Zoo
Two weeks ago, I took a day off work and went to the zoo. I had the time coming – a couple of late nights meant my storage closet was full of unused overtime hours – and the forecast was beautiful. It couldn’t have been an easier decision.
The trip itself was notable for a couple of reasons. For one, it was the first real family outing of the new Woottons. Second, it was shared by not one family but two. Two close friends of ours and their lovely child accompanied the wife and I. I don’t think I’d be incorrect in saying that fun was had by all, children and adults alike.
My early morning found me navigating the twists and turns of downtown Baltimore, rather than the dusty haze of I-95. What greeted us was a parking lot simply bubbling over with minivans. Strollers lined the walkways as anxious parent after parent awaited their turn at the ticket counter. Our wait, while reasonably long, was pain free. There’s something about good company and the fact that I wasn’t sitting behind a desk that can make a wait tolerable, even pleasant, especially when accompanied by the morning sun.
I’m happy to report that our little tike was a little angel. He started his visit with hunger in his eyes and, after a little incident where we realized his nipple was clogged, he turned his focus from the tigers we passed to the bottle in his mouth. He soon settled down for a nap. A nap that lasted the entire length of our visit.
Their tike was similarly well-behaved. She, being about a year older than Cambell, was happy to take in the sights and sounds. Those right there are birdies. That’s a prairie dog. Go ahead and pet the goat. You know you want to.
It was great just to get out – both out of the house and out with friends that we’re always happy to spend time with. It certainly marks a transition. They were our couple friends. Now they are friends of the family. Heck, they are part of our family. Come on kids. You are coming with us.
