Calgary Zoo

We weren’t too sure whether or not we would go to the Calgary Zoo, since we already went to the Saskatoon one earlier in our trip.  We were so glad that we did as we were kept busy for hours watching the different animals roam about.  The day was perfect as the temperature in the previous few days had been scorching hot, but on this day it was relatively cool out so the animals were out and about for us to see.  The penguin exhibit was one of our favourites as you were only separated by about a four inch block of glass that was about eye level.  The kids got a kick out of watching one of the penguins belly flop into the water and getting them all wet.  Josh even got some of the water in his mouth as he cheered when it happened.  Yummy! 

Some of the other highlights were the tigers because we were able to see them up close.  At the time there was a zoo staff member checking the main enclosure, so the tigers were in a smaller area pacing back and forth.  The tigers were about five feet from us at their closest. 

Emma also liked howling at the wolves trying to speak wolf. 

Hooowwwwlllllll!!!

We also got a chance to see the red panda as well more clearly this time, since at the last zoo it was hiding in a tree.  This one happened to be taking a nap on top of the roof.  I am not sure why my kids are drawn to the red panda, but they are. 

Meanwhile, Michelle was on a feather search like no other.  Last year it was rocks, this year it is feathers.  I know she loves teaching and is crazy about planning, but risking her kids’ lives and the threat of getting thrown out of the zoo was a bit much.  At one point, Jamie is leaning over into the flamingo enclosure teetering on the brink of disaster trying to reach a feather with his fingertips.  I being the good parent had to walk away and pretend I didn’t know them.  As I am walking along in another part of the zoo, there is Michelle encouraging Josh and Jamie to squeeze their heads through the fence, risking getting them stuck, for a golden eagles’ feather.  The kids managed to find a few other feathers to add to Michelle’s collection without getting caught or eaten.  I can’t wait for next years great idea!!  Carnivorous teeth perhaps?

When we got back from the zoo we had dinner and Michelle told them that they could go swimming in the pool.  Okay now, lets set the stage here.  The temperature had dropped significantly to the point where I had put on my hoodie and track pants for the first time in weeks.  A storm was approaching as the skies continued to darken minute by minute and the gusts of winds picked up to the point that I may have had to anchor Emma down, lightning was imminent (so lets put our kids into water) . . . and where was Michelle who had this great idea you ask?  Well, it is safe to say she was not heading down to the outdoor pool with us . . . she decided that this would be a good time to do laundry!  Of course, inside, where it is heated and if need be she could wrap herself in a warm towel fresh from the dryer!!!  Meanwhile, every logical parent that we passed gave me the, “are you crazy look”.  We even had a couple of kids say to us, “are you going swimming now?”  But of course, once you put an idea into the kids minds they are set on going . . . lightning storm or not.  On our way down, I kept asking the kids if they still wanted to swim and they all said yes, of course.  So I trotted down with my hood over my head and the strings pulled tight to minimize any exposure to the elements . . . meanwhile the kids skipped down the road giggling away in their bathing suits.  I made a deal with them that if they went swimming they had to stay in the water for at least 30 minutes.  Gee what do you now, there was no line up to get in to the pool . . . in fact there was no one in sight of the pool . . . it was all ours.  Great! 

I think Jamie is shivering in the pool.

Meanwhile, I could see the warm, crackling fires of nearby campers warming themselves at this time.  Jamie lasted the shortest amount of time and when I asked him if he was cold he would respond with his teeth chattering, “nnnnoooo” (blue lips and all).  Emma was the next to come out, whereas Josh seemed fine in the water.  I had to tell Josh to come out as I feared hypothermia was setting in on Jamie as he was getting the full body shivers (not much meat on his bones).  As we walked back to the trailer Emma said, “My teeth won’t stop wiggling”.  When we got back to the trailer, the kids got out of their wet bathing suits and dove under a sleeping bag to warm themselves up.  They were even treated to some hot chocolate from Grammy to warm themselves up.  Thanks Michelle for the great idea!

The kids did not want me to take this picture because they did not want everyone to know that they were cold.