Critters, Critters, and More Critters!

January was critter themed in our little corner of the world.  Zoe has developed a growing passion for animals, or "aminals", as she calls them.  Since we introduced TV and movies as an occasional entertainment option a couple years ago, she has always preferred animal and nature shows to others.  To this day, she all but refuses to watch most Disney movies for fear of scary parts.  Since some of the Disney messages also scare us, we have no problem supporting National Geographic over Disney!!

Claiming she will be a dolphin trainer (as well as a mom) when she grows up, Zoe's favourite animals are "sea creatures" with dolphins and penguins currently at the top of her list.  March of the Penguins, an all around fantastic movie, is one of Zoe's favourites.  We have recently graduated from documentary style shows to more story based movies like Dolphin Tale (highly recommended!!), Flipper, and Free Willy.  The recent  acquisition of the full first season of the Flipper TV series will be keeping our Saturday nights busy for weeks to come!  Currently just a couple episodes in, Zoe is already reenacting some of the scenes where Flipper comes to the rescue.

With this love of all things animal, it is not surprising that animals played important roles in several of January's activities.  First up, Zoe's 5th birthday!  Zoe turned 5 years old on Friday, January 13th.



Each year on Zoe's birthday, we take a photo of Zoe and Chengis by the front door.  Chengis was more interested in the photographer than the birthday girl.



Animal shaped rice krispie cookies were Zoe's birthday "cake", saving room for a real cake at her party the following day.

Zoe's actual birthday was relatively low key - to school in the morning, an afternoon play date, a present and a few treats.  The next day was the big party held at the Toronto Botanical Garden with an animal theme, of course, and a dozen friends in attendance.      



Flat Stanley was able to come and HAD to pose with the cupcake cake.



  

The party's main entertainment was an animal show.  Zoe got to pre-select seven animals that were passed around and talked about.  They were a big hit with the children as well as the adults!  

A hedgehog.



A hungry guinea pig.



A milk snake.



Everybody's favourite, a red-eyed tree frog.



Rose, Taylor, Zoe, and Kelly at the party.



Zoe's school hosted a couple events for the Lunar New Year.  One was a fantastic presentation by members of the Canadian Wushu (martial arts) team, including a lion dance and a dragon dance.  The other was a kindergarten parade through the school while the older classes lined the halls to watch and cheer them on.  Zoe's class made individual paper lanterns to carry as well as a dragon to lead the way.  Zoe got to help carry the dragon.

The month's final critter activity was a "Critters Class" held every Saturday in January at our local neighbourhood centre.  Similar to Zoe's birthday party, a group of critters was presented each week.  Everybody had a chance to pet and/or hold them as well as ask questions.  Zoe was in her element!!  Each week had a different theme (e.g. furry critters, lizards, etc.).  I forgot my camera every week except the last which happened to be insect week.  Though a friend captured the first shot below with his cell phone during snake week. 



Either a python or a boa - I forgot which was which.

 

A Madagascar cockroach.

A millipede.



A tarantula - only adults were allowed to hold it because the spider's hair can irritate some children's skin.



The class learned many things about insects, including the fact that people in some parts of the world eat them.  In true experiential fashion, the instructor roasted a pan of grasshoppers and dipped them in chocolate for us all to try.  Delicious!  Luckily they were small grasshoppers dipped in lots of chocolate with only a slight crunch in the middle.  The kids gobbled them up!   



Zoe going for a third helping of grasshoppers.



The big snakes were so popular the week before that he brought one back for this final class.  We loved it!!  I think this was a boa constrictor.

 

Early in the month, a special guest arrived at our house.  His name is Flat Stanley and he is visiting from the Washington, DC area where he lives with one of our friends.  Our job was to show him around Toronto and teach him things about where we live.  Naturally, we took him to see the Toronto Zoo where critters abound. 

A random play date photo!  Couldn't resist the princesses and their critters.