I like zoos—lions and tigers and bears—oh my! It really makes my day when I get to see animals doing something like swimming, or jumping, or eating or roaring.
Here is what is interesting to me. My grandkids like to go to the zoo. They like riding the carousel and lunch and the playground and the gift shop and seeing animals, if there is time. This is typical of any and all of our grandchildren. Lilly and Jackson were not exceptions.
In the car on the way to the zoo, I asked, “What animals would you like to see today?” We have a zoo membership, which I love! It frees us to see a portion of the zoo each visit rather than sticking it out until we have seen every last animal. We go early and often.
One of the children wanted to see polar bears. The other wanted to see ducks. Yes, ducks, and of course the temporary dinosaurs exhibit.
Our first stop is always the restrooms. Both children protested that they did not have to use the washroom and they could not possibly make anything come but I still encouraged them, “Please try.” They couldn't go. I was not surprised as I am a SZG (Seasoned Zoo Grandma).
As we went through the turnstile, we received one map per group. I quickly observed that one map will never work. It never does. Our second stop is always the info center to pick up more maps so each child can have his/her own. After studying it for a few minutes and plotting our course, the children asked me to please hold their maps for them. I was expecting that, also.
The first thing that we saw was the carousel. From experience, I knew that the line would lengthen exponentially if we waited until later in the day. A carousel ride is paramount to the zoo experience, so I suggested that we ride right away. During a brief wait, they had time to discuss the weighty decision of what animal to ride and then participated in the foot race to get on the right one.
Following that thrill, we looked at our plan and began moving in the prescribed direction.
Inevitably someone always spies a playground. There are several scattered throughout the zoo. Jackson and Lilly saw one and begged to go and play. Before I was a SZG I used to attempt reason, reminding grandchildren that we have a park a block from our house and another just down the street a bit saying, “We can always play at a park but we don’t get to see the animals very often.” I don’t argue anymore. I just say, “Yes.” The children run to the playground as if it is the best thing and I resign myself to following them around to keep an eye on each one among the other hundred children that also prefer the playground to seeing animals.
Shortly into the playground play, Lilly came in desperate need of a washroom—immediately. We all took off for the closest facility available. Lilly was distraught because she was concerned that she would not get to go back to the playground. I assured her that was not the case. We took a lengthy bathroom break and then returned to the playground. Eventually, I enticed them away saying that it was time for lunch.
Lunch was near the temporary Dinosaur Alive exhibit, so the children asked to dig for bones among the shredded tires following lunch. Finally, finally, both were ready and willing to go and see the dinosaurs on display.
We loved the dinosaur exhibit. It was amazing! Jackson would have read every sign and placard if Lilly had the patience for it.
Jackson was excited to see that Tyrannosaurus Rex bones had been found in Colorado!
Of course, the exit from the dinosaur exhibit was through the dinosaur gift store. The children were so good and they were not begging but had such wistful looks so what was a grandma to do? I told them to each choose a small gift. It took some time but Jackson settled on a dinosaur transformer and Lilly settled on a rock. Yes, a rock. And I must say, she carried her rock around for two solid days.
We lasted for a whole half hour following the dinosaurs. We saw perhaps five real animals including ducks and polar bears and then all three of us were ready to head home. Both kids napped all of the way home.
What a wonderful and successful zoo experience—happy kids, happy grandma!
Hubby had thought he would take Jackson out to one of our beeyards as his helper. Usually, we like to wait until the kids are seven years old until they accompany Grandpa Beekeeper. The first reason being that even though we buy the smallest child size bee suit, it is really too large for the children. Secondly, hubby likes to wait until the children can concentrate long enough to stay for awhile as it is a bother to dress and undress to bring the kids back and forth if they get tired in the first 10 minutes. Then also, he likes to make sure that they are old enough not to “freak out” when bees land on their suits.
However, Lilly would have nothing of not going with her big brother and Grandpa so we drove two cars and I went along as photographer. We put a pair of Grandpa’s thick socks on her little legs, taped her shorts around those same little legs and put on one of Grandpa’s jackets. She was satisfied and we decided that she would be adequately protected.
The bees were particularly docile on Saturday—not at all in a defensive or feisty mood. I did not even need to don a suit to be the photographer.
Grandpa fired up two smokers so both of the kiddos could calm the (already calm) bees.
Earlier, at home, Lilly and Jackson had identified a queen bee and nurse bees and carried them safely in a little cage all over the house.
They learned some beekeeper terms. The hive tool is the most basic of a beekeepers supplies. Jackson measured and noted the holes distinguishing the deeps from the supers.
They learned about drawn comb, honey, and capping. They compared how light a frame was to hold with little or no honey and how heavy the frame gets when the bees fill it with honey.
They looked for a queen. Grandpa pointed out brood and baby bees.
They were interested and understood why Grandpa uses excluders to keep the queen in the deeps.
Jackson helped assemble a hive, noting where the little ventilation hole is placed.
When after the second hive, I noticed the bees becoming more agitated, I suggested that we go home and go swimming. Both children objected, “Not yet! This is cool!” and “I like helping Grandpa!” We stayed for a few more hive inspections and then I lured the children away with the promise of a McDonald’s milkshake and a swim at the pool.
Later that day as well as the next morning, we enjoyed fresh-from-the-comb honey. It received a thumbs up, “Mmmmm Good!” review from the two world's cutest beekeeping pros.
First of all, let me say that I LOVE little boys! I love all of their energy and boy activities! Each one of my grandsons brings so much happiness, energy and fun to our lives!
Having been the mom of two sons and no daughters, I also delight in little girls and dolls, and dress up and jewelry and princesses and . . . all things pertaining to girls that I never had the joy of experiencing as a mother. Lilly is a delightful combination of tomboy and little girl.
Lilly liked the idea of a tea party. In fact she requested it and asked if we could invite her cousins as well. She was concerned, however, that she might have to wear a dress and hat. I quickly reassured her that as the hostess and she was welcome to dress casually.
Jackson was equally concerned. He wondered if he could help but not actually be part of the tea party. We had plenty of manly jobs that needed doing so he was satisfied as well. Together we decided that Jackson would be chef, photographer, waiter and game organizer.
After addressing those concerns, both kids were totally on board and we got started. Our menu included scones, muffins, graham cracker sandwiches, bogels (bagel holes), strawberry cream cheese, chocolate chips, blueberries and raspberries.
We got busy right after breakfast preparing food.
Jackson had helped Lilly complete a Lego car before breakfast and that novelty also needed to be included in the tea party photos.
Lilly requested that the tea party be held in the family room. She reminded me that we should use a pretty table cloth and have pretty flowers.
Both children set the table properly with napkins and plates and cups. Both Lilly and Jackson had a tea pot to serve the tea and Jackson would take other drink orders if some guests wanted a cold drink as well. Lilly asked to greet and welcome the guests as they arrived. We were so happy to have Morgan’s neighbor and friend, Fionnuala, join us.
The highlight for me were the conversations. Jackson introduced and led a round of Would You Rather? The questions could be funny or serious and each person participated by making up a question—even our two doll guests—Sammy and Julianna—had questions and responses with Morgan and Jessica serving as interpreters. Game rules are that you must choose one of the answers and you must give a reason for your answer.
For example one question was, “Would you rather go Trick or Treating and get lots of candy or go swimming at the beach?” Mostly the answers were, “swimming at the beach” for various reasons such as—“I like getting buried in sand,” or “because my mom would not let me eat much of the candy anyway.” It made me chuckle as Morgan predictibly answered, “Trick or Treating!” because “I love chocolate and I love dressing up in costumes!”
One question that caused quite a lot of giggles was, “Would you rather jump into a lake with sharks in your Sunday clothes or naked?” The answers were logical, such as “Naked—because my mommy would not like my Sunday clothes to get ripped up.” or “Naked—because my clothes would weigh me down and I could not swim as fast to get away ” or “In my Sunday clothes—because I would just feel more protected” or “In my Sunday clothes—because the sharks would have to bite through more stuff before they got to my skin” or “Naked—because I would look more like a baby shark and maybe they would not attack me.”
Our other games were from the May issue of Family Fun magazine. We played a variation of She Loves It, She Loves It Not, as we removed petals from flowers.
We also played Mrs. Mumbles. To win this game, you need to be able to talk without showing your teeth. That means no laughing — or even smiling — while other players are trying to crack you up. To get started, one person curls her lips tightly over her teeth, turns to the person to her right, and says, "Excuse me, is Mrs. Mumbles home?" The person must reply, in the same tooth-hiding manner, with, "I don't know, let me ask my neighbor ..." She then turns to the person to her right and asks, "Excuse me, is Mrs. Mumbles home?" The question and the answer are passed around the table, as everyone tries hard not to giggle.
Following the tea party, everyone did a craft—Jackson making one for his mom while Grandma cleaned up the kitchen a bit. (I bought paper fans to decorate from Discount School Supply—12 for $6.99.) While working on the craft, we played “Two truths and a lie.” Again, it was entertaining and intriguing to hear from each child! Absolutely delightful!
As the years pass and you grow up
Framed in memory, I will see
Pinkies extended, sweet hands dainty,
Holding pretend cups of tea.
On the small chairs by the table
Girls and Jackson full of glee
Giggles and laughter of the moment
Oh, God's precious gift to me!
If I live to be a hundred
I shall never richer be
Then when I shared your dazzling presence
And together we sipped tea.
Adapted from Tea for Three by Lee Scott
Following that thrill, we looked at our plan and began moving in the prescribed direction.
