Help the Zoo

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is something we stumbled upon when we had family in town last March. It was always one of those things we saw signs for, but never seemed to make it down too.

Then, last March my mother and oldest brother came in for a visit and we decided to take a trek down to Druid Hill for Samson's (our zoo's baby elephant) 1st Birthday party. We had a wonderful time. So much so that we purchased a membership on site and we have never for a second regretted it. My son, Liam and I went to the zoo often last year, nearly once a week at times and always had a fantastic time. We took friends, organized group outings and always had a blast. Our favorite parts changed as our son grew up and learned to take in the zoo in new and different ways.

Near the end of the summer he fell in love with the Vultures. He would see them with their bald heads sticking out in the breeze and laugh a laugh that came all the way from his toes. I can't wait until we can see them this year, now that he's talking. I hope he finds them just as entertaining and that he can tell me what exactly is so darn funny about them.

On our last visit of the season, we met with a Keeper who was showcasing the Screech Owl and he quickly found a place in my heart. I look forward to seeing and learning all about him this year.

Once in the early part of the year, we went in the middle of a pouring down rainstorm and throughly enjoyed seeing the animals in the rain. I had the little guy in a backpack carrier and an umbrella over both of us. We loved seeing how the penguins reacted to the rain. They were squawking and honking at each other, clearly having the times of their lives. Liam still makes the same "honking" sound if you ask him what sound a penguin makes.

We had a wonderful year full of amazing memories. A year where in each passing picture of him sitting on a turtle in the Maryland area you can see how much he grew. A year full of love and experiences that culminated with an amazing up-close and personal visit with the penguins at the Holiday Breakfast. We would be lost without our zoo. Our future spring, summer and fall seasons would be lacking if we did not have this wonderful Baltimore institution to ground memories in.

The twin blizzards of 2010 have wreaked havoc on our zoo and they are in desperate need of help. If you can donate anything from a dollar to a hundred dollars, they would appreciate anything at all. And, if you are looking for a great way to create endless memories for your family, please think about a gift membership.

You can give here.

To Go

As you read in my previous post we are stuck under a rather snug blanket of snow these days. And, we are expected to have the Universe throw down the gauntlet again with 10-20 inches more snow before all is said and done with tomorrow. That said, we felt the need to walk, no run, out of the house today and do things since apparently one day in the house will be simply too much to bear.

We bolted straight to our nearest indoor playground. I mean we wouldn't to get all cold or anything. Let the little dude exhaust himself for awhile competing with other children for scraps of plastic fruit and taking turtles out of their shells. All in a days work for the toddler set. Then, we decided that we better treat ourselves to lunch out because it could be a WHOLE DAY before we could partake in such frivolity again. We went to our local Mexican restaurant (and by that I mean National Chain that rhymes with Silly's) for a quick bite before nap time.

While we were finishing up, waiting for our waiter to bring us a box for our son's pizza. That's right good old Italian food at the Mexican joint. Anywho, the hubs and I were chattering away when we looked down to see that the little man was putting a piece of pizza in his pocket. Apparently he too thought the waiter was taking far too long for that box. I think he might be starting a trend.

Waiter: Need anything else?
Customer: Nope, I think I'll just take this pizza home with me.
Waiter: I'll go get you a box.
Customer: No thanks, dude. I'll just put it in my pocket.

(Very green. Don't you think??)