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Play
Thank you, Redfin!
Today the chimpanzees enjoyed a party sponsored by Felicity Wood and Redfin! The chimpanzees enjoyed lots of new enrichment to include a giant Lego castle and a fabulous red and white themed food forage. While the chimps are always up for a party, Jamie in particular seemed to enjoy today and much to our delight she found countless projects to engage in throughout the afternoon. And if you aren’t already aware, finding something to enrich Jamie is no small feat.
Here Debbie realizes her dream of adult size Legos as Jamie helps her with the directions to building the castle:
The finished result of Jamie and Debbie’s hard work and two amazing house pinatas:
Here’s Jamie investigating the castle:
Annie checking out a giant red crayon:
Jody as her beautiful self:
Jamie enjoying a cranberry raspberry “cocktail”:
Annie investigating a new bowling set:
Thank you so much for your time and effort in giving the chimpanzees a fun and interesting day, Redfin!
Smile!
A couple weeks ago, Debbie posted about the difference between chimpanzee fear grimaces and chimpanzee smiles. This afternoon, Missy and Annie decided to demonstrate the many things that might elicit a smile, otherwise known as a play face.
For example, you might smile if your friend leaped out of the grass and tried to wrestle you to the ground.
Or, you might smile if you were the one doing the leaping.
You might smile if your friend was tickling your toes.
And you might smile if you tickled her right back.
You might smile if your friend chased you across a fire hose bridge.
You might also smile if you were the one doing the chasing. Especially if you went too fast…
…fell off…
…hung upside down…
…and kept right on chasing.
You might even walk away smiling after a move like that.
In memory of Robert C. Thompson
Today was sponsored by Madelaine Thompson in memory of her dad, Robert C. Thompson. Madelaine shared the following sentiments:
“My dad and mom welcomed strays and rescue pets into our household from the time I was a baby. At times, pets outnumbered humans – and there were nine kids! I am ever grateful for his compassion and sense of humor in dealing with the challenges and rewards of a chaotic, loving household.”
Madelaine, thank you so much for including the chimpanzees with such lovely memories of your family. What a generous and compassionate way to honor your dad. Something tells me he would have appreciated the chimpanzees’ household!
Play and laughter
Everyone needs a good laugh… sometimes it takes friends to get a smile out of us, and other times we can make ourselves crack up.
Playing with Foxie
If you’re playing with Foxie, chances are there’s a doll involved. She often initiates play with a caregiver by passing us one or more of her dolls. We’re then expected to entertain her by acting as silly as possible. Caregivers Diana and Debbie filmed one such play session yesterday.
Window Play
Burrito and Debbie had a fun game of chase going this morning, with Debbie running on the outside of the chimp building where the garden is, and Burrito running inside from window to window. At one point in the game, Burrito generously shared a little bit of his water.
Jamie played a bit too, but she mostly wanted Debbie to pick her something from the garden.
