With gorgeous weather and no school for Daddy (hooray!), we tackled today with vigor!

Daddy broke in the newest roto-tilling member of our family.  (Thank you, Dad, for the recommendation!  You’re right–this makes things so much easier!)

Then Bubbers paved the way for our next step…

… Steer manure!  (Thanks for this recommendation, too, Dad!)

“Mommy?” Bubbers asked, “Is cow poo-poos awive? Does it move?”

Then he ran off and grabbed one of his favorite tools.

“Wook, Daddy!  I’m measuring you!”

“Wow!  You’re so tall, Bubbers!!”

“Wook at this, Mommy!!”

“Daddy says it’s a chunky monkey!  Just wike Scooters!”

After that, we took advantage of the weather and went to…

… the zoo!!!

We had to wait in a very long line, because everyone else in the city had the same idea.  :)

But look!!!  The first blooms of….. winter?

The glorious sunshine brought out all the animals– the flamingos, zebras, gazelles, ostriches, giraffes, tapirs, wild dogs and sloth bears…

… And a sweet sleeping Scooters!

But the most beloved exhibit of all was that of …

… The hippos!

**Awed silence**

**Awed sleeping**

And a hippo to call your very own!

“Wook, Mommy!  My very own hippo!!”

Then someone woke up!

**Glazed stare into the camera**

**Glazed stare at Mommy**

Oh, look!

I see movement!!

And the glimmer of…  of…

… A smile!!

Welcome back, Scooters!!!

Then Bubbers took in a second helping of the hippos.

And Mommy took in a second helping of how cute her husband and son looked together.

Then took advantage of a conscious Scooters,

To introduce him to the wilds of Africa.

Then we moved on to the king and queen of the jungle.

And the Komodo dragons!  Bubbers was very entranced.

And after the elephant barn, he took a ride on baby Dumbo!

“Wook!  A baby Dumbo of my very own!”

What a great day!  We worked, we played, we walked in the sunshine!

And we enjoyed the beautiful view.  Life doesn’t get much better than this!

—-

p.s. We didn’t get a picture, but Scooters’ favorite exhibit was the penguins.  The cute little birds swam right up to the glass just at his level and he watched them swim and dive with great fascination!