When Your Life Looks So In Tune With the Zoo ...

Yesterday we brought back our 'Nichols Friday FunDay'. And the kids were pretty excited about it. These days became more and more infrequent as the holidays came through along with finals too. 

So this Friday we were determined to make it happen. 

We packed a lunch and headed to Zoo Atlanta. 

We sort of went backwards and landed at the kangaroos in the beginning instead of the end. And wouldn't you know, the first interaction I come to is a Momma Kangaroo nursing her Joey. Seriously y'all. It was the sweetest. The Momma just stopped all that she was doing to sit there oh so still and nurse her baby. I feel ya Momma, I feel ya. 

Kohen was so much fun to take! This is the first time we have gone when he actually wanted to interact with the animals and was interested and amazed at how ginormous an elephant actually is. 

I'm pretty sure we stopped and watched the gorillas for at least 30 minutes or so. We watched a few of the Gorilla Children (so proper right?) aggravate the snot out of each other and bang their fists on their chests in such a territorial way and knock each other out of the hammock and on and on and on. I don't think they ever sat still. Papa Gorilla got fed up at some point and rushed in (banging his chest of course) to get those kiddos under control. All the while, Momma Gorilla and Baby Gorilla cuddled on the hill. One Gorilla Child was obviously a teenager and went off to pout after getting in trouble and two of them started aggravating each other again just as soon as Daddy Gorilla turned around. 

Seriously. It was like watching my life in a Gorilla World.

Here are a few more from our day ...

P.S. I think I'll hang this sign up in our home while potty training Kohen -

Pond Life at The Rock Ranch ...

We were up extra early Tuesday morning, at least I was, to get all ready for our field trip to The Rock Ranch for the Pond Life Eco-Adventure. 

Five lunches packed, seven containers filled with water, diapers, wipes, the stroller and much more later, we were all packed in the car and ready to go. 

This was our first time to The Rock Ranch, so everything was all new for us. 

In the beginning we were placed with the wrong group, but once we were shipped back to the right spot on the bumpiest hayride ever, we were all ready to go explore the ponds! 

The boys were able to learn about the frog's lifecycle, turtles, the ecosystem and so much more! 

...

Our first stop was to learn about all of the different animals that live in the pond. 

The kids were all given buckets, nets and microscopes and were given the opportunity to explore in the pond. I wish they were given more time at this station, it took the boys each a while to get stuff in their buckets, strained and under the scope. And I don't think any of mine actually got a tadpole to look at. Kolt got a leach though. Ick!

All of the big kids were able to walk across the creek. I'd say those were some brave workers there to take that task on ... 

The worm station was my favorite for two reasons: the kids were really able to get in the dirt and explore and I learned a lot about worms. I was fascinated that worms have five hearts and the boys, of course, were fascinated that worm poop is very nutritious. 

Go figure ... 

I'm not gonna lie. During the station I was under the shade trees having a snack. Momma gets hungry! So I missed out on the majority of the learning part of this one. All I know is, the kids made a web and Kolt was the only one to not get eaten up ... 

 And here are a few extra ones from the day ... 

Field Trip Log: Imagine It! Children's Museum

Nicole found these awesome Field Trip Logs and the boys had fun filling them in yesterday: here are the results ...

Kollin's Description: Fun, Cool, Big and Learning

(this was a great opportunity for me to throw the word adjective in the mix)

His Favorite Part: The Crane

His Least Favorite Part: Nothing

He Learned: How a Cloud Floats

 Kolt's Description: Racing, Lunch and Cool

His Favorite Part: Racing

His Least Favorite Part: Leaving

He Learned: Manners and about Clouds

The Stats Are In ...

And Imagine It! was a BIG hit with Kollin and Kolt!

They had a such a great time and they were able to experience it all with Josie and some new friends. In my planner, that's a GREAT day! 

Here you go, follow us around in these pictures from our day yesterday ...

Here we are. Right before our tap dancing debut! 

The boys had a total revelation that milk comes from the cow's "boobies". Kolt couldn't stop laughing and Kollin thought it was gross. I see a Field Trip to a Farm in our near future.

Our first Exploration Station was about fruits and veggies. He talked about how we eat some leaves, stems and roots. I was just glad someone else told them "You are what you eat"!

Love how Kolt sticks his tongue out when he is thinking so hard!! What's funnier? He gets it from me :P

Kollin is such an ar-teeeeest!! 

The Moon Dough station occupied them for a while.

The relay race was a big hit with Kolt! It's been the first thing he talks about when anyone asks him about the museum. 

All the rest are on the main reason Nicole and I picked this trip: weather! Nichols' Prep and Pope Academy have been learning all about clouds and such this month. This place was perfect. They learned and were able to interact first hand with hurricanes, tornados, thunderstorms, how a cloud floats, why it rains and much more. Very accomplishing day for this homeschoolin' Momma!

We did much more, but instead of worrying about more pictures - I played with them. (And learned something too!)