You Belong In The Zoo...

Not the San Diego Zoo, (as the 80's song suggests,) but the Oakland Zoo! Nolan and I spent all morning at the zoo with our friends Jen and Caleb. We had such a fun time despite the fact that it was 100 degrees!. Nolan is very "into" animals these days. Although he'd been to the San Diego Zoo quite a few times when we lived down south and had passes, this was Nolan's first zoo trip that actually "impacted" him. We had been talking about going to see the animals all week and this morning when I got him out of bed I said "We get to see the animals today!" and he was ecstatic. I quite likely deflated some of that excitement when we stopped at Starbucks on the way there. The poor kid asked the entire time we were at Starbucks where the animals were. Oops!

Of course nothing compares to the "World Famous San Diego Zoo," but I was actually quite impressed with the Oakland Zoo. Since it was smaller you felt closer to the animals as you visited each habitat. Nolan's favorites were the "efints," "algators," "mukeys," "raffs" and goats. He squealed with delight petting the goats and brushing their fur. He also found it simply hilarious to try to cover them up with hay. We'll definitely visit the zoo again soon!

With the "raffs"

Big boy on a big frog

Brushing a goat

One Month From Today...

• Nolan turns 2!
• The new season of The Office begins!

I can't wait!

Oh Boy, Obama!

Seriously? Joe Biden? We here in the McCain camp are doing the happy dance since you practically shot yourself in the foot adding Biden to the ticket. There's footage splashed all over the news of your running mate stating (a few short months ago!) that you, Senator O, are too inexperienced to be President. What's even more curious is why you would choose someone who has gone on the record stating that your opponent, Seantor John McCain, would be a good President. Thanks for tipping the scales toward the Republicans, buddy.

Sharing Gone Overboard

Bingo! Lesson Learned!

Mamma Mia! And Other Female Fun

Trust me, if you are female you HAVE to see this movie! It's too much fun and will have you humming ABBA tunes for days. I don't get to the movie theater very often, but this week my friend Valerie from San Diego was here for a visit and we were able to swing a girl's night out. (Thanks, Todd!)

Tomorrow afternoon I am going to see a production of Les Miserables at the local youth theater. I've seen Les Mis three times, read the book four times and practically know the musical score by heart. Needless to say, I am a proud Les Mis junkie and have literally dreamt about what it would be like to play the part of Eponine on Broadway. (OK...back to reality!) However, I am quite curious as to how a musical adaptation "for kids by kids" will re-tell this story considering that one of the main characters is a prostitute. Should be interesting!

I didn't even bother to ask if Todd would like to attend the show with me tomorrow because 1) I knew he'd say no (he's "endured" Les Mis before,) and 2) Nolan needs parental supervision. Todd's simply not the musical type and that's totally fine with me. I do give him kudos, though, because when we were dating he saw Chicago with me. His response when I asked if he liked it? "It was great except for all the singing and dancing!"

To each his own!

One Crazy Summer

For some reason this summer seems particularly crazy to me. Maybe it's because we haven't been home much or it could simply be because we now have a very energetic and mobile child who is constantly on the go. Whatever the reason, this summer is flying by and it hasn't been as relaxing as most. As a student and then as a teacher, my summers have always been time to rest and enjoy life in the slow lane. Our summer has definitely not been slow, even though we are trying our best to rest. Todd's job has kept him busier than ever before. It seems I am running from park to play date to park again with Nolan. We've had quite a few visitors. We are still transitioning to life in NorCal. Things just seem frenetic and there's no "easy rhythm" to this summer season.

Of course we've traveled a good deal this summer, too. Thankfully, traveling with a child hasn't proven difficult for us, just different. I've always been a compulsive list maker, but now my "to do before we leave" lists are much longer and more detailed. I've become a "boy-scout packer"...including everything I could possibly need for any possible situation. Forget cleanliness...preparedness is next to godliness for this mommy.

Then again, this summer may feel especially crazy to me because I can no longer "keep up" the way I used to. I am 36 now and not as "lively" as I was ten, even five years ago. Who truly knows? All I know for sure is that I'm strangely looking forward to fall. No gearing up for fall this year. I plan to wind down.

One Hot Mama...

I swear that the heat follows me wherever I go. Last week we had 100 degree days at home and it was nice and cool down south. This week, while Nolan and I are visiting my "thrifty" and "air-condition-less for the last 25 years" parents in Orange County, it's in the high 90's. Right now it's 83 degrees in the house at 9:05. Todd said it was barely 70 degrees at home today.

Am I bitter? NO!!! Just clearly hot and bothered!