Dino Love

It's not the first time we've decorated our toy animals here, but it's definitely a first to have made dinosaur armor. We opened the art supply drawer, dug through the recycle bin, and let it fly. We became lost in time, much like the book Dinotopia, which continued to inspire some of our fun. E paged through it for ideas and was intrigued by an illustration showing a metal wrapped dinosaur scale. Foil with felt hot glued to the back works great for armor base material and "wrapping". Dinotopia is incredibly imaginative! It's one of the reasons we need books like this (inspiring books = words+illustrations+ideas). This project launched into others -- still out on the table. Still FLYIN'!

Spring Cookies

Ice Instruments

You'd think in our cold winter climate someone would have done this before. This is the first time I've heard of it -- ice instruments, that is music made with ice. Hockey, broomball, ice skating, snowmen, snow angels, igloos, the St.Paul Winter Carnival complete with ice castles and ice sculptures, but ice instruments?! The Norwegian musician, Terje Isunget, who carves his own instruments out of glacial ice got us thinking. We're off to a good start here. Thanks for your inspiration, Terje.

Horns of Plenty

The ox transformation.

Spur of the Moment Circus

This little project just sort of came out of nowhere. E wanted to make a circus or something. I don't quite remember. The next thing we were doing was running downstairs to the craft cupboard. I was pulling out ribbons, tape, scissors, sparkle felt squares and different kinds of paper. I pulled Dinotopia off the shelf and talked to E about using some of the lovely pictures from this book as inspiration for decorating his prehistoric mammals and dinosaurs. I just hang onto little times like this because they are what I love to do. They keep me inspired for days to come. I have a bin of recycled packaging items that we pull from, to make "whatever" we need. Having a child like E, helps me take care of my creative side.

Summer Vacation

Cloud Watching

Find your own paradise. A warm summer's day. Feet in the lake, eyes on the sky. 

Minnetrista, MN

There's A Frog in the House

E officially is the proud 5-year old owner of his first purchased pet. Wooly the caterpillar has to count as the first pet, of course. Then there was Wooly II, who was released into our yard after a 3-week tour inside. Real tears were shed with the loss of each.

The frog habitat birthday gift from friend Jennifer pushed me to investigate a critter to put inside of it. After frequent demands about getting a pet -- and my request, "Please, can we put this aside for a few days so I can think about it?" I decided that we could at least look at some frogs. Well, we ended up with a 2.5 gallon plastic fish bowl and a square of screen snapped tight over its opening - plus an American Green Tree Frog. 

His name is Froggy! And E named him so because of the Froggy series of kid's books. (Yes, I do recommend this series written by Johnathan London). I am just as excited about the whole thing as E. His love of animals has been evident from a very young age and continues to grow. It thrills me to set him up with a pet that will grow with his boyhood adventures. Besides, I really like this little frog.

As I write this blog entry, I have been summoned several times to look at what the frog is doing. He appears to be very happy in his Coco Soft bedding. 

It's Not That Easy Being Green, sung by Kermit the Frog

Finally Five!

Finally five. Outside catching toads. Being with special friends. Dad's grilling. Hello Grandma and Grandpa. Gifts -- rrripped open! First bike and training wheels. Cakes of love are lit. Mom serves melting ice cream. Hugs, a plenty. Car doors slam. Waves. Thank you for being with us!

Zoo Music Must

In the 1970s my Aunt KT played this album, Peter, Paul and Mommy, on her stereo for my little sister and me. I remember sitting on her gold shag carpet and loving each song - but the tune about the boa constrictor was the most exciting. Could a boa really swallow a person?

For zoo goers, you must have Boa Constrictor and Going to the Zoo cranked on your way to and from the zoo. This is truly one of the best kids' albums out there.

Zoo Tripping

St. Paul - Last Monday I asked my 4-year old son EN what he wanted to do? "How about going to the Como Zoo?" Why not? We packed up some lunch and headed over. The Como is one of only two free zoos in the country. Throughout our visit I kept thinking how incredible it is that everyone has free access.

It was a perfect overcast day that lead to rain. This meant, not too many people. Some of the exhibits were under construction, but that was good to see. The polar bears will have a new home in 2010 and Sparky the Sea Lion and friends will have a refurbished habitat pool in another month. The Orangutan and her baby were not on exhibit either. These are all good excuses to return sooner than later.

We spent more time at the Birds Exhibit than ever before. The Flamingos are truly dazzling. They are completely different looking than anything I see on a daily basis. The nesting Swan Goose and her drake were so tranquil and natural in color by comparison. They seemed more like a real Minnesota bird, but I learned that they're native to China, Mongolia and Russia.

The Lion den was active on this day too. The male and female were sleeping near each other by the front of the den and then daddy woke up! He looked like I usually feel in the morning. His mane was completely messy, his eyes tired and he stood in place and roared over and over. He then sauntered over to a spot in the back of his pen and urinated. Mama soon awakened with a big yawn or two and did some of the same - with much less drama and some female candor. The male continued to entertain us all as he mounted a log and grated his front claws on the bark for a few minutes. I heard others comment on how his eyes seemed to connect with theirs. "He's looking at me watch him." I noticed it too and I couldn't help but to think of the 2005 movie Madagascar, where Alex the Lion is the greatest ham of all (great movie for kids and adults).

The big surprise for me was the Tropical Encounters Exhibit. Tropical Encounters was my favorite part of the zoo and normally I'm not enamored with reptiles, insects or fish. This steamy rainforest was blooming with creatures from South America. For the first time, I took a liking to a Snake - the Anaconda. The Emerald Green Boa, brilliant green beyond any plant. Also on view, the Leaf Cutter Ant habitat and an extensive tank stocked with Stingrays and swimming Arrau River Turtles. This only covers a corner of what's living here -- and let's not forget the exotic plants. An interpreter was on staff to answer questions like, "Can a boa constrictor really swallow a human?" It felt exciting to meet the "live" version of all the critters EN and I had been reading about in children's books. I also realized the more I knew about the animals ahead of time, the more fun it was to see them.

EN l and I loved our time at the zoo and really appreciated everything we took in. I commend all zoos for their fundraising efforts to keep certain species alive. I thank them for sharing these beautiful plant and animal lives with all of us, everywhere. Donations for the Como Zoo are always welcome and suggested at $2 per adult, $1 per child.