Sunday at the Dallas Zoo

This is Jack's last official day of winter break.  He's been back in the office off and on over the past few weeks, but classes begin again this week. The best part of starting back to school is Jack's recent letter from the Dean congratulating him on his assured recommendation for tenure.  YAY!  So today, we took the boys to the Dallas zoo for some play time and a look at the animals. The weather was perfect and the boys have been itching to get out of the house.

Walker fed the giraffe some romaine lettuce! The giraffe's licked Walker's hand. Walker's response?  "It's slimy, just like Charlie's drool!"

Jack and I are always bemoaning the fact that rental wagons at the Arboretum, zoo, Fair Park and elsewhere are expensive - about 10 bucks a pop.  We finally got wise and bought one of our own for the kiddos.  They love it.  We love it. And it sure came in handy today!

Then, for no reason at all, Charlie went ape. Crying, bucking, screaming - the works.  This happens more frequently than we'd like to admit.  It happened yesterday while we were at the park.  It happens in grocery stores, on play dates and in the car.  Sometimes he just goes off and we really don't know what's wrong or how to help him.  Hopefully these bouts and the screaming that accompany them will subside, but for now it's a big part of life with Charlie.





Mama suggested that Walker and Daddy take a ride on the zoo monorail while Charlie have some quiet time and a snack.  Soon, Charlie was happy and smiling as if nothing had happened.

There goes Daddy and Walker - they're in the last car waving like mad!

Then, Charlie got interested in Mama's scarf...

After three and a half hours of giraffes, elephants, alligators, monkeys, melt-downs, trains, tortoises, and a trip to the food court, we headed home.  Then suddenly, all was quiet. Jack and I enjoyed a sweet, silent half hour of driving and even had time to roll through the coffee takeout line on our way home.  Ahhhhh....

Mr. Greenman resumes classes at SMU this week.  

Doesn't he look dashing and professorial?