Winter in Minnesota means we’re stuck inside most of the time. Which can be a bit difficult with an energetic 2-year-old. So I’m often on the look-out for fun places to visit that are: A) Free or low-cost B) Stroller-accessible and appropriate for Teddy and C) Offer Henry the ability to get his ya-ya’s out. As luck would have it, we found a new place that is fun, free and close to home: the Richardson Nature Center.Oddly enough, we’ve driven past it hundreds of times, but just never had an excuse to visit until now. It’s a big, beautiful building with animals on display and interactive toys for kids to play with. That afternoon they were holding a “Critter Day” where they brought out the resident snakes, turtles and salamanders for the kids to observe up close.
Henry got to pet a turtle, although he declined to touch the snake. “I scared” is his new big phrase, and I guess the snake kind of freaked him out. He did touch the salamander, though. The nature center folks then fed the turtle some worms, which Henry was excited to watch. He was equally excited to see the snake eat an (already dead) “mousey”… Mommy wasn’t so thrilled to see that.
Henry got to pet a turtle, although he declined to touch the snake. “I scared” is his new big phrase, and I guess the snake kind of freaked him out. He did touch the salamander, though. The nature center folks then fed the turtle some worms, which Henry was excited to watch. He was equally excited to see the snake eat an (already dead) “mousey”… Mommy wasn’t so thrilled to see that.
And Teddy? He just hung out and watched the whole critter show while seated in my lap. I guess one of the advantages to being Number 2 is you get exposed to things a lot earlier than Number 1. He showed his excitement by drooling profusely and trying to suck his thumb.
3 comments:
Hey Henry:
Your grandma (me, that's right) used to collect salamanders. There were literally hundreds in window wells in the neighborhood where I grew up. We'd have salamander races and do all sorts of fun things with them. How about that? Snakes - didn't like them, either.
Hi Sally...
It's so funny you say that, because during the demonstration the woman said that parents and grandparents always say they used to collect them from window wells and they were all over the place when they were growing up. I guess salamanders are very sensitive to pollution, so you don't see them in cities anymore. Interesting! That was the first time I've ever seen one in person. -- Becky
Hi Sally and Becky,
Collecting salamanders hey? All I collected when I was a kids was stamps! That was cool back then. I love animals, but never thought of a salamander collection. I love that you expose those little guys to just about everything the world has to offer. My love to all. Nana
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