Reptile Man

The kids came home in a tizzy.  "MOM, the Reptile Man is coming to our school tonight.  Can we go? PLEASE?!"  Since it was only $1/person, and since we didn't have any plans for the night, we went.  Randy was working, Keilie was babysitting.  I am SO glad we did!!  He brought some pretty incredible reptiles that he, himself, raised from birth, giving really cool facts about each of them, and many different reptiles.  He also wrote a book after four years of research as to whether animals really have feelings.  The answer: Yes.  "If it has a backbone, it has an amygdala, therefore it has feelings."  So now you know.  Really cool.

He'd done an assembly at the school for free earlier, so the kids were really excited to show off the facts that they remembered.  It was almost like they were in on the presentation themselves.  Whenever he'd ask a query, hands would shoot up in the air, each child desperately hoping he'd pick them to answer.  There was a part where he had us listen to a Black Mamba's hiss.  We heard it, but he said it could do better, so he made it look like he was agitating the snake, when in reality, he was grabbing for a rubber chicken that he squeezed into the microphone and scared all the adults.  The kids laughed and laughed-- they'd been scared earlier and knew what was coming.  They felt special to be included in the inside joke.  He really had us all enthralled.  It was a great presentation.

At the end, he had two photo opportunities to earn money.  He had a snapping turtle that he allowed kids to come and touch and take pictures with (for free), but the two most looked forward to pictures were his alligator and snake.  Shelby was near tears begging to be allowed to hold the snake.  I'd come with a $10.00, paying $4.00 for entrance, so I only had one $5.00 bill -- they'd have to share the snake.  And they did.  And LOVED it!

Picture of the printed picture, because you wouldn't get me near that thing!  No, thank you!!  They loved it, and I love that they loved it.  To get a printed picture, it was $5.00.  However, not all that held the snake paid for theirs, using their phones instead.  The line took almost an entire hour, but the kids wanted it so bad, I couldn't say no.  At one point, I think they all questioned if it would be worth it.  From their smiles, I'd say the answer is a resounding, "YES!"