We’ve become zoo patrons since we started babysitting for Little Man and The Princess. Here in the Twin Cities, we are privileged to have choices.
St. Paul is been home to Como Zoo for over 100 years. It was where we baby boomers went when our parents took us to visit the tigers and bears. It may be a little worn around the edges, but it does bring back good memories.
(One of those memories is when, as an engaged couple, we took three little kids to the zoo for an afternoon of animal watching. At the end of that experience, we decided since we were still in love, the marriage was sure to work.)
When we took the two grandkids to Como Zoo a few weeks ago, we had not realized it was Earth Day. Expecting few people, we were surprised to find hundreds of moms, kids, strollers, and, since it was early in the season, few animals outside.
We entered through the visitor building. There were two doors: left for zoo…right for conservatory. Our doublewide stroller would not manage the narrow walkways in the conservatory, but we parked outside the window and I pointed out the jungle.
Two and a half year old Little Man turned and gave me “the look” and said, “That’s the rain forest, Grandma.”
I stood corrected.
The Minnesota Zoo is a relative newcomer, having come on the scene some thirty years ago. The exhibits are easier to navigate. The Zoo is minutes away. And if that were not enough to convince us to choose it, our daughter bought us a grandparent’s membership.
We venture there weekly to visit different areas.
Little Man loves the tigers and the monkeys. The Princess was brave enough to touch a wolf pelt held by a grandmotherly volunteer.
And then there is the dead animal zoo. The dead animal zoo is actually a sporting goods store named Cabela’s. It was given the name years ago by a friend of ours who was surprised at the prominent displays of taxidermy throughout the store.
Little Man and The Princess ended up at the dead animal zoo with their grandpa one afternoon. At the dead animal zoo, kids can get right under the trunk of the elephant. They can see the lion up close and personal. Nothing is sleeping in a corner. And, if that were not enough, there are no strange odors.
Little Man and The Princess saw it all from the comfortable height of a shopping cart.
And when they get to the other side of the store, they wandered through a room of aquariums filled with (live) Minnesota fish. Little Man was fascinated with the fish.
Once was not enough, so Grandpa had to take the kids back to see some of the taxidermy a second time before heading back to the car with his little Cabela’s purchase.
Little Man and the Princess like going to the zoo. Guess which one is their favorite?
St. Paul is been home to Como Zoo for over 100 years. It was where we baby boomers went when our parents took us to visit the tigers and bears. It may be a little worn around the edges, but it does bring back good memories.
(One of those memories is when, as an engaged couple, we took three little kids to the zoo for an afternoon of animal watching. At the end of that experience, we decided since we were still in love, the marriage was sure to work.)
When we took the two grandkids to Como Zoo a few weeks ago, we had not realized it was Earth Day. Expecting few people, we were surprised to find hundreds of moms, kids, strollers, and, since it was early in the season, few animals outside.
We entered through the visitor building. There were two doors: left for zoo…right for conservatory. Our doublewide stroller would not manage the narrow walkways in the conservatory, but we parked outside the window and I pointed out the jungle.
Two and a half year old Little Man turned and gave me “the look” and said, “That’s the rain forest, Grandma.”
I stood corrected.
The Minnesota Zoo is a relative newcomer, having come on the scene some thirty years ago. The exhibits are easier to navigate. The Zoo is minutes away. And if that were not enough to convince us to choose it, our daughter bought us a grandparent’s membership.
We venture there weekly to visit different areas.
Little Man loves the tigers and the monkeys. The Princess was brave enough to touch a wolf pelt held by a grandmotherly volunteer.
And then there is the dead animal zoo. The dead animal zoo is actually a sporting goods store named Cabela’s. It was given the name years ago by a friend of ours who was surprised at the prominent displays of taxidermy throughout the store.
Little Man and The Princess ended up at the dead animal zoo with their grandpa one afternoon. At the dead animal zoo, kids can get right under the trunk of the elephant. They can see the lion up close and personal. Nothing is sleeping in a corner. And, if that were not enough, there are no strange odors.
Little Man and The Princess saw it all from the comfortable height of a shopping cart.
And when they get to the other side of the store, they wandered through a room of aquariums filled with (live) Minnesota fish. Little Man was fascinated with the fish.
Once was not enough, so Grandpa had to take the kids back to see some of the taxidermy a second time before heading back to the car with his little Cabela’s purchase.
Little Man and the Princess like going to the zoo. Guess which one is their favorite?
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