Uncle John's Zoo

Amber, Violet, Ruby, Adam, Charlotte

Uncle John is Gigi's twin brother.  John is an animal lover hobbyist.  In his semi-retirement he has created the nicest petting zoo in his substantial backyard.  He enjoys the animals and wants his grandchildren and his great-nieces and nephews to enjoy it as well.

We took the girls up yesterday with Gigi, Ant Amber and Cousin Violet.  Can you imagine?  A full day spent together AND a private petting zoo?  The girls were in heaven.

Rabbits, baby rabbits, guineas, plenty of outdoor space to explore, sheep, adorable baby goats, turkey (we didn't pet those), chickens (the girls got to collect eggs), they watched some peacocks, petted a Great Pyrenees (guardian of the animals), ducks and they played on some rocks (super-fun for kids).

When we arrived, Charlotte ran up to Uncle John and threw her arms around his neck. Animal lovers must be able to sense a likeness in each other.  

The baby goats, Winston, Rocky & Sophia, were as sweet & friendly as puppies.  They've been handled and loved on lots since arriving on the farm.  An email announcement was sent out a couple of weeks ago, asking the kids to help think of names for the goats.  Charlotte's suggestions?  Charlotte.  Ruby.  Tiana.

It was cute when the goats were nuzzling the girls faces.  But then I said, 'oh Ruby, you're getting some kisses' - and then our little love bug tried to kiss them back, running around after them...and I cringed.

When we went into the rabbit and guinea pen, all the girls were handed carrots.  So, they waltzed around, offering their carrots.  Ruby called 'here kitty kitty' to the bunnies and would stick her booty up in the air and give it a good wiggle.  All of the girls wanted in to the rabbit hutch.

Do you know we have a cedar rabbit mansion in the backyard?  One of our millionaire neighbors was throwing it away!  So what does my husband do?  He pulls over and puts it in the back of his pickup truck.  Then I told him we could not have a rabbit.  Seriously.  I'm afraid of rabbits.  I mean, I don't like to stick my hand in there with a jumpy one and feed him and clean up his poop.  So, if Adam wants to volunteer for that, and once we are finished moving, and we adopt a hand-raised bunny from Uncle John, I might concede.   

After the rabbits, it was time to tie baggies on our shoes and go see the chickens.  Flashbacks from my childhood, wild, crazy, fluttering, flapping chickens.  

No, really.  When I was in elementary school, we had a baby-sitter one summer that lived on a farm.  For the most part, it was a fun, thrilling adventure.  Pigs, horses...I think we watched a cow birth a calf?  No we did.  That left an impression.  We definitely did.  And for some reason, I think my mom witnessed some of that one as well, I seem to remember someone talking about how amazing it was...and it wasn't me.  They had a chicken coop...and whenever one of the (baby-sitter's) kids went in to feed the chickens and collect the eggs, they would all flutter and flap around.  I wouldn't even walk by the coop.  

It was an old-fashioned, genuine summer. The oldest boy, would run and jump on his pony when we were playing and just take off and that was cool.  It was right after that I started horse camp which lead to 12 years of horse lessons and shows.  Other than the fact that they butchered the pig, it was one of the best summers of my childhood.

But the chickens left an impression.  I did not want to go into the chicken habitat at Uncle John's...but I wasn't about to let my girls go in without me.  Not that I didn't trust the rest of the family, just, well, I'm their mother.  And if I didn't deem it "safe" enough for me, it's certainly not safe enough for them.  And they were going in.  Adam assured me, no way Gigi and Uncle John would open this up for the girls if it wasn't safe.  

There was no fluttering or flapping.  The girls chased the chickens and (the chickens) ran away from them.  Then the girls collected eggs.  Charlotte only dropped one.  Success.  

Adam, Ruby, Gigi, Charlotte, Violet, Amber

And to top the day off, Uncle John let the girls pick out some rocks to take home and some "bunny" and "deer" yard ornaments.  We can't wait to go back.