Sea Lion Cove...backstage pass

It truly is good to know people in high places.  If you remember, last year we got a backstage pass to the zoo.  It was so much fun to learn about the animals, straight from the zoo keepers, and get a small idea of what is required to take care of the majestic animals.

Well...a few weeks ago, Kc was contacted by a friend of his whose wife is the lead mammal keeper.  He asked us if we would be interested in a behind the scenes tour of the new Sea Lion Cove.  Are you kidding me?!?  Of course!!!

We met Sarah, the lead mammal keeper, right outside the new exhibit and were ushered into the keeper building.  We were introduced to Sara, the lead sea lion keeper, who gave us our tour.  We got to see how the keepers keep an eye on the tank, both inside and outside, using video cameras.  Then, we were ushered into the kitchen where the sea lion's diets are closely monitored.  Finally, we were lead into one of the "off exhibit" holding tanks where the keepers can isolate and train the sea lions.  The keeper opened the gate leading from the exhibit tank and almost immediately all the sea lions, Pismo, Avila, and Catalina, came.

 

We got up close and personal with Pismo.  She is an amazingly beautiful sea lion who happens to be blind.

Sara had Pismo perform many tricks for us.  I think she is so much more well trained than our dog, Sierra.  I think I will have to get some training tips from the keepers.

How cute is this gal?!?

Sara asked Noah if he wanted to touch Pismo.  My little shy guy was so nervous that he quickly said no.  Too bad!

Although Noah was quite timid during the tour, as soon as we got back home, he talked all about the visit.  He was amazed at how big and loud the sea lions were. 

Thank you Mike, Sarah, and Sara for an amazing experience!

Fun Furlough Day

Monday was a furlough day for all teachers and staff in my school district.  Noah and I took advantage of the day off and went...you guessed it...to the zoo.  Our first stop was the Nosey statue...one of Bubs' favorites. 

He then insisted on visiting the petting zoo.  He was so excited to see the sheep

and the goats.

 

He fell in love with this cute goat who had climbed on the rocks and decided he needed to join him.

 

I stopped Mr. Man right before he made it to the top.  Fortunately,  I was able to convince him that taking a picture {at the bottom of the log} was just like being at the top.

We spent quite a bit of time with the adorable animals.

Bubs just wanted to hang out with the goats.

Hey Mr. Goat...what's hangin'?

We're just chattin' it up.

We left the petting zoo and went to tease the seals with Noah's goldfish crackers.

I attempted to take a picture of the two of us.

Well...I guess that is as good as it gets.

 

Once again, we spent quite a bit of time with the fish in the reptile house.

 We ended our lovely morning with a quick farewell to the lions.

Bubs says, "ROAR!"

It truly was a Fun Furlough Day!

...And Again

Labor Day?  The Zoo?  Well of course!

The Jacksons ventured off to the zoo this morning with some very close friends.  They are our "Zoo Friends"...we've been going together since the boys were little.

Jack and Noah had a blast together!  They ran around, chased each other, copied each other, hugged each other {well...mostly Noah hugging Jack}, and shared popcorn.

Noah continues to love the orangutang statue more than the real thing.  Here he is giving it a hug... 

and a kiss.

Noah and Jack played outside the reptile house.  They had fun crawling in and out of the turtle shell

and riding the komodo dragon.

Ride 'em Cowboy!

Noah even got to ditch his boring stroller and ride with Jack in his Radio Flyer.  How fun!

We finished off our visit to the zoo with a train ride through Storyland and Playland.  Kc had to work very hard to get a good picture of me and my Bubs.

Not quite...

still not good...

well...I guess that's as good as it gets.

I hope your Labor Day was as relaxing and enjoyable as ours was!

The Zoo...Again

Bubs and I headed to the zoo this morning and even though we've taken SO many pictures of Mr. Man at the zoo, I just can't resist taking a few more of my cute Little Man.  

At the monkey enclosure, Bubs just loves to play with the carved orangutang rather than watch the real thing.

We had so much fun at the petting zoo.  It was still nice and cool in the morning so all the goats and sheep were out.

I just love how Noah puts his hands behind his back when he is unsure of what he is looking at.

Here Noah is signing goat...

He showed you the chin hair and horns...that's how you sign "goat".

Noah was wondering why some of the animals were lying down.  He signed "sleep" and "night-night".  Too cute!

I thought this was simply precious.  One goat laid down right next to the other one and put it's head on their back.  Love that they are snuggling on each other.

Hello there Mr. Goat.  How are you?

Mr. Man loved to chase the peacocks.

The flamingos were another big hit.

Do you remember this picture...from here...can you believe how much Bubs has grown in a year?

Unfortunately there was water in the hippo's mouth so Noah could not sit in it.

I love that these beautiful macaws greet you when you enter the rainforest exhibit.

My tall Bubs...almost as tall as a gorilla.

No trip to the zoo is complete without a visit the reptile house...Mr. Man's favorite!

Once again, we spent quite a bit of time watching the fish.   I seriously think Noah could live in the reptile house...me, however...I think I would pass on that.

My washed out happy Little Man was so thankful that we visited the zoo today!