Life with Dylan

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  • It’s National Zoo Keeper Week!

    There are many national appreciation weeks for various professions, but this one is special to me for more than one reason. The obvious is that Dylan and I visit the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park on what some may call a regular basis – we actually consider them our second homes. Many of the keepers we know by name and they have become our friends. We look forward to seeing them almost as much as seeing the animals (many of which we also know by name).

    The other reason this week is so special to me is that my son wants to be a Zookeeper. He wants to be just like the people he admires – and yes, he wants to pick up animal poop! Most people don’t know what a Zookeeper really does and I think our friend Zookeeper Rick said it best in a recent Facebook post.

    What is a Zookeeper?

    Zookeepers are caretakers. Zookeepers are house keeping. Zookeepers are chefs. Zookeepers are educators. Zookeepers are construction workers. Zookeepers are gardeners. Zookeepers are parents to animals in need of a mom or dad. Zookeepers are the voice for those who don’t speak our language. Zookeepers are nurses. Zookeepers are friends to other species. Zookeepers are advocates for conservation. Zookeepers are scientists. Zookeepers are behaviorist. – Rick Schwartz

    I know Zookeepers arrive to work hours before the zoo even opens and even though we don’t always see them, they are working hard behind the scenes. Sometimes they work late into the night preparing a PowerPoint presentation or writing a research paper for a publication – they help promote conservation and teach us things that help us understand the bigger picture. 

    For me, the most special thing about Zookeepers is the time they take to talk to the people visiting the zoos. Zookeepers truly love their jobs and have a passion for sharing that love with others.


    When was the last time you thanked a Zookeeper?

  • The art of drawing and being creative

    I am a firm believer in nurturing a child’s creativity and supplying the tools needed for a child to express their creativity. A few months ago when Dylan showed interest in drawing I thought great, maybe he got my creative gene.

    Sure, he has made some pretty good things in school, but what mom doesn’t love what their kids bring home from school. It often requires the obligatory You made that for me? I love it.

    So when Dylan wanted to draw on his own and asked if he could start using my art pencils and sketch book I knew it was something he had a real interest in.

    What started as simple drawings have turned into actual sketches with detail and shading. He sits for hours at a time trying to get each one just right.

    Last week we made a trip to Michaels and purchased a real artist book. One that would teach him step by step how to draw. What? You thought he would draw something other than animals?

    Not a bad start for a 9-year-old – I love having something in common that he and I can enjoy together. 


    What do you do with your child that sparks creativity and imagination?

  • A birthday letter to my son

    Dear Dylan,

    Nine years ago today I gave birth to the most wonderful child I could ever imagine. He was perfect in every possible way. That child was you. You have made me a better person and bring so much joy to my life. You continue to amaze me with your knowledge about animals and compassion for others. Sometimes I wonder if I’m talking to a child or an adult. Even though I often tell you to be quiet (because you talk non-stop), I love listening to you tell me about what you have learned.

    You have already done some pretty great things, including raising over $1,000 for the tigers, and I can’t wait to see what you do next. I just know that you are going to grow up and become something truly special. You have and you will continue to make a difference in the world.

    As much as I would like to keep you small and miss the days when I could hold you in my arms, I know that you are growing up. I no longer have to lift you up to see over the railing or hold you on my shoulders. I don’t have to tell you to hold my hand anymore, but I sure do like it when you reach for mine. You see Dylan, this tells me that in some small way you are still my little boy.

    And when you act silly or climb on animals statues begging for me to take your picture … well, this reminds me that you are still a kid too … at least a kid at heart.

    Happy Birthday Dylan!

    Love,
    Mom

  • Birthday wishes really do come true

    Tomorrow is Dylan’s 9th birthday and all he wanted for his birthday was to raise $1,000 for the tigers at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. He wanted to help save the species from extinction and build a new home for them called Tiger Trail.

    As you probably know, Dylan had various fundraisers, recycled cans and bottles, saved all of his allowance money, and many people donated money in his name. Some people I know and some who donated are complete strangers who found Dylan’s story and donated through social media links.

    I am very happy to report that as of today Dylan has raised $1,317 for Tiger Trail.

    (and that’s not including birthday money that I know is coming in the mail still from family)

    Tomorrow we will be spending the day at the Safari Park and meeting some big cats, including the tigers, up close on a Behind the Scenes Safari Tour that we won from the Pin It For Tigers contest last month.  The perfect birthday as far as Dylan is concerned.

    Although Dylan has met his goal, the tigers still need our help. For the Safari Park to receive the anonymous donation of $9 million, they must raise $2 million on their own.

    This is a screen shot from the Safari Parks website showing how much they have raised so far. As you can see, they are almost halfway there.

    Whether you make a donation in Dylan’s name or just go to the Tiger Trail Challenge website makes no difference to me. What matters is that you donate. For every $2 that is donated, the park receives $9 – which means Dylan’s $1,217 is actually $5,476. That is pretty amazing if you ask me.

    The Safari Park has until December 31, 2012 to meet the $2 million goal.

    Dylan and I will continue to send money because this is something that we both believe in.
    For all of you who donated in Dylan’s name and  helped make his birthday wish come true …

    THANK YOU!



  • How my phone is saving the trees

    I can recycle with the best of them and I refuse to use plastic bags – however, when it comes to organization I love my paper. The feel of the paper. The colored pens. The post-it notes!
    I thrive on making lists and crossing things off as I complete them. I searched and searched for an organizer that was made of recycled paper, but oddly enough most of them were covered in …. get this, Plastic!

    I have been a loyal customer to MomAgenda for many years now and nothing could make me stray. Until now.

    I had tried going electronic and it scared me. About three months ago I started using both my phone and my paper calender. I figured I could ease myself into it – wrong. All this did was create mass confusion and chaos in my life.

    So I took the plunge. I have used nothing but my phone for the past two months and I couldn’t be happier. Everything in one place and no paper waste.

    See all those dots?
    Those are my appointments and important reminders.

    I’m happy, the trees are happy, all is good in my universe.

    So tell me, do you use a paper organizer or your phone to keep track of your appointments?

  • Wordless Wednesday – Floating the day away

    After hours of playing in the pool, sometimes all you need to do is float. 

  • Nutty is a little nutty …

    Yes, we have urban wildlife at our home. His name is Nutty.

    What? You don’t see this every morning at your house?

  • The kindness and generosity of a stranger that I will never forget

    Two weeks ago I received an email from someone I didn’t know. I met them a few days later, for a brief moment, and all I could do was smile and say thank you for your kindness and generosity – this means so much to me. Actually, I think I said thank you about 5 times.

    Here is the email:

    Hi Michelle,
    I just read Dylan’s story in the Newport Beach Independent. I think his dedication to his dreams and concern for wildlife at such a young age is not only admirable but, inspirational.
    Given his passion for Tigers, I have something he might be interested in having. It’s a beautifully framed picture of a tiger (believe it’s a Bengal or Malayan – not sure). It’s a print by a well known artist, Jouve. It measures about 30” x 45 or so.
    It retails for about $140 online. I’ve had it listed on Craigslist for $45 but, frankly that site brings out people who aren’t serious or who make an initial inquiry but never respond back. I thought given the excellent condition and low price, I’d surely find a buyer but, I didn’t.
    I then saw Dylans great story this am…. I’d like to give it to him, or you can give it to him as a gift yourself (doesn’t matter to me), no charge. Given his passion for Tigers, I think he might enjoy having it?
    I’ve attached some pics of the painting. If you think he might be interested in it, please let me know. I’m local in Corona del Mar. Thank you.


    The picture now hangs in our living room.
    Tigre Royal
    I may never see this person again, but I will remember them forever. This gift means more than any amount of money donated for Dylan’s birthday wish because this gift came from the heart. This gift is priceless.
    Pierre-Paul Jouve was an acclaimed sculptor and illustrator – he is known for his depiction of big cats and for illustrating a French edition of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. Some of his work can be seen in the National Museum of Wildlife Art, located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 

  • What dreams would you pursue if money were no object?

    Everyone has dreams – things they want to do and places they want to go. For some it is to climb the corporate ladder, for others it is to raise a family or maybe travel the world. We all have different dreams, but most of us have one thing in common – money. Ah yes, the almighty dollar that seems to control our wants and desires.


    The other day I was thinking. Well, really I was daydreaming. Dreaming of all the things I wish I could do and the places I wish I could go. Then I remembered a promise that I made to Dylan a few years ago – to take him to Africa. Yes, way back when he wanted to visit Africa and see the animals he loves so much in their natural habitat.



    What I wouldn’t give to make this dream come true for both of us, but that little thing we call money keeps getting in the way. I have never been one to like the word no, so I will keep this dream alive, for me and for Dylan. One day we will make it to Africa.

    Then I got to thinking. Yes, this time really thinking. What else would I do if money were no object? 


    Five years ago I probably would have said buy a big house on the beach and spend my summers living in Maui. Today my answers are a little different – actually, a lot different! Maybe I have matured, or maybe I just see the bigger picture now. Maybe a little of both.

    If money were no object I would:

    • Buy a small home and live the simple life. 
    • Volunteer my time teaching others about conservation.
    • Give more than $25 a month to non-profit organizations that I believe in.
    • Travel to Australia and see the Great Barrier Reef before it disappears forever.
    • Give my son the best education possible so he can be whatever he wants to be.
    • Travel to all the amazing zoos around the world.
    • Spend time on the open ocean and see the whales and dolphins living free.
    • Create a scholarship for college students studying the environment, zoology, and wildlife conservation.
    • Travel to Africa.



    Not once did I think about buying designer clothes, a fancy car, or a big home. When I asked my friends on Facebook what they would do if money were no object, I was pleasantly surprised by their answers. Volunteer more, fund projects that change the world, pro bono work, feed and clothe the homeless – none of which are selfish answers. Now I’m not saying there is anything wrong with wanting to buy a big house or designer clothes; it is just nice to know that other people see the bigger picture too.


    What would you do if money were no object? 


    Think about and make your own list. Then take that list and make it a to-do list or a bucket list. Turn your dreams into realities because nobody likes to hear the word No. 




    Photo courtesy of zrim under the Creative Commons License.





  • Our long awaited walk with the reptiles at San Diego Zoo

    When most people think of the 4th of the July, they think of BBQ’s, picnics, homemade desserts and fireworks with friends and family. Well, we spent the 4th a little differently this year. Still with friends and family, just not the human kind.

    After what seemed like a year of construction, the San Diego Zoo had its grand opening of the new Reptile Walk on July 4, 2012 – we had to be there. Dylan and I had both missed seeing the frogs and especially the Galapagos tortoises. The new long awaited Reptile Walk is amazing and definitely worth the wait.

    Still located behind the Reptile House, the Reptile Walk is a beautiful stroll down planked pathways that are lined with trees and lush landscaping.

    Once  through the entrance, you enter the first building which houses the amphibians and California native species.

    The new open-air design allows for better public viewing and the enclosures are much bigger. You still have to look around to find those tiny frogs, but the glass is now a good 4-5 times larger than before. Here you will see poison dart frogs, tree frogs, mossy frogs, king snakes, giant horned lizards, a green tree boa, and more. 

    I’m not sure if it was the new habitats or if it was too early in the morning (9 a.m.), but there were about five animals that we couldn’t find in their enclosures. We did go back at night and see a few more, but then it was too dark for pictures.

    Next, another pathway takes you to the new Chinese Alligators. These reptiles are critically endangered and most now live only in breeding centers like the San Diego Zoo.

    One of things I love most about the San Diego Zoo is the informative signs throughout the zoo like this one. Every trip is a learning experience for me and Dylan.

    (more…)