Tabbers, Daddy and Buster Brown

So I would like to make a to do list of things that I need to make sure and accomplish on this wonderful day.  I’ll start by showing up early and walking in letting the door slam behind me hard or I may leave it open if it is winter.  I will immediately proceed to the living room where I will drop off my coat, shoes and backpack.  (why do I have a backpack?  Cause its part of the story)  I will flip on the TV and turn to a show that I want to watch with the volume about two spots down from the max.  Well, what to do now, I know, I could go for a cup of tea.  Oh no, I won’t need a glass, the coffee pot should work just fine.  Here let me just add 18 bags of tea and let that simmer on the counter.    While I am here,  think I will have a bowl of cereal.  But I don’t want milk on it.  I know, syrup sounds like a good idea.  Oops, dropped it all over the floor.  The kitchen floor is now a veritable mine field of little captain crunch balls and syrup.  It seems dark in here.  I better turn on every light in every room.  That should help. 

After my trip I could sure use a shower.  One thing that is important to me when showering is to feel the breeze so I better leave the shower curtain open.  And no towel for this cat, I will be air drying on the part of the floor that does not have a rug.  And now for good measure, I will leave my first deuce unflushed in the toilet, but defiantly not my last.  

 I was eating gum and suckers on the ride over and don’t know what to do with all these wrappers.  I will put them in the couch until I am ready to throw them away.    Well, I am bored now, what do to?  I know, I will go jump on the new bed for awhile.  I am sure the mattress needs breaking in.

Abigail just walked in and seems upset that I painted the bathroom wall with nail polish, I try to tell her I thinks it pretty but she is having none of it.  Now Mark wants to know how the downstairs sink got broken .  I forgot to tell him that I was washing my rock collection and that happened.  Ok, almost done, just need to touch the TV screen with my hand repeadtly, put something in the freezer that doesn’t belong there, fix the computer so the toolbar disappears and hide the TV remote in a drawer.

So Mark and Abby, that’s the list.  I cant wait to come over.  We will have so much fun.  What are we having for dinner?  I don’t like that.  Can we go to DQ? 

Now lest you think that I am in anyway complaining about my kids or unhappy with them at all, just remember this.  I am talking about a house.  What makes all this tolerable is that we live in a home.  That home is filled with love, joy and laughter.  But our house gets trashed on a daily basis. 

Up close at the MN Zoo

We started in the Ocean exhibit.  All kinds of fish, shells, coral something or other and sharks.  They have pools that allow you to actually touch a shark.  I would have done this but my overall desire not to have my hand bitten off would not leave.  Nor would this irrational fear leave as I watched a bunch of 4 year olds “pet” the sharks.   You can touch starfish, shells and other sea life as well as watch many creatures in smaller aquariums.  However the big attraction is the dolphins.  The underwater viewing tanks were empty so we wondered up stairs to another viewing area.  However this was locked.  So no dolphins!  Not so fast. My son the cat burglar in training was somehow able to pick the lock. Upon entering the upstairs viewing area, we were treated to a unbelievable show of two dolphins playing, jumping and making that dolphin sound they do.  Excellent start to the visit. 

Next up was the Jungle.  Flamingos, turtles, snakes and such.  You walk around a hot, humid jungle and get to see all these animals in what look to be very natural and comfortable environments.  I am going to be honest.  While I am sure this is a very good exhibit, I was anxious to get out of there and go see Bears and tigers.  So we whipped throughthis.  Oh, at one point a some big bird escaped and was right on the walk way.  We made it out alive.  Next up is the Minnesota trail.  This one was way better than I was expecting.  Wolves, Mountain Lions and the like.  They have a stamp card that helps keep the kids interested and again, just an amazing cages that make you feel like you are right in the wild with them.  The MN zoo also has very knowledgeable volunteers walking around who can answer any questions you might have.  Really cool exhibit and Im glad my wife insisted we go.  On to the Tigers….

So we walked to the other side of the park and hit the tiger cage.  This is a very large cage and it is very easy for the tiger to blend in and hide.  When we first got here, we felt like those people in Jurasic Park on the tour, when they are all despondent cause no animals would show themselves.  However, luck was on our side and soon spotted a tiger hiding in the bushes.  More than that, he spotted us and procedded to start a slow walk straight for us.  Its an amazing feeling to stand there and watch a grown tiger walk straight at you.  He came up to the glass looked and then kept on his way.  Nothing could top this. I was wrong.

The Grizzly Bear Cage.  A full glass wall that allows you a great view into the bears area as well as the fully stocked “pond” where the bear can fish

You really get a close look at bears at the MN zoo (and a appreciation for thick glass)

Thats a bad picture but you get the idea.  This Bear came down to fish and then stayed and showed off for the crowd. 

A beautiful day with a great ending.  All in all, the Minnesota Zoo was well worth the money and a great afternoon.  While they did close at 6, no one came to rush us off so we strolled around for another 1/2 hour before we left.  Looking for a great way to spend the day and love animals?  Then the Minnesota Zoo is for you.

Mark,Ella and Abby

The production of Snow White gave both Mark and Abby their acting debut.  Mark played the role of the prince.  We “ran” his lines for a few nights and he did great.  Abby was a spell binder.  She got to wear her hair real crazy and spooky make-up.  Ella did not have a role other than to run around the back of the room and keep mommy busy.  Mark and Abby had such a good time, they are going to Bottineau where they can be in a version of Cinderella.