Rachel's On-The-Job-Training Log: They always return to the scene of the crime

It's been two years since Sharkbait earned his nickname. And to kick off the July 4th weekend, I took the kids back to the zoo for the first time since that fateful day. I won't lie, I was nearly drooling at the thought of what might happen at the shark petting tank. I believe that most of you know the story, but for the few newbies, I'll briefly tell you the story.

Not a great picture but when they are
constant motion, they're hard to capture.

My father-in-law and I took my three kids, then ages 4, 3 and 4 mos. to the zoo one afternoon. We anxiously ran into the aquarium and straight to the shark tank. We soon discovered that the arms of three and four-year-olds aren't quite long enough for a feet-on-the-ground petting experience. So, DQ waited with her Pop Pop for just the right timing while I held Chuckles in her Baby Bjorn and Shakrbait stood next to me. It did not take long for the boy to realize that if he wanted to touch a shark, it was going to take a big 'reach.' So, he sees one headed toward the side just three or four feet away from where we're waiting. He quickly (really quickly) runs there, hoists himself on the edge of the tank and leans as far as he can.

What happened next is what I've coined the teter-totter effect. He leaned so far, that his whole head and upper body fell in the water while his legs flew up in the air. And, this brings us to the only scary moment of the whole ordeal. His hands were planted firmly on the bottom of the pool while his legs and feet were still stuck on the side (look at the side of a five-gallon bucket for an illustration). He lacked the strength or the arm length to push himself up and out. So, I simply pushed his legs down and his head/hands lifted right out of the water.

There we were, the three of us reacting in our own way to what just happened. One was soaking wet from the waist up and crying that the water was cold and tasted yucky. I was fighting back the laughter that came much quicker than I would have thought. And, Chuckles, helplessly stuck to my chest had eyes that were the size of silver dollars. An attendant, who I'm guessing was about 17 and in her first week of work, came over. I apologized and she said, "that's okay, um...that happens sometimes...they tell me..." She offered us some towels that they keep in the aquarium. We paraded to the other end of the exhibit (not a short walk) while adults and children alike stare at the soaking, crying mess who's mother is giggling.

We have rarely talked with Sharkbait about falling into the tank. He doesn't remember it now and, he never once showed any concern for the fact that he was swimming with carnivores. He's a boy who appreciates animals but doesn't exactly trust them. He's the first kid to offer his little sister the first pet of any new animal we come upon. So, the day we returned to the tank, I wasn't totally surprised that he watched but did not try to touch the sharks. He did, however, humor his mom and pose for a picture.

My son has always been exuberant. I mean, extremely exuberant, like I've been chasing him since he took his first steps at eight months of age. And, for those of you who know him, you know that I am not exaggerating. He turned seven last week and he can currently out-run me, out-talk me and certainly outlast me in nearly every aspect of parent-child relationships. But, I like to put a positive spin on these situations and think of him as determined and self-sufficient and adventurous. And when he is asleep in his bed at the end of each day, I remind myself how all of these qualities will serve him well in his future. And, how this specific set of traits has provided me with enormous entertainment (and blog material). Then, I promptly pass out from exhaustion.

Happy Seventh Birthday, Sharkbait!