adventures with caleb

We had a great zoo adventure today with our little buddy Caleb.  I will be completely honest, I prayed....hard....for today.  I prayed that Caleb would warm up to me faster than his usual hour or more.  I prayed that he would be excited to come on this adventure with us!  I prayed that he would have a wonderful time and return home well worn out and ready for a nap!  (I know I was!)

So...I arrive at his home, and the front door is open for us.  I see Caleb...hold my breath (with a big smile on my face)...and much to my delight he is giving me a full grin!  Yes!!!!  "Hi Caleb!"  Wait....it's starting to fade.  Uh oh, he's changing his mind.  The head is turning....oh dear.  I got the head turn.  The one that says "if I look away from you, perhaps when I look back you shall be gone from my presence."  Okay...regroup and try again.  "Caleb!  Are you excited to go to the zoo?  Would you like to come and see the animals with me?  I sure hope you do because I want to show you my favorite...the gorillas!"  Ahhhh, he's coming back around.  We are a go!  (but I did have a cookie in my purse...just for backup.  that's right.  I'm not above bribing another person's child).

Everyone loaded up in the car...here we go.  Side note, I realize on the drive to the zoo that the initial reaction (HUGE smile) was due to a case of mistaken identity.  I was wearing a hat and down vest, and in that brief moment of time before I actually spoke...Caleb thought I was his Grammy!  I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I'll happily be mistaken for my Auntie Lorna any day.

It is at this time I shall let the pictures speak for themselves.  God is good.  His creation is good, He is good, and He blessed our socks off today.  No rain, amazing creatures, and three cheerful kiddos.  This was FUN!
Amazing. A zoo full of interesting, living, creatures and these three find the one tv.
The wolves den. Caleb was howling. Owoooooooooh!
These three. At the penguins there is a little den in the rocks. Noah went inside and starting roaring (cause that's what penguins do) anytime Caleb started his direction. A reprimand for scaring the little guy was on the tip of my tongue when...wait...Caleb is cracking up! Not only is he cracking up but he keeps going back for more. Loving these boys. Gideon has some good times ahead. Then they found the anchor. In an attempt to get them all to look at me, at the same time, I asked them all to say "anchors away!" Apparently that too was hilarious to Caleb. He repeated the phrase for the next 10 minutes. Gold.
I dare you to find a cuter turtle. He had to climb every rock in the zoo. "Caleb, show me how strong you are?!"
Finally...family farm. Let's go see a man about a tractor.

My favorite Caleb moment:  We are ready to leave the zoo, I ask Caleb if he'd like to ride in the stroller or walk out to the car.  He looked up at me, raised his arms and said (in that adorable little husky voice)..."shoulders".  Melt. My. Heart.  Shoulders it is little buddy.

Morgan, thank you for letting us take your little guy on an adventure with us. We had a really great time! Hopefully you got some much needed quiet time and work done.