Thursday, June 07, 2007
to the zoo
Mark is gone this week, so to distract ourselves today we took a trip to the Greenville Zoo. On the way there I turned up the radio for a particularly good song on the oldies station we were listening too (speaking of which, did you know that 80s music is considered oldies?) When I looked back to check on the kids I saw Cole totally and confidently jammin' in his car seat to the music. It was one of those moments that made me smile, and reminded me that car dancing is indeed good for the soul.

We arrived shortly after the gates opened (10 am) and headed out in the already-sweltering heat to see the animals. The giraffe exhibit is getting closer to being finished, but I'm thinking that even though it's scheduled to be completed mid-summer, we probably won't come back to the zoo until the fall (unless there is a week of unseasonably cold weather.) Did I mention it was hot?

So anyway, the animals. Harper loved the elephant, the toucan, and the giant turtles. The highlight for me was the baby orangutan. I was so preoccupied with trying to get a photo of the baby (while also thinking that his feeding habits were eerily similar to an almost-two-year-old I know) that I almost missed this...



Cole and mamma O were totally having a moment. All was good until she put her hand up to the glass (probably either to say "hi" or "get outta my face, boy!") At that point Cole realized that he was looking at a very large, very alive animal and he quickly took a few steps back from the glass.

Here's a shot of the baby. Please note -- I didn't say he looks like Harper...just eats like her. Also, don't ask me why the mom had a sheet on. Goodness knows she couldn't have been cold (did I mention it was hot?) But I'm thinking that like most moms of 6-months-olds I know, she's probably not getting a lot of sleep and so maybe she was just carrying her bedding around with her in hopes of catching a few winks throughout the day.





After a picnic and the last few exhibits (is that black snake supposed to be in the chicken coop, mommy?) and 2 whole minutes spent on the desert they consider a playground (I know Cole was hot when he didn't protest leaving right after we got there) we were back in the car by 11:30 with the airconditioning set on a blissful 69 degrees. As I was taking my time leaving the parking lot Cole asked, "Mommy, what are you looking for?" and I responded with "my sanity." He thought about that for a bit and then said, "Mommy, are you being funny again?" (We had a conversation about sarcasm the other day.)
And then we returned home to the mountains, perfectly overcast with a slight breeze and all was well.

PS. the baby orangutan's name is Bob.

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posted by Joanna Bolick @ 1:30 PM  
11 Comments:

  • At 2:50 PM, Anonymous Nana said…

    Jo, this made me laugh out loud right in the office. What a great picture of Cole and "Mom" and what a way you have with words!

     

  • At 3:32 PM, Blogger Kimber-Leigh said…

    those pictures of Cole and the mama...priceless...

    summer has hit hard and hot here too...i'm sympathizing with you!

     

  • At 3:44 PM, Blogger Crystal Johnson said…

    Nana took the words right out of my mouth.

    I so enjoy reading about your everyday ADVENTURES; especially the way you tell them!

    If you are out this way, I would love to meet you at the park or even the POOL (if the weather continues to be blistering.)

     

  • At 4:37 PM, Blogger Heather M. said…

    Sounds like a great morning. Your post made me laugh several times. Send some of that heat our way - it's been cold and rainy this week.

     

  • At 5:11 PM, Anonymous Brandi said…

    Thoroughly enjoyed this post, Joanna! Felt like I was right there with you! Impressed that you did all that in less than 1 1/2 hours, too! ;)

     

  • At 5:23 PM, Anonymous Tonia said…

    Cute photos from the zoo. Please don't remind us that 80's music is considered "oldies" - it's hard to accept.

     

  • At 6:10 PM, Anonymous Jessi said…

    That pic is awesome of the mama o and Cole!

     

  • At 8:29 PM, Blogger Lanna said…

    Your monkey story totally reminds me of my first trip to the San Diego Zoo. There was a baby chimp named Lana (just one N). I also remember that my grandmother lost me for about five minutes.
    Love the pictures!

     

  • At 9:28 PM, Anonymous Melodee said…

    lol...Joanna...you never fail to make me laugh right out loud. You really need to write books!

    Enjoyed catching up on your blog.
    Mellie :)

     

  • At 9:58 PM, Blogger Erica said…

    Bob is a mighty cute little guy! Great shots!

    And I still remember the first time I heard a song from my lifetime on the oldies station...and it was actually a long time ago that it happened! It was the Police, King of Pain.

    I do love the Police (Sting is still hot, don't deny it)

     

  • At 10:58 PM, Anonymous megan said…

    This was quite funny. I laughed and laughed! Thanks for the much needed smile today. :)

     
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About Us
      Hi! I'm Joanna, author of this journal. My husband Mark and I are photographers in Asheville, North Carolina. Most recently we collaborated on a 12 week beginner photography course, the contents of which you can find
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      • The name of our company, Tuesday's Frog, is based on an almost wordless children's book about frogs that go flying on lily pads one night. We love it because it tells a story in pictures. Cole & Harper are our children, and frequent (though not always willing) photography subjects. So here you'll find not only the story of our lives, but of those we've photographed as well. We'd love to tell your story, too!
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