Zoo Tots 2: I Smell You!

Today's theme was the sense of smell, so we met a snake--who smells with her tongue--and a skunk. 

Bonnie the Sand Boa

Silly animal noses!

Piggie

Lily the skunk

We also made scented necklaces by using cinnamon sticks to color on sandpaper. We tried to guess smells on cotton balls, like peppermint, coffee, coconut, and vinegar.

Then we headed out to the zoo. Today's exhibit was the petting zoo. Not particularly exotic, but C was excited to pet the goats ("pet ALL the goats!"). He's never been in there before because we usually skip it when we visit on our own.

Zoo Tots

We signed up for a 6-week course that meets every Wednesday at the zoo, and had our first session last week. 

Each week centers (loosely) on a different sense--this week we talked about seeing and eyes.

Fuego the tarantula has 8 eyes. 

I was acting like I was cool with this.

I was not really totally cool with this. 

Kaleidoscopes

It's possible that his favorite part of Zoo School was the pizza cutter in the sensory table, which 

has nothing to do with anything.

Fezzik, the giant rabbit.

These pictures do not convey the unusual size of this animal. 

"Pat pat pat"

Back in the Saddle

AHHHH-LITERALLY.

This past weekend, we headed east for a little farm livin'. I wasn't sure how it would go with Mr. C tagging along, but there were so many opportunities for adventure and enrichment. It was truly a wonderful time. I will spare you the narrative and simply share.

"Mommy. Put on my 'Mike Mulligan' shirt. It's snowing."

"Seriously. I'm ready."

"You guys coming?"

This child has been talking about "throw snowballs?" ever since he saw Elf for the first time on Sick Day. Dream realized.

And then...the farm. Tom Turkey.

"See sheep?"

He ran away, so was too far in case this went sideways with the juvenile piglets...

He was scared/unsure for about 2 seconds, and then figured "Ok; I'm king of the barnyard."

I will also note that all these animals ran from the adults, but followed C wherever he went. 

Maybe he has a tender heart that only animals can sense.

Or maybe he smelled like pancakes.

Every time the rooster crowed, C looked surprised...like, "they really DO say that!"

Feeding the llamas

(George has a wicked underbite)

Dude. Look behind you.

#tomturkeys #huge

And then...after nap...we had PONY TIME!

 "'Elmet?"

"Yes, I brought my muscles"

Momo with Van Winkle (VW)

He learned how to brush and care for VW...

Painted his toenails...

It is here I will note that "Pony Time" was a massive misnomer. The Farm gives the ponies (and Very Berry, the mini horse) the winter off after being enthusiastically brushed and loved by children all summer. So when you go in January...you have regular horses. VW is the horse I have ridden on all my visits (excluding the year I was 9 months extremely pregnant). He is so big that C could walk under him without ducking. 

While we were getting acquainted with VW, a wedding party was taking their pictures on a bridge nearby (they got the most amazingly beautiful winter day--and the bride looked so lovely!). Between shots, they kept tiptoeing up to peek in the barn. One guy kept saying "I can't get over that little baby on that huge horse!"

VW was a perfect gentleman, and C was not even the slightest bit scared. I was kind of shocked. 

But not really.

But kind of.

Giving kisses.

"I will show you where to go. Follow me."

Also, props to this instructor. She totally adapted to C's age and developmental level, but she really trusted him once she could read that his behavior was appropriate. And she trusted the horse, too (as did I). She definitely let them operate together. This was no dinky pony ride.

Riders up!

We walked along the stream down to the trout pond and back. The instructor said C rode about 3 times as long as any 2 year old she has ever seen. Just cruisin'. 

(world's tiniest stirrups)

I Knew This Day Would Come

Cause, meet effect.

Enjoy your Cheerios, Madigan. Hope you're not allergic.

In related news, the baby hasn't eaten breakfast in 2 days.

Outtakes: Christmas Card

Fortunately, Mr. C had his 9-month photo shoot scheduled last week, so I was able to pawn the baby photos off on to a professional.

The dogs, however, are another matter altogether. Some highlights lowlights: