So, my wife and I took my son to a petting zoo yesterday. This might sound like it was a celebration for him, but there are fewer things more entertaining than watching a cackling, wild-haired moppet try to find animals. Watching him shriek and laugh while throwing the food the moment the animal’s tongue hit his hand was hilarious. Though, I do feel very sorry for the small bird that had the misfortune of trying for the feed stick my son was holding. Explaining to a 3-year-old that you hold the food steady and not poke the tiny bird in the face is a test of patience. I give that bird credit for staying around a good 10 minutes before my son got bored.
Here’s where the comedy ensues though. Within the aviary are several pools of moving water with a one-brick high barrier and a two-foot long shoreline. In the history of this petting zoo, a child has never fallen into one of these pools. At least that’s what the cashier who might have been the manager said. Why did he say this? Take a guess whose son is the first to accomplish this task.
Not sure how the toddler did it. I was watching him too. He was laughing and dancing. He took a step back and fell. Twisted in mid-air to get his arms out and slid into the water. It was only his arms since I caught his ankle and my wife quickly grabbed a wrist. So, people that didn’t see the fall, saw us hoisting him awkwardly out of the water. He was passive and stated that he was all wet, but we didn’t have an extra shirt. Hence, why he now has a cold, which is strange since it was only his arms and it was warm out.
Another strange thing is a question that was asked of us. Did we get a picture of it? Is the norm for parents that they take a picture of their child in trouble before fishing them out of it? The camera dangling from my wrist wasn’t a blip on my radar when the thought ‘my son can’t swim’ crossed my mind. This pool was only 3 inches deep, but my mind went into ‘child in trouble’ mode. Not ‘take a picture’ mode. Still, I see pictures and videos all over the internet about this. Is this the way parenting works now?
Legends of Windemere 
I’d have taken a picture of him being all wet after I knew he was safe. 🙂
LikeLike
It never really crossed our minds. We were worried about him catching cold because we didn’t have an extra shirt.
LikeLike
Good save, Mom and Dad!
Other than that, did the toddler have a fun day at the petting zoo?
LikeLike
He had a lot of fun. Though, he’s now home sick again and slamming his head into the ground. I’m at the point where he can concuss himself if he wants. Hopefully, he naps instead.
LikeLike
That’s good. Too bad he’s sick, though. I hope he gets better really soon! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks. Fingers crossed that he can go to school on Wednesday.
LikeLike
🙂 a hilarious read..its no fun handling kids!
LikeLike
Poor little mite…I think there are parents who shoot first and ask questions later…so that when he’s 17 years old they can embarrass him showing them to his girlfriend and pala! 🙂
LikeLike
Possibly. I’d rather just tell the story and not have photographic evidence. That’s just the storyteller in me though.
LikeLike
Yeah, it’s just as effective too! My sons go green when I say: do you remember the time…
LikeLike
Sounds like a lovely day out. And you both have fast reflexes! I used to escape all the time as a kid (my parents had to exchange a wrist restrainer for a chest one, because I kept slipping out of the wrist one…) and I can’t imagine how many times they had to grab me before I disappeared. (Or run across the road, as I did once. That I do remember.) And yeah, it’s strange how many parents take pictures or videos of their kids in distress before helping them…
LikeLike
Mine are faster. I’m the initial grab and my wife is the back-up, lifting grab. We have a system that seems to put her in the role of muscle and me in the role of speed. If you met us, it’d make sense given our personalities.
LikeLike
Sounds like a good match. Amazed you have a system worked out – I can barely catch my little cousins when they’re running around! (Picking up my dad’s tobacco, asking what it is…that was awkward!)
LikeLike
It took a few weeks to perfect because my wife has trouble admitting that I’m the faster, bendier parent. My son isn’t used to hearing me shout either, so when I do, I get an immediate reaction.
LikeLike