April Family Activity: Henry Doorly Zoo

So we double dipped the zoo for activities. Between Dakota's work and weekend activities, it was difficult to find a time where we could get together and do something. So on the last Sunday in April, we trekked to the zoo. It was an absolutely gorgeous day. One of the few in April 2013. The zoo was packed. Our mission was to see the baby lions and the baby pygmy hippo. The other reason we chose the zoo was because they are having a traveling dinosaur display.

We saw the lions first. They were in the outdoor display, but they were all sleeping. I did get a few photos.

Pygmy hippo. The photos are not that fantastic. I took them from above with my phone.

Finally, the dinosaur display. We learned a great deal that I didn't know. Dinosaurs have certainly changed since I first learned about them. They had models of some that were discovered in 2010.

This was Dakota's favorite. It looked like an elephant with a dragon head. Definitely like a mythical creature.

This was a small sauropod. Alexsei wanted a full size one.

 This bird-thing would be frightening if it were still alive today!

March Family Activity Part II: Lauritzen Gardens

The children had spring break on March 28-April 2, the weekend of Easter. Glen and I both took Friday, March 29 off to spend a day with the kids. It happened to be a really nice day so we decided to go to the Lauritzen Gardens and see the Lego sculpture display. One of the teachers I work with told me about it. We ended up being short one child, as Savana decided she did not want to go.

The 5 of us headed to South Omaha. There were quite a few people at the gardens. I purchased a season pass because we got an educator discount, and we want to go back when the flowers are blooming. We did walk around the gardens. The grounds are lovely, but in late March, there wasn't much growing.

The Lego Sculpture Display was very impressive. There were 27 sculptures of vegetation and animals that are native to the midwest. The display ends in May. There is still time to see it.

Dakota, Alexsei and Alaric were all impressed. I think Savana would have enjoyed it had she gone.

This was the first sculpture. It was an orchid sitting on the desk when you walk in the building.

The buffalo was the largest of the sculptures and used the most Lego bricks to create.

Notice the "feed" inside the feeder.

The gardener was pretty much life-sized.

This was a very large hummingbird.

We missed the bee the first time around. One of the volunteers told us to look at it from the view of the flower. The bee looks like it is flying in to land on the flower.

After the display, we looked at the two engines that are displayed in Kenefick Park, on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. If you have ever crossed into Omaha from Council Bluffs, IA, you can see the engines up on the bluff. It is an impressive site. The engines are monstrously huge and there is a nice history as well. 

I also got to get another task off my list of things to do. In 2012, the Omaha World Herald started a monthly Food Prowl series. They picked 12 food items and a team went to different restaurants to decide on the best. The first Food Prowl choice was the Rueben. Omaha claims that the Reuben was created here. The Crescent Moon Reuben was voted the best. One of the reasons why is because the sandwich does not fall apart. I was amazed. It did not. It lived up to the hype. I want to go back and try the smoked version. The children enjoyed the restaurant as well. Great onion rings! They also have lots of beers on tap so Glen was happy. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and could recommend beers based upon what we liked. I loved the comfortable atmosphere. We seated ourselves.

Here is the Reuben.