Mama's Taking Us to the Zoo (Again)

Dear Jack,

You now know what to expect when I say "zoo." I told you we were going to the zoo and you said, "Yay!" Maybe you won't be such a homebody after all.

Of all of the mammals in the zoo, you and your sister were most taken with the elephant.

I say the elephant was your favorite mammal because of course your favorite part of the zoo was the fish.

I couldn't get a decent picture of you with the fish, though, because inside the aquarium, you kept asking me to pick you up for a better look and when you were down, you were running to see the next fish.

You also enjoyed the fish swimming in the little man-made rivers around the zoo, but even there, I couldn't get a picture because you were so anxious to see the fish that you actually prompted a young docent to ask his mentor if he was allowed to jump in the river after you if you fell in. She assured him that your mama was watching you. So no pictures.

I did get you playing with the docent's lobster hand puppet which you thought was very neat. I thought it was neat that they had so many docents around. This pair was at the fish and there were a couple of games to play to learn about why net-fishing isn't the best (too many sea animals get caught by mistake). There was also a group of teenage docents in the bear area with games there to learn about bears and keeping your campsite safe. Another docent was hanging out in the Africa section with a giraffe skin and skull to talk about giraffes and other African animals.

My favorite part of this zoo experience, though, was the Mold O Rama.

What is a Mold O Rama you ask? Well, let me tell you. It's this very old machine that they first made in the 50's (although I don't know for sure that this one is that old, though a quick search of the internet reveals that no new machines have been made in the last forty years, so probably this one is that old). The machine injects liquid polyethylene plastic into a mold and then quick-cools it with a blast of automotive antifreeze, making a very cheap yet unique souvenir. This visit, we made a giraffe and an elephant.

On our way home from the zoo, we stopped at Joseph's Storehouse for the other half of my perfect trip to the zoo requirements, carrot cake.

Ah, what a wonderful day. Fish and an elephant for you, carrot cake and a giraffe for me. Your sister seemed happiest with the chance to put the money in the machines and was therefore happy for both of us. Everyone wins.

Love,
Mom