Fathers Day At Pt. Defiance Zoo
Posted on June 16, 2008 - Filed Under Baby Life, General, Parenting, Year One
We decided to take a trip to the Pt. Defiance Zoo yesterday for a Fathers Day trip. We met Sean and his new girlfriend Elizabeth at the gate and made it a family outing. It was packed.
This was Alexanders first trip to the zoo and while exciting at first, it might have been a little overwhelming a few hours into the trip.
We decided to eat lunch at the zoo rather than pick something up before we left. Probably a bad move on our part because we spent the first hour at the zoo standing in line and eating. An hour for an 18 month old boy is like 5 hours for an adult. Kind of a dog years thing.
Hour two found us wandering around the aquarium where Alex kicked into super excited baby mode. He was absolutely fascinated by the sharks and tropical fish. The ability to walk underground and stand in front of large glass windows while sharks glide by inches away from us was one of the most exciting things he has seen. Every time something swam near, he would do a little happy dance and make lots of loud “Ooooooooo” sounds. Folks standing next to us were amused with his enthusiasm.
After the aquarium we moved into hour three and off to the Asian Pacific exhibits which include gibbons, tapirs, tigers and elephants. This is where things got ugly.
Alex was tired and between the animals and all of the people he was probably suffering from stimulation overload. Half way through the Asian Pacific area he had a grade A meltdown. Screaming, not wanting to be held, kicking and the works. He screamed so loud that one gentlemen commented that he was “impressed” with the decibel level. It was a little embarrassing but we made our way to the exit and survived.
Once home, Alex crashed for his second nap of the day which is very out of character for him.
Toni decided that next time we take a trip to the Zoo with Alex we should do it on an off day, when the crowds are a little thin so he isn’t so overwhelmed. Good plan.
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There was an interesting mix of people at the Zoo. Lots of daughter/father combinations out there for Fathers Day and I noticed quite a few dads wearing shirts with slogans like “Best Dad in the World!” and variations of that theme. I expected, and secretly wished for, an argument to break out over who really was the best dad in the world but it never materialized.
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Travis and Toni picked up a limited edition cologne for me and I like it a lot. I usually don’t wear cologne because most of it gives me a headache but this one is a definite keeper. It’s the Givenchy Summer Cocktail and has a very light clean smell. Very happy with it.
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2 Responses to “Fathers Day At Pt. Defiance Zoo”
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I have to tell you that our entire family - not just our household - but my in-law’s household too - dearly love your Alex updates! We have a two-year old (great niece) who has attitude steaming out of her ears most of the time! It is great to hear that someone else has these “adventures” as part of their lives too. She loves Costco and knows that the folks in white have food so she is turning around in the cart trying to see ahead constantly on the search for white uniforms. As soon as she sees one she bats her eyelashes and in her most charming way, calls out hi or hello to them. I’ve watched this many times and then within minutes watched as another employee (not in white) approaches her and says hi to her. She looks down and immediately turns into Little Miss Grump and won’t talk or even make eye contact with them. Her grandmother and I thoroughly enjoy watching this circus act whenever we take her with us shopping.
Thanks for the grins and please - keep them coming!
Good luck with the wee one.
L
Thanks! Glad to hear we are not the only people having adventures with tots!
Alex has learned to growl. Seriously. If he doesn’t want to do something he will put his head down, give you the stink eye, and growl. I have no idea where he learned that one.