School Notes: September 2011 -Part 1

Phew!  September flew by fast!  It seems like just yesterday that the public school kids in MI all started back to school the day after Labor Day, like they do every year.  We chose to go to the zoo that day, in order to celebrate the public school kids going back to school.  You see, we live in neighborhood that is swarming with children, and for some reason, our home is like a magnet to them.  Once *they* have to go back to school too, we get a lot more done around here with less distraction. LOL! Here are some highlights of our big zoo -Day after Labor Day- day...

 This guy's name is Lee.  He's sitting on top of an under ground transparent tunnel.  We're watching from below.  He totally knew he had an audience!

 He followed us to another window, with his toy...

 ...And thought he'd entertain us some more by rubbing his nose against the window making squeaking sounds, which made everyone laugh.  He put on this captivating show for about 30 minutes, which had my kids' full attention, before he finally got out of the water.  He did practically everything except take a bow. LOL!  It really was pretty funny.  I've never seen a live polar bear this close before!

 My boys...

 The otters played and played...so cute!

 Miss Melody even got some hands-on learning that was relative to her current science studies.  This picture doesn't show it, but she found goldenrod jungles all over the zoo, which is what her A Beka 5th grade science has been teaching her all about.  She thought it was so cool to see "her science" all over the zoo.

 ...Attack of the polar bear... Having a good time, obviously...

 My gang...

 These two photos remind me of a movie...

Simba, is that you?

 Yep, this is how I look when I'm deep in thought too...

Uh...I don't think I've ever seen these guys actually hop in person before.  This guy jumped right across our path.  Very cool!

What a great way to start out the official "Back to School" day in MI!