Danny is the perfect age for the Zoo. He loves animals. Monkeys. Giraffes. Lions (just ask him, how does a Lion go?..and you'll get a resilient...ROAR!!!!). And while he enjoyed seeing all of these animals, he was far more interested in what you ask? Well let me explain. Each monkey exhibit contains a toy ball and a big thing of water. Welcome Danny's two favorite things. Balls and Water. I'm not sure he even saw the monkey's. Every glass we looked through, was the most enthusiastic scream of "BALL and WATER".
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He was able to maintain that energy level throughout the day because he maybe only walked 100-feet while we were there. Spoiled little monkey had his Dad carry him around (Daddy.....Daddy....) the entire Zoo. Including the walk UP the giant hill to the Primates. God love David that he did it. We took turns, but all Danny wanted was "Daddddyyyyyy". Now, if I could only teach him to do that in the middle of the night :)
For Angela's actual birthday, we took Danny to his morning swimming lessons...and then a friends daughters Birthday Party. We thought Danny would get a nap in at some time, but that never happened, unless you count the time from the birthday party to BJ's, maybe 35-minutes? (By the way, we haven't had a nap ALL flippin weekend!)
David carried him all around BJ's. Seriously, I'm loving this whole "Dadddyyyy" business. Ok. I'm not loving it all of the time. Only when it works in my favor. All of the other times, it hurts my feelings. Immature, I know. But it's the truth.
After BJ's, we took the little guy over to Red Robin...ahh...where it all began. That's where David and I had our "blind date" lunch 9-years ago :) Danny was mostly good. Busy, as always, but really good. Such a great place for kids.
We had a low key evening at home. Dave's parents and Grandma stopped by for a drink, and then we watched the movie, "It's Complicated". I laughed. Dave didn't. He swears he liked it, but I'm not totally convinced.
Have I mentioned how lucky we are? Countless friends sent cards, texts, emails and called. Look at the beautiful roses Dawn gave us.
Today, we went to mass to remember Angela. Danny was really good. Dave's parents, his sister, and Noelle and Noah joined us. All were a pleasant surprise. This was the first mass that the guy from Zimbabwee or Botswana (I can't remember) wasn't there raising money for his mission. An act I totally support...but not when the whole mass (2-years in a row...2-different churches!!!)is all about donating money in an accent so strong I can barely understand! Danny smiled, and sat so well during the whole mass. The only time he really got a little rowdy was right during the intentions when they said Angela's name as Dave was walking him out. Go figure. She'll pay him back somehow :) Maybe trip him in front of his dream girl. Karma :)
Emotions are powerful. I think it is amazing that your heart can physically hurt from being so overwhelmed with sadness and joy. That is what Angela's birthday is for us now. We are so sad for the little girl we lost, but so overwhelmed with happiness at the little boy we have. So even though we are sad, and we remember Angela, it's almost more important to celebrate her birthday because she has given us so much to be thankful for, and we have hopefully become better. Better people. Better parents. More loving. More thoughtful. More caring. Grateful.
Happy Birthday Angela :)
