Zoo Field Trip

We joined the Congress Park Play Group this morning on a trip to the zoo. I'll preface this by explaining the intricacies of our relationships with kids, moms, and neighborhoods.

We live in what is called the South City Park Neighborhood. Our neighborhood is filled with friendly people, but doesn't appear to have an organized play group. Just to our south is the Congress Park neighborhood, in which lies our coffeeshop, Under the Umbrella. It is here that Linus ran up to a little girl to play, thus beginning our relationship with Cheryl and her two kids, Lena and Gabriel. Lena is nearly the same age as Linus. Cheryl works part-time, so we are able to connect now and then at the coffee shop. She invited me to join the Congress Park Play Group. Most Wednesdays they meet at Congress Park to play, but every fourth week the group goes on an outing.

Just northeast of us is the Park Hill Neighborhood. We got hooked up with their fledgling play group through Langley, whose daughter is Chase. We met the two of them when we were at the library in Park Hill and Linus went over to a little girl at a little table and joined her in reading. Thus began my friendship with Langley. Notice a trend here?

Now, back to the zoo outing. Imagine about seven moms and eight young children meeting at the front gates at 9:30. Oops! The zoo doesn't open until 10:00. The kids are fine for about ten minutes and then out pop the snacks to keep them occupied. Moms pass out cheddar bunnies, animal crackers, and zucchini bread. Moms discuss where the closest Stride Rite shoe outlet is and how it was supposed to be warmer out. Once we are all in the zoo and in front of exhibits, interests range from looking at the animals to looking at the school children running all over the place. The hyenas are a hit with the group. Off we toddle to see the snow leopards and we ask the kids to roar. Oh, look! There is the baby giraffe. (Super cute!) Linus likes watching a giraffe near the fence eating hay. We laugh as it sticks its tongue out. On to the polar bears, the most popular stop of the day. One is swimming, which delights everyone. The toddlers giggle and school kids exclaim loudly.

After a stop at the sea lion demonstration, we head to the indoor tropics exhibit. We are required to park the strollers outside. Signs warn that squirrels will eat snacks left behind, but a sign on the entrance says no food is allowed inside. Hmmm. Oh, well. I let Linus carry his baggy of cheddar bunnies and raisins. I show Linus snakes. He is mildly interested. I point out turtles. He isn't too interested. He looks at the fish, but doesn't show an outward response. And then we go into the part of the building with the Komoto dragons. He is intrigued. One that is sleeping suddenly wakes up and starts walking toward the glass, flicking its forked tongue as it approaches us. Linus starts flicking his tongue. He is amazed to watch the lizard and waves hello to it. When I can finally tear him away to join the group heading out of the building, he waves good bye to it.

As we join our group, one kid is crying and the mom says she's heading straight home. More and more kids start to fuss and we decide it is time to head out. Those with crying children head directly out and the others mosey toward the exit and discuss who irons their husband's shirts. Only one does. No, it isn't me. Matthew has shirts that don't need ironing, thank heavens.