Saying good-bye to Summer

Thursday evening I couldn't get out of the office fast enough. With the promise of a day off on Friday, and plenty of fun activities scheduled for the last weekend before school started, I nearly ran to my car once the clock hit 5. I've learned to accept the statement, "if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans," even when it comes to the little things such as the weekend schedule. Flexibility and patience are all part of the parenting game. So, when it took nearly all morning to finish picking up and cleaning the apartment rather than the short hour I had anticipated only to find that the cost of the Pirate exhibit at the Science Center was twice what I had expected I quickly dug into the bag of available resources that St Louis has to offer for families searching for a fun activity. It didn't take long to remember we hadn't been to the Zoo in ages, or that most of the local schools were in session on that gorgeous afternoon leaving the kids and I crowd free! Score! So after a quick PB & J, chips and milk lunch we jumped in the car and headed down town. I knew with all of the St Louis Students back in School and summer vacation a distant memory for most, my drive home would be miserable unless I was well outside the city limits by 3:30, and I had to make a stop at the CH 9 Studio after 2:00 to pick up a flip cam. My tweet from my South entrance parking spot stated " Parking $11, drinks $5, an afternoon at the Zoo with my kids, Priceless!" I guess it was the $11 for parking that got me, but I'd pay it again when it meant making it into the Zoo with energy to spare compared to hiking a mile before the gates are even in sight. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. The afternoon was simply gorgeous after a week of cooler temperatures had finally blessed St Louis I was reveling in the warm sun and cool breeze, while being grateful that Mother Nature had decided to keep the humidity at bay for an extended period. And, I'd been right in assuming the crowds would be light as well, score two for mom! With a hand held in each of mine swinging excitedly we skipped from the parking lot through the south entrance and over to the first map available. Aware of the brief hour and a quarter left to enjoy our visit, I suggested we choose one section of the enormous layout that is the St Louis Zoo to visit that day. Not an easy decision when you want to see the lions and tigers and bears...(oh my) all in one day, and hopefully talk to a few elephants as well. Animals that do not share the same habitat or the same corner of the Zoo. The elephants won for this trip and as the "River's Edge" habitat was the closest to our location, and held several of their favorite friends, including Gloria the Hippo, (I'm sure Disney appreciates what it has done for the support of endangered species), we headed off in search of elephant tracks.

I have to say that I've been blessed. I don't know what I did to deserve it, and this is not me bragging, but I have two of the greatest kids I've ever known. Of course I'm tremendously biased, but the reminders from friends and family at how well behaved they are tells me I'm not imagining things. Their good behavior makes for many special moments in our lives. This afternoon was one of them. We followed one set of cemented footprints to the next. Stopping at each viewing station to see one after another African animal enjoying a lazy afternoon. Even the hyena was sprawled out in a cave snoozing. The kids tried to imitate his laugh to invoke a response, but to no avail. Lunchtime at the anteater pen found us in stitches as we watched the large gentle creatures search the young employee who had come out with the dish of food, eager to get to his meal. The long snout missed the dish entirely and seemed to believe his food could be found somewhere on the employee's face, in her pockets, or down her shirt.

We held hands, by choice, for most of our walk, swinging them back and forth as we'd hum through our Disney repertoire. Or they would run a few paces ahead of me as I stopped to snap a photo or two and muse over the odd behavior of an animal, but they never ran out of site and the slow jog always kept them well within my sight. Even our short detour through a small gift shop proved to be a fun experience. A few things were admired and remarked on,"oh mom, I think I need a set of binoculars!" Or "sssssssssssss oooohhh the snake is going to get you!" and even "oooh, ooooh, ooh, we NEED an umbrella Mom!" But my, gently put, "not today guys" and "maybe another time," were taken well and the desired items put down and forgotten. But such good behavior deserves a reward and my stomach appreciated the ice cream I did consent to buy for each of us. Two Frog Spit Push Pops, and a Chocolate Eclair bar. Guess which one I had. The ice cream arrived after we had finally made our way past the elephants, through the rivers edge, and back to our starting point.

Our stop to admire the 8 Asian Elephants included an informative chat with a helpful Zoo employee which fascinated me, but the kids were ready to finish up shortly after hearing me discuss the gestation period for a female elephant. It may have been the look of amazement and horror on my face when I learned that a female carries her baby for 22 months before giving birth and often longer, but they didn't want to hang around much after that. They were excited to learn that the Zoo will be expecting a new baby next spring though. We felt a piece of elephant hide and the kids noticed how thick it was, and were impressed that it had come from an elephant that once lived at the Zoo. Miguel carried on a detailed conversation with George, our Zoo Employee, about the size and shape of the elephant tooth George was carrying. Finally Anna reminded me we still had a few more animals to see before leaving and we headed on to watch the hyena snoozing and make a quick stop at the entrance gift shop that I had promised them. They even were happy to stay within our budget and picked a small animal carved from stone as a memento for our fun afternoon. Anna chose a frog that I gladly would carry in my pocket every day, and Miguel found a turtle that suited him well. Or, that could be my wanting to provide him with a reminder that slow and steady can be beneficial sometimes, rather than the energizer bunny state all day. A state I was enjoying the absence of that afternoon. In his defense though, I've been grateful to have a reminder that energy is a state of mind for both of us and he often rubs off on me when I need it most. Our gifts were purchased quickly and we were on our way to Ch 9 in perfect time, huge smiles painted on all of our faces. I'd never enjoyed the Zoo so much!

I was reminded once again how special they are when they sat quietly in the Presidents office waiting patiently for me to get the information and camera I needed. A fantastic day over all, and we even successfully avoided traffic going home! A fantastic way to end the summer.