for the sake of memories

I love fall time weather. This week has been perfect with highs in the low to mid 80's. I have wanted to be outside as much as possible.

Today I decided I would take the boys to the zoo. Alone. We got there around 9:30 and ended up staying until 3:00. Those that know me personally are reading this with their mouths open because they realized that I actually skipped naps today. Sacred naptime. It wasn't even a perfect day, yet we still ending up exploring the entire zoo. All the animals were out and about enjoying the weather as much as us.

Cooper said more than once, "Where are all the people?" It felt as though we had the zoo to ourselves. Not one single picture was taken today because I refused to bring a single bag in. I wanted to walk around without pulling, holding or lugging anything around . . . boys included. They walked the same amount as me with minimal fussing. We have definitely hit a milestone when we can go somewhere without a stroller or diaper bag and require that they are to walk themselves. I love it! It is by far the most exercise I have gotten in a month and I am paying for it. I dread waking up tomorrow I know it will be worse.

I found a 'new exhibit to me' today called the Larakeet Experience. It was a huge cage like thing that had about a million larakeet birds inside that you could go into. They even had a gift shop where you could buy a two dollar(!) liquid food cup to feed the tiny creatures. PREFACE: I do not like birds, they freak me out. Ever since the 8th grade when we watch the movie BIRDS at a church slumber party solidified the fact that birds are not to be trusted. I once had a family member that had a bird cage in her house and I would watch that thing like a hawk. I have chills going up my spine at just the memory of it all. *shudder*

So . . . here we go with our two cups of liquid goodness with no idea of what is to come. I do warn the boys that the birds are flying around freely and they may want to sit on your arm or shoulder. Not to worry they are nice birds(yeah, right.) and will not bite(liar). They both become very apprehensive but I push on. Oh. My. Word. Those stupid birds were so annoying. We were attacked upon entering because apparently those creatures know what is in those plastic cups and even have the ability to open the lids themselves! Cooper goes screaming back towards the doors and Wyatt attaches himself to my leg as if he is a part of my body. The bird claws are sharp as they jet into my skin and one in particular is attached to my hair. *shudder again* It takes all that is in me to not follow Cooper screaming out the door.

Cooper does decide to join us again and Wyatt lets the blood flow back into my leg as they find it humorous that none of the birds want on them but only on me because I am the only one holding the two cups(!) of whatever it is they cannot get enough of. I fake my happy smile at the wonderfully! nice! non-biting! birds! I go over to the zookeeper FOUR different time in a five minute span to get the stupid bird out of my hair. Eewww! While the boys aren't looking I dump the liquid into the dirt and announce "All gone!" I head for the door as quickly as possible.

I hope the boys appreciate the memory.