(Some of) The Adventures of Thad and Rida

Here's a short collection of some late summer adventures with Thad. He is such a fun, bright, quick, amazing kid. I love him and I love spending time with him, even if we're both out of our comfort zone sometimes. I hope he remembers our many "adventures" as fondly as I do. 

I am a huge meanie-head for sharing this picture with the world, but I just love the contrast between the happy people on the right and Thad's grim determination on the left. This was his first "solo ride" when we went to the Washington State Fair. The Tilt-A-Whirl was our third or fourth ride of the day, and it only took us 2 rounds before he nervously/excitedly asked me if he could ride "alone this time, because I'm tall enough". I thoroughly questioned if he was sure, but I've tried to be less protective and I went along with his idea pretty willingly. Overall, it went fine. You could see him gasp and clutch even tighter to the bar every time the cart spun around, but by the end of the ride he was almost grinning. His eyes stayed shut the entire time though, haha.

As you can see, the operator put another pair in Thad's cart at the last minute, but that didn't bother him as much as it bothered me (because I'm a protective control freak, probably). Before the ride started I could hear Thad eagerly and helpfully giving instructions to his new seat mates. This boy loves to tell people the best way to do things. Maybe having new acquaintances to boss around enhanced the experience for him, who knows. 

This is just a random picture I took to remind myself of this little story. (The date on the file tells me this was taken back in early September, which I can hardly believe. I'm pretty sure it was just yesterday he was still using straws in his bottles.) The day itself was routine, I think we were out running errands and decided to stop for lunch, and I told him that he could have a bottled drink instead of water with his sandwich. He immediately chose this Powerade over an apple juice (because it's a big boy drink, duh Rida) but then sweetly asked for a straw because "drinking out of a straw is easier and less messy". Nevermind my suggestion that maybe he was now old enough to just drink from the bottle. NO! What if he spilled some of it, or wanted to drink it in the car on the way home?! He loves to do things his way, hates to hear your suggestions, and always wants to keep his life clean and efficient and easy above all else. Oh, my Thad. Never change. 

Another moment from that same afternoon. Sometimes he stops being shy and starts being silly. It's always sweet.

I think I have even more pictures of this adventure, but reptiles creep me out and I was disinclined to look for them. But the short of it is, Thad had been begging to see "The World Famous Reptile Museum, home of the Two Headed Turtle". Since he had a coupon for 1/2 price admission I figured, why not? It was pretty creepy for me, but Thad liked it. In case you can't read the sign, this is the tank where the two headed turtle lived. He (they?) went by Pete and Repete. I laughed pretty hard at that. Thad wasn't as amused. Two headed turtles are serious business, and puns are still a little beyond his understanding. Oh well. It doesn't stop me from telling them to him. 

The employees at the snake museum helped some of the kids hold the "friendly snakes". All the creatures in the building have had their fangs removed, which is something I have to remind myself of every time I look at this photo. He was pretty proud of holding Rainbow Dash (all the "kid snakes" were named after popular cartoon characters) and wanted me to take a picture of the moment. But he couldn't quite fight the urge to make a weird face instead of smiling for a picture (as he is prone to do these days).The result was this smug Grinch face where he is staring into the distance because of his instinct to avoid turning his head in my direction. Haha. Greg's child.