Wild and Crazy

That pretty much sums up Friday and Saturday.

Friday was our WILD day. We took a really neat field trip to the Aloha Safari Zoo which is a rescue zoo near Sanford.  One of the many things I learned that day, was that without rescue zoos like this one, many animals would be put to death.  Apparently, traditional zoos require up to six months lead time to create space for a  new animal.  These rescue zoos provide both short term and long term homes for animals in need.  I point this out to help keep perspective, that this zoo is a labor of true love for the animals.

While we waited for the rest of the group to show-up, we met the World's largest cow, who was kind enough or lazy enough to not mind the children's pets.  We also tried to coerce a Cockatoo that had escaped out of a tree back down to earth.  We learned her story later.

The staff was extremely helpful and knowledgeable.  The animals all appeared healthy and their habitats clean.  Throughout the tour our guides shared the many and varied stories of how the animals had ended up calling Aloha Safari Zoo home.

When we were on the tractor tour throwing bread at the animals, a member of our group questioned the healthiness of bread for the animals.  Our guide pointed out that grain is a major component of any commercial animal meal, so as a treat it was just fine.  I thought that was good point, so I went back to smiling and laughing at the kids trying to hand and lob slices of bread at the animals.
Titus made a friend of the owner's 4 year old son, so he was being given a continuous supply of bread.

After the tractor ride, it was time to see the other animals and touch quite a few including a giraffe, tortoise, gator and python.  We had just missed the window when the baby tiger would have been young enough for us to touch but he was still real cute.

The owner's young boy and Titus played at the playground after the tour; it was very nice.  While they played, we learned about the business end of the operation which is raising and showing miniature horses. Theses are not stocky ponies but what appeared to me to be delicate Arabians that had been hit with a shrink-ray.  To our surprise Titus' new friend was quite the showman and had recently cleaned up with awards at a big show.  I wish it was closer; there is so much going on we would love to me more involved.

Saturday was our CRAZY day, three kids, three practices, three locations; all at 3:00PM and only one car!!!!

We ended up dividing and conquering.  Thankfully the practices were for different lengths so their end times did not overlap.  Chris dropped Lance off at his practice, then held Jared's practice.  After Jared's practice they returned for the end of Lance's practice.  If you're wondering who got the girl?  Chris took Amber with him, Will's sister watched her at Jared's practice. While they were doing that, our neighbor drove Titus and I to his T-Ball Camp at Colonial.  His camp was for three hours, so the Otto boys met up with us there when their practices were over.  I forgot to take pictures but Titus had a great time at the camp and I spent the camp talking with the coach's wife and learning more about baseball at Colonial.  Of course, at some point the conversation digressed to a discussion of books but that's to be expected with me.

So once again, we not only survived but prospered through a busy two days but the weekend still wasn't over...