
Avery was surpringly scared. She kept scooting farther and farther back and wouldn't touch any of them!
Ben just hung out, eating veggie straws :)
For a project, they decorated a paper snake and attached a string so they could twirl it around and around...
Snake day was a success!
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