What a difference a year makes...

It's amazing that we are doing things for the second time as a family, a whole year later. This year was different from last, as it should be. This year, the stroller was no match for a 21 month old little boy filled with determination and wonder. He could hardly contain himself, there were too many temptations calling him and by no means was he going to experience this amazing place inside a carriage. He needed to be free to see where his little feet would lead him. We needed to be close by to narrow and navigate his path.

His eyes conveyed all that we needed to know. He was taking it all in. Silent at first, absorbing all that was before him. Learning through observation (this tends to be his style). Eventually, a sign language "more" with the word quickly following. He was tickled that these "things" we read about every night exist. In real life. Shrieks and bouncing reinforced our hunch. We spent most of our time watching a 5,000 pound Elephant get a bath. I think T could relate to the daily scrub down, minus a big hard brush and strong spray from a hose. Although, there are times after a long day outside I could use them!

What could be better than a tickled pink little boy, thinking he is much bigger than he is, at the zoo? A tickled pink little boy, at zoo, watching his most favorite thing (right now), diggers. They are doing a little or rather large remodel. The Elephants are getting a new home. We had a birds eye view (pun intended) from up above as the bulldozers, cranes and diggers moved large amounts of dirt. Workers in yellow hard hats built concrete steps using tools. This scene (straight from a Bob The Builder) was memorizing. T had seen them before but actually working, moving dirt, was a whole new concept. I think all these struggling home builders should start charging admission to watch them construct a house. I am sure they would make a small fortune off of toddler boys and their love of big yellow equipment. We certainly weren't the only parents at the fence.

We moved onto the monkeys. Swinging from ropes, best friends entertained themselves. He was interested but the statues won his affection. Hugs and kisses. Gentle pats to the baby cradled in his mother's arms. T was quick to share that the gorilla even had eyes and a month. Imagine that! We could have spent hours in the bamboo cave that held these two gentle creatures.



We visited the little farm, the lions, the tigers and even the prairie dogs. We fit in the all the good stuff on a beautiful day. Nothing makes me happier than spending time with my two guys. They fill my heart and make me smile.