The SAZoo

Lots of people love the Long Beach Aquarium or the LA Zoo, but we seem to migrate to the Santa Ana Zoo when we're looking for a good time. It's uncrowded, tiny and walkable, with a terrific playground, a train, a merry-go-round, a rain forest and the coolest maze (pictured here with ropes). There's also a shack that has Indiana Jones style costumes and all kinds of insects, paw prints, and manipulatives. The animals are from the barnyard, or else mostly of the monkey variety, although there is a pretty fascinating giant porcupine and a colorful and chatty macaw. As you can see, whenever we go to SAZoo, we have fun!

Dear Shyla

Dear Shyla,

Today there was a slim possibility you might meet us at the zoo, and I was prepared. Unfortunately, you couldn't make it.

Please enjoy these tokens of affection I spent the morning creating. I have not loved a girl since fair Chelsea, who no longer attends La Primera, having moved on to the older boys now that she's at elementary school.

Whenever I see a princess, I think of you Shyla. It doesn't even matter that we're like second- cousins-once-removed. I love you.

Your Prince Philip,

Luke

Aunt Jamie and the Kidspace Museum

Today we hit the Kidspace Museum with Aunt Jamie. Not only is Aunt Jamie fun to be around and always up for an adventure, but she spoils Luke with cool things. Inflatable Batman, Monster Bender, or Legoland tickets, she's Luke's "sure thing".

Thanks for the fun time today Aunt Jamie! Luke especially liked climbing up the river waterfall, playing the drums with a water gun, and the bike track (pictured here behind you guys). We can't wait to hang out again soon!

Let's Get Spiritual

Lately we have been praying to Jesus before bedtime, and it feels good. Luke says, as he lays down to go to bed, "Let's pray to Jesus." This has come out of his fear of Halloween. All the monsters and ghouls have him in his annual dither, and so we ask Jesus to send Guardian Angels to sit by Luke's side while he sleeps. This is a strategy my parents gave to me when I was young and had bad dreams... and whenever I prayed, it ALWAYS worked- no bad dreams. True story. So, we're bringing some faith back into our lives and keeping the monsters at bay. We are also remembering, as Thanksgiving looms, to be thankful for the gifts in our lives. Last night Luke told Jesus he was very thankful for all his toys. Lord knows he's got enough of them!

Nate's Favorite Toy

The dryer is Nate's favorite pastime. He can stand at the open dryer door for hours, trying to climb in while stuffing his mouth with socks and shirts and underwear. Lucky for him, it seems like we are always doing laundry, and lucky for me, I am home now to enjoy his squeals and shrieks of delight as the dryer door opens.

Present Gift

Some time ago, Luke invented a game called "Present Gift". This game consists of him packaging various toys in different ways, and then giving them to me, pretending it's my birthday. Then, I am expected to reciprocate.

I love Present Gift, because when Luke opens his power rangers stuffed into an old shoebox, he always exclaims, "Oh! I love it! Thank You SOOOO much Mommy! It's just what I wanted!" I figure it's good to practice such graciousness.

Today he made 4 gifts for me, and he was taking forever. I tried to go into his room, but he screamed, "STOP! I'm making your cards!" Sometimes we include cards, and I usually pretend to read them, "Dear Mommy, Happy Birthday, Love Luke" or some such thing. Today, Luke made an artsy card for each of the four gifts, and as I opened the first one to "pretend" read it, I noticed it said "MOM". So did the other 3 cards.

What a sweet present gift.