Reality #2 - 'Things are not always what they seem'.

Brooke was invited (by our neighbor) to go to the Zoo to be in a 'show taping' with Jack Hanna. They needed a few kids in the background for this taping and so it sounded like a fun opportunity for the kids to meet and interact with Jack while at their favorite place, the Columbus Zoo. They were all excited the morning of this adventure. The group met at the executive offices and all the kids got to ride on a special golf cart through the zoo grounds over to the 'petting zoo animal barn'. The kids were asked/coached to be good, listen, 'don't look at the camera', and have fun with Jack. They all waited in a holding area for all the camera crew and Jack to get there and get set up for the shooting. A director told the kids where to stand and that they would be playing/petting some small animals. About an hour later, the taping was about to start - of course, by now the kids were restless, hot, tired and thirsty (what do you expect with 5 and 6 year olds?) When they said "o.k. - get ready" - the zoo employees started throwing food out into the courtyard (where the kids were placed) about 20 goats came running towards the kids to eat all the food...some of the boys had food in their hands. Well, Brooke didn't want any part of the rather large goats eating out of her hands or even touching her at all. She quickly stepped backward into the fence as fear set in. Brooke tried to hang in there, but 5 minutes later with the goats in a huge, continuous feeding frenzy, she and her friend, Abigail ended up in tears and wanted out. The boys, on the other hand, were competing who could get and give the most food to the goats. Where was Jack Hanna during all of this? He was on the 'outside' of the fence, taping his show - repeating many 'takes' and never interacting with the kids. We did have an opportunity to get a picture of Jack Hanna with the kids when it was all over.
Epilogue: As the kids made their way back to the golf cart, it was pulling away with Jack and his crew...the kids were devastated, saying "hey, that's our cart" - they were 'bummed' they couldn't ride in it again as we walked back. So, yes, things aren't always as they seem. When we got home, Brooke said that was the worst trip to the Zoo ever!