Reptiland

Their is a small zoo less than ten minutes from our house called Reptiland. As the name implies, most of the animals are reptiles - alligators, snakes, iguanas, komodo dragons, tortoises, turtles, etc. They also have many parakeets, an emu, and animatronic dinosaurs. Paul only worked a few hours so that he could join us. The kids and I have been going every year, but it had been several years since he had been there. We watched a 30 minute show first that featured several different lizards and snakes. During the show we had the opportunity to touch three different animals. Next we visited the komodo dragon and the dinosaurs. and also fed an emu. Two years ago Oliver RAN as fast as he could away from the dinosaurs. Last year he would look at some of them. This year he actually wanted to go back and visit them a second time although he still kept far away from the gigantosaurus. After a keeper talk (and a chance to touch) a blue tongued skink, we explored the main building. Next is the part Nadia loves best - the parakeets. Years ago it used to be filled with butterflies. This was the first

year Oliver wanted to feed the parakeets. He was too scared to do that the past two years. Nadia wanted to do it longer than the boys, as usual. It was a beautiful day to be outside.

When we came home it was time for dinner and a chapter or two of The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic. After dinner Paul took the kids to Bloomsburg. AWANA ended last night, but I still had choir rehearsal, and tonight was the time to register the kids for free tennis lessons this summer. They also spent some time at the playground there, which is one they love but haven't been to in many months.

Tomorrow is my last day of school for the year (students in one of my classes are taking an exam), and it will also be our last day of school for Nadia and Ian. We need to read about one more Reformer (history), two chapters of Titus (Bible), do the last math lessons, finish typing reports on octopuses (Ian) and dolphins (Nadia) for science. We won't be wrapping up spelling tomorrow. I typed up a list of words each child needs to master before taking a break from spelling. I'm going to graduation on Saturday morning and then the kids and I will have fifteen weeks of summer break together! WOOHOO!