Session 6 - Camp Josh - Days 3 & 4

We have another day with Grandpa and he wants to go down to the aquarium with us this time.  It seems as though he misses the trips quite often and loves it there as much as the rest of us.  Let's get up and going.

Josh is chomping at the bit to see the stingrays and a preschool class has just arrived so we make a beeline out there hoping to beat the rush.

It's feeding time and he hasn't done that before so I ask if he wants to give it a try.

You have to hold the food upright in your hand so that the stingray can come along and suck it right out of your fist.  It needs to be held firmly, yet not so tight that their suction won't work.

The rays have already figured out what is going on and are waiting right near him.  It will be a frenzy to get to his hand first.  He does great and we keep it up until all our food is gone.

All right --- it's time to check out the other exhibits.  The school group has moved into the stingray area and that means the other areas are not crowded at all.  Let's go see what we can find today.

Oooh, a rare treat.  The iguana is up and moving around it's habitat.  Mister and I have never seen it move, although we know it does as we see it in different spots around the tank.  Dang, wouldn't want to bump into this while on a walk.

As always, learning moments.  First shark teeth.  Do  you know how many are in there?  It's crazy.

The aquarium always has great teaching stations around and we get to have a hands on approach to learning.  I remember when Jen home schooled and had the chance to go places like this all the time as part of their education.  It's one of the things I like most about home schooling.

Oh goodness.  Josh's absolute favorite creature is also moving around.  He is in heaven over this and about climbs out of his pants in his excitement for me to take a picture.  Wow -- well it really is a dang good picture.

After a final farewell visit with the grouper, we are off to the lagoon outside for some "get the wiggles out" time.  This place is absolutely perfect for it and I hope it never changes.

Let's go see if the swan boats are open.  NO again.  I swear I don't know why they are here.  They are never open and running.

After some lunch and a little quiet time, we decide to run over to the splash park and let Josh cool off a bit.   It's a great little spot and not to crowded today.  Bonus.

Well, that's it for today.  Time for dinner and some rest.  Tomorrow is another fun-filled camp day.

Good morning!  Grandpa is back at work today so we are on the DART heading to the zoo.  Want to come along with us?

First up:  the lemurs and we catch them just starting their day.  Rather lazily if you ask me.

The lagoon is starting to wake up as well.

I love the flamingo birds as they carry on in the little communities.  They have a definite language to let each other know what is what and when someone has violated a rule that we know nothing about.  The kerfuffles are great to watch.

Josh's favorite part of the zoo is the primates.  He loves them and thus we are heading to them first thing.  What do you think he is looking at?

This sweet little Tamarin.  If I could have one exotic animal, this would be it.  They are simply darling.

Let's keep going and perhaps we will be able to spot a baby somewhere along the way.  The Colobus monkeys have one, I think.

By golly, I was right.  Look how cute he is.

I ask if Josh would like to feed the birds and get a "YES".  Hopefully they are hungry today.

It looks good and no one else is in the aviary right now so we are indeed lucky.  They are not interested in landing on him today, and to tell the truth I'm not sure he wants them to.

From the lorikeets to the cheetah.  That's a rapid transition but we make it in time for the demo.

Boys, boys, boys.  There are some parts to the zoo that I'm okay with visiting once a year.  The reptile building is one of these places.  However, Josh really wants to go in there and well, it's air conditioned so that's a plus.

After the reptiles, we check out the dinosaurs and play with the water a bit.  There's another way to cool off.  Now -- onto the tortoises.

Okay, now it's my turn.  I want to go over to the Savanna for a little while and see what's up over there.  I think it's my favorite area of the zoo and I am always fascinated by these amazing creatures.

Of course, time MUST be taken to feed the giraffes.  What would a trip to the Savanna be without doing that?  Fortunately, they are hungry.  Woohoo.

Love, love, love these animals with their black tongue and soft brown eyes.

Apparently, they are not the only creatures that are hungry.  Time to feed the human.

Hmmm -- not looking too kingly here.  This is the view from the restaurant.

Now for the obligatory elephant pose.  Whoever put these here was a genius as it is a highlight for most kids and definitely my grands.

One last spot to check out today.  The Gorilla Trail in which we don't see any gorillas but are treated to the antics of the chimpanzees along with their babies.

As we round a turn on the trail, we are definitely in for a treat.  The klipspringers are out.  They are NEVER out.  How fun is this?  These little members of the deer family can roam these rocks like crazy and they are hoofed.  Oh my goodness.  How?

As we exit the trail, an encounter with a snake is in process.  Run, Josh.

Okay, our time at the zoo comes to an end and we are soon back home.  Josh has asked to do some sewing and I'm more than happy to help him.  He wants to make a pillowcase that matches his quilt, just like his big brother did.  We can do that.  After locating some of the leftover fabric, he sets to designing and sewing the bricks together.

I am amazed at how well he is doing and staying on task.

You can see for yourself:

Little hands doing the quilting.  Precious.

Well that's it.  Another day is done and I am too.  Night all.