Lions, Tigers and Bears.... Oh MY

A few weeks ago before I started back to school Jessica, Lynne and Jacob took me to the Life Science Museum at BYU. I have been to the museum many times, in fact I use to volunteer in their arthropod collection. I have donated many specimens to their collection. If you have not seen their arthropod collection, put it on your " bucket list". Going to the museum with Jacob was much different than any other visit. We took our kids when they were young but not as young as Jacob. I am older and much more self reflective lately and doing things with Jacob helps me remember my relationship with my children. What a glorious time those young years are. I know it's hard but the rewards are truly a treasure of memories that wealth and fame cannot duplicate. I challenge you all to slow down... take a moment to enjoy some time and simple activities with those around you. During school, life seems like such a blur and my family and students all need my attention... I feel stretched physically and emotionally. It is when we plan little field trips (BYU Museum), games in the backyard and family dinners that help me during these busy times. Last week we all went to Jessica and Dan's house for dinner and social time. Jacob and I played with balloons. We hit the balloons around a vent and they kept getting sucked to the grate. We hit them laughed and hit them again and again and again. Good times little man. Well this blog is really about the trip we took to the museum so I wanted to thank you Jacob for a fun little field trip! Love Grandpa
Mommy (Jessica) points out critters to Jacob. Of course he is very excited even though he as visited the museum in the past. I think he is going to be a naturalist when he grows up.

Grandma proudly walks Jacob through the upstairs displays. Jacob did really well. He would grab our hands and pull us along to show us what animals he wanted to look at. When he was done looking, off we went to the next thing that caught his eye.

Baboons are very scary but cool creatures. Jacob approached, but with caution. No wonder! Take a look at those teeth. Check out that tarter... give the critter a brush will you.

The natural curiosity of a young child... what a blessing.

Jacob give Smokey the Bear a high five !

Some of the interactive displays allowed him to burn off some energy.

Jacob likes matching or what I call pick-a-boo type of learning games.

One of his new words is "Guck" or what we would call a Duck. Jacob is learning a lot of new words. I think ducks were his favorite bird at the museum.