The perfect end to 2012

It's nearly 11:30.  I just finished reading to Preston. Really, he heard about five words! He tried so hard to rally and ring in 2013 with me, but he just couldn't hold on.  We played games (Go Fish and Yahtzee), ate snacks and tried keeping busy... and he lasted about 10 minutes longer than my 11pm estimate!  My house is very quiet, my heart is happy and, though I am likely the only one in our home who will be awake at midnight (John, Gavin and Gracie were all completely sacked out by 9pm), I can't think of a happier way for our family to have ended 2012.

We spent the afternoon at the Oakland Zoo with friends.  It's no secret that, for our family, outings are always a bet... will Gracie have a good day or not?  At best, she will tolerate one part of the day, but if we make a second stop, she protests wildly, causing us to divert plans and end with a "car picnic" or a bee-line for home.   Today was spectacular... in every way.  She was happy at the zoo, happy in the car and happy when we stopped for a crazy chaotic dinner halfway home.  (I am sure we were a site walking into Skipolini's with six adults and six kids... four of whom were under 3 and completely tuckered out from the zoo!) 

Aside from Preston learning a tough lesson about goofing around with both hands in his pockets (a face plant in the parking lot with no way to brace his fall... OUCH!), today was perfection and, by far, my favorite family outing as a Flock of Five - - and one of my alltime favorites period. 

As we assembled in the parking lot, Preston was twirling around with his hands in his vest pockets.  He lost his balance and... well... thankfully wasn't hurt worse. 
He ends 2012 and starts 2013 with an epic shiner.
These were taken just fifteen minutes after his fall... it's far uglier now.

Gavin was fascinated by the Macaws and Gibbons... and many other animals we saw today.

Gracie... happily looking up at the monkey above her.

The guys
(Gavin and John have the same look on their faces!)

The Daddy Stroller Brigade
Their real day jobs!!

Preston's favorite part of the day... getting the Tiger Card from the nice information lady who gave him all sorts of fun facts.
Aside from what's on this card, we also learned that there are more tigers living in captivity than in the wild and that a tiger's stripe pattern is just as unique as a person's fingerprint.  Did you know that?

Out of nowhere, a TON of pigeons flew over!  All three of my boys have the same expressions!
Gracie's mouth was wide open as she looked up and then signed, "bird."

Deep conversation between a 5 1/2 and a 2 1/2 year-old

Gavin checking out the elephant with Daddy.
Afterward, he kept trying to approximate the sign for "elephant" by pushing out his hand... so cute!

Gracie checking out the bunnies in the children's area

Look who had to find a different vantage point, of course!

Happy Kids = Happy Parents

Wearing her smile and having a great day.
At dinner she signed for more tastes (which included every kind of sauce on the table!). 
A perfect last day of the year.

My big boys on the train ride

Our friend Kiel and his son, Bruce

On the train with a beautiful view of the bay behind him

Heading to dinner - - exhausted and the bruising really starting to settle in.
:(

Gracie happily getting her vest treatment,
the boys playing together,
And chocolate chip cookies in the oven
At one point, Gracie signed, "share" to Preston... which he did... and she then signed, "I love you."
Moments of spontaneous communication like this were in abundance today and added to the joy and perfection of the end of 2012.