Aggressively Happy. Again.

It's the last dance competition weekend of the school year (next stop, nationals in the summer), which means Alexis is having ALL of the fun.

So is Mila.

I've always wondered why Mila is so extremely eager to tag along for these things, but I think I figured it out today - anything is possible when mom is trying to squeeze a few hours of fun out of a weekend away.

We had some hours to pass today. When that happens, I usually look for a zoo or botanical garden or something like that, especially when the weather is pleasant. Today's weather was MORE than pleasant, plus we're in Columbus, so ZOO DAY, Y'ALL.

We haven't had one of those in a very long time. We gave up on the Pittsburgh Zoo during the worst of COVID and likely won't consider a return. We're out of town often enough that it probably won't matter. There are other zoos, including zoos made famous by the likes of Jack Hanna.

Jack Hanna is one of those people who you have to be of a certain age to know about, by the way. Enjoy testing that little factoid.

ANYWAY.

This past winter broke Mila. She apparently has become accustomed to freezing all the time because girlfriend WOULD NOT quit complaining that it was hot out as we strolled through the zoo. She whined and she complained and basically I was ready to toss her in a river, but then we came across the giraffes. I say "yes" MUCH more easily when we're out of town, so when Mila asked if she could join the very long line to fee said giraffes, I was quick to give in. That turned the weather complaints off INSTANTLY.

It was $5 for 3 leaves of lettuce, by the way. That somehow sound incredibly cheap and incredibly overpriced. It's a weird duality.It was worth it to make the whining stop, though.

So Mila got to feed the giraffes, which basically made it the BEST DAY EVEEEEERRRRR.

And of course she was wearing her giraffe shirt because she prepares well for these sorts of things.

But happy. SO MUCH HAPPY. There was bouncing and grinning and laughing and honestly, nobody does "aggressively happy" like that kid.

It was so over-the-top that the three zoo employees that we encountered after feeding the giraffes all commented, "It looks like you must have had a lot of fun!"

To which Mila consistently replied, "How can you NOT have a fun day when you get to feed giraffes?"

Truer words, Mila. Truer words.