Our dear girl has taken up a few nasty habits lately. One of them is doodling on things which shouldn’t be doodled upon. Even though she was disciplined for this one, I had to hide my laughter the entire time, and I still laugh when I look at it. I’m leaving it “altered.”
I’m not gonna lie–I’m pretty sad about this post. Probably sadder than I should be.
Last Monday, the kids and I were at the Minnesota Zoo. Somewhere between the bathroom and the Minnesota Trail, Anja lost Sherman. I didn’t notice it until quite a bit later, unfortunately. I’d been taking quite a few photos, so I just tracked back through them to find the last photo where he was pictured. We retraced our steps. No sign of him. We asked several people working in the area if anyone had turned him in. No Sherman. We left a description (even a little sketch) and our contact info at the Guest Services desk in case he turned up. I have called there four times in the past week to check. No Sherman.
He had been left at a small group member’s house for two weeks just prior to the incident, so Anja had already been “weaned” of him a little bit, so she isn’t too broken up about it. However, Husband and I aren’t so easily detached. We both experienced moments of stress (even a dream) about him in the days following his disappearance. I still get a little heart-sick when I think of him in a dumpster, covered with garbage, or in the hands of another toddler who won’t understand how special he is. He was the all-time favorite, go-with-me-everywhere, has-his-own-personality toy to Anja. I had planned on writing a book about him for her 4th birthday, which now may not even have any significance to her.
Sherman, wherever you are, we sure hope you are still being loved. We will miss you.
I’ve been thinking since, oh….2010 or so, that I should write a post with book reviews. Until I get to that, I think I’ll just keep taking shots of my kids reading. ‘Cause it’s easier. 
I love his little turtle neck. I love his neck, period.
And there’s that sweet eyebrow raise again.
Apparently I take after my mother in the French braiding department. Meaning: I can’t do it. Normal braids, I can do, but I can’t for the life of me get Anja’s hair to take a French braid. Maybe the hair is the problem? Since my mom couldn’t get one in mine, either, maybe she just has my kind of hair? Yeah, I’ll keep telling myself that. And giving her awesome other-styles instead.
slept in
had cereal and juice in hotel room
drove to Dale’s Donuts (****/*****) (so small they don’t have a website, but we found them!) – two cake, three glazed, all delicious! (cake donuts had a hint of vanilla)
had Whataburger (**/*****) (Texans call it “waterburger”) for lunch, split a bacon cheeseburger and fries. It was meh
Fossil Rim – fed lots of animals while we drove, took video, bought shirts for the kids
Off the Bone BBQ (****/*****) in south Fort Worth for dinner. Had brisket and ribs with potato salad, fried okra and peppers/pickles/onions mix. Super-good and cheap. These hole-in-the-wall restaurants have really cemented our opinion that they almost always do it up better than chains. A. Mazing.
came back to hotel
worked out at the hotel gym
watched “Pretty Woman”
went out to TGI Friday’s for late-night apps (potato skins, boneless wings, fried green beans)
bed
I always get the best shots of Husband eating. It’s kind of my thing.
So from far away these might look kind of like MN cows (dairy), but up close they are HUGE (and for beef). You know…everything is bigger in TX. 
I will spare you the embarrassing Blair-Witch-Project-style video from when a European Red Deer stuck its head in the window of my car, but let’s just say that my mom nearly emptied her bladder watching it. Good comedy. And a zebra pulled the same stunt with similar effects. All over there are signs saying, “These animals behave as if they were in the wild.” My foot. They are trained, because pretty much every car has bags of food for them, to walk up to your vehicle and beg. Wild animals DO NOT DO THIS.
If you haven’t had fried okra before, you’re missing out.
An accompaniment to my recent post. I snapped a few quick pics one night of things I’ll miss.
My boy riding his little “car” down the hallway, running it into this bench, then getting off and walking along the bench.
My quirky fridge with all its artwork (though obviously I hope to keep my new fridge covered with it, too).
My giant clock, since I can’t think of a single child-friendly place to hang it in the new house. I envision broken glass.
Another photo here. I feel kind of dumb for posting all these here, but since I’ve told y’all it acts as my virtual scrapbook, I hope you don’t mind. :)
I’ve been to San Diego a few times, and been to places like Richard Walker’s for pancakes (yum!), but why oh why did I never hear of this place (first place mentioned in the post)? I want every single one of those cupcakes. Aaaaaand…I now want to go on “dessert tours” with friends. Any takers? I really don’t mean to wreck New Year’s resolutions/goals here, but I can’t. help. myself.
Katie made some fabulous Valentines…my mind motor is whirring with ideas. Thanks for the inspiration!
Look at other people’s messes? Yes, please! As depressing as this might sound, it makes me feel so normal.
As I was informed by Gretchen, today is National Delurking Day. Meaning, if you read a blog but have never left a comment, “delurk” and say hello! I’d love to hear from you!
And have a happy weekend. We’ll be doing lots of celebrating around here. My boy’s 1st birthday party! Oh, and someone else is turning 31. But we don’t need to talk about that. ;)
