Ophidiophobia

(Fear of Snakes)
But yet, I still found myself with the rest of the fam at the Snake Farm in the name of good sport. Nobody mentioned there were also going to be creatures one step removed from my snake phobia-that's right, scorpions and tarantulas. I spent the whole trip watching my back.
Needless to say, L & M were thrilled!


I was able to handle them one at a time...


Even admiring this one for being my favorite color. Nice work snake!


But it's when you start looking at this...


and feel them staring right back at you


that things start to get a little awkward.
Snake count in this cage: four snakes, in one big tangle, yikes!

We promptly moved onto tarantulas and scorpions.
And then promptly to outside.



Turns out the snake farm is a misnomer (thank goodness!) because a good portion of it is a petting zoo.
Here is London and a pot bellied pig. In case you are wondering, the band-aid on her nose is completely unrelated to the day's activities, but not completely unrelated to Madelyn.


The twins were sure this monkey wanted to come home with us.


But they ended up finding something in this guy's cage they liked even better than a monkey.




Yes, a few of these little caterpillars were befriended, captured, named, fed (and by fed I mean raisins and crackers), and transported back to the mothership with all the potato bugs, all of which have since died.


Meanwhile, Liv hangs out with her handsome, sweaty dad.


And enjoys the whole wagon to herself while the twins are busy with caterpillars.

And just when we think we're in the clear--
on the way out, we discovered something else available for petting.


Meet Oliver, the friendly ball python!
L & M were beside themselves.


Here they are, a front row seat, showing the rest of us how it's done.
In case you are wondering, I did touch Oliver with one finger while he wasn't looking.


L & M held Oliver all by themselves!
As you can see, even Liv was fascinated.

The girls talked about Oliver the whole way home; mostly how he should be our pet. L & M had all the details worked out, including where he would sleep (their bed, naturally), what they would feed him, not to mention a good alternative name since 'Oliver' is by no means a Disney Princess. I guess it's settled...what this family needs is a good pet python. At least my training in the behavior sciences have taught me a thing or two about flooding.*
Maybe someday, ha!

*a technique used in behavior therapy; client is flooded with experiences of a particular kind until becoming either averse to them or numbed to them

What are your phobias?

(Stay tuned, this week I was also confronted with a different one!)