Lions and Tigers and Bees, Oh My!

Two exhausted kids and I are driving home from the Phoenix Zoo. Laurel's actually asleep, and Ian looks like he'll be visiting Slumberland soon enough. I'm thinking about the wonderful things we saw and did on today's little adventure: Laurel proudly signing giraffe as one approached nearby to eat some hay strung high in a tree; Ian wanting to spend over fifteen minutes gawking at some enormous fish and talking with a new friend who was equally mesmerized by these aquatic animals; Ian trying to convince Laurel that we need to walk the opposite direction she was heading by telling her, "No Waurel, go this way!" and pulling on her arm; and an insubordinate Laurel stubbornly plopping her butt on the dirt path as a refusal.

A delightful day full of sunshine, exercise, discussion, exploration and curiosity about our animal friends. We've had a full day of excitement, and now head home to rest. Relaxing as I listen to the humorous lyrics of Faraway Cookies on the Philadelphia Chickens CD, I squint quizzically at a jiggly little black cloud that our van rapidly approaches. "What the...?"

Splat...splat...splat, splat, splat, splat, splat...splat...splat, as we drive through a swarm of bees. Unbelievable as it may sound, this is the second time I've driven through a swarm of bees on this section of the freeway. Ugh, my poor newly installed windshield is officially initiated by Mother Nature!



I look at the smeared yellow-green guts, pondering when I'll have time to visit the car wash. A slowing car catches my eye, it's wipers unsuccessfully trying to clean off what looks like a hundred splattered bees. Wow, I must have been on the edge of the swarm, the front of the other car was covered. At least I could see out my windshield, the other driver had to pull over to help out his wipers.

Ten minutes later, our little pack pulls into the garage. I carry my dreaming baby girl upstairs, gently place her in her crib and kiss the top of her sweaty head. Ian is actually still awake and makes futile pleas that he's not tired. Yeah, right buddy. Once in bed, story read, and cuddled, he's asleep within minutes. Sleep well little one, more adventure awaits you this afternoon.