More Zoo

Earlier this month, the Groupon of the day was a membership to the San Antonio zoo for less than half price. Oh, believe me, I snatched that one up! And we took advantage of it, already. Yesterday, the kids and I headed out to the zoo for some Friday fun.

Whoa... you have no idea what Groupon is???? Oh, are you missing out!! Click HERE and go sign up. Be sure to give them your real email address (I don't often suggest giving out your real email... but they won't spam and you'll WANT to get their daily email!). Every day, they'll email out a new deal of the day, for dozens of different cities in the US (and worldwide!). You can only take advantage of the deal that day, but once you do, you get a gift certificate to use whenever you want - until it expires. For instance, say today's deal is a $20 restaurant gift card for $7 that expires on 12/31/10 - you buy it for $7 today, print it out and take it to the restaruant to use like you would a regular $20 gift card - anytime between now and 12/31. But if you try to buy it for $7 tomorrow, you'll be out of luck. Groupon has gyms, restaurants, bakeries, kids-entertainment, clothing stores, all sorts of things. Often they're for online retailers so you don't have to live in that city to take advantage of the deal. Occassionally, I'll check out whats available at other cities, in case there's a good online deal. That's how I grabbed a $100 giftcard to Piccabo (a photobook site) for $25, it was in Pittsburg's deal of the day. But I can use it, too, since it's online! So anyways, that's Groupon in a nutshell. You should sign up if you're not already getting their daily email!

Ok... back to the zoo...

The kids and I went yesterday morning, we spent over 3 hours there and still saw only a corner of the zoo. There was so much more to see on a non-crowded day, good-weather day, unlike when we went on Labor day with Jacob. And, so, of course, I took more photos :) I'm so glad we have the membership - the kids and I love it there, and we will go back. Lots!

The only "big" animal we had time to see was the spotted jaguar. And he was happily napping the morning away. I have to admit, I was slightly jealous. lol

We did stop by the big pond to feed the fish.

And the cool looking ducks.

Mommy enjoyed the pretty lillies, too.

We checked out the "Toadally" exhibit and got to witness a toad eat a bug - this photo was snapped just before the toad's tongue came out to get that bug on the glass wall.

We watched the giant condoor's, but never got a good photo of them. Did you know that condoor's are a whole lot bigger than Nathan?? Yeah? Well, I'll bet you didn't know that they poop on their own legs to cool themselves off on hot days. lol! I'm glad I'm not a condoor!

We headed to the preschool play area, and checked out the giant tortoises

And crawled through a tortoise shell.

Then it was off to the play-camping area. Nathan liked the tent!

And the kids went for a boat ride... on the dock. lol

And they did some "hunting" in a giant log.

Faith made some muddy mulch pie - maybe she'll make us one for Thanksgiving!

And Nathan went "fishing" up the creek

Look! He caught an ear of corn! Wow! Who knew corn could swim?

Is that comment considered corny? or fishy??

After our camping trip, we had to check out the giant fish, again.

Then it was off to the chicken coops. Nathan was too afraid to touch one. The fourth time the zoo keeper brought a chicken out (and about the 12th time she asked him if he wanted to touch it), Nathan finally got brave enough to touch it. I didn't catch that on camera.

We headed off to the petting zoo area, to check out the goats.

As expected, this was Faith's favorite part!

She was good at feeding the goats - and only ate one piece herself... lol

Don't worry, she didn't swallow it.

After watching his sister for a few times, Nathan decided it'd be ok if he fed the goats too! I was so proud of him! He really conquered a fear!

He was even willing to get a brush and brush the goat's fur.

Though he never touched the goat with his hands.

We went into Lori Landing, armed with a cup of nectar to coax the birds over to us. I wasn't sure what the kids would think... they hated it!! They were scared of the birds!

I expected Nathan might be scared - but he'd been so good that day to touch a chicken and brush a goat... and he was fascinated with the birds... But when a bird landed on him, that was it! He clung to my leg the rest of the time we were there. Faith calmed down, as long as birds didn't get near her.

But they did get near me! For a while, I had one on my head. He was still on my back when this photo was taken. It was pretty cool. One day, when the kids are older, they'll agree. And we'll all also agree that it was nice of Mommy not to take a photo when Faith's hand went straight in a pile of bird poop... and she seemed to like it's swishiness... eww...

After the zoo, I took the kids on a train ride around the area.

I was expecting a dinky train ride, but it was a 20 minute loop. We went over bridges and through a tunnel. The kids adored it! And it was a nice break for mom, too :)

Nathan was fascinated with the train ride, and I don't think he wanted it to end!

But we'll be back. LOTS. It was a great Friday at the zoo. Maybe we can convince Jacob to play hookey one day and join us on a work day ;-)