Thursday, September 4, 2008

Horrible Mom Moment

We spent the majority of Labor Day at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park about a half hour away from us. I can’t believe we have lived here for 3 years and I am just discovering this place, especially since I apparently have 2 daughters obsessed with animals. The park takes you on an hour long safari in a bus with the top cut off so you are up close and personal with the animals. They are not shy as they come right up to the sides to be fed. Lexi had a hay day with this! She couldn’t get enough of them as she was stuffing her arm down buffalo’s throats with her crackers. She caught on very quickly and would just hang her hand out over the side waiting for an animal to come and eat it. If they took too long she of course would nibble on the nasty wafer herself.

Luckily the day wasn’t too tainted from my HORRIBLE MOM MOMENT one minute into the safari! Somehow I managed to be the only one on the bus not to hear the guide say “You can feed most the animals, but do not hand-feed the birds. They don’t know the difference between the food and your fingers!” Needless to say when the first ostrich walked up to Kylee I started telling her to put her hand out and feed it. “Don’t worry Kylee, he won’t bite!” My trusting daughter proceeded to feed the ostrich and two seconds later I had a crying child in my arms, holding her finger with blood on it and saying “That was a BAD CHOICE MOM! he did bite me and I’m NEVER doing that again” I cannot even express how bad I felt! My daughter totally trusted me and I blew it. I felt so stupid and was just wishing I could erase the moment. We did recover and manage to enjoy the rest of the safari and as you can see Kylee did just fine feeding all the animals.

We later went on to a reptile show where Kylee got to pet a snake and a baby alligator. Lastly, we finished our adventure at the Petting Zoo where Alexis was absolutely hysterical. She all of a sudden could care less about feeding the animals because she was now able to hug them like stuffed animals and use them as her own personal pillow…(until they would get up and move). At first I was concerned about the disgusting goat germs but I quickly gave up as she was determined to enjoy this moment to the fullest. We had everybody passing by making comments and smiling at this 17 month old who was just one with the goats. So much for being timid around live animals. She has no fear and never once even hesitated. Kylee was off making sure each animal got their fare share of her crackers while Lexi was lounging out with the goats.

View this montage created at One True Media
Lake Tobias Click on the little picture or the name in purple for a short video and as you can see we wore them out. Within 2 min. of our drive home this is what our back seat looked like!

11 comments:

Ruth said...

We love this place! I went on the safari ride hoping it would put me into labor earlier this year! We have been there several times. You can see my post about it on my blog.

JoAnna said...

How fun!!! I want to go there!

Laura said...

Taylor say's he is ready to hire the girls to feed his cows! No fears and plenty of talent.

Jody said...

that was such a funny story!!! poor kylie!!!! :-) I'm so excited to see y'all in a few weeks!! be sure to call us right when you get in, because who knows what my schedule will be like that week :-) with my due date and all!

Ashley said...

How are you! I just found your blog through Jo's and was so happy to see your cute little family. Great pictures. It is good to see that you are doing so well. I just changed my blog to private but if you ever want an invite send me your email to a_silva01@yahoo.com

Kelly Evanson said...

don't worry cheryl - i am sure we moms all have moments like that. it sure makes me feel better when i here other moms' stories!!

Dori said...

Now I really wish that we lived closer! My boys would love hanging out with your girls! And don't worry about that horrible mom moment. Wait until you hear about mine!

Parkinson Family said...

that was funny! the kids looked like they had a great time! thanks for sharing

Riding Ramblings said...

What fun! I guess we'll have to come back and visit so we can check it out with you! Sounds like it rivaled the good old PA Farm Show, but did it have the Potatoe Donuts? We sure miss you guys. Let me know next time you're in Logan. Oh, and you are not a horrible mom, you are terrific for being there to begin with and letting your kids be so up close and personal with the animals!

Nate and Jen Poulson said...

That is awesome! Poor Kylee, those things are scary.
I've been wanting to go up there but haven't made the trip. Hopefully soon.

Dave and Mel said...

I love that place- I should have taken you there long ago! I guess Kylee will never trust you again... :)
we sure miss you guys!