My little 'lion'
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Our trip to the other zoo in town...
This morning I decided, T and I would go to the other zoo in town. No, we didn't go to the much maligned townhalls put on by the sitting Republican congressmen/senators. That being said, I'd love to give them a piece of my mind but they might boo me down, a) being a non American and b) holding more liberal views of life in general. I get the distinct impression I would also be labeled a Commie (its happened before here in Kansas) with an 'anchor baby'.
Oh well, moving on.
We went to the Tanganyika Wildlife Park. Its a little different than your average zoo experience as there is a lot more opportunity to interact with the animals, under controlled circumstances of course.
My mother will tell you all about her visit with the Lorikeets last year if you ask her. Let's just say you get to go into the cage and feed the birds, if they are interested in drinking the syrupy mixture the zoo gives you. And well, Mom's experience mimicked Hitchcock's movie, The Birds. I was a little leery to take T in there, but the birds weren't too interested in dive bombing toddlers today so it went okay.
We started off with the nursery, where they keep the baby animals. We saw Clouded Snow Leopard 'kittens' of two different ages. Many of the other baby animals weren't in their cages so off the giraffes we went.
After the giraffes, it was on to the Lemurs (they weren't too interested in visitors) and the Kookaburas and Lorikeets. The grownup Clouded Snow Leopards were caged up and their cages were being cleaned so we didn't see much of them.
The Red Pandas were pacing and lounging (see photo below) so T got to point and oooh/awe at them. She got to pet rabbits and turtles too. If only penny pinching Mommy had known to buy a token (they are sold for about a dollar a token), she could have feed the turtles/rabbits some lettuce but I didn't know that until after we got to the feeding exhibit. She wasn't as interested in the turtles as she was in the rabbits. No worries, there were very large bottles of hand sanitizers available, which everyone used.
T got to see a camel too. Had she been bigger, I would have let her have a ride on good ole Alice/Alex but she's still too small. There was a playground (swings too!) but there a lot of older kids (they all go back to school next week, yay!) so since it was just me, I opted to bypass the playscape and go straight for the penguins.
As you can see from the photos below, the penguins had no interest in being out in the 30C weather, frankly, neither did I. T was all excited to see the penguins until she tripped and scraped both knees. Extraordinarily slight scraps but scraps (cries of boo boos and owies abounded) all the same.
The Snow Tigers were not interested in the heat and laid down with their paws in the air (must be a feline tract, Phenix and Gryffin do the same pose). The Ring Tailed lemurs were too busy plotting their escape to pay much heed to us so we continued on our way.
There were lots of other animals but most of them decided that today, was just too hot for them. And I can't blame them but it was a good idea in theory.
We had a few times where we had to dodge the other strollers, the Dillard's dressed grannies and the unfortunately tunnel visioned and doddling Red Hat ladies, all of whom meandered thru the park, completely that someone might actually want to get thru the park and back home to the A/C. This polar bear and her cub were starting to melt.
Oh well, I guess the paths are just too small for my liking. They are too narrow especially when you have toddler who wants to walk while you push the empty stroller you remembered to pack so that you don't have to carry her when she got tired. Urgh. That's pretty much describes most outings these days, in/out of the stroller either being carried by the mother packhorse or 'walking' on her own despite calls to hold the mother packhorse's hand.
Usually we do multi mommy and kid outings with T's friends but today it was just us two. She didn't really say too much about that until we got to the parking lot when she asked where were her friends. Next time we will try to get them out but the two other moms we go out with usually had home stuff they had to do and it was a last minute plan to go to the zoo today so it was just us.
Oh well, moving on.
We went to the Tanganyika Wildlife Park. Its a little different than your average zoo experience as there is a lot more opportunity to interact with the animals, under controlled circumstances of course.
My mother will tell you all about her visit with the Lorikeets last year if you ask her. Let's just say you get to go into the cage and feed the birds, if they are interested in drinking the syrupy mixture the zoo gives you. And well, Mom's experience mimicked Hitchcock's movie, The Birds. I was a little leery to take T in there, but the birds weren't too interested in dive bombing toddlers today so it went okay.
We started off with the nursery, where they keep the baby animals. We saw Clouded Snow Leopard 'kittens' of two different ages. Many of the other baby animals weren't in their cages so off the giraffes we went.
After the giraffes, it was on to the Lemurs (they weren't too interested in visitors) and the Kookaburas and Lorikeets. The grownup Clouded Snow Leopards were caged up and their cages were being cleaned so we didn't see much of them.
The Red Pandas were pacing and lounging (see photo below) so T got to point and oooh/awe at them. She got to pet rabbits and turtles too. If only penny pinching Mommy had known to buy a token (they are sold for about a dollar a token), she could have feed the turtles/rabbits some lettuce but I didn't know that until after we got to the feeding exhibit. She wasn't as interested in the turtles as she was in the rabbits. No worries, there were very large bottles of hand sanitizers available, which everyone used.
T got to see a camel too. Had she been bigger, I would have let her have a ride on good ole Alice/Alex but she's still too small. There was a playground (swings too!) but there a lot of older kids (they all go back to school next week, yay!) so since it was just me, I opted to bypass the playscape and go straight for the penguins.
As you can see from the photos below, the penguins had no interest in being out in the 30C weather, frankly, neither did I. T was all excited to see the penguins until she tripped and scraped both knees. Extraordinarily slight scraps but scraps (cries of boo boos and owies abounded) all the same.
The Snow Tigers were not interested in the heat and laid down with their paws in the air (must be a feline tract, Phenix and Gryffin do the same pose). The Ring Tailed lemurs were too busy plotting their escape to pay much heed to us so we continued on our way.
There were lots of other animals but most of them decided that today, was just too hot for them. And I can't blame them but it was a good idea in theory.
We had a few times where we had to dodge the other strollers, the Dillard's dressed grannies and the unfortunately tunnel visioned and doddling Red Hat ladies, all of whom meandered thru the park, completely that someone might actually want to get thru the park and back home to the A/C. This polar bear and her cub were starting to melt.
Oh well, I guess the paths are just too small for my liking. They are too narrow especially when you have toddler who wants to walk while you push the empty stroller you remembered to pack so that you don't have to carry her when she got tired. Urgh. That's pretty much describes most outings these days, in/out of the stroller either being carried by the mother packhorse or 'walking' on her own despite calls to hold the mother packhorse's hand.
Usually we do multi mommy and kid outings with T's friends but today it was just us two. She didn't really say too much about that until we got to the parking lot when she asked where were her friends. Next time we will try to get them out but the two other moms we go out with usually had home stuff they had to do and it was a last minute plan to go to the zoo today so it was just us.
T visiting the giraffes and she's actually not squinting at the camera (there's a first!)
Hello up there!
The poor red panda, he kept pacing back and forth.
Nice bunny!
Turtle!
Too hot!
Nice bunny!
Turtle!
Too hot!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Revenge is best served with a soupcon of warm water and a dash of shampoo
At bath time lately, we've been having some trouble. Trouble of the hair washing variety.
Anytime S or I break out the face cloth to dampen T's hair to wash it, the crying and wimpering starts. Its rather pitiful. No parent wants to make their kid cry but you do need to have your hair washed from time to time.
I've tried being sneaky and I get "What you doing, Mommy?" Nope, that didn't work.
I've tried telling her that Phenix is being nice enough to let T use her shampoo to wash her hair. Nice try, but no.
I've tried having T help me bath Phenix. I thought that if I showed T that if a cat can stand there and get her fur washed, so can T. She ran away before I could show her how Phenix got bathed and then I had Phenix mad at me too. Phenix has ways of exacting revenge that make you regret bathing her. And well, let's be honest, reasoning with a toddler is generally not successful.
So I resorted to self sacrifice. Isn't that what motherhood is all about?
I told T that she could make Mummy's hair wet before Mummy's washes T's hair. She was all good with the idea until it came time to wash her own hair. Then the lower lip came out and away it quivered.
Well, tonight I tried having her sit with her head under the tap while I quickly wet her hair. That went quasi okay. Then she advised me, that it was Mummy's turn to get her hair wet. So I put my head under the tap and got my hair good and soaked. But that wasn't enough for T.
No, she had to use the milk jug/bath toy to further soak Mummy's head...after I'd already partially dried it off once. Then she rubbed my hair like I do when she gets her hair shampooed. Then to add further pay back, she dipped the facecloth in the bubble bath filled water and scrubbed my hair with it.
Not to be out done, Mummy exacted one last indecency...when T wasn't looking, I grabbed the shampoo and washed her hair. Not impressed. Out came the lower lip and bath time came to an abrupt and wimpering end.
Below are photos from earlier today. When I was on the phone long distance today, T decided to pull out every stitch of clothing in her dresser. Then when I was nicely folding them all back up, T decided to add insult to injury and raid her closet.
In the closet, she discovered two Hallowe'en costumes, a flower and a tiger. I got one at a yard sale and the other at a consignment sale. They are pretty warm for this time of year.
Below is T modeling the costumes. I think she looks better in the flower. The tiger is ever so slightly too big. She's not a fan of wearing things on her head. My favourite is the 'No way, no photos!' and the one with the pout. You can see the pout a mile away!
I think she looks like Hobbes (from the Calvin and Hobbes cartoon)
Anytime S or I break out the face cloth to dampen T's hair to wash it, the crying and wimpering starts. Its rather pitiful. No parent wants to make their kid cry but you do need to have your hair washed from time to time.
I've tried being sneaky and I get "What you doing, Mommy?" Nope, that didn't work.
I've tried telling her that Phenix is being nice enough to let T use her shampoo to wash her hair. Nice try, but no.
I've tried having T help me bath Phenix. I thought that if I showed T that if a cat can stand there and get her fur washed, so can T. She ran away before I could show her how Phenix got bathed and then I had Phenix mad at me too. Phenix has ways of exacting revenge that make you regret bathing her. And well, let's be honest, reasoning with a toddler is generally not successful.
So I resorted to self sacrifice. Isn't that what motherhood is all about?
I told T that she could make Mummy's hair wet before Mummy's washes T's hair. She was all good with the idea until it came time to wash her own hair. Then the lower lip came out and away it quivered.
Well, tonight I tried having her sit with her head under the tap while I quickly wet her hair. That went quasi okay. Then she advised me, that it was Mummy's turn to get her hair wet. So I put my head under the tap and got my hair good and soaked. But that wasn't enough for T.
No, she had to use the milk jug/bath toy to further soak Mummy's head...after I'd already partially dried it off once. Then she rubbed my hair like I do when she gets her hair shampooed. Then to add further pay back, she dipped the facecloth in the bubble bath filled water and scrubbed my hair with it.
Not to be out done, Mummy exacted one last indecency...when T wasn't looking, I grabbed the shampoo and washed her hair. Not impressed. Out came the lower lip and bath time came to an abrupt and wimpering end.
Below are photos from earlier today. When I was on the phone long distance today, T decided to pull out every stitch of clothing in her dresser. Then when I was nicely folding them all back up, T decided to add insult to injury and raid her closet.
In the closet, she discovered two Hallowe'en costumes, a flower and a tiger. I got one at a yard sale and the other at a consignment sale. They are pretty warm for this time of year.
Below is T modeling the costumes. I think she looks better in the flower. The tiger is ever so slightly too big. She's not a fan of wearing things on her head. My favourite is the 'No way, no photos!' and the one with the pout. You can see the pout a mile away!
I think she looks like Hobbes (from the Calvin and Hobbes cartoon)
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Some photos and video
Friday, July 24, 2009
A Gryffin of another variety...
So we were having a relaxing morning of TV watching, when on came the Wonder Pets (read Mommy was checking her email and T was being kept busy with kids programming). Its a nice change for Caillou 24/7.
For those not in the know, the Wonder Pets are a trio consisting of a guinea pig (Linny), Ming Ming (a duck) and Tuck, a turtle. The Pets live in a daycare and all is quiet until the kids go home. They work together to save baby animals in trouble, who issue calls for help via a can/string phone. Yeah, really up to date technology. It kinda reminds me of that live action show that I watched as a kid that had a mouse named Matty and a guinea pig named GP.
If you set aside the talking pets, you often wonder how they discern the type of animal sending out the distress call....creatures like rabbits, who don't generally have a discernible 'voice' have one and Linny, the brave leader of the pets knows each animal's sound. I wonder what she could do about world peace?
Anyways, we were watching the Pets (T calls them Wunder Pits. Its even funnier when she says it with her fingers curled under her arm pits (like she's imitating a monkey), don't ask me why she does this. Suddenly, a distress call came in from a baby Griffin. Not our Gryffin, but the 'real' deal, like in medieval stories and on buildings. Complete with wings, fur and a beak.
Poor T, she couldn't understand why the baby Griffin didn't look like our Gryffin. She's getting better at understanding abstract things but she can't quite get how two things could have the same name but be different.
On another track, we were out at the Nature Centre earlier in the week where we ran into the same problem. Granny S struck up a conversation with another group on the same walking path as us. The grandmother in that group was from Montreal. Also in that same group were two young sisters, Sophia (the older sister) and Talia (the younger sister, just slightly older than T). In our group was a Sophie and a Talia.
Now Sophie/Sophia is a popular name these days and we've run into quite a few of each but never a Talia. Talk about a coincidence!
For those not in the know, the Wonder Pets are a trio consisting of a guinea pig (Linny), Ming Ming (a duck) and Tuck, a turtle. The Pets live in a daycare and all is quiet until the kids go home. They work together to save baby animals in trouble, who issue calls for help via a can/string phone. Yeah, really up to date technology. It kinda reminds me of that live action show that I watched as a kid that had a mouse named Matty and a guinea pig named GP.
If you set aside the talking pets, you often wonder how they discern the type of animal sending out the distress call....creatures like rabbits, who don't generally have a discernible 'voice' have one and Linny, the brave leader of the pets knows each animal's sound. I wonder what she could do about world peace?
Anyways, we were watching the Pets (T calls them Wunder Pits. Its even funnier when she says it with her fingers curled under her arm pits (like she's imitating a monkey), don't ask me why she does this. Suddenly, a distress call came in from a baby Griffin. Not our Gryffin, but the 'real' deal, like in medieval stories and on buildings. Complete with wings, fur and a beak.
Poor T, she couldn't understand why the baby Griffin didn't look like our Gryffin. She's getting better at understanding abstract things but she can't quite get how two things could have the same name but be different.
On another track, we were out at the Nature Centre earlier in the week where we ran into the same problem. Granny S struck up a conversation with another group on the same walking path as us. The grandmother in that group was from Montreal. Also in that same group were two young sisters, Sophia (the older sister) and Talia (the younger sister, just slightly older than T). In our group was a Sophie and a Talia.
Now Sophie/Sophia is a popular name these days and we've run into quite a few of each but never a Talia. Talk about a coincidence!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
All better, mommy! Boo boo gone!
Ah yes, the simplicity of a toddler's world. You sit on the potty, you get a sticker. You ask nicely for Caillou, Mommy turns it on for you. You get an boo boo, Mommy kisses it better.
In an adult's world, there is death, war, disease, happiness, joy and just plain life. There are days I wish I could turn on the news and see nothing but Double Bubble gum jokes, random acts of kindness and sappy stories.
But sadly, this is just not the case. We don't live in a world where kisses make every boo boo go away...unless you live with T.
Today, as we were negotiating nap time with T, I wanted to read just one book. Ha, ya right I should have known better. That one book turned into about five.
Alright fine, I said, I will read five books but all I ask is that I get to sit in my rocking chair as my back was a little sore. It was a little tender as I had to carry T through the various parking lots of our morning shopping trip. Apparently, the asphalt was too hot for her sandal footed feet.
No, Mommy was to sit on the floor. I tried my best whine and told T that Mommy's back hurt and she needed to sit in the chair.
Nope, floor - T pointed to the floor as if to add authority to her order.
But Mommy's back hurts!? I retorted.
T looked at me very determinedly and started to maneuver her way through the narrow passage way between her crib and the rocker. I thought for sure she was going to hide behind the chair to further draw out our pre-nap story time. But no, that wasn't what she had in mind.
About half way past the entry between the chair and crib, T paused. She reached over the rocker arm, lifted the back of my t-shirt, leaned over the arm of the chair and kissed my back. 'All better Mommy,' she said.
In T's world, a simple kiss makes everything better. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so I just went and sat on the floor.
Maybe T should go give the dictators of the world a kiss and the world would be all better. Not likely but she always makes my world better. She has her moments that make my blood pressure spike but far more often her actions make me just want to smother her with kisses and hugs.
p.s. She also gave Gryffin a kiss but it really didn't make him feel better as he ran away as soon as I put him down ;) How fickle is he?!
In an adult's world, there is death, war, disease, happiness, joy and just plain life. There are days I wish I could turn on the news and see nothing but Double Bubble gum jokes, random acts of kindness and sappy stories.
But sadly, this is just not the case. We don't live in a world where kisses make every boo boo go away...unless you live with T.
Today, as we were negotiating nap time with T, I wanted to read just one book. Ha, ya right I should have known better. That one book turned into about five.
Alright fine, I said, I will read five books but all I ask is that I get to sit in my rocking chair as my back was a little sore. It was a little tender as I had to carry T through the various parking lots of our morning shopping trip. Apparently, the asphalt was too hot for her sandal footed feet.
No, Mommy was to sit on the floor. I tried my best whine and told T that Mommy's back hurt and she needed to sit in the chair.
Nope, floor - T pointed to the floor as if to add authority to her order.
But Mommy's back hurts!? I retorted.
T looked at me very determinedly and started to maneuver her way through the narrow passage way between her crib and the rocker. I thought for sure she was going to hide behind the chair to further draw out our pre-nap story time. But no, that wasn't what she had in mind.
About half way past the entry between the chair and crib, T paused. She reached over the rocker arm, lifted the back of my t-shirt, leaned over the arm of the chair and kissed my back. 'All better Mommy,' she said.
In T's world, a simple kiss makes everything better. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so I just went and sat on the floor.
Maybe T should go give the dictators of the world a kiss and the world would be all better. Not likely but she always makes my world better. She has her moments that make my blood pressure spike but far more often her actions make me just want to smother her with kisses and hugs.
p.s. She also gave Gryffin a kiss but it really didn't make him feel better as he ran away as soon as I put him down ;) How fickle is he?!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)