Children Joyfully Interacting with Zoo Sculpture

To all the nonhomeschoolers at the Zoo: I do try to make my children act more like well behaved kids and less like the animals. I do. . . But they also see the zoo as a park and hang out and a familiar place. They may link arms and sing with their friends, but it’s because they love their friends and they love the zoo and they’re being kids. They may act like a WWE crowd as they cheer in and groan at the wrestling sunbears. They know where all the statues are and run directly toward them out of excitement. And, yes, they will inevitably look past the lions (unless they’re roaring) and climb the tree and fight over the rock instead. We also know to eat lunch inside while watching the gorillas because it’s cold - there are no signs telling us not to! . . As for the playground, my kids might be bigger than yours, but they do love little kids and they are looking out for them. They might be climbing on top of the tubes instead of in them, but I’m really doing it to keep them out of your kids space. Kids are still kids. Even at five foot tall ;) . They’re not complete hooligans I promise. It’s just that they’ve come to the zoo often, know they’ll be back, and, at times, even know the animals by name. So it’s like a second home. And they’re comfortable here. . . I do try to make them be quiet at the library.... but it’s kinda like a second home too ;) At least they kept their shoes on! . . Thanks for your nonjudgmental, patient mom-allegiance ;)