My Birthday (by Walden)

Yesterday I turned three! When I woke up there were balloons hanging from yarn strung around the kitchen and living room at Susan’s house where we are staying now. There were also noise makers and presents on the table. Mommy asked why we might have those things and I knew it was for a party because those are the things Thomas Train has on his birthday and Curious George has at his party. I was happy when I found out it was my birthday and that we were going to the zoo. I got to have candles in my waffle at breakfast. They were magic and even when I blew them out they lit again. Even Mommy and Daddy blowing on them couldn’t make them stop burning. What a fun way to start the day.

Susan helped me feed the birds

At the zoo in Fort Worth, we saw gorillas eating lettuce and celery, a mommy monkey carrying a baby, and lots of brightly colored flamingos right up close to the fence. There were rhinos sleeping in pools and many of the animals had large waterfalls in their enclosures. I liked climbing on the shiny statues of the animals and pushing the buttons on the exhibits to make the telephones talk. We heard the lion roar but weren’t there to see it. We saw pelicans playing with a stick to build a nest. I got to go into a place with lots of cockatiels and parakeets that were flying around and sitting on sticks where you could walk up to them. Susan bought me a special stick with food on it that I held out for the birds to eat. It was so great I didn’t want to leave.

I love seeing the world through my new magnifying glass

At lunch, we had a picnic and I got to blow out three candles shaped like animals. I also got a real magnifying glass as a present from Mommy and Daddy. I searched the whole picnic area using it to look for clues. We got to play on a slide and ride a train in the afternoon. The train took us from the end of the zoo to the beginning which was okay because we were all tired after six hours of watching animals. We had supper at Outback Steakhouse and I got a sundae with chocolate sauce and three candles to blow!

Me and Daddy on the train

Mommy and Daddy said it was a great day because I behaved so well. I’m learning to do that on this trip even though sometimes I get really tired. I’m learning to take naps in the car or stroller and sleep wherever we are. I’m also doing a good job trying new foods (salmon this week) and eating some vegetables like broccoli. I still love playing bubbles and going to the playground. I like to be tickled and chased but sometimes run and fall down. I like to use the IPad to play games or watch videos (Curious George, Elmo, and Minions are my favorites) but I only get to do that sometimes. I use my imagination every day, usually pretending to be someone we met or one of the characters in my books. I’m glad Daddy never gets tired of being the man with the yellow hat. He is my best pretending buddy. I sing all the time – ABC’s, I’ve Been Working on the Railroad, Old McDonald. I love to listen to music in the car. Right now the Sesame Street songs are my favorite. The one where Ernie brings a piano into the bathroom when Bert is taking a bath is best. I’m very curious and ask lots of questions, especially when I’m tired. I love when we go to the beach and I can play in the sand. Sometimes I like to hike but I prefer to ride in the stroller or the backpack on Daddy’s back because I get so tired on Mommy and Daddy’s ridiculous long walks. I don’t mind

I love blowing out candles

living in the Burro or someone else’s house. Mommy says I’m learning to be flexible. I miss my friends and cousins back in Wisconsin but am learning to make friends with kids I meet at the playground. I love visiting people with animals like cats, dogs, and guinea pigs but I don’t like when the animals lick me. Mostly I like to watch them. I still wear diapers but Mommy thinks maybe that is for the best right now while we are traveling. Mostly everyone at home should know that I’m very happy and healthy and having a great time with all of our adventures on this trip. I have my own journal telling about what we do at each place that I can show you when we get back. 

Love,
Walden