Long-time readers know of our zoo adventures around the country, beginning right here in The Fort. Our zoo is relatively small, but quite good and child-friendly (i.e. exhausting but not overwhelming) Snagging ourselves a very reasonably priced family membership we have a handy energy outlet all day, 7 days a week, just 3 miles down the road. Like going to park, but with giraffes.

Today, we wandered down there, and what struck me was the difference in our Joseph from last year to this.

Last year, at 3, he basically approach the zoo at full tilt and never stopped running til we were at the car on the way out. He would dash from exhibit to exhibit, stopping only to ask for a drink.

Well, now he’s four, and you know. Four-year olds are practically in graduate school. He still runs, but he also actually stops and watches the animals and comments on them. A peacock lept on the prairie dog town and he was convinced he was going to witness slaughter right then and there.  (No, the peacock was just stealing their food). He took the printed guide to the African plains and followed with great interest, discussing the zebras and flamingos. I was flabbergasted.

Most amazing of all: he rode a pony. The last time we’d tried it was two years ago, at a fair, and that did not go well. Even with Michael beside him, he didn’t make it a quarter of the way around. But now, well, do I have to mention again that he’s four? Politely asked to ride, gave the attendant his money, rode around twice with a sly grin, without blinking an eye.

And of course, I hadn’t brought my camera.

Oh, and the baby? He did find, but eyes did light up when I put the baby chick up for him to see, but more in a worrisome, "Mmmmmm, tasty!" kind of way than anything else.