the phx zoo (w/ friends + fluoride + vomit)

so, thanks to my sweet work schedule, i have been enjoying a ton of days off.  really, i have learned the art of being a stay-at-home dad.  for once, i have done (almost) everything around the house, with the exception of mopping the floors (i can't stand the smell of vinegar, and my futile attempts to illustrate the power of pine sol by doing a modest impression of that black lady on the commercials ultimately leads me nowhere).  i was going to add that i haven't done the laundry yet but that has just changed a few minutes ago.

while Stefani (who has yet to write in this blog) and i had a day off together, we decided that 75 degrees and sunny sounded like a good idea.  and, since we haven't been to the Phoenix Zoo yet, she had put two and two together and, with a little side-trip to our favorite Scandinavian furniture warehouse, we had what was going to be a pretty awesome day lined up.  and so it began, after two screaming kids survived the dentist.

figure 1. family on safari train

after a few stops on what i've determined to be my lifeline (while Google Maps still calls it I-17) for some snacks and water, we made it to the zoo.  thankfully, naptimes were accomplished in accordance with our scheduled time of arrival, so the fussiness level was more than acceptable (i will note that Hammer's lack of smiling in this image is because of contractual language in his collective bargaining agreement which states he is not required to smile for all pictures).  and, thanks to our new stroller, the two-baby outing experience has been made much easier.

figure 2. happy Kenzi

the kids were loving the zoo.  in fact, there was a lot of zoo loving going on.  so much that our friends who we refer to as PB+J (now with a C) had, without our knowledge, came to the zoo as well.  so, after figuring out where they were, we enjoyed the zoo with them and their new addition.  ironically, we were going to stop by their house on our way up my lifeline to say hi to their new baby and drop off some sprinkles cupcakes, because who doesn't love five dollar cupcakes?

figure 3. Thomas and Hammer enjoying the giraffe exhibit

since we're really not the best gift-givers (in fact, we rarely buy each other gifts), we wanted to spend some time with our friends and take them out to dinner.  now, if you've never been to the Rustler's Rooste, you have to add that to your to-do list.  in a nutshell, it's a cowboy place (like Rawhide) without all the show business, and more fun.  in fact, so much fun that they have a slide next to the stairs that lead you from where you enter the restaurant to where you eat.  i remember when i was a little Roy when we would drive out to the Rooste and the only thing i remembered was the slide.  fast, shiny, and fun. 

this is dragging on, isn't it.  well, so zoo. yes, we went. friends, definitely. vomit?

while we were on our way out of the zoo, i was about to make a comment about how our Kenzi has yet to have a 'reaction' to formula (read: spitting up).  while i was about to vocalize my thoughts near the exit of the zoo, Kenzi decided she wanted to toss her cookies.  then, a few minutes later, she did again.  and more in the car.  then at the restaurant.  then again in the car.  and again while i ran some returns into Ikea.  then again on the drive home.  then when we got home.  

never-ending vomit.  poor Kenzi.  she's not feverish, and when she's not blowing chunks, she's smiling, playful, and her usual self (see figure 2 above).  i figured she had some stomach bug since she had no signs of an infection, and our call to our pediatrician's nurse line confirmed my pre-web md hypothesis.  right now, she's cudding Stefani in bed, keeping warm, and vomit free for the last two hours.  i'm thinking she's done, but we will see in the morning.

i remembered wanting to pack extra clothes for the kids in case of an accident, and failed to do so.  now, i'm going to have to pack an extra set for me, because, as delicious as the Rooste is, nothing makes you more uncomfortable when your clothes are soaked in vomit.  thankfully, the zoo (which already smells like poo), our great friends, and my loving family could care less.  after all, what's a little vomit between friends?  ever do the milk challenge?