Playgroup at the Aviary

Last month, our playgroup decided to go to story time at the aviary.  It was our first time to the aviary and I was so impressed with how interactive it is for children. They read a story to kids and then there are various parts of the aviary where birds are fed during a "show" where the kids can participate.

 This guy did a great show for the bird feeding. He calls the birds by name, some just come for food. Some have to step on a scale to be weighed and some even have to take some medicine. There are bleachers where everyone sits and you MUST remain seated or the bird will not fly around. The guy hands out worms (HUGE.LIVE.WORMS) and if you hold them between your fingers up in the air the birds will fly down and eat from  your hand -- even the kids. It was VERY warm and VERY smelly in this "rain forest" and the handful of live worms just about pushed me over the edge of pregnant-Mama barf fest but I manged to keep my cool. The kids were actually pretty scared of the birds swooping down so close to us, but it really was cool to see.

 This bird was standing on the bleachers right next to us.

These are some of the kids from O's playgroup. We've been in this group since we moved here and when they were tiny you wouldn't have noticed the age difference. Most of the kids are 2.5-3 yrs old but it has never really mattered that O is the youngest. Now most of us are having new babies so the cycle continues with MORE playmates!

 small boys waiting patiently for the penguins to swim by them!

Owen vs. bird stare down. I'm pretty sure the bird won since O eventually got bored and walked away...but this was a great experience for him and our first time up close and personal WITH BIRDS! Our group had a wonderful time and we'll definitely be going back!