I was beginning to think that it wasn't possible to have a completely, 100% enjoyable day when you're the mother of a toddler. But today I had an almost magical day with Caleb. Tired of going to the park every.single.day, I decided today would be our first zoo trip as just the two of us {we've gone with Daddy twice before}. I was a little worried since I knew that would mean driving around the city about half an hour in the car just shortly after rush hour with a usually cranky toddler in the back seat, but I decided it was worth the try.
When C woke up this morning, I went into his room and didn't immediately turn the light on. He looked tired still {and so was I} so I just layed down on his bed. He did the say laying right next to me laying his hand on my arm. It was the absolute sweetest thing, and the perfect way to start "The Perfect Day."
After Daddy was finished showering {all of five minutes later}, he came in and "woke" us up. As has become a daily occurrence as of late, Caleb and I hopped in the shower. He loves the shower and using "Daddy soap" {aka body wash}, and he loves it when I pick him up and we sing, "Singing in the Rain" and then we stick our tongues out and catch some "raindrops." I love feeling his super soft skin on mine just like when he was first born and placed on my chest. And everytime we take our morning shower, I remind myself that this time might be the last time he wants to shower with mommy. Even on those days when I want to shower alone, when I really need to shave my legs but can't with him in there, when the hot water is running out and I just want to hop out but he keeps saying, "Cay-yub stay in shower," I remind myself that these days won't last forever.
So after shower, we had some breakfast {waffles}. I put chocolate chips on mine, Caleb thought they were raisins and said, "Cay-yub need waisins too," so he ate blueberry waffles with raisins on top. We sat at the table and colored with crayons on blank sheets of computer paper. Finally it was time to head to the zoo, so we packed up the bag and got in the car. I thought the GPS was taking us in a funny direction, but decided to just go with it. Forty-five minutes later we were arriving at the zoo having driven around the opposite side of the city that we usually do when we head to the zoo. If someone would have told me yesterday that it would take us that long to get there, I probably wouldn't have gone knowing how C usually behaves in the car for any more than 5 minutes. But, today, miracle day, he was an angel in the car even saying at one point, "mommy finding the zoo." What I usually say when we're heading to a park and he complains is, "Mommy's working on finding the park."
Once at the zoo, we checked the animals, some deer:
C was more interested in the telescope thing than the elephants.
Awesome view of a momma elephant nursing her baby.
Again, more interested in the fish and ducks than the giraffes
Today we discovered they have a very nice primate exhibit at the zoo. The gorillas in particular have a very nice habitat. Unfortunately, I couldn't photograph them because Caleb was trying to run off to the next exhibit.
We LOVE the fact that there is an aquarium in our zoo!
Complete with polar bears
Today we got a special treat when the polar bears were actually playing in the water portion of their habitat.
This one looked like he was taking a bath
After about an hour at the zoo we had to head home for lunch and nap. Since it was so late, and I could see that C was fading fast, we had a special lunch on the couch while he watched Word World {daily pre-nap event}. After an almost 4 hour nap, we headed straight to our Wednesday afternoon tradition {for the last three weeks} the farmer's market in the local church parking lot. We picked up corn, peaches and blackberries and then sat on the grassy hill sharing {another tradition} our weekly Mango water ice. Caleb looks forward to "ice cream" whenever I talk about the farmer's market now.
Daddy beat us home from the market and was already starting dinner. Delicious steaks that I had marinating for 3 days {unintentially} were super yummy and soooo tender! The corn was fabulous...just ask Caleb!
After dinner, it was bath time and bed time before hanging out with Andrew, and now heading to bed.
But first, one more thing that made this day "perfect." During that 4 hour nap, I was able to get some sewing done for clients {still feels strange using that word}, and I finally created a label for my clothes. I love it!
So there you have it, the perfect day. No tantrums or getting upset about things, just mommy and Caleb spending the day together and enjoying every.single.second. Today was most certainly a perfect day and an amazing blessing that I'll cherish for years to come {especially tomorrow when I'm sure the tantrums are sure to return}.
