Snake Park

Today was a very exciting day!!  Kaia went on her first field trip.  They are doing a safari unit at school and today we all went to the snake park.  She knows a lot more about snakes than I do! 

It was also the first time for her to ride a yellow school bus :)

 Today was also feeding day for many of the snakes.  They didn't feed them in front of the children but there were live mice and dead chicks in many of the cages.  Luckily the kids didn't notice the birds and only thought the mice were cute. 

 She likes to tell you which ones are dangerous.

 Theo came to but didn't enjoy it quite as much as Kaia did.  The Snake Park is also home to a few injured birds that cannot survive in the wild anymore.

 There are a whole bunch of baby crocodiles in this enclosure.

 14 little ones on this trip.  I have no idea how their teacher Ishbel does it every day!!

 I was surprised at how keen Kaia was to hold the snake.  Last time we went as a family last January she wouldn't go near one.  This time she was so curious and confident.

Then they were able to ride camels if they wanted.  Kaia was really excited to do this.  But she didn't get in the first group and after she had a chance to see what was going to happen she wouldn't even go near to them to take a photo.  Fionn is in front on the back camel and Daniella on the front camel.  Her teachers Ishbel and Ann Joyce are on the back and front camels respectively.  

Can you imagine a field trip like this in the states!!  They violated about 1000 safety regulations.  Camels are scary enough for an adult... riding is one thing but holding on while the camel stands and sits is really scary.  Originally the man was going to just put the kids on the camels and we had to explain why we wanted an adult on each one!  Then when 3 boys were sitting on a camel for a picture he instructed the camel to get up!!!  I am a pretty easy going person but was terrified and the three 5 year olds were holding on for dear life as the camel sat back down again. Oh well, we all made it back safe and sound and have lots of great shots to show for it.

Today Kaia also swam by herself in the water for the first time!!!  They have been swimming in school for 3 or 4 weeks now and watching her classmates has been very motivating for her.  Today for the first time she swam without holding on to Ishbel.  She had her floaties and a noodle.  This is huge because if she can go in the water by herself we can go to the pool much more frequently.

Today Kaia also went to the canteen and bought an ice cream all by herself.  I gave her money and she made her way there, bought the ice cream, and made her way back to the art room where I was painting sets.  She is really becoming a big girl.

Theo also took a big step today.  ISM offers a playgroup on Wednesday and I left him there with Ann Joyce.  He did really well and 'didn't cry at all'.  But he was cuddled up with her the entire time.