Wins a snake, but has tough day

Our most recent visit to the zoo was bittersweet. Torben did a really good job riding his pedal bike all the way there, but seemed a little tired once we arrived. The Zoo is celebrating was 85th birthday that day and since we were the 85th visitor, Torben won a snake! And boy what a snake; Torben displays his prize.

Despite the friendly addition to our party, Torben steadily deteriorated. We cancelled our plans to see the zoo snakes so they could visit with our new friend, skipped the seals, giraffes and lorikeets and moved right to the zoo train. Once we sat down on the train though, Torben fell asleep with a snake pillow before we even left the station. We made it all the way around the Bio-Park and back to the zoo before he awoke, and of course had developed a fever. He was delirious. Dada carried him and the bike all the way home, and immediately deposited him on the couch. Unfortunately, he didn't stay there long before creating a vomit trail to the bathroom, actually two trails.

Luckily, the sickness passed in a few days and the Monkey was back to his normal self, just in time to help clean the house! But of course, he made a game of it making the usual dreary chore much more entertaining.

 

Quick! Get that pile over there! 

He even tried to vacuum himself up as well.

Since Torben missed a day of school, we took a trip to Plants of the Southwest to get some ideas and check out some prices. We found some vines that may help us create a little organic shade in the back yard. So, let the hops experiment #1 begin!

Nugget, Chinook and Chinook (from left to right)