Zoo camp!

Last year, my friend Hillary raved about how much her kids always enjoy the summer camp put on by the Central Park Zoo. So, like the incredible mother I am, I went into my calendar and set myself a reminder for January to register Evelyn for zoo camp. It was the perfect end to summer. They met special animal guests every day (including such favorites as a python and a spitting cockroach), they wore unattractive matching red shirts, and they did tons of crafts and games. Plus, I'm pretty sure she got to eat graham crackers and fruit snacks. Win/win/win.

Poor Hyrum was a little devastated the first day, particularly. When we got to the front of the drop off line and the lady asked Evelyn for her name, Hyrum said, "My name is Hyrum Prete!" Then, Evelyn got a name tag. Hyrum said his name again, but no dice. After that, she got a shirt.

"Where is my shirt? My name is Hyrum Prete!"

I tell you, sometimes being the little brother really stinks.

Evelyn gets to go to zoo camp . . .

. . . but Hyrum has to sit at home with Mom. In the rain.

Unfortunately, bud, this is likely to get worse before it gets better.

Since we don't have room in our apartment for every craft, I took pictures instead of lovingly packing her zoo camp treasures away for long-term storage.

The last day, they had a birthday party for Harley the rabbit, complete with hats.

Actually, there were hats almost every day. This was the day they spent a significant amount of time petting and feeding the sheep/goats/etc.

And this was animal Olympics day. Note the Laurel crown.

The caterpillar and butterfly were from animal family day. Yeah, didn't really make sense to me either.

This was my favorite craft of the week, and I think we'll keep it, maybe even frame it. They painted a flower with "pollen" (chalk dust). Awesome.

So, if your kids will be 4 or 5 next summer and you live in the city, here's our recommendation. Central Park Zoo kinder camp. Sign up early.