Today, as we at our breakfast, we read through the newspaper as usual. Every 
day, we talk about the pictures on the front page of the paper. Then, I open up the Metro section, and we talk about what day it is, the day’s weather forecast, and what our plans are for the day.
Next, I always open up to the Kids Post, and we read whatever exciting articles are there. Today’s “Make Tracks for the Zoo” totally rocked, since it was a great way to tell Maddy, Owen, and Cora about their super-awesome and amazingly-exciting “New-for-us-Friday” night plans this week: The Guppy Gala.
- “Make Tracks for the Zoo”: The article contained a map of the zoo and pictures of animals that don’t always get visitors because they’re not on Olmstead Walk, a path that most tourists take. Immediately, Maddy and Owen were interested in this article because of the cool map with tiny footprints and the many interesting pictures of unusual animals.
(not same picture as in today’s Post)
We glanced at the pictures, and I read the captions as we ate. Then I put the paper down to finish my coffee. The next thing I knew, the paper was gone, and Maddy was running with it, waffles still in her mouth, as she darted into the living room.
After breakfast, we spread the paper out on the floor and read it together, talking about where we usually park when we go to the zoo and which path we usually take. Everyone was in awe of the giant octopus picture, Augusta, and they wanted me to read about the Komodo dragon again and again. We looked at Kibibi, the 5 month old gorilla, and we wondered if he’d learn to whistle, too. Then I told them about our exciting Friday plans:
- The Guppy Gala: This Friday, June 12, from 6-8:30 pm, the National Zoo is having its annual family-friendly event that features a mock construction site, mazes, a rock climbing wall, costumed characters, jugglers and entertainers, music, and performances. It’s supposed to be a “swimmingly fun time”, and we’re totally going!
They’ll also have people at the UnitedHealthcare Veterinary Center talking about how human healthcare compares to animal healthcare. And–this is what I think my kiddos will love–the zoo vets will be performing check-ups on stuffed animals, so little ones can bring their favorite lovies for a free “doctor appointment”.
The goal of the event is to raise some dinero for animal care, conservation science, education, and sustainability at the zoo, and tickets are $15 for FONZ members or $25 for non-members. Adults and children 2 years and older need tickets, and they can be purchased right on the site, through Ticketmaster, at the Zoo’s Visitor Center for no added fees, or at the Gala itself until they sell out. If you purchase 1-5 tickets from the site, you can request a parking pass for the event, but they’re recommending taking Metro if possible.
We’ve never “Guppy Gala-ed” before, but since the kind people at the zoo offered us tickets in exchange for letting folks know it’s going on, I was happy to offer to try it out, especially since it’d fit right along with our New For Us Friday‘s this summer and it’d be an awesome chance to visit some of the same animals we read about today in the paper.
backyard alphabet hunt
