Who buys these?

stupidmonkey

Originally uploaded by staciplonsky

I was clipping and filing coupons today, as is my Sunday routine. I came across this advertisement at the back of my Smart Source coupon file and couldn't believe my eyes.

$139.99 plus $15.99 shipping for a BABY MONKEY!! A monkey in a t-shirt, no less. And it comes with a FREE pacifier!!! Who could ask for anything more?

After spending all that money on a monkey dressed in a t-shirt, you can't even play with it. The fine print says "This baby orangutan is not a toy; she is a fine collectible to be enjoyed by adult collectors."

First of all, if I wanted to spend that much money on something, it would be useful. Secondly, who puts monkeys in t-shirts? There's something sick, wrong and inappropriate about that habit. I'm not a fan of dressing animals up like people. They're animals, for heaven's sake. No matter how much you love your dog, monkey, snake, whatever, it is an animal--not a person in disguise.

I think people who tend to dress up animals are lacking something in their lives.

My little model.

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Originally uploaded by staciplonsky

Grace loves to pose for pictures. This is at the Environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach. It was well worth the drive. There was a "dry lab" set up like a classroom and Grace and her friends played teacher, dug in the sand and learned a lot while they played. We also learned about mangrove trees--they can thrive in salt or freshwater, and excrete salt through their leaves. We tasted the leaves and sure enough, salty! They also grow stick-like things straight up, out of the water, called pneumatophores. They act as snorkels to make sure the tree gets enough air, even underwater. The three types of mangrove trees are red, black and white. And we also learned about birds and crabs! Grace and AJ had a nice time.

Waterfountainbabies

Waterfountainbabies

Originally uploaded by staciplonsky

I love this picture.

The Hawk. Final.

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Originally uploaded by staciplonsky

The hawk, after demonstrating its beautiful wings, sharp beak and powerful claws, then gave me a view of its backside. Grace and I moved on.

The Hawk Part 2

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Originally uploaded by staciplonsky

Then the hawk must have taken a severe dislike to me. And possibly Grace. Because the next thing I knew, with my camera raised near my face, the stupid thing took flight and flew right at my head. I screamed, probably scaring the otters next door, and got this lovely picture of nothing.

It turns out the hawk is tethered to the ring on which it was perched, so it could only "almost" peck my eyes out, and not quite reach. If only I'd held the camera steady! What a picture that would be. . .

The Hawk

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Originally uploaded by staciplonsky

The Hawk Part I

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Originally uploaded by staciplonsky

We got to the zoo early on Wednesday, in time for member admission before the zoo is open to the general public. I saw this beautiful hawk and decided to practice my photography skills.

It spread its wing and I quickly started to snap, as quickly as my slow camera will go, anyhow. . . .

More water play

AJ had a blast in the water area. I couldn't help but snap several pics of him. . .

Priscilla and Grace

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Originally uploaded by staciplonsky

Priscilla, sucker that she is, succumbed to Grace's persuasive begging and forked over some cash to feed the birds. Grace used to call her "Cinderella." The bird frenzy was fun until we saw some kid with several birds on his shoulders, head, and arms and the birds started to poop on the poor guy. We left quickly after that.

Valentine's Day

Our friend, Priscilla, offered to come over and babysit for the kids Saturday night. Terry and I had dinner reservations at The Dove, mentioned in a previous post. We planned to attend a movie before dinner. I wanted to buy the tickets online before we arrived, and Terry decided to wait and buy the tickets at the theater. We waited in line, and just as soon as it was our turn to purchase tickets, guess what sold out? Yes, our movie. So we spent a cozy hour at Barnes and Noble across the street, looking through books and discussing religion and politics, and the economy, over a glass of Fiji bottled water (talk about high priced water!). We had a lovely dinner following the bookstore.

We took Priscilla and kids to the Brevard County Zoo before our "date." The zoo opened their brand new "Paws On" kids' play area, which has been closed since June 2007. They did a great job, completely revamping the dated playground and creating a water play area, complete with a huge 20,000 gallon aquarium featuring sealife of the Indian River Lagoon. Did I mention there was a water area and my kids were not in swimsuits???

Cave Art

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Originally uploaded by staciplonsky

Grace has been studying ancient history as part of her education. We learned today about cave art. We looked at pictures and googled the topic. We're still trying to figure out how they made the "paint." (Hematite was one ingredient, which is kind of like red clay).

Anyhow, we set up a "cave" in our living room using a big box from the recent move. I gave Grace a new flashlight and a box of crayons and she went to town!!

Music, music. .

The kids and I are loving the new piano, graciously given by Terry's aunt. It's in beautiful condition, and between Grace, AJ, and I, it's getting a lot of use on its first day in its new Florida home!

My children are irritable tonight. It's the last day of a coupon for my favorite store, so I'm debating the wisdom of bribing irritable children with icecream and keeping them out past their bedtimes. Perhaps we'll stay home.

We've all recovered from the flu/viruses/pneumonia that hit our family for the past 3 weeks. And that's a wonderful thing. We have a decent routine going, and are holding the fort down while Terry is in Alabama meeting with NASA all week.