No Expectations

The zoo was a lot of fun.
In order to capitalize on the fun, I've learned that the best way to enjoy an outing is to go into it without any expectations as to how the day will go. Sure, I plan some aspects of the trip, but the boys are their own people with their own likes and dislikes, which shocking as it may be, may not be the same likes and dislikes as their parents. And as you know, the likes and dislikes of the toddler set are a constantly changing force in themselves. You never know if what they liked last time will be the same as what they'll like this time. If I got all worked up about what I thought we should be doing/experiencing at every single moment, none of us would have any fun.

So I try not to get worked up any more. (While I am not always successful, I am getting better.) Anyway, we direct the boys to things we'd like them to see, but we do allow them the chance to do what they want to do also.

Take for instance, what each boy enjoyed from yesterday's adventure:

For Shawn, he enjoyed playing in their grass the most. That was what he wanted to do the moment we strolled through the gates until the moment we left. He wanted down so he could explore, and to him that meant being on the grass. He also discovered a gopher hole, which was very fascinating. (We tried really hard to not think about how expensive him visiting grass was yesterday.)

For Jason, I think one of his best moment was learning that bathrooms can be called restrooms. That has carried over into today, as I have told him every single name I can think of to call a bathroom. He also enjoyed trying to stand on one leg like the flamingos, eating the hot dogs & fries he had for lunch (which were gross!), and examining all the "wild" rocks! and "jungle" stairs! he saw along the path.

Sigh. People, I can't make this stuff up.

It was Jack's first time at the zoo, and he is only one. Imagine our surprise that he enjoyed pulling on my hair and taking off his hat. He watched the people, laughed at the kids, and occasionally glanced in the general direction of an animal I was trying to make him see.

So much for animal watching, right? lol

Wait...

Shawn did enjoy the animals. I almost forgot! Of course those animals were of the cookie kind, but still.

That is something!

What we do may not always be the picture perfect experience, but it is our experience. That's what makes it fun.

In the end, I think we still had a well rounded zoo adventure. :-)