Tag: zoo

Sunday Snapshots (of the zoo with Daddy)

Marie HaighLeave a comment

Elly and I have been to the Philadelphia Zoo together 3 times since getting a membership. Last Sunday, Dan came with us for a family outing.

How is the zoo experience different with Daddy around?

Well, Elly gets to spend a lot of time up high on Daddy’s shoulders.

Other than that, it’s about the same. Zoo trips involve a lot of keeping up with Elly as she bounces from animal display to animal display.

Ell’s excitement hasn’t been dampened by our frequent trips to the zoo. In fact, I think she was more excited this past time than she was in the beginning if only because she got to show her Daddy all the cool snakes, lizards and frogs in the reptile house.

Sunday Snapshots (of the new KidZooU)

Marie HaighLeave a comment

Since purchasing a Philadelphia Zoo membership, Elly and I have visited the zoo three times. On the last 2 visits, we spent the majority of our time in the new KidZooU.

The KidZooU section is located in the old elephant home. When the elephants moved to their new homes, the place was revamped for the kids. It’s like a Please Touch Museum except better because the kids get to touch animals.

Elly loves it!

Outside in the barnyard area, she’s petted several goats, a few sheep, and a horse.

Elly’s two complaints have been that she isn’t allowed to feed the animals and she isn’t allowed to sit down next to the animals. Although hay is provided for all the animals and the animals are almost always munching on it, the staff does ask that you not pick the hay up so little fingers are not nibbled along with the hay. Dear Elly desperately wants to feed the animals and I find myself constantly reminding her of the hay rule as well as discouraging her from finding rocks on the ground to feed the animals. Oh, the things I thought I would never have to say.

As far as Elly’s desire to sit next to an animal, well that is just her way of making friends with it. It is the cutest thing. The zoo staff discourage sitting on the ground only because the animals urinate and defecate on the ground. It’s understandable.

Outside, there is even a playground for the kids. Though it is designed for the older kid and not the population of 3 and under. Poor Elly had a panic attack on their rope bridge and I had to go save her.

Inside the KidZooU, Elly has pet a Madagascar hissing cockroach. How I wish I could show you a picture of that! Alas, Elly insists that I hold her while she pets the cockroach; it helps her be brave.

Though the cockroach is the only animal we have been able to pet inside the KidZooU, there is no fear a kid getting bored. Like I said, it’s similar to a Please Touch Museum, although to be honest, I have never been to a Please Touch Museum despite my best friend’s open invitation. Must rectify that.

Elly’s 3 favorite things to do inside the KidZooU are to play in the ant cave which is filled with foam ant eggs,

to play in the barn designed for children 3 and under,

and to operate the recycle box elevator.

If you have the opportunity to visit the Philadelphia Zoo, I highly recommend the KidZooU.

Excuses for No Preschool

Marie HaighLeave a comment

Elly turned 3 in February.

In September, most children her age will head off to preschool for at least 2 days a week. Elly will not.

I could come up with a few excuses to justify my decision, but the main reason is because I want her home with me for 1 more year. This is my time with her. Starting at age 4, she will be going to school for the next 13 years. If we count the college years, then she will go to school for 17-21 years depending on how much education she needs for her career. One year less won’t stunt her growth and it would mean the world to me.

But back to those excuses. You do want to hear them, don’t you? Of course you do.

Like most parents, I think my child is wicked smart. Either that or I am losing brain cells by the fist fulls because I have already lost arguments to Elly.

Thanks to the Moms Club, socialization is not an issue. Almost on a daily basis, Elly meets and hangs out with kids her age. She even has 2 best friends and none of them are family. The only best friend I had at her age was my older sister.

Elly has been exposed to every craft supply I can get my hands on. During the winter months when it is too cold to go outside, we make a lot of crafts. Other moms that have watched me buy supplies at Target and AC Moore have expressed amazement because they don’t have the patience for such messes. Thankfully, Elly’s favorite crafts are not overly messy: sculpting and painting. Though I just introduced her to pottery. It truly looked like a bomb had gone off when we were finished. Thus, I have deemed it an outdoor only craft.

We don’t sit at home. Yes, Elly is her father’s daughter and loves to play video games, but I do not.

When she is with me, very few video games are played. Instead, I keep her busy. We go to the zoo, the library, the local playgrounds, and anything else I can find. Idleness is the devil’s playground. It is also a fast ticket to madness for any mom.

They are pretty good excuses, no? Still that is exactly what they are: excuses. I just want one more year to spend every day with my little girl. She is growing up too fast as it is.

Just today, she told me that she wanted to go to school. I explained that she would indeed go to school in another year. Then, she asked if moms could go too. I said no. “I would miss you”, said Elly. Me too.