Birthday #2

Annika's birthday was next, and (as Sofia has come to realize) being homeschooled does have some awesome perks - being allowed to take the day off of school on your birthday, for example.

Me: So, Annika, do you want to go to the zoo today?
Annika: (with much excited jumping about)Yea! Zoo!
James: Oh, boy! (That's his new happy phrase...and it's adorable...mainly because he says it with such enthusiasm.)
Me: (thinking to myself) Awesome - because my next offer was going to be Chuck E. Cheese.

As it turned out, in addition all of the lovely vitamin D we were able to enjoy, the kids got a healthy dose of education too. The zoo keepers were out in force, and we seemed to hit every feeding/zoo keeper chat they had. The walruses were most impressive and entertaining (to everyone but Cozy, who thought they were horrific).


We watched them match shapes/colors, make all of their vocalizations, roll over, and do all sorts of things for a few little squids and fishes. ...and the walrus keepers answered all of Annika's questions. (...since the surrounding toddlers didn't have any.)

Q. Why don't these walruses have tusks?
A. They had dental issues and eventually had to have them removed.

Q. Don't they need them to haul out?
A. Only on slippery ice - here they don't have any problem.

Q. Why are their eyes so red?
A. They keep their eyes open when the swim thru the cold water, so they have a lot of exta blood vessels in their eyes, which makes them look red and bloodshot.

Q. Can I give him a command?
A. No, it's confusing for them if people start shouting commands from the audience, especially since you don't have a fish to give him.

(I made that last one up. What really happened, was that Annika gave the walrus a command...and then got the explanation from the zookeeper. The lady was pretty nice about it too. Ah, the joys of parenting.)


The kids, playing with "Dub Dub", the fake seal.


Cozy, jumping out and "scaring us". She saw Jonny do it once and just had to try it. Don't tell her, but it would probably work better if she hid somewhere other than behind her tiny hands.


Boo, doing his mandatory reindeer impression. (He appears to think reindeer are pretty goofy...) As soon as we see the reindeer, he starts looking for sticks.


...and the birthday girl, blowing out the candles on her (as per requested) Costco tuxedo mousse cake. Happy Birthday, Sweety!