the zoo

While in Denver, we went to the Denver Zoo.  With temps in the 70s, it was a great day for our visit.  I got a deal for discounted admission on the Westword Daily Deal (like a Groupon for just Denver stuff), so we only paid $6 for the adults and $4 for W and Zeph is free until he turns 3.  I should have bought more of this deal!

We got there right when the Zoo opened and headed straight for the lions and giraffes.  Which was a good choice, since most people start off going to the right.  We then saw the penguins and sea lions.  The polar bears were not out, so we missed them.  Then off to the camels, zebras and other hoofed animals.  We got a sneak peek of the Toyota Elephant Passage, which was awesome.  They have been working on this new exhibit for at least 2 years, so it was great to see what it looks like.  We can't wait to go back once it is completed, which should be at the beginning of June. 

After the new Elephant exhibit, we had some snacks and W rode the Carousel with C.  W started on a tiger that moved and then settled on a polar bear that did not.  Like in the past, W always wants a second ride after we have moved on to the next thing.  Lucky for us, he is easily distracted.  Next time, Zeph will get to ride.  

Next we stopped by to feed the Lorikeets.  They were not too hungry, but it's still fun.  We finished our tour at the monkeys.  We were on our way out by noon, which was perfect timing.  The Zoo becomes a zoo by that time. 

 

It was such a nice sunny day, the Zoo was selling the heck out of these cute animal umbrellas.  W was able to convince his G-pa E that he needed a frog one.

wentzle at 4 years

I can't believe that W is 4!  I was looking at photos of W when he was 2 and wondering what happened to that little boy?  Don't get me wrong, I love that he is potty trained.  That he can feed and dress himself, most days.  He's also great conversationalist.  It's hard to watch our baby developing into a little being that has his own opinions and sweet sense of style.  We look forward to watching him continue to grow and change.

Here are the things he is into and those he is not and some other fun oddities.

His Likes:

-being a big brother
-riding his bike
-doing skateboard tricks (on the carpet)
-any sport with a ball / soccer, t-ball, basketball
reading books

-watching shows / Scooby Doo, Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jack & the Neverland Pirates, Sponge Bob, I think Toy Story is still one of his favorites

-dessert, he thinks this is a meal that should be served daily
-being a super hero
-singing
-dancing (we are working hard to get footage of this)
-getting his photo taken, especially if we are trying to take Zeph's pic
-drawing on the sidewalk
-crafts of any kind
-being silly
-games

His Dislikes:

-doing what he is told

-listening

-not getting his way
-not being part of what ever is going on (as you can tell by all of the photos of Zeph with W in the background)

Skills:
-jumps backwards on one leg
-helps with yard work
-rides a pedal bike
-has ninja & super hero skills
-he's crafty
-controls the soccer ball
-smashes the ball off the tee (sometimes he smashes the tee)
-gets down (dances)
-showers by himself
-can write his name and the alphabet (with help)
-brushes his teeth
-can go to the bathroom by himself, but doesn't always use this skill
-knows his numbers & letters
-writes his name, our names and many of his friend's names

Our Likes:
-that he is a super hero
-determination
-sense of humor 
-he sings jingles, verbatim 
-taking pics of Zeph with his "phone" (which is my old cell phone and doesn't work, he then acts out the pic for us) 
-his observations 
-how caring he is

Our Dislikes:

-waiting until the last minute to go potty... which is so painful to watch.
-how he has to be first on almost everything... 
-how he flips the switch, we never know what sets him off because it changes from day to day (it's so rough being 4)
-ignoring what we say

Stats:
height:37 - 1/8"
weight: 32 lbs 

weekend in denver

 

We spent this past weekend in Denver at  The Curtis.  Grandma & Grandpa E flew in.  

The Curtis is a fun hotel with themed floors (I got a picture of W on each of the floors), cartoons playing in the lobby, board games available, hula hoops and many more fun things.  You can even challenge any of the staff to a game of rock, paper, scissors.  They are also pet friendly, so Zed joined us on Saturday.  I almost forgot to mention, they give you warm chocolate chip cookies upon arrival.  They were yummy, but had walnuts in them, so W did not get to enjoy.

 

 We stayed on the 8th floor which is sci-fi themed (and the pet floor)

W had The Mickey Mouse Breakfast and Z helped him eat the cake.

We had a busy weekend planned. We started with meeting G-ma & G-pa E at their hotel.  They were supposed to stay at the Curtis, but G-ma E didn't book soon enough to get the deal I got.  So, they stayed out by the Stapleton area.  C and I got a new car (more to come on that).  We visited Sam's no3 twice (breakfast and late night dessert), made a trip to the Denver Zoo, had lunch on the rooftop at Lodo's Bar and Grill, (C and I) had happy hour at Vesta Dipping Grill and finished out our weekend with breakfast at Breakfast King (an old school diner that reminds me of the tv show Alice) and hanging at Confluence Park.

This is the bridge that connects Confluence Park to lower downtown Denver (also know as LoDo).  When C and I lived in Denver, this was all undeveloped train yards.  Now there are a bunch of trendy lofts and new restaurants.

 

 16th floor / pedal to the metal   -   15th floor / mad about music

themed floors from The Curtis

 

14th floor / tv mania        13th floor / dun, dun, dunnnnnn

 

12th floor / the dance floor  -  11th floor / chick flick floor

10th floor / floor of champions   -   9th floor / big hair floor

 

7th floor / laugh out loud

 

6th floor / fun & games 

(all of the floors had metal art cut-outs, we didn't get all of those because that meant getting off of the elevator.  We did a speed tour of each of the floors)

5th floor / one hit wonders

4th floor / perfect pair

in love

Zeph loves his bottle.  He will take it out of his mouth and look at it and then kiss it, talk to it and then stick it back in and downs it.  He really loves his bottle.

whispering sweet nothings before he devourers it

 

no hands

romancing his bottle