Who Needs Lions, Tigers & Bears to Have Fun?

While Tom was "working" during his second annual trip to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival representing his restaurant at Le Meridien, Lucas and I set out for the zoo. We went in the late afternoon to avoid crowds and in the hopes of finding lots of animals out enjoying the cool South Florida February breeze.

We ventured to Miami Metro Zoo's new installment, Amazon & Beyond, which is really impressive -- featuring harpy eagles, anacondas, and jaguars. And while the animals were fun (especially the monkeys), Lucas devoted most of his time to the new fountain. While at first he was skirting around the edges, he ended up soaked and loving it. I hauled him off nearly kicking and screaming...dried him off with my sweater, got him into a dry t-shirt and diaper, and offered a cheerios snack and we were all good.

The experience was just as much fun for him as it was for me to watch, living vicariously through him -- I smiled remembering how my mom would NEVER let me play in the cold water because I would undoubtedly catch pneumonia. I hope she was smiling down watching Lucas too...who, astonishingly, as of now does not have pneumonia!

Mark Your Calendars: 3-31-09 Global Ban the "R" Word Day

March 31st, during the World Special Olympics, will mark the first Global Ban the "R" Word Day. I have made it a priority to stop everyone who I hear using it -- case by case, it has become easier to do and has brought enlightment and understanding to those who throw the word around unknowingly, and has brought me personal satisfaction...doing my own little bit to make the world a more accepting and loving place for Lucas and others like him.

The majority of people who use it, don't even know what they're really saying since it's become such a part of today's vocabulary, and the funny-sad thing is, they never see the connection between their words and Lucas.

Won't you please join us in never using that word and letting others who do, know that it is insulting and hurtful. Thank you!

I'm off my soap box for now...

Looks Who's a Big Boy...

So, we graduated Lucas to a big-boy bed. He was giving us a hard time getting to bed most nights so bedtime had turned into a nightly battle of the wills. Now, Lucas has a routine which includes milk, reading a book (or 5!), and snuggling up before drifting off to sleep. Here he is the first time in his new digs (thanks to Ikea, it was cost-effective, cute, and quick to set up).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lucas made me this big card (thanks too, daddy!) and wanted to share it and Lucas with you today...Happy Valentine's Day.

Ahoy

Before the new year, our dear friends, Kerra and Julio, took us out on their boat on one of the most spectacular days in Miami...the water was flat as a pancake, there was the slightest of tropical breezes, and the sun was bright and shining...we couldn't have asked for a more picture-perfect day. Krysta is pictured with Lucas.