Today was crazy! We are in that week before school starts but summer care has ended. I don’t have the vacation time to take off work and spend the week with Peyton nor do I have family that I can pass her around to for the week. So I decided to send her to Zoo Camp! The Minnesota Zoo put on a variety of camps throughout the summer. Some are all day, some are half days, some meet once or for a week or for the whole summer! Since I only needed a place for Peyton to go for a week I chose two half day week long camps. In the mornings Peyton will be spending time “down on the farm” and the afternoons will be spent learning about marine life. How fun is that? I wish they had camps like this when I was little. Heck, I wish I could take off work and attend the camp too!
The morning was rough. We had to get up extra early to get to the zoo on time and get Peyton checked in. It’s a drive from our house to the zoo, add in morning rush hour and we are in the car for about an hour. Poor Peyton had to be dressed and in the car by 7 am. Normally she’s just waking up at 7 am. Thankfully, I thought ahead and had little bottles of juice and muffins for her to eat on the way. When we arrived at the zoo Peyton did not want to stay. I think she was afraid of not knowing anyone and not knowing what to expect. I felt confident leaving her. Each camp is grade orientated so I knew she would be with other 1st graders. I knew she would find someone to hang out with. And I was right!
When I went to pick her up this afternoon, she was bursting with things to tell me about! She had a blast! She even made a friend (I told you she would). There is another little girl doing the exact same schedule so they spent the morning together, ate lunch together and had afternoon camp too. Only problem, Peyton cannot remember this little girls name! Oh well. I’m sure she figure it out tomorrow. 
So what did Peyton do all day? I bet you all want to know. I know I did! Well, she started her day at the Farm. Today they learned about chickens and rabbits. Peyton was really excited when she told me they got to pet a little chick! I asked her if she was able to bet the bunnies and she said – “No, they are biting bunnies. Not petting bunnies.” It was so cute! After they spent learning about bunnies and chickens they made a craft project. If you look at one side, it’s a bunny. Flip it over and it’s a chicken!
Peyton even got to see the Birdy Show today! She was really excited about the bird show. We saw it last time we were at the zoo but this time she got two trading cards! She now is the proud owner of Coconut and Flash trading cards. And I can tell ya, those two birds are a hoot! Coconut is a sassy, spunky Cockatoo. And Flash is a Red-Legged Seriema. Peyton couldn’t remember Flash’s name at first so she described Flash as the bird that beats lizards against rocks. Because that is how Flash kills his food. The bird show was a big hit with Peyton today. 
This was just her morning! After her 4 hour intensive class on the farm Peyton got an hour long lunch break. She earned it! But they had to walk from the very back of the zoo all the way to the front to eat. She mentioned how long the walk was and that she was thankful to have a water bottle with her.
After lunch, Peyton went on to learn about Marine life. She wasn’t as enthusiastic about this class. I’m not sure if it’s because her morning was so intense and she may have been tired. Or if the subject matter of learning about Coral just didn’t interest her. They did an art project but I’m not sure what it is. It’s very abstract.
Today was a fun filled educationally packed day for little Peyton. She was tired when she came home. She requested dinner and gobbled the whole thing right up. Then went to watch television and passed out. My child never goes to bed before 10 pm so I am shocked that at 8 pm she is out cold! 
I can’t wait to hear all about her adventures tomorrow. I’ll try to share each day the fun she is having. But we also have her open house this week for 1st grade. Peyton is growing up so fast! And the summer just flew by.
You must be logged in to post a comment.