Fun with Friends

Are you sick of my posts about the MN Zoo yet?  Too bad. Here's another one.  One of the reasons I love the Zoo so much is because our experiences each time are never the same.  This time was no different.  I don't think we have been to the zoo with this group of friends since our oldest children were babies; now they are all preschool or kindergarten. I am definitely going to be one of those old ladies who says, "Can you believe how the years have past..." or "My, how time sure does fly..."  

These are the kinds of days I live to enjoy.  The days of perfect summer weather, laughing with friends and making new memories and experiences.

We went with our Olsen friends and Clark friends.  Both of their families have turned into wonderful friends of ours and I am so grateful to have met them through ECFE.  We are able to share and laugh in our children's experiences and firsts and watch them grow independently and together.  It is hard getting everyone together these days what with 10 adults, 5 Pre-K/K, 5 toddlers and a babe, but I am sure glad we are still making the effort to continue to build those friendships.  

Although most memories we make when together are happy, cheerful and sometimes make for a good laugh this day was a little different.  This day provided me with a powerful parenting lesson.  I struggle in knowing how much room to give Alex when exploring and learning new things.  I don't want to be the helicopter parent all the time, but I know he is only 4 and I need to keep a watchful eye.  I was reminded of that on this day when we were all washing our hands after visiting the goats.  Alex asked if he and his friend Abby could go around the corner to visit the big goat.  I thought about it (although not as much as I should have) and allowed him to go. Within a couple of minutes, Abby's mom and I went around the corner to get the kids and they were gone. My heart was beating a mile a minute as I pushed Aiden around every corner of that building trying to find the two.  Although it felt like an hour, not even 5 minutes later, Alex and Abby walked out of the cow barn exclaiming that the next milking was at 3:00.  Needless to say we talked then and we talked at home with his father about the importance of not wandering off and making sure he can see one of us at all times.  An important lesson for both him and me.

The rest of the day was far less stressful and a lot of fun.  We enjoyed visiting the goats and the kids brushed them and fed them.  The petting farm at the MN Zoo is one of the best we have been to and we have been to Tampa Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, and the Milwaukee Zoo all within the last year and a half.  

All 7 of the kids enjoyed running under the mist faucets and provided for a nice cool off for the day.  We had to leave because I had to go into work that evening, but I think the other kids stayed to enjoy the splash pad as well.  Next time...