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Becky Parker
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| Posted: July 30 2009 at 7:31am | IP Logged
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We are not only going to the zoo this weekend, but 2 zoo's. How we came up with this I'm not sure. My oldest has always loved going to the zoo. When he was about 12 he did research on all the zoo's in the USA and bookmarked every one of them with a website. Now I have quite a list of zoo's on my computer  . He said his goal was to visit them all. I'm sure he'll grow out of this before he actually does, but he's obviously still into it since it was his idea to go to 2 zoo's as we travel north. So, Saturday we will be at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio, and Sunday we will be at the Detroit Zoo in MI.
I'm concerned about my other 4 kids. They love the zoo too, but I'm not sure they will be interested in seeing all those animals a second day in a row. My oldest is really into learning more about animals so he'll want to read everything. My littles like animals, but they don't have his same passion about it.
So, any ideas on how I can make this a super fun weekend for everybody while we're at the zoo?
(As a side note, we'll be going to St. Michael's church in Findlay Ohio on the way north. If anyone knows of that parish and can tell me about it I would appreciate it. We're really hoping for a traditional Mass, but often, as we travel, we are surprised at some of the um, "different" Masses we've attended.)
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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vmalott
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| Posted: July 30 2009 at 8:02am | IP Logged
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Just a heads up that the Cincinnati zoo is doing some construction (just past the elephants) and some MAJOR changes in its layout. It caught me by surprise the last time we went, as we hadn't been there for a couple of years. And, doh, I declined the map offer at the entrance! 
At the Cincy zoo there is a "children's zoo" area (behind the gift shop) where the younger kids can play...I think there might be a petting zoo there? There's a train ride, which you would have to pay for. Food inside the park is SUPER EXPENSIVE, so you might want to consider packing.
If you're staying in the Cincinnati area on Sat., I can guide you to the more traditional parishes. I'm totally with you on the "different" Masses when traveling. 
Wish we could meet up, but we have games most of Saturday. Hope you enjoy your time here!
Valerie (who lives in the 'burbs)
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Valerie
Mom to Julia ('94), John ('96), Lizzy ('98), Connor ('01), Drew ('02), Cate ('04), Aidan ('08) and three saints in heaven
Seven Times the Fun
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: July 30 2009 at 8:41am | IP Logged
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Thanks Valerie,
We're hoping to get a few hours north on Saturday night and stay at a hotel in Findlay. That will make the drive to Detroit a little better on Sunday. So we'll be going to a church in or around Findlay on Sunday morning.
The heads up about the zoo is helpful. The children's play area might be just the ticket for my little guys. We will definitely pack our lunch too. I splurged on some "zoo-pals" paper plates just for the occasion! 
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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stacykay
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| Posted: July 31 2009 at 6:34pm | IP Logged
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Becky, we are only half an hour from the Detroit Zoo, so it is our stomping ground, of sorts. One thing, it is a really long zoo, and the littles can get quite pooped out walking all the way to the back and then back to the front. If the line isn't huge, you could take the train to the back and walk forward, or vice versa. It is a loop, so you might miss some pertinent animal, but check the map they give you at the admission gate, and see if there are any you don't want to miss. (BTW, my boys love the butterfly house and the polar bear/seal exhibit.)
Being MI, as you know, there is construction everywhere around town, on most every roadway, including Woodward Ave., where the zoo is. You can get through everywhere, but you may want to listen to WWJ (950 am), "traffic and weather on the 8's" , in case it gets really hairy. And, if the sailing is smooth, you can turn on Ave Maria Radio, at 990 am, once you get to the Detroit metro area, or level with Ann Arbor, where they broadcast.
Have a wonderful time!
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Zoo Weekend
