That baby orangutan is silly

Como Zoo is a "free" (they ask for donations) zoo in Saint Paul and in my opinion is a million times better than the MN Zoo. Granted the variety of animals is smaller but you can actually see them unlike at the MN Zoo.

We went with Nana and Papa back in April and Taye loved the orangutans, especially the baby one, "he had box on his head. Mama that baby orangutan is berry silly" in the words of Mateo Falbo. BTW, if you ask him who he is he says "I Mateo Falbo" its adorable but I digress.

Ever since that baby orangutan episode he has literally been begging to go back. Like, hands folded while saying "peas mama...I go see baby orangutan?"

So after the incredibly long MN winter we had, Mother Nature thought what the hell and gave us an incredibly dreary and wet spring. The weekend we went with Nana/Papa was only a tease of nice weather because Mother Nature is cranky like that.

So last week or the week before (I can't remember a darn thing these days) we went back to Como Zoo and just our luck they also had a new gorilla exhibit open. Taye was in love with all the animals and this time we got to see the orangutans outside! We also got to watch that silly baby poop!!! If you ask Taye about the zoo - that is the first thing out of his mouth - "we saw baby orangutan poop...that baby silly"

Hangin' with Dora and Diego

This year our winter lasted for freakin' ever. We thought toward the end of February Spring would be right around the corner...we were so wrong.

Anyway - toward the end of February we took Mateo to the MN Children's Museum. Every third Sunday of the month is free and this particular weekend it was packed. It was a Dora and Diego display (last time was Curious George) and it was awesome. Take a look:

In Dora/Diego's spaceship

 

Father's Day at the beach

Yes, you read correctly. Joe suggested the beach as something to do for Father's Day. I about fell over and quickly pulled together snacks and a cooler.

Joe is not a fan of water. He didn't grow up around water and can't swim. On the other hand, Lake Beulah was Amy and my second home as kids.

We went to Carver Lake Beach and it was amazing. The beach was gorgeous and Mateo loved it. He showed no fear and splashed, sat down and dunked himself for about two hours. After some snacks, it was back in the water and even Joe mentioned that he's going to buy some swim trunks. My heart melted when I heard that!

After the water we went back up the hill to the playground which was fantastic. Mateo is getting really good at climbing and Joe and I are learning we're old as we climb up the jungle gyms after him!

Mateo fell asleep about 30 seconds after he was in the car and then proceeded to take a two hour nap. To make Father's Day even better, Joe went all by himself to Menards and Gander Mountain to "just look."

Mama and Taye's week of fun....or not

So I'm back again...I'm making it a priority to keep the blog updated regularly so if nothing else we have a place that documents life as it happens.

Back in February our daycare provider took a week off so I did the same. Taye and I were going to have fun and have play dates but life had other ideas. Like I would get the worst cold known to man which would make me lose my voice. Has anyone parented a 2 year old with no voice? Yeah - he knew he had me :)

Monday we had snow and ice so we bundled up and went outside to shovel. I noticed some black smoke and thought it was the road behind ours. Nope - neighbors house down the way had a car fire. I felt so horrible for them but Taye got to watch the firetrucks and they even honked and waved at him so he felt special. And this I'm assuming is where the cold started.

Tuesday was a trip to Walmart so he could walk up and down the toy aisles and I could lean on the cart because kiddo needed to burn energy. Wednesday I felt better so we headed to the Mall of America to see the Sea Life aquarium. Not worth the money at all once he stops being free...not at all. When we got home from that, I lost my voice and the rest of the week is hazy...Taye was a champ though and took great naps so I could too!

Here are some pictures from the aquarium at MOA - seriously though, unless you have super, cheap tickets, find a real aquarium.

 

And so it begins!