We are a family who enjoys livin' on the edge!

Showing posts with label animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animals. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Austin Nature Center

Merritt and I joined some friends at the Austin Nature and Science Center today.
It was tough getting there, traffic was horrible and I almost turned around to go back home several times. I kept going because I really want to spend as much time as I could with Merritt doing fun activities before I go back to school next week {where did the summer go?!?}.
We finally arrived {by the way, after traffic cleared, I then got lost - which made the 29 minute drive, according to Mapquest, an hour+ drive} to see our friends! The Nature Center was really cool {and FREE}. The kids played inside, chasing each other around a cave and exploring different items, like bones, rocks, and the kids' favorite 2 plastic turtles.
We walked outside and followed the path around the pond to the huge dinosaur pit. Merritt and her friends grabbed shovels and began digging {the moms tried to stay in the shade - it was sooooo hot}!
We then walked to see the animals. The Nature center rescues animals, many of the animals used to be pets. The coyote was everyone's favorite {probably because it was the only animal not sleeping, hiding, or just trying to stay out of the Texas heat}. Merritt was so cute as she tried howling, I am pretty sure the coyote understood what she meant. Warning, there was also a skunk and you could smell him... and the smell wasn't good. I thought about busting out some Scentsy room spray but I refrained.
There was a reptile and amphibian building {which I was excited about because I thought it might be air-conditioned, I was wrong... and hot}. We strolled over to see the owls and other birds and then headed back inside the main building to do some more exploring.
I think Merritt could have stayed all day, we will definitely have to go back soon, when it cools down that is :)

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Houston Zoo

Merritt and I braved the rains last week and went to the Houston Zoo. We had a great time {except for the melt down about wearing the really cute pink monkey backpack that comes with a leash}. I X-ed off each exhibit we saw and Merritt and I saw EVERYTHING! We even rode the Zoo carousel - a couple of times. I was so impressed that she knew all of the animals names and the sounds that they make! We rode the train around Hermann Park {on the train, a girl that was at least half my age sweetly asked, is she your first? I nodded and said yes while refraining from asking, How many should I have? or saying No, I usually pick my favorite child and take only them to the zoo.}