Independence Day

We are quickly beginning to realize that being parents to a toddler is all about their "independence"...So when we went to Como Zoo to celebrate the Fourth of July, Collin was allowed to "plan" the day. Afterall, it was not only a holiday, it was also his first trip to a zoo!

We started out with a visit to the monkeys, which was a favorite!

Collin enjoys Curious George and absolutely loves to dance to the song "Do the Monkey" by The Wiggles...so naturally this was his favorite location for the day!We continued through the rest of the zoo, including the butterfly exhibit where Collin showed amazing restraint and did not try to chase the butterflies or touch the plants...Well, at least not too much....We spent some time with the big cats, the aquatic animals and the outdoor hoofed animals.

Not to be outdone, Collin grew "taller" to keep up with the giraffes by sitting tall on Daddy's shoulders.

Of course, being an energetic young man, we also spent time in Como Town, the small amusement park area for children. What was great about this space was that, unlike so many carnivals, the rides were almost all made for children his size. Even though it was a Holiday, the lines were also minimal so Collin could pretty much take a turn on any ride at any time. He loved showing off in his yellow sports car and really enjoyed the "choo choo" with his Dad!

We finished our day at the main grounds of the zoo with another trip to the monkey house to say "goodbye" before we moved to our final stop, the Conservatory. Collin really seemed to enjoy smelling the flowers (a new skill taught to him so that they were not pulled out by the roots) and he especially had a great time jumping along the stone paths and bridges that wind through the outdoor area.

He was not so interested in the guided tour of the Tea House, which in all honesty was more lengthy and extensive than any of us bargained for. As our overzealous tour guide explained all about how the Tea House came to be at Como, the tradition of Tea Houses, and the events held there at the Como site, Collin's patience began to wear out. He still handled himself like a gentleman, but it was clear that he was ready to move on...This was also clear of his Daddy, who slowly and subtly began to turn his attention from our guide toward the golf course that is directly adjacent to the Tea House. You could actually hear the golf balls being hit...I got the sense that both of my "boys" were done with the Tea House long before our guide was done with us!

All in all it was a very successful day. It was fabulous to watch Collin thrive in an environment with so many options to offer and decisions that he could make. Independence at its best!