Over the summer there was a baby elephant born at our zoo.  This is not the first time but last year I never made it to the zoo while the animal was still a baby and I wanted to see this one! We made plans for a picnic and planned it for one Friday night so we could leisurely listen to the weekly  scheduled band play too.  Magical planning! We were going to mark three things off our summer list in one big bang and, as a working mom, that is more valuable than I can communicate.

Turned out it we were late, it rained, and we had the opportunity to meet friends so we didn’t sit near the band (so we could hear each other talk).  We DID see the baby elephant, though.  I was just thrilled.  My kids were less than impressed.
I used my sister as inspiration for a photo (Aunt Anna would love to see that baby elephant. . .and you guys) and then I turned into that mom saying, “I am 42 and I have never seen a baby elephant! You guys are all under 10 and you have seen a baby elephant! Do you realize what a privilege we have to live near such a wonderful zoo where we can come any day for free and see such amazing things? blah blah blah.” They didn’t even flinch – I am sure it’s just food for therapy one day.

Enough about me. . . isn’t that a precious baby elephant?

This guy right here.

This guy is the man of the hour. He drove our old van to the dealership and spent the day getting this (and he thought to take a photo!!!).

We had an amount we could spend and at the end of all the talks he was $7 over the amount we had said. He looked at the guy and laid it out for him. The guy tweaked it till the final price was within $.78. I love that story.

So, it’s out with the old and in with the new:

Honey got home and the kids went crazy.
Bubba said (in his monotone voice),” Wow. This is way cooler than our other van.”
KB said, “AWESOME.”
And Little said it best,

There isn’t much to say here.  We were celebrating a friend’s birthday and Bubba was sitting alone on the bench eating his cake with purpose.  This little guy saw a kindred spirit and climbed right up to join him.  Yes, people, this bench is where the serious work was being done.  No conversation, only comfortable silence and consistent chewing.