Don't Spill the Beans

We joined the Friends of the National Zoo (abbreviated FONZ in tribute to the character who honored animals with his duck-tail 'do and cowhide jacket), so now we take the kids to the zoo at every opportunity so we won't feel ripped off. That's entirely untrue, of course. Becoming a member of a zoo with no admission charge was our way of making the transition from life where every public attraction costs as much as an off-Broadway show to life where every public attraction is Free! Gloriously Free! without feeling guilty.

Today's highlight for me was the invertebrates exhibit. The octopus that wowed Sarah and the boys three weeks ago was mysteriously absent from its tank, and considering a sign indicated that a "new" octupus would be arriving soon, I fear the worst. The Lobsters of Unusual Size seemed fine, though, and looked more menacing than Russell Crowe in a hotel room. Right next to the exit was a display of several large spiders on webs three feet across or more. One was wrapping up lunch, which drew me closer and closer for a better view until I realized that there was no glass between us, at which point I suffered a moment of arachnophobia and reflexively began stomping the floor around me. Hey, look before you judge.

Since we'd spent the entire day outdoors, I suggested a relaxing game before the kids' bedtime. "How about Don't Spill the Beans?"

Ben said, "No, that game's too hard. We always spill the beans."

Guess he expected the game to be won by achieving its title. Glad I didn't suggest Ants in the Pants.