Zoo visit and other things

After Tuesday's post on my current Dickens kick, I stayed up that night and read chapter 4 of David Copperfield.  And cried my eyes out.  I was so upset, I didn't even realize I was crying until I "came to" enough to see that I was holding a soggy napkin and my mascara was running into my eyes.  Good thing it was 11 p.m. and make-up didn't matter anymore.  (and BAD thing it was 11 p.m. -- why can't I ever get to bed at a good time?)  Anyway, I haven't had much time to read in the past few days, and am only about half-way through chapter 5.  I don't want to spoil the book for those who haven't read it (like you ever would, if you haven't by now) -- but I do want to say that I hate Mr. Murdstone and his evil sister, I am very angry with David's mother, and I just want to gather that little boy up in my arms and hug him.

So coming back to reality, and the fact that David Copperfield is a fictional character (but you know I'm nuts because I am only comforted by knowing that he was writing the book as an adult, so he must survive his sad, traumatic childhood)...I have had a fun week with my boys.  They are simply adorable.  Not that I am biased.  And I LOVE having boys!!!  They like trucks, and dinosaurs, and playing in the mud -- every day this week, Ben has been outside "making mud."  He goes out about three times a day.  He and Sam were out there at 7:30 this morning.  I love the dirtiness, the rough-and-tumble-ness of these boys.  They don't care what they're wearing (they'd rather be naked anyway) and they don't care whether I've showered or not -- they just want to explore, dig, and play. 

On Wednesday we went to the zoo.  I had hoped that going in the morning, the heat wouldn't be so bad...but I guess we should have gotten there right at opening (9 a.m.).  We went at 10 a.m. and we were done by 11:15.  It was in the low 90's, but the humidity was so high!!  We couldn't hardly breathe, and the poor animals were just lolling about in their cages, or even hiding and sleeping.  Those animals are smart - they know how to handle the heat!  Not like us silly humans traipsing about in the sunshine, gawking at them.

I'd always wanted to get their photo on this peacock, and finally got them to sit long enough to do it!  Thanks to another mama nearby (whose name I didn't think to ask) who got Sam's attention for me, so he'd look up instead of down at the peacock's head.

The real elephants were not much fun on this day - they were hanging out in the shade and eating (like I said -- smart animals!) - but this statue elephant was great fun!

The kids were enamoured with a peacock family -- we saw a mama peacock with THREE babies following her around!  Ben said, "But...where is the daddy peacock?  Oh!  I think he's at work."

Ben and this bearded dragon had some meaningful moments together.  The dragon kept bobbing its head up and down at Ben, who would go off in fits of giggles.  Bryan later told me, "Watch out - he'll want a pet lizard now!"  (shiver...by me...who cannot stand reptiles)  So far, so good.  Ben has mentioned nothing about lizards in the past few days.

Near our parking spot at the zoo, there was a big black bird perched up in a tree, making a lot of noise.  Ben asked, "What is he saying?"  I said I didn't know, and while I was trying to think of something imaginative for the bird to be saying, Ben suddenly said, "I think he wants some yogurt." 

I love this kid.  I never know what is going to come out of his mouth next!  He certainly keeps life entertaining.  Much more entertaining than (and certainly nowhere near depressing) David Copperfield.  Which I will still read - though not during the day when Ben is awake.  Because I don't want to miss out on that little guy!