Critterfest

Since it has been 110 all week we opted for some morning fun and afternoon air conditioning. So last weekend I took T to critterfest. Basically they turn the science spectrum into a mini zoo, they had all sorts of animals from dogs to camels, ponies, and elephants. We started by "petting" the ducklings and Tony held one, although I think he was squeezing the poor thing rather than gently holding it. We moved through the whole exhibit stopping to touch boa constrictors, giant turtles, hedgehogs and our big finale was an elephant ride! Wrinkles the rescued elephant took Tony and his friends Luke and Maylee around  a small section of the grass. I could hear Tony squeeling and saying whoaaaa the entire way around. And everyday since he tells me about about his fun and bumpy elephant ride.

We finished the day by watching a tiger show, it was sort of part circus and part tiger education but at one point the tiger didn't like what the trainer wanted him to do and he turned around and roared in his face and I think the entire audience (and the trainer) jumped. It was sooooo loud and for a minute I was a little scared for the trainer. I started wondering what kind of mayhem would break out if things went south, but of course nothing happened and the show was very entertaining. We finished up our HOT saturday with a yummy snowcone and a long nap!!!

Karate Chop

So when Tony turned 3 I thought he might like some type of martial art but all the studios here don't start teaching until 4 years old. Makes sense, 3 is pretty young for them to undertand the idea, but then I saw a summer program through a community center for karate tots. Only 30 bucks and no uniforms. I thought "perfect" it will be a fun Saturday morning teaching basic karate moves in a kid friendly environment. Or maybe not. We had missed the first class so I arrived early and asked if we could watch. The class was only 4 other boys and again I thought "perfect" lots of one on one. Let me say I undertand marial arts are serious and teach disipline and respect -both attributes I would like Tony to undertand but this guy was a bit harsh. He started simply enough by talking about the colored belts and how karate can help you in everyday life and even had some funny names for a few of the moves, but then he proceeded to bark out positions like these kids were supposed to automatically remember from last week. At one point I asked T if he wanted to stand near the back of the class and practice with them but he shook his head no and gave me the "big eyes" None of the other parents had any reaction so I thought I was being overly sensitive but near the end he wanted to teach a kidnapping hold. He was "trying" to demonstrate on a boy but the poor child was not following instructions or understanding (or maybe he was terrified) and the teacher was getting so frustrated he finally gave up and let the kids play basketball for the last 10 minutes...Huh Although it was the only time the kids looked like they were enjoying themelves!
Afterwords while we were driving to the park Tony said "That guy was mean I don't like karate." And I had to wonder what those other 4 boys said on the way home.
Maybe this was his first attempt at teaching or maybe I have no idea what to look for in a good teacher but I felt like it was karate boot camp instead of karate tots. I believe we will wait until Tony turns 4 and try again at a reputable place.

Happy to be home

I recently took a haitus away from Lubbock to visit my sister in Denver. I was able to sleep in,  not do any chores, laugh, hang out with my nieces, shop, and just simply relax from everyday life. While all of that was fantastic my heart literally ached for Tony. I would look at pictures before I went to bed and send prayers for him as soon as I woke up. I felt like every 10 minutes I was thinking about him and couldn't help but blurt out random facts about you. I have been away from T before and I am a believer that time away from your kids makes for a better Mommy. Even though I knew you were safe and having fun with Daddy for some reason this time seemed harder, blame the prego hormones but I have never been so happy to pick you up. You squeezed my neck so hard and told me over and over how much you loved me and missed me. And it was everything I needed to hear!