Zoo Lights

Friday morning, the 21st found Tate with me at my doctor's appointment to get my cholesterol checked.  He did fairly well staying a little quiet.  This is an office that never has children in it;  I've never seen a kid there during one of my appointments, and I've been coming for 5 years.  But I didn't want to take him to daycare for what would be a 20 minute appointment...I just love being with him.  Even when he's being ornery and uncooperative.  So with me he was.  Quick check by the doc and a little prick on my arm and we were done, no muss, no fuss.  My results came back yesterday.  My cholesterol is firmly ensconced in the lower numbers   158, down over 50 points.  So yay!  But I need to do this without medication!  That's my goal for this year, to be off Lipitor by next Christmas.

I then jetted Tate off to daycare so I could go have a scrumptious 90 minute massage by the fantastic as always Jane at The Motherhood Center.  My back has  been hurting so very much it's indescribable.  I'm miserable sometimes.  I really need to have this checked out;  a few weeks ago it was noted from a chest x-ray that I have arthritis in my back, so I need to delve further into that.  Add that to my extremely long list of things to do to take care of myself.  So the massage was just what the doctor ordered for now.  

As Tate was just *supposed* to be going down for a nap at school when my massage ended, I ran to the grocery store to get my Christmas groceries after grabbing myself some lunch.  After I unloaded the car I was ready to pick up Tate.  Just as I was walking out the door his teacher texted me to tell me the kids were getting ready to watch 'The Polar Express' and could Tate watch it?  As he's still not allowed to watch tv with the exception of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Curious George and Thomas the Train (and only on weekends and in extremely limited amounts) everyone at school is hyper aware of my not allowing him to watch any programs there.  However, in September I decided to let him watch 'The Polar Express' because of my plans for us to ride the Polar Express this December.  Well it scared him to death.  He lasted all of 10 minutes.  I was really surprised.  So, I texted his teacher that no he could not watch it, and I was on my way to get him.  I got there and poor Tate was all alone in his classroom confused.  As soon as he saw me he started jumping up and down yammering on about watching 'The Polar Express! The Polar Express!'  So I decided to let him go ahead and watch it and return later on.  He couldn't run out of the room fast enough!  He was glued to the screen when I came to say good-bye.

I came back 90 minutes later at 5:15 and my child was grinning from ear to ear.  I loaded him up in the car and we headed off to the zoo for Zoo Lights.  

Oh and I was right....no nap was had by young Tate.

We arrived at the zoo with time to spare, so we hung out in the car for a bit.  And then it was time for Zoo Lights.  This is the first year they've done it, and it was spectacular.

A little tired.

Ok, a lot tired.

Sweet Tate was a bit tired for most of the festivities.  After I got some dinner into him (from home of course! :) ) all he wanted to do was ride the carousel.  He calmly sat in his stroller as we made our way through the gorgeous light exhibits.  After the carousel ride we were on our way out of the zoo.  I tried to get him to stay awake to no avail.  He was asleep before we walked out the zoo gates.

I quickly changed him into his pajamas once we got to the car which woke him up and had him so upset.  I got him into his carseat, turned on his 'sleeping' music and amidst some hiccups and tears he went right back to sleep.  And once home we had another successful car to the bed transfer!!!

My sleepy little guy