It came to the point when we had a surprise or I would try to build up doing something fun, it was an immediate letdown because we weren't going to the zoo.
Finally, giving in to his pleas, I purchase our tickets through work. Just 2. One for me, one for SBR.
Sunday night as I tucked him into bed, I whisper the exciting words before I say good night.... Tomorrow, Buddy, me & you are going to the ZOO! Squeals and giggles meet my expectations of happy thrills!
The next morning comes bright and early... Nooo... it's raining. I assume like any other 'rainy day' in the desert this will let up in about an hour or so. Two hours pass. The rain is not letting up. This is going to be one of the 3 For Real rainy days of the year.
Of course it is.
Really, all SBR kept talking about seeing at the zoo was the Snakes and Spidas. So I thought quickly and located a reptile store about 15 mins away. You gotta love the blind innocence of a three year old.
We're going to a Snake store?? Yep, we sure are... No... we going to a Snake Store ZOO!! Sure thing, Bud.
We loaded up in the van and off we were. First stop.... breakfast!
Growing up in a town that has theee best bakery, EVER, it seems many good adventures started at the bakery. Sometimes the bakery was the adventure. So I followed tradition.
Next we went to the Snake Store Zoo. I'll admit, it was not exactly what I had envisioned. Nor did the employees seem to find it clever or cute of me to bring in my sweet little SBR. But... guess what? I promised my boy a date to see snakes and spidas. So, here we are fellas and we aren't leaving for a while...
The employee really didn't find it cute or amusing when we had to use the potty. It was pouring down at this point, "There is no public restroom here." As I look at the sheets of rain coming down over the parking lot, I play out in my head, literally dragging SBR out, dealing with the tantrum as I throw him in the car, (suffer a moral/safety dilemma about fully and properly buckling him in) to drive across same parking lot to a gas station. As if he saw my little saga play out as I did, the guy behind the counter quickly agrees to let us use the store bathroom. He reiterated it was "not for the public." Geesh, I get it... oh... myyy... wait..... as we walk passed the little white rats (also known as snake food), around a table next to about 12 cages of other dinners (various bugs) and into the bathroom, I really get it. Boys who run reptile stores are not clean. Gross. I very clearly and forcefully advise SBR to NOT TOUCH ANYTHING. This is one of those few exceptions we skip washing hands.
We spend the next 40 minutes or so in the store. As obsessed with spiders as he is, he is sure scared of them. He did not like looking at them at all. In fact he avoided their aisle completely. (there were only 3 aisles to begin with)
He was fascinated by the snakes and unaffected by the turtles, frogs and lizards.
After we left the reptile store, we headed to the book store. My plan was to buy him a snake or reptile book. The only book I could find was one about a snake who no one wants to buy at a pet store. I decided against the book. The last thing I need SBR to think about is getting a pet snake!
After the book store, SBR and I ended our date with lunch.
What a fantastic day!
I sure do love our boys, Mommy dates are a must and a fast favorite!
I can't wait to plan our next one!
