Brownness

Joshua Tree

This last weekend, Zyan, myself and the wife made our first trip to Joshua Tree with a lot of our family members. The plan was to stargaze but while Zyan only lasted about 15 minutes for that event, but in return, we got a magical two days where he got to spend time not only with his grandmother, aunts, and uncles but also with his cousins, and for us that’s what truly mattered. While the family planned the trip a while ago, we jumped on last minute as a surprise, and that was the seasoning that made these past few days so delicious for us all.

Were there challenges? Of course, but in the end it was all worth it. To see the massive smiles when he walked in made the 3 hour drive feel like nothing. Credit has to go to my wife who convinced us to go last minute and to not tell anyone. While uncertain as to how Zyan would handle things, I am glad we threw everything together quickly and headed out. I know for sure that this will be a memory all of will cherish and talk about and remind Zyan when he is oder how fun and difficult he made things during that time.

But more than anything his peals of laughter, the full joy of being in a jacuzzi with us and his cousins, the constant playing games with my brother in law, the endless kisses he got from my sister, the smile on my moms face seared onto my heard a memory to replay in later days. I also now have the urge to take him back when he is older to behold the splendor that is our universe. I saw for the first time through a high powered telescope, the craters on the mood and the rings of Saturn, and the curiosity and excitement it elicited in me is one I wish to replicate in his mind and heart. I was 53 years old when I did this, and for him I hope it’s at 5.

For once, Monday felt like a coming home a very long but wonderous journey, one filled with so much activity and emotion, and I cannot wait for our next destination when we do this all over again.

Brownness

Discovery Cube

This weekend, my wife finally got to experience Discovery Cube the way Zyan and I have in the past. It was truly heartening to see her excitement to see why we got a membership and have already been there almost 10 times. Each time is a different thing for Zyan, and while the old me would have scoffed at going to a place so many times, I can now look forward to more family time with just the 3 of us going, although my wife is ready to bring the whole family.

The way Zyan held on to our hands while going through all the exhibits had it own special moment, but what made the trip better was the bright smile and happiness on my wife’s face. It finally hit her why Discovery Cube not a time pass place but one the serves curiosity, new ways to look at science, and how Zyan as he gets older will find other areas in Discovery more relevant to him. For now, he’s happy to bounce between the Recycling truck race area, the Zamboni, and then also playing in the mini playground around on the ground floor made just for toddlers.

The hours flew as we just got to see our son jump and whiz around in pure unadulterated joy while his mother beamed, and couldnt stop saying how cool it was. In my quest to find new things for Zyan, I am still quite grateful that Discovery Cube has become part of our weekend routine whenever we want Zyan to smile wide. Seeing him point towards it while on the freeway is just another huge plus.

To say we had a good weekend would be a massive understatement.

Happy Monday