Thursday, August 30, 2012

Jada's Trip to the Zoo

 I learned a valuable lesson shooting these pictures.  Clean your camera lens!  My apologies for the cloudy spot on the pictures.

Jason had promised Jada a trip to the zoo and he delivered.  They have been at the zoo most of the day and the last animals for them to see are the gorillas.  Paul and Bridget are there with their two kids.  They've just spent time with the gorillas and decided to take a little rest before moving on to the giraffes.


The zoo has two adult gorillas.  They've named them Desi and Lucy because of their comedic antics.  This is Desi.

Lucy is perched on a ledge in the corner.

"Look how big they are Jada."  (Jason)
Jada is fascinated, but keeping her distance.

Jada gets a little brave and takes a couple of steps forward.  She is quickly stopped in her tracks as Desi moves closer to the front.
"Jada, honey, I don't think you should get any closer."  (Lynn)

Charlotte is telling her dad a little about some of the animals they just saw.  She loves animals and has more than once voiced her desire to be a vet one day.
"Garrett, come over here, please."  (Bridget)

She might as well have said, "Garrett turn and run towards the gorillas", because that's exactly what he did.

"Mommy, monkeys."  (Garrett)
"They are gorillas, and we just saw them.  We're going to see the giraffes.  Don't you want to see the giraffes?"  (Bridget)

Jason is trying to get Jada a little closer to the gorillas.
"Honey, you are making me real nervous."  (Lynn)


Off in the distance, one of the zookeepers is approaching with a monkey.

"Hello.  Are you enjoying Lucy and Desi?"  (Zookeeper)
"Daddy, daddy, look it's a monkey!" (Jada)
"Yes, I see honey."  (Jason)
"This is George.  We named him after our favorite TV monkey, Curious George."  (Zookeeper)

"We know Curious George very well.  We watch him all the time."  (Jason)
They talk a little more and then the zookeeper takes George to see the other family.

"Hello.  George wanted to say hello to you."  (Zookeeper)
"Look Garrett.  A monkey.  Isn't he adorable."  (Bridget)

"Oh my! I've never seen a real live monkey so close.  Can I pet him?" (Charlotte)


"George is a very friendly monkey, but we have strict rules at the zoo against the public petting the animals.  I'm sorry."  (Zookeeper)

George, of course, is eating up the attention.  He is just like a little kid and loves being around real people.

"Honey, I can't get over how cute he is."  (Lynn)
"I've never known you to be so fond of animals."  (Jason)
"I know.  But I've never seen a monkey up close and personal."  (Lynn)
The zookeeper spends a little more time there, then moves on to see other zoo guests.

"Okay, well we really need to get a move on it now, if we are going to finish."  (Bridget)
"I agree.  Not to mention it looks like the rain will be here soon.  I'll take Garrett."  (Paul)
"I can't believe I got to see a real monkey."  (Charlotte, still in awe)

"So first the giraffes and then the elephants.  That will put us closer to the front gate."  (Bridget)

 
Charlotte has snapped out of her state of monkey bliss.
"Lead the way."  (Paul)
"Mommy, can we stop and get some cotton candy?" (Charlotte)

Lynn and Jason are taking a little rest before heading to the car.  It's also a chance for Jada to eat her cheese sandwich they brought with them.  

"Well this was a fun day.  I don't remember the last time I came to the zoo."  (Lynn)
"It was fun.  I guess we need to thank Jada for insisting we come."  (Jason)

"Jada, why aren't you eating your sandwich?  Here, take a bite."  (Jason)
"Awww, honey, look at Lucy and Desi."  (Lynn) 



Epilogue
1.  I found Lucy and Desi at a thrift store for $2 each.
2.  This bird cage has been a decoration in my living room for many years.
3.  I finally got to use the little green bird fountain I found at TJMaxx a few months ago.
4.  The little monkey was purchased from Hobby Lobby about a month ago.  He has magnets in his hands and feet.
5. I have many other zoo animals that hopefully we will see another day.

55 comments:

  1. I've nevere been to a zoo, thank you for this tour Vanessa :)

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    1. Sergio - You are welcome. I will have to show more of the zoo, for you in the near future. Just curious, why haven't you ever visited a zoo?

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    2. We do not have a zoo where I live and I've never had the opportunity to visit one even when I was at school, teachers preferred to take us to places like botanical or archaeological sites

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  2. This is awesome! Everything looks fantastic. Charlotte is a cutie pie. It must have been a nice day out for both families.

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    1. Alura - Thanks! I was watching Anne of Green Gables a few days ago and Charlotte has adopted a bit of her personality. Must be the red hair.

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    2. Funny thing about that, Vanessa, the same Mattel line that produced Charlotte also produced an Anne of Green Gables. Anne has 2 red pigtails while Charlotte has her hair pulled back.

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    3. D7ana - I was aware of the Anne doll and would love to add her to my collection of two storybook dolls. Awww, I just saw the Heidi doll. She's adorable too. Oh well. They all have to same face with different hair.

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  3. The zoo looks so realistic. I am loving Paul and Bridget together, and George is absoultley adorable!

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    1. Verona - Thanks. I can't wait to show more of the animals. I've finally bonded with Bridget. I like her in the navy with the red hair. I think that's what did it. I think George needs more camera time. He's too cute not to see again.

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  4. Your photos are so realistic, I actually felt sorry for those poor gorillas cooped up in that tiny cage...

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    1. Zendelle - Thanks. The gorillas have a much bigger area after hours.

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  5. wow, fantastic job! I've never seen 1/6 Zoo before, and could never dream about making one either. your looks really great, I adore these two gorillas, they looks very real!
    so unique and original diorama!

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    1. jewel snake - Thanks. I've never seen a 1/6 scale zoo either. I'm sure there are some out there somewhere. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  6. Hello, Vanessa!
    I loved the diorama, the monkey is adorable!

    Also, I was wondering, what's the name of Vanessa's (your) real doll? I think I picked up the same one at a thrift store, but she had no clothes on so I have no way of finding her real identity.
    thank you!
    -Isabel

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    1. Isabel - Thanks. I couldn't pass up the monkey when I saw him. I can't remember which Christie doll the Vanessa doll is. If I remember, I will come back and let you know. Someone else may know and respond.

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    2. She's a 1990 doll (according to her neck) and the christie part really helped! I found several dolls that looked almost exactly the same as her, so thanks!

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    3. 1990 is the year, when her face mold (Asha) first appeared - not the year, when the doll itself was made. We have a special section for such questions on our Russian DollPlanet forum, but I don't know, if there is something like that in English anywhere.

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    4. Dukasha - Thanks. Usually someone reading the blog has the information. I will give it a couple of days. I'm trying to remember the name of the set. I'm pretty sure that doll came with a Kelly doll. I will probably remember soon.

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    5. Dukasha,
      Okay, thanks! She is possibly the Malibu Christie barbie doll or the Christie secret messages doll, but neither of those dolls came with a Kelly, so I'm not sure.

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    6. Isabel - I think I just had a light bulb moment when someone commented on the Kelly stroller in the pictures. I'm pretty sure my doll and the doll I use as my daughter came with that pink stroller. I don't remember the name of the set, but again it might come to me.

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  7. oK note to self. Scrap the doll story about the animals...Vanessa did a better job of what you were going to do. ahahaha....I do have a different story line though. LOL :-)

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    Replies
    1. Grandmommy - Awww, don't scrap your story. We want to see it when you do it.

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  8. Your zoo looks amazing. What is the name of it? I look forward to seeing your other animals. I would have never thought to purchase Desi and Lucy....nice finds. Great story!

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    Replies
    1. Georgia Girl - Thanks. This is the Washington National Zoo. With Morristown being right across the bridge from Washington, DC, it was a quick trip. I also found an aardvark and a rhino when I found these two.

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  9. OMG love it!! It looks fantastic. You did a really good job. I also saw your article in FDQ. You deserve it, you work so hard. Anyway congrats and keep up the good work! :)

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    1. mrscarissa - I'm so glad you liked the zoo and the article. Debbie did a wonderful job with the article. I carry my magazine everywhere I go. Jada had a wonderful time at the zoo. Daddy was her hero for the day.

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  10. Really? Seriously? Get the heck outta town! You have a zoo now?! You just cant stop being awesome can you? LOVE IT!

    I will say though that when the lady brought George out and then said he couldn't be petted, the childhood kid in me said, "Then whatchu brung him out here foh?!" At which point my mother would have slapped me upside the head. I was a bad kid.

    And I thought that misty spot in the photos was you imploying some heat of the jungle effects. It actually looks kinda cool.

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    Replies
    1. Muff - I'm just trying to keep up with your awesomeness. I just love visiting the zoo.
      They used to let the kids pet George, but there was always one little kid in the group who would want to torture him, or cause him pain on the sly. So they had to stop it completely. Such a shame.

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  11. The dio is really fantastic, very realistic (as always) I love going to the zoo with my students, we all enjoy so much spending a whole day with wild animals!

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    1. Acerico - Thanks. I didn't know you were a teacher. That is wonderful! That was always a fun school field trip.

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  12. Cute story. Those gorillas look real. Love the way the monkey is latched onto the zookeeper.

    I am not sure if I asked before, but who is Paul (as in his manufacturer's name?)

    dbg

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    1. DBG - The gorillas are awesome, but very scary when you forget you bought them and see them laying around. They will be staying in those cages to keep my nerves in tact.

      Paul is Hot Toys Wentworth Miller. He used to be about $38 for the nude doll. He has since risen in price. I bought his head only because I wanted him on a taller body than the Hot Toys. I got his head for $15 a few months ago from ebay.
      http://legendshobbies.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/3632?osCsid=rfoo2nqgflm403i6u12h2s8la6

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    2. Thanks... Paul is very handsome. Love his expression and his haircut.

      dbg

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  13. Replies
    1. Vita Plastica - Thanks! A fun time was had by all.

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  14. This zoo and the museum you made with the dinosaur fossils last year are two of my favorite dioramas. The school I attended in 6th and 7th grade was a few blocks away from the National Zoo. We used to walk there almost every week. I couldn't understand why people made such a big deal about the pandas because all they ever did was sleep. You have captured the lush, peaceful landscaping that makes zoos such pleasant places to stroll!

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    1. limbe dolls - Thanks! I miss the Washington National Zoo. It was such a wonderful place and FREE! I thought all zoos and museums were free. Wrong. I want to go to the Atlanta Zoo, but I haven't heard great things.

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  15. Replies
    1. Mark - Thanks! They get to come out of that cage right after the zoo closes.

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  16. Love, love LOVE the zoo setup! All the props were great!! I think my favorite shot, though, is the one of George looking over the Zookeeper's shoulder at the camera... he is a little attention grabber!!! So cute!

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    1. Heather - Thanks! Isn't George the cutest? He loves the camera, so we will have to give him another photoshoot.

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  17. Hello from spain: wow, wow, wow… Gorgeous!! Very real!!!, your job is awesome!! I love the font, the cage, the bank ... how much furniture as real ... I also like the monkey. The pink chair is very cute baby. This scene is very original. I have a Charlotte and is one of my favorite dolls. We keep in touch.

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    1. Marta - Thanks! I like recreating some of my favorite places. I love little monkeys. That is a Mattel stroller. I have another girl from the Charlotte series, but she is still in her box. See you soon.

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  18. Girl you just keep topping yourself! This was excellent. I was going to ask if the Gorilla's were in a birdcage but you answered that. I'm always looking to try and figure out what the little things really are.

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    1. Kenya - Thanks. I have never been at a lose for ideas. Some days I wish my brain had an on/off switch. I was thinking about getting rid of that birdcage. He has a very nice stand, but them my brain saw monkeys swinging in the cage. Hard to believe I was able to find those two gorillas so quickly.

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  19. Love your zoo. The zoo in Philly is expensive - not sure what the cost is now, but it's up there.

    That's neat - how you have the gorillas in the cage and the people outside the cage looking in but at a distance.

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    1. D7ana - Thanks. I just checked. Philly is $18 (12 and older) $15 (2-11). Atlanta is $20.99 (come on, just put it at $21) for adults and $15 for kids. We have you beat.

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    2. LOL, see why I am not going anytime soon to the zoo? That doesn't include the HIGH read ridiculous costs of food there.

      And Atlanta can forget about seeing me. $21.00?!? LOL - not that the city was worried.

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  20. I cannot believe it!! A ZOO! Your imagination and creativity has no limits! Your created a wonderful dio, I just LOVE it...

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    Replies
    1. Rosseti - Thanks. My brain keeps me busy for sure. I'm glad Jason was able to deliver for Jada. Shantavia was going to take her and invite Bruce, but she didn't want to hear Jason complain. Neither did I!

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  21. Bonjour Vanessa, j'aime beaucoup cette idée de les faire visite le zoo. c'est génial !

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  22. Shasarignis - Merci beaucoup. Nous aimons le zoo.

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  23. I was just jumping around on some of your older posts that show up at the bottom on the page when I found this. It's funny. My son Fuzzy's real name is GaretH (as opposed to Garrett), and he has that same hair. Is that the Scottish 'Tommy'? I have him.I need an extra to redress.

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    1. Tam - That is too funny. Yes, that is the Scottish Tommy. It's time for him and his family to make an appearance.

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