Seis Puerqueños

(a great book by the way)

Today I decided to take the kids to the zoo.  It was sunny and we have a season pass, so why not put on 100 layers to stay warm and go for a while.  We had enjoyed the first couple of exhibits when we got to the lion viewing window.  We first looked for the lions up on their plain area, but since it was cold we figured they were sunning themselves on rocks, or still inside.  Upon getting closer to the window we saw a single line of caution tape blocking the small area off.  I figured perhaps there was a crack in the glass, or some other small issue making it necessary to keep people away for safety reasons.  Then I thought about the life preservers I saw up by the lion plains, and the zookeeper hiding in the bushes talking on her walkie talkie about not being able to see the lion anywhere which I had previously not thought much of.  Then I wondered if there was some carnage.  Soon enough another zoo patron came by and we heard some roaring and growling going on.  Next thing we see a lioness come to the window (which we are kept 50 or so feet back from by the caution tape) and she is ANGRY.  At us.  Then she runs off and the guy starts to make lion noises in hopes she will come back.  She doesn’t, but a zookeeper comes up and tells him not to growl, as the lioness is new and hates people.   I start to ask her where the lion came from and before she can answer she is being called on her walkie talkie and runs off.

Is it just me, or if you were acquiring a new lion for the zoo, wouldn’t you get one that does not want to destoy all the humans who come to see it?  I’m just saying…

P.S. Gorillas eating broccoli for breakfast is really awesome.

P.P.S. I just read on the zoo’s blog that she is a young lion who was brought here for breeding to save her species.  That means she came from Africa, which is a joke I was going to make, but didn’t.

(Or, My Most Successful Instance Of Not Freaking Out And Keeping My Children Safe)

This morning we decided that we would accompany Aaron to work in Seattle on the train.  This being his second day on the job, and yesterday he drove, we assumed we could just hop on the commuter train at the station, walk him to work, turn around and ride the train home.  Easy, right?

7:35am Leave house, drive to train station.

8:01am Board Train: 2 adults, 2 very small children.  Children are thrilled.

8:03am I realize there is no return train to this station until 3:15pm.  I remain calm.

8:25am Arrive in Seattle.  Try plan one: call my mother.  She is going to a doctor’s appointment at 9.

8:27am Try plan two: call my step-mother.  No answer at home or cell.

8:29am Try not to panic.  Decide to take light rail train back to another station, take connecting bus, walk 6 blocks to car.  Try not to panic.  Convince Aaron that this is a good idea that I can handle.  He suggests taxi, I successfully convince him it will work.

8:35am Board train and wave goodbye to Aaron.  One outnumbered adult with 2-year-old and 1-year-old.  Try not to panic.  Relax a little as crazy lady makes friends with my children.  Grateful it is not a crazy man.

9:05am Exit train at bus transfer station.  Find schedule for two buses that go approximately near my car.  Have no idea what time it is and since my hands are full of children don’t bother to check.  Pray for bus to show up soon.  Alternate holding children/holding hands/trying to keep them from running into the road.

9:19am Feel beyond happy to see bus arrive.  Smile as not-crazy man putting his bike on the front of the bus yells at all the passengers who don’t let the lady with her two small children get on the bus.  They ignore him as if he is crazy.

9:45am Arrive a few blocks from car.  Feel ultra grateful that the stop is only a few blocks away, instead of the 6 it would have been on the other bus.  Struggle to make children walk/be carried/hold hands/not run into the road.

10:00am Arrive at the car.  Rejoice.  Celebrate by feeding the kids chocolate milk and chocolate chip cookies from McDonalds.  I am no longer the dumbest commuter, I am now the best.  Victory is mine.

I probably shouldn’t show you this, but…

I realized that with my small child trapped in the high chair I could clean up yesterday & today’s mess under her eating area that I had left to dry out. Before I did I was struck with the multitude of treasures I saw: frosted mini-wheats, cheese, play-doh, captain crunch, pretzels, raisins, ikea pencil, edamame, saltine cracker, pasta, bread, macaroni and cheese, and of course the froot loops I was feeding her for lunch. (Hey, I’m sick, give me a break!) I thought it warranted a photo.

The house we live in has a carpeted dining room (stupidest idea ever) so we have this funny brown rug that is supposed to go on your outdoor patio which means you can just hose it down. Best investment ever.

But seriously, is my child actually eating any of her food? Or just play-doh and ikea pencils?

But, this is not fashion.

If regular leggings are too warm for you.

A baby dino is having her birthday today.

But she refused to take any pictures looking at the camera.

Maybe when the cake comes she will pose for me. Doubtful. Sammy loves to run, climb on things, go outside, and growl like a dinosaur. And bite her brother. She is a ferocious little thing. Makes up for being so bald.

Happy Birthday Baby Peanut! We sure love you.

Marrying an older man has it’s drawbacks.  For example the fact that Aaron is 7 years older than me means that he will likely die first.  This of course is unacceptable, and so early on I made it clear I was going to be the one to die first and he was to comply.  He would always grumble about having to live until 107, but in the end would agree to it.  Last night laying in bed I mentioned something about how many years he had left to live at which point he confessed: “You know, when you get alzheimer’s I’m going to trick you and die first.”  Touche.