We had such an amazing week and I don't want to forget any of it!
Spring Break was dedicated to Summer's seventh birthday (saythat7timesfast!) Tuesday we got a personalized tour of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo from Andy's friend from Bible study, Vern. He took us around in a golf cart, he had a "magic jacket" that had pockets with little hidden surprises. First, he gave the girls all zoo keys which are these little cards you stick into red boxes throughout the zoo for a recorded message. They cost $4 so I never buy them. I never buy them anything at the zoo! Then we went to Rhino house. We got to go inside to visit the keeper and pet and feed the rhinos. The baby, Jojo, and his momma were so nice, there are 3 other females and one bull. The male "bull" loved Andy and let him scratch his ears for like 10 minutes, relaxing, leaning against the bars, closing his eyes. Andy was in love and melted just like he does with cool dogs. we were a little nervous the rhino would like it "too much" but he didn't. The baby was so playful and cute and loved the treats that each of us got to feed it. So cute! Who knew Rhinos could be cute? Their horns are actually made of hair, and their skin is very sensitive, even though it's so thick. They were surprisingly clean and made the most unusual squeaky noises. The opposite of what one would expect from an animal weighing several hundred pounds... at birth!!
Then we drove next door to the Steffe Hospital which is usually a kind of unexciting exhibit. But it's always a welcome stop on any trip to the zoo because it's clean, new and air conditioned. They have displays of what the animals eat and their vet care. Not very exciting right? Well, this time they were performing surgery on a Grizzly bear! The full viewing window into the OR and video monitors let us see the whole thing! This 700 pound behemoth lay splayed on his back on the table, claws in the air, mouth full of tubes. Again a surprising display from such a foreboding creature. This was a fascinating lesson in modern technology, a reality check about the healthcare of the animals, and a feel-good experience! UNTIL... the bear died two days later! I saw it in the newspaper and was horrified! The kids will never know if I have anything to say about it, but I am traumatized! Talk about the harsh realities of life! Jeesh! By the way, the surgery was a vasectomy to remove pre-cancerous cells, and he died later from complications. One has to question the wisdom of the surgery so near the end of the bear's life expectancy. He probably would've preferred the cancer! R.I.P. Warren!
Finally, we visited the giraffes. Travis, the male was very playful and friendly. He stuck his head and neck right through his door and down into the hallway. We fed all of the giraffes from the top deck as they stick their necks out of the cages at the top. Their tongues are like 3 feet long and black. They wrap them around the treats or hay and grab it. Travis tried to eat my flower from my coat. I loved it! They love visitors and my girls were so excited. However, I think thoughout this experience Andy and I were more excited than the girls. Next time they're stuck behind a plate glass window, they'll appreciate the day they got to pet the giraffes and rhinos.
There was more but those were the highlights. Amanda repeated what she heard me say 100 times: "we got to go somewhere no one ever gets to go!"
Wednesday was fun for me to cook at the Village Food Project kitchen. Doing contact work with Bay girls was the original intended purpose for me, and that has been achieved I think. But I'm also learning a lot of cooking tips and bonding with some BPC folks that I need to develop relationships with. It's a long day, but so far it is definitely worth it. I like to get out and do something for and by myself sometimes. I hope I don't get in over my head with it. I'll have to keep that in check.
Thursday we had a few little friends over to play. That night we visited the Yunds at their house in North Olmsted. We lived with Brad and Darlene when we moved to Cleveland 7 1/2 years ago, strangers at first, and then lifelong friends, now with Grandparent status. We don't spend enough time together now, but when we do, it's as if no time has passed.
Friday we took Summer to meet Grandma for her annual birthday sleepover. She was exhausted and we didn't know if she could pull through. But in traditional Summer fashion, she pulled herself up by her bootstraps and made the most of it. Something I have come to appreciate about Summer is her ability to pull herself together and "stuff" her emotions when necessary. Now I know this can become a bad thing if one never expresses their true feelings. But I can't help but think this is a sign of maturity and self-control. She can stop a tantrum in the middle, wipe her tears, and smile through a tough circumstance. That has to be a good thing! She had several times this week with all it's craziness where she had to lay aside her whelming emotion/frustration and just move on and make the most of something. (i.e. when i said "no" to two things at her party, tantrums ensued, and could've potholed the whole party, but didn't.)
So I really appreciate Summer's strength. She is and has always been, a very special person.
Saturday, we had her birthday party. From 3:00-5:00 the girls crafted, smacked the pinata, and danced the night away. Just Dance II was the hit of the ball as all the girls, with or without a controller, followed the goofy characters on this Wii game. They were shockingly skilled at it! And, of course, 7 years olds don't have inhibitions, so that helps!
My parents came in town just in time for the party and left Sunday afternoon after Summer's traditional birthday lunch at Red Robin. That place is perfect for our family because my parents aren't afraid to start a meal with a milkshake! Their visit was too short and I find myself a little embarrassed to admit that, at 37 years old, I covet the attention of my mommy and daddy and don't understand why they don't want to be around me more. I think smoking comes between us, which is my fault for not being tolerant, and their fault for prioritizing a debilitating habit over a relationship with their kid/grandkids. They brought a dresser of Tutu's for Amanda. They always bring something fabulous! Including some surprisingly lovely clothes for me! Next week Dad will come back to drop off a new doghouse for Lucy. I wonder if he'll stay for a while. I feel like the projects he does for us bond us together.
Throughout the duration of the week I repainted Summer's bedroom. She wanted pink. One who really knows me knows how hard this was for me to stomach. I have gone from the anti-pink to painting Pepto Bismol onto my home's walls. I have succumbed to the cultural stereotypes of femininty. We used to have "Navy vs Pink wars" in college with the theory that some people, not necessarily girls, resemble the color pink in their personality and some resemble navy blue. I am close friends with both types, and appreciate the characteristics of both, but most resemble the less sensitive, more practical side of Navy. I've kind of been programmed in life to devalue the sensitive feminine types and the actual color PINK. But in the last 10 years, pink has become quite popular and because of that, and of course, the birth of three pink-loving girls, I have slowly been broken down. This is it, I've hit rock bottom of the pink spectrum. I am a full-fledged pink girl now. I might just start weeping and cooing over Hallmark commercials now. Oh wait, I've always done that!
Gotta go for now! Don't want Andy to catch me writing a blog!
