Florida, Henry Loves You But You're Whoopin' Its Butt! Part 5

Dear Tantamoose,
Our last day in Florida Daddy I found Homosassa Springs on the map and we took off.  Homosassa is an animal wildlife preserve full of alligators, a variety of birds, fish, wolves, a hippo, a black bear and manatees!  When we arrived we got on a boat and floated down the canal to the animal park.  What a way to start out an adventure with you!  You helped me look for gators while sucking on a Dum Dum.  The park is set up on a circuit of deck-like pathways and bridges that take you to various animal habitats.  It is clean, completely accessible with no stairs (other than the little capsule one can climb into to watch the fish underwater) and kid friendly with various affordable snack stops and metal mesh that covers the handrails so you don't have to worry about your two year old climbing through and running into the bird poop covered habitat.  To say you loved it would be understating it.  The habitats are set up for maximum human visibility balancing the habitat needs for the animals.  

You loved the fish down in the underwater capsule, smashing your face against the window to see them as close as possible.  Next the path took us up over a bridge to see the manatees just at eating time!  They floated around trying to munch at the "salad" (heads of lettuce and cabbage) as you put it.  You  needed to hug the manatee sculpture.  

Moving on around the path we met a big hippo on our left and giant alligators on our right!  Oh you shouted at them, pointed and really became interested in the hippo as it climbed out of the water.  It was time for him to eat too..."grass" (alfalfa) and then to poop. 

Before we saw the sign other visitors warned us of the splash zone...hippos poop and use their tail to swipe back and forth and wipe it off.  We backed off and yes, with about 10 other visitors we waited for the hippo to poop.   What else does a 2 year old want to see?!  When he was done I made a noise and hippo made a very loud noise back that sounded like laughter Jabba the Hut makes.  You copied it a few times.  I was never really interested in birds as a kid but you really seem to enjoy watching them and knowing what their names are.  

The flamingos you knew right away and starting pointing out pelicans.  I think that is pretty 
impressive for a dude your age, but what really blew me away was when I wasn't able to find the name of this one pinkish bird.  I said, "Hmm, I don't know what the name of that one is."  You said, "A pink crane?"  No, but sweet that you were really thinking about it.   

You also became really excited about the black bear.   He lumbered around and splashed in the water for you.  He really captivated you...almost as much as the box put there to take donations for his upkeep.  

After the brown bear we returned to a pick up point...this time we took a little train back, there is no much that excites you more than a boat trip, lots of animals, and a little train trip except maybe the penny squasher in the lobby of the gift shop.  It was a wonderful trip and I would recommend it for anyone with children or with walking difficulties (they even had free chairs and strollers to use while there.)  It was such a relaxing fun day as a family.  Daddy and I love exploring with you!

 Love, Mama

Florida, Henry Loves You But You're Whoopin' Its Butt! Part 4

Dear Peep Blanket Bingo,
After the springs Daddy drove us to Daytona Beach to walk and roll on the sand.  The grains are so compact that Daddy was able to roll his chair out onto the beach with us.  It was really exciting!  You giggled and ran and ran as fast as you could across the beach, like a little water bug.  Its flat expanse sped up your ever-quickening strides.  You used your speed to chase the birds with me and Tantanoose (Daddy).  

You relished standing at the water's edge only to be reduced to jitters and howls when then cold water gripped your toes.

You also poked at unfortunate jelly fish beached and de-tentacled by the hungry pestering from the birds.  You pocketed a couple of seashells to bring back to Grandpa Tim and we pried ourselves from the sand back toward the car.  

"Tinkle Tinkle, Ding Ding, Tinkle!"  What!?!  A bright yellow ice cream truck drew closer from the horizon line to stop just in front of us.  Daddy and I flashed looks of excitement ordinarily relegated to 10 year old's rummaging spare change from their pockets. I leaped to Daddy's back pack for his wallet, this was no spare change priced ice cream truck. We purchased a 3 dollar Bomb Pop.  I've failed to mention your excitement!  I mean this is all about you, right?!  You ran up and studied the pictures on the side.  

After I purchased the Bomb Pop your mouth opened as wide as it cold and in it went and the world disappeared.  It was hard to get your attention and a word to cross your blue lips.   Wanting to take a fun photo I asked the driver if we could sit you on the steps.  Who would have know that this may have been the highest point of the trip for you?  You dangled your legs off the step and smiled happily.  The next few days you brought it up no less than 10 million times.  "Henny ATE POPSICLE ON THE ICE CREAM TRUCK!!!!"  

Yes, caps are certainly necessary.  You now talk so loudly we are constantly reminding you to pipe it down a bit and are playing the whisper game at least once a day to give our eardrums a rest.  Finished, we walked down the boardwalk then we returned home.  You were a sleepy dude and passed out as soon as your head hit the bed.  It feels like we are being good parents to wear you out with new experiences.  

AAAHH! What a wonderful family day this was!  I can't wait until our beach visit includes warm water splashing around!  Daytona has free beach wheelchairs on loan.  On our last trip as a couple we used a rental chair.  It was AWESOME to play in the ocean water together.  I can hardly imagine how much fun you would have doing this!  I should add, I know we would love to see our little dude splashin' around in the ocean as well.  Our dream.

Love, Mama

Florida, Henry Loves You But You're Whoopin' Its Butt! Part 3

Dear Hankster,
The next afternoon we went to De Leon Springs to eat at an old Spanish mill turned into a pancake place where you fix your own pancakes on the table in front of you.  It is a standard when we visit Grandpa Tim.  We had a wait so you were able to play on the playground a while.  Grandpa Tim even went down the slide with you.  With more time to kill we walked on the trails and then around the spring.  Grandpa Tim dipped your feet into the water which made you so happy.  You are so drawn to water.  You loved it!

We ate our pancakes.  They were so yummy but you wouldn't eat any of the pecan and banana ones I cooked for us.  You were tired already.  You were LOUD AND CLEARLY mad about something.  However, when a man next to our table showed you he had a five dollar bill I said, "Henry!  Who is on the five dollar bill?"  You said, "Abe-a-ham Lincoln."  We've been working on this but the guy was so impressed he asked you to do it again for his wife.  You also say George Washingtown for a buck or quarter which at times morphs into George Washinglinc.   At this point you were about finished sitting there.  You threw a piece of sausage at Trish, she was sitting across from Grandpa Tim!  

 I suppose you can see it on your face in the picture above, if you can't just click on it to make it larger.  You're disgust is written all over your face just as clear as the mole on Abraham Lincoln's face.  Even in the photo of you "smiling" the emotion is forced.
  After I recovered from death by embarrassment we quickly removed ourselves from the table and walked around the spring dipping our feet in at each set of steps.  In the car later we asked you why you were so mad.  You said, "I was mad at Mommy.  Henny wanted to sit next to Grandpa Tim."  !!!!  Huh?  Well that would have been easy enough.  Daddy told you to just let him know next time instead of getting mad.  It was pretty cool that you articulated how you were feeling.  Hopefully we get effective at teaching you how to do that more because clearly it isn't okay to throw sausage at other people (one of your two favorite foods).  After the springs we parted ways with Grandpa Tim and Trish and took off for Daytona Beach.  We stopped at Walgreens first to get some Tylenol because we were suspecting that your final molars that were almost through were hurting you.  We were right.  You were much calmer and in control the rest of the week.
Mommy is still learning how to take care of you and to read your signals when you can't tell me what is up.  I hope I keep improving.
Love, Mama

Florida, Henry Loves You But You're Whoopin' Its Butt! Part 3

Dear Hen-rida,
The next day we went for a long boat ride down the canal at Grandpa Tim's.  Together we spotted a larger sized gator and a then a baby alligator.  For me spotting a couple gators makes it a successful trip.  However, you decided you would spend the boat ride sitting next to Grandpa Tim rather than near me.  

Thankfully you did come and snuggle in close when the big gator was near.  

You made me so nervous how you climbed up on the seats or stand by the little gates!  I mean what don't you get?  It is water, you don't swim and there are gators everywhere!  Grandpa Tim suggested that we tie a rope to your life jacket to keep you in control, you weren't having that for very long.  Trish brought some plastic wine glasses and put some sparkling cider in it.  It transformed you into a high roller hanging out on your personal yacht.  You thought you were cool. 

     Cathy and Jim live just a few houses up the canal from Grandpa Tim so the next night we went to their house for one of the best dinners I have ever had.  Parmesan chicken, fancy green beans and I can't remember what else because I couldn't get past wanting more of the latter!  Cathy is quite a cook!
    Before dinner, Great Uncle Jim took you fishing for the first time.  You caught a shiner and a blue gill.   You nearly kissed the blue gill but abandoned the plan at the last minute.  

You loved tossing out the fish food into the water.  At one point you turned to throw in the fish food and we were surprised to see a baby gator sitting right there at the dock!  

You screamed out, "ALLIGATOR!"  Instantly that gator slid out of sight under the lily pads.  You didn't scare all the fish away though.  Daddy caught a large catfish that day.  He is super proud of his catch.  We took a "trophy photo" of Daddy, you touched the fish and Uncle Jim threw it back into the water.  

At this point of the day your mind had been sufficiently stuffed with new things and you were tired.  You were turning into a major grump and kept falling down any ole place saying, "Henny lay down in the grass, Henny lay down on the wood."  Dinner time came and you sat there pretty chill until after we moved into the livingroom.  I had to take you back to Grandpa Tim's due to outburst and you raising a total grumpus.  Jammies on and blanket in hand you laid down and you were O.U.T! 
Love, Mama 
*I want to make note that you are for the most part easy going and calm.  This was out of the ordinary.  So Daddy and I combed through it all and teased out that you were getting your upper back molar in the rest of the way and it was hurting you.  The next day we bought some pain medicine and you were back to yourself the subsequent day.  I'm really sorry that I didn't put it together earlier buddy.  

Florida, Henry Loves You But You're Whoopin' Its Butt! Part 2

Dear Hen-rida,
Arriving at Grandpa Tim's the next day you were very excited! You woke up when the van stopped.  Looking around to get your bearing you saw Grandpa Tim walking out of the house to snatch you from your seat.  You had the biggest smile on your face as Grandpa Tim picked up his Henry.  The minute we walked into the house they slipped on a life jacket...knowing how you like to explore!  With a pool, hot tub and canal filled with gators near by at the very least you would be buoyant.  The next morning Grandpa Tim and Trish took you for a boat ride down the canal.  You came back and told us you saw your first baby alligator, lots of birds and trees.  
That afternoon we picked up Daddy's grandma, Nanny.  She has an orange tree in her backyard.  After a lot of grunting and tries you picked your first orange.  You climbed down from Daddy's lap and started throwing dirt around joyfully.  On the way back to the car you declared that you love mud and want to play with mud.  I cleaned up your hands and we stopped to have an ice cream cone at a twisty treat, yet another larger than life object to take a photo next to.  Vanilla and chocolate twist dipped in chocolate in a waffle cone, the three of us happily shared it together.  

That night Mommy cooked some spaghetti with turkey for dinner and Cathy and Jim, Daddy's aunt and uncle, came down too.  Before dinner you danced around the pool in your life jacket dipping and pouring, dipping and pouring your little heart out watering the pool.  

After dinner Cathy read to you a little then they returned home.  It was time for you to cuddle on the couch with Grandpa Tim to watch a show about the jaw power of sharks.  You both fell asleep together at the same time, it only took 6 minutes according to the time stamp on the photos.  Sweet!  It was a big couple of days for such a little dude, and for a big dude too.  It was great getting to see everyone and enjoy dinner.  We are fortunate we were all there for a relaxing time together.

Love, Mama