Zoo

This summer's heat has been unbearable and so we kept putting off our annual zoo trip. Finally with a break in the temperature and summer coming to a quick close, Joel's parents offered take us girls on day trip to the zoo. What a blast we had!
It started off like a typical zoo trip as we enjoyed visiting each amazing creature.
The girls enjoyed the petting zoo where they had fun grooming the animals and the goats enjoyed nibbling on their clothes!
We also saw a short 4D movie which was a new experience that the girls loved. It was so much fun watching them reach out their hands trying to grab the things they were seeing (and feeling and smelling!)
Then we nonchalantly went into a bird exhibit to see the birds flying around. A zoo volunteer was in the exhibit and selling bird food. We decided it would be a fun experience to let the girls feed the birds. Well this was no "tuppence a bag - crumb-throwing-kind of feeding!"

The volunteer gave Gracie a little stick with bird seed stuck to it.

Perfect! Awwww, look at those gentle, sweet little birds!
The volunteer asked Tess if she was scared of birds. Of course Tess told her "no" and the volunteer warned that the birds might get a little aggressive.

Aggressive?

She then handed Tess a little cup of nectar.

In hindsight, that was no nectar! In my opinion, that was some kind of additive bird substance!

The the birds started coming around. First on Steve.

Ok, that is pretty cool. They are friendly little guys aren't they?
They spotted Tess rather quickly with the bird crack nectar.
Then they moved on and discovered Tess's headband that must of looked like little seeds and they started going after her head.
Note to self: wash Tess's hair tonight!

I've got to say during all this, Tess thought it was awesome (and it was!)
BUT, When one landed on me, I couldn't hide my feelings. I remember being in Venice with my sister and the crazy hordes of pigeons and how it make me more than a little uneasy. The feeling of a bird climbing up the back of my neck with it's little claws tickling my skin is one that I don't need to experience again for a looooooong time.

Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds was just a movie, just a movie, just a movie...
Part of the bird family.
Gracie admired Tess's new headdress and wanted one on her head.
She thought it was cool--for a few seconds at least.

What an experience! One that the girls will never forget!
Thanks, Steve and Lona, for a memorable day!