Monday, December 14, 2009

ZooLights

A favorite holiday tradition for Hippo is dressing warm on a cold December night and going for a very special walk through the National Zoo.

It's ZooLights!

The trails are ablaze with festive lights.

And glowing animals appear around every corner.

Even tropical birds enjoy the festivities.

Hippo has stars in his eyes.

Tigers prowl the forest.

Chasing after butterflies.

The light pandas are munching happily.

And the fuzzy pandas are snoozing. Tai Shan must have gotten tired packing for his big trip to China.

A family of elephants is stomping through the grass.

And making it hard to hold the camera steady.

It's not quite cold enough to build snowhippos yet. But the water is definitely too cold for a swim.

We should go warm up in the barn.

The alpacas are getting cozy in their beds and probably wondering what's with all the late night visitors.

But the goats are already fast asleep.

A squirrel is outside juggling acorns.

And a pumpkin is grazing on the – wait, pumpkins aren't animals. Pumpkins are food! Mmm, food…

Nothing can be more satisfying after a brisk walk in the cold than warm cinnamon donuts and hot chocolate.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Hippo Claus

This is Opie's first Christmas with our clan. The other hippos have been telling him about all the exciting activities this season brings: Hunting for a 12-inch Christmas tree. Decking the halls with penguins. Advent calendars filled with chocolate. Cutting out cookies shaped like stars and sheep. Beautiful lights at the zoo. And a visit from a jolly elf in a red suit!

We were surprised when Santa Claus made a personal appearance at our home one night, far ahead of Christmas Eve. He invited Opie to sit on his lap and telling what a good hippopotamus he has been all year.


Opie was a little shy but thrilled to meet the big guy (who must have magically shrunk himself to little hippo size). Opie did comment that Santa Claus sounded a little different than he expected. Instead of "Ho! Ho! Ho!", Santa went more like "Giggle. Giggle. Oof! Snicker. Giggle." when Opie sat on his lap.

Hippo says he knows just what to get Opie this year. What a thoughtful friend!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Not Kermit


Frankie heard that Hippo hangs out with Kermit the Frog. So he was very excited when he met Kermit himself! He found him in the forest, burrowing in some wet leaves and slurping up slugs. He invited him inside to warm up with some hot chocolate and a good movie.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Cards by Hippo

Hippo can do amazing things with some colored paper, paste, and scissors (supervised, of course). He made these cards with the Japanese art of kirigami.





Sunday, November 29, 2009

Frankie Is Thankful

Frankie is thankful for Thanksgiving vacation.

Frankie is thankful for car rides.

Frankie is thankful for rest stops.

Frankie is thankful for cranberries.

Frankie is thankful for pie.

Frankie is thankful for games.

Frankie is thankful for kitties.

Frankie is thankful for leftovers.

Frankie is thankful for returning home after a fun trip.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy and the Girls

Long time Washingtonian Happy the Hippo is relaxing in the pool at his new home in Milwaukee. He recently discovered a couple of eligible hippo ladies right next door:

Puddles, 33, shorter and a bit heftier at 2,900 pounds, is the offspring of Pinky and Patti. She was born in Milwaukee. She and Happy seem to have hit it off. They have been seen licking each other, although hippos are also known to lick the floor.


Is a steel "howdy gate" enough to keep these two lovers apart? Read the article in the Washington Post for more juicy details!