Hooray!!! The Zoo!!

The Days of Corona have certainly had their challenges. For a 10 year old kid, it's just plain sucked. Everything Pax had been looking forward to has been cancelled. Everything - his birthday party, little league, our first camping trip of the season, his spring crew trip, Water World, Elitch's, Lakeside Amusement Park, Avid camp, everything. On top of that, all the other things he loves closed - Denver Art Museum, Museum of Nature & Science, rec centers, swimming pools, state parks, national parks, playgrounds, baseball fields, and maybe worst of all, the zoo. As you know, Pax loves the zoo. His big dream is to one day create an immersive zoo "where all the animals live in harmony". It's such a lovely goal!

On Monday afternoon I checked my email and saw a notice from the Denver Zoo stating they were opening!!!! I nearly fainted! They were having two days of member only visiting with timed entrance. I quickly registered for a time slot, read all the safety guidelines and restrictions and told P I had a big surprise for him. Our day was Wednesday and out time was 12:45. It was hard not to let the surprise slip for almost 48 hours!

Wednesday came, we got dressed, hopped in the car and started heading east. When I finally told my little bear where we were going, he teared up and quietly smiled. Then he burst into happiness and shouted, "THE ZOO!!!!!!!" He was beyond happy and excited.

The day was magnificent. The weather was perfect. Even though there are strict restrictions, we had a most lovely time. We completely understand and appreciate how they are keeping not only the staff and guests safe, but most importantly, the animals. Primates & big cats seem to be the most susceptible  to Covid 19, so there are barriers and closures. Ok. Everyone has to wear masks, travel in one direction following arrows and marked paths, social distancing is enforced, all the buildings are closed, food can only purchased via card (no cash) and there are funny little roundabouts to help the flow of traffic of the limited number of people allowed in the park at a given time. All of this is 100% doable and reasonable during this crazy time. Good on ya zoo peeps for doing what you need to do!!!

Well, here are some moments from our wonderful day the zoo!!!!

The Big 10; The party that didn't happen

April 5th, 2020...

What an interesting time to have a birthday... In the middle of the Corona Virus/Covid 19 Stay in Place measure, came Pax's 10th birthday. We had planned a fun day at The Rockies game with some special friends followed by cake and ice cream and perhaps a little sleep over and watching The Sandlot. Needless to say those plans were thwarted.

So instead Shanw gave P a little birthday gift and we went out to use it. A new glove! Off we went to a very vacant ball diamond to catch and hit and throw and have as good a time as possible. Pax has been such a champ about it all. Truly. What lucky parents we are to have such an awesome kid who pretty much takes everythingin stride. He really is a good person. How we got the very best kid in the world, I don't know. Just so happy we did!!

We'll have cake and ice cream on Wednesday, his actual birthday, along with a couple of Zoom sessions; one with friends and one with family. He'll get the rest of his presents then. We also encouraged some friends to drive by in cars or on bikes to wave and say a socially distant hello. I know one family said they may try to get over and widewalk chalk in front of our house to celebrate. How lovely!!! We really have some awesome pals!!! I'll take pics then, but in the mean time enjoy the ones from today.

Stay happy and wash your hands!!