My friend Cynthia and I finally managed to align our schedules this week, so she took us to the Wild Animal Park. I was really going for a nice day out with a friend, I really didn’t think Atti would care too much about what was going on. He’s still pretty internal and really doesn’t do much but observe. I expected to spend the day chatting with Cynthia, watching her adorable kids frolic, and pushing Atti in the stroller. I was dead wrong.

He loved it. He totally loved it. The day was absolutely thrilling for me. Not only did I get to see my pensive little guy open right up to the world, but since it was my first trip to the animal park too, I found the whole thing pretty magical.

Atticus had no fear. We went into the Lorkeet exhibit where you can buy some nectar and let them crawl all over you to get to it. Atti kept saying, “Kitty! Kitty!” and reaching out to pet them. This little bird even gave him a gentle little love nibble.

He would not stop staring at that lion, and the lion stared right back. [Vanity side note – I really should have put on makeup or brushed my hair properly. I should have known there would be pictures. What am I, new?]

The most magical part of the whole day for me was seeing the cheetahs. I was obsessed with cheetahs when I was little, but every single time I’ve ever been to a zoo the cheetahs were way back at the edge of their habitat, or hiding inside their little cheetah house. The wild animal park is set up so that everything appears to be so close, and we had the best luck ever to come right at feeding time. We got to watch these three breathtaking animals prowl around, stalking the segway riders, and then eating their ground meat snacks while the trainer stood around answering questions. My inner third grader was doing cartwheels.

Testament that Atti loves the zoo? He still refuses to say Mama, but looking at this strange little creature he busted out, “Okapi!”

I had so much on my plate lately, I could not wrap my brain around planning a party or making a cake. So I just bought a few presents and Bear did every other thing. Including this cake.

He was adorable, preparing the cutting template weeks ago, making a practice version, going to the cake store to pick out supplies. I had some friends over when he was out shopping and he called me to warn me that he spent a lot at the cake store, so I said back “Don’t worry, I’ll pay you back when I go to Home Depot later.” My friends loved that exchange. Take that gender roles!

Bear made a yellow cake with chocolate ganache filling and buttercream frosting under fondant. For the first time in his whole life I not only let him taste cake, but I actually took off the mean mom hat long enough to cut him his own slice and let him go to town.

I think Atti will be a neat freak like me, because after a half hearted attempt he just begged me to feed him from a spoon.

I wanted to get another picture of him in his birthday crown from last year, but he would not hear of it. He can’t stand hats of any kind, including hoodies. But I can’t really blame him. His hair has always been what draws in the ladies.

We barely got into present opening when Atti had a mighty crash and had to sleep off the cake while his party went on without him. I begged everyone to not buy us toys – since he still plays with the ones he’s had since he was 6 months old, we do not need more toys – and instead get us books. We got some great stuff. But I had to get him one purely fun thing, so, since he’s such a fan of bubble time in therapy, I bought him a bubble blower machine. To save poor mama’s lungs.

His cousins loved it.