I’d really like to bring something truly witty and hysterical to the table today, but sadly I am sidelined with what is starting to feel like an upper respiratory infection, or maybe a touch o’ the plague. Couple that with forms, filings and audits (oh my!) and I’ll bet much of the rattlesnake population of Texas is less testy than I am right now.
The zoo was full of animals on Friday. Unfortunately, many of them were of the two legged twelve year old boy variety. I’ll be the first to admit that I could use some personal growth in the parenting department – my patience (it should not take an hour to brush your teeth), empathy levels (I’m pretty sure that it’s impossible for your sister to hurt Mr. Stuffy’s feelings) and complete dependence on caffeine (Momma cannot see to cook waffles until she’s had her twenty ounces of carbonated bliss) all need a little tweaking. That said, I was feeling a little smug by the time we left.
Let’s talk about strollers. I am not referring to strollers containing children with disabilities that make it difficult or impossible to walk. I am referring to the umbrella stroller into which had been squeezed what appeared to be a healthy first grader and a jogging stroller containing a girl with hair on her legs and visible bra straps. Those things just below their ankles are called feet. Give them a try sometime.
Next, if your child uses Speed Stick, it’s a clue that perhaps the Tiny Tot Nature Spot isn’t the most appropriate area for him to be wrestling with his buddies. You get exactly one eye roll and an imperceptible sigh before he gets within five feet of my delicate little princess – after that I might do something really drastic like flounce off muttering under my breath about ill behaved children and clueless parents. If I’m really angry, it might be loud enough for you to hear.
Speaking of Tiny Tot Nature Spots, your three year son’s does not need to be on display. Give the poor guy a little dignity and change his swim diaper somewhere besides the middle of the venue.
On a much more positive note, the girls noticed not a bit of this and had the time of their lives. They handled the crowds beautifully, saw everything on their little mental lists (you wouldn’t believe the financial commitment we had to make to see an alligator and a cheetah), Daddy spoiled them when my back was turned and they came away with actual zoo souvenirs and ice cream and I spoiled them by letting them get wet and filthy in the Tiny Tot “riverbend”.
Whe all was said and done, there was of course much complaining about gritty shoes and cold walks to the car as passersby giggled at our sodden and muddy jaguar and giraffe – the stuff childhood memories are made of.
The zoo was full of animals on Friday. Unfortunately, many of them were of the two legged twelve year old boy variety. I’ll be the first to admit that I could use some personal growth in the parenting department – my patience (it should not take an hour to brush your teeth), empathy levels (I’m pretty sure that it’s impossible for your sister to hurt Mr. Stuffy’s feelings) and complete dependence on caffeine (Momma cannot see to cook waffles until she’s had her twenty ounces of carbonated bliss) all need a little tweaking. That said, I was feeling a little smug by the time we left.
Let’s talk about strollers. I am not referring to strollers containing children with disabilities that make it difficult or impossible to walk. I am referring to the umbrella stroller into which had been squeezed what appeared to be a healthy first grader and a jogging stroller containing a girl with hair on her legs and visible bra straps. Those things just below their ankles are called feet. Give them a try sometime.
Next, if your child uses Speed Stick, it’s a clue that perhaps the Tiny Tot Nature Spot isn’t the most appropriate area for him to be wrestling with his buddies. You get exactly one eye roll and an imperceptible sigh before he gets within five feet of my delicate little princess – after that I might do something really drastic like flounce off muttering under my breath about ill behaved children and clueless parents. If I’m really angry, it might be loud enough for you to hear.
Speaking of Tiny Tot Nature Spots, your three year son’s does not need to be on display. Give the poor guy a little dignity and change his swim diaper somewhere besides the middle of the venue.
On a much more positive note, the girls noticed not a bit of this and had the time of their lives. They handled the crowds beautifully, saw everything on their little mental lists (you wouldn’t believe the financial commitment we had to make to see an alligator and a cheetah), Daddy spoiled them when my back was turned and they came away with actual zoo souvenirs and ice cream and I spoiled them by letting them get wet and filthy in the Tiny Tot “riverbend”.
Whe all was said and done, there was of course much complaining about gritty shoes and cold walks to the car as passersby giggled at our sodden and muddy jaguar and giraffe – the stuff childhood memories are made of.
If ya'll are ever in the DFW area and get the chance ya'll should definitely take them to the Fort Worth Zoo. Amanda and I went there with Jason when he was in town a few years ago and it's really good. The Dallas Zoo....not so much. Recall the gorilla that escaped and had to be shot.
ReplyDeleteRob and I unfortunately watched 60 minutes of animal escapes on Animal Planet one night. It adds a new dimension of adventure to the zoo.
ReplyDelete