More Conversations With Evan

On School: "I want to go to school! Mama, can I go to school?" As we're doing an errand and happen to be driving on the street that leads to his school.

"What are my people doing?" After talking about his school and new friends and teachers.

On family relationships: "I need my daddy. He worries about me." He brings this up suddenly out of nowhere as he starts thinking about his daddy, who's driving truck in another province.

On ducks: Oops. No, wait. There's no talking; only a lot of running and chasing and squawking and flapping as little boy takes off after a flock of ducks at the zoo and they get out of his way.

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Yes, we went to the zoo today. It was so much better than before. This was totally spontaneous (unusual for me), but it was such an unexpectedly sunny warm day, and Evan started talking about the zoo. This led me to remember that I told him over a week ago that we would go today if the weather was good. So, in the middle of errands today, we just took off. Now, this means an hour and a half drive, each way, to get to this zoo. I explained the logistics to Evan, and he stated that it was acceptable, so we went. He had a nap, I totally vegged out on the drive (yes, I'm sure I was speeding too); it was such a beautiful fall day that I had a better time than I imagined I would; Despite the handful of temper tantrums that are inevitable with Evan right now. Good time; bad food. And yes, Evan got to feed the bear again. In fact, he was first in line, but as he looked around for me he lost his place, so he was actually second to feed the big bear. The bear that stands 7 feet tall. He would have gone again, but it was getting late and there was a long line of children, and I thought they might enjoy feeding the bear themselves, rather than just watch Evan doing it again and again and again.... That child knows no fear! I briefly lost track of him at the gibbons (they're my favorite primate) and saw him a good 50 feet away from me, balancing on a fallen log.

And when I asked him what his favorite animal was, he said "All of them." A very good day. But I think I've had all I can take of Avril Lavigne for now (his musical choice on the very long ride back).