The Safari

One more fun thing about being a parent is how you spend half of your life looking for stuff. I am pretty sure I could run a successful small business on the side if I could reclaim the hours I spend each week finding things. It is rarely the same item that's been lost, but invariably, whatever we are searching for is less than 2" long. It seems to always be the Red Truck or the Doll's Shoes that are missing. And, despite the fact that there are plenty of other trucks and shoes to be played with, the one in question must be found before peace can be restored.

Of all the small but important items in this house, the most critical still remain the stuffed animals. I appreciate the need for the comfort and familiarity of these creatures, but I have to say I will not be too sad when the day comes that they begin to spend more time in their rooms and less time traveling with Ally and Ty. Why? Not so much that they shouldn't bring their animal friends along to play or travel, but more that the friends rarely seem to return. Although they are much larger than the other items we lose they are extremely elusive.

Last night I spent 45 minutes on The Safari. First was a quick trip around the living room. There I bagged a lion, two bunnies and a hippo. Very nice take. I returned them to their native habitats and continued with getting the kids ready for bed. Teeth brushed, PJs on... good to go. Unfortunately, we are still a couple of wild animals short of a full herd. Guys, you will HAVE to start leaving your friends in your rooms...

Another trip through the house nets a bear and a baby doll (technically not part of a 'safari' catch, but important nonetheless). I think we are ready for bed. A quick final check on Ally's herd -- two bunnies, one hippo, one duck, two babies. Good to go. Goodnight, Ally.

A final run through Ty's wild kingdom shows that my young shepherd has lost one of his flock. One bear, one lion, one cookie monster, one chicken, one dog, and oh, no... only one lamb. We are already a good 30 minutes past bedtime, but there will be no sleep without Brutus the Lamb. Brutus joined us for dinner not 2 hours ago, and now he has vanished. Where did you leave him? Ummmm..... Did you take him outside? Ummmm.... After 15 minutes of Q&A and exhaustive search, I finally get Ty to agree to go to sleep and I will bring in Brutus when The Safari ends. I know, though, that sleep is a long way off if Brutus is not returned safely.

There is a happy ending to this one. The Safari headed out for one more perusal of the porch, and there we found a lost lamb, inexplicably placed beneath a booster chair. Why he'd chosen to hide there, I'll never know. I don't think the kids are cunning enough to stash these guys to extend bedtime, but you can't be to sure. Goodnight, Ty. Another successful bedtime and I am finished with The Safari until tomorrow.