We were all playing and joking around today pretending that Mama had done something wrong and was in BIG trouble. I of course made a typical husband double-entendre joke about how she needed a spanking. This had the desired effect of flying over the kids’ heads and earning me a look from Ali.

Ali then asked Ouest if she knew what a spanking was.

“No. No Mama. Whats is it?”

Ali smiled and said, “I love that innocence.”

This afternoon we went to the aquarium. We always go to the aquarium in Mazatlan. Not because it is anything special—it’s certainly not—but it is a pretty unique attraction for Mexico. You don’t run across many mainstream attractions in Mexico—things such as zoos, aquariums, and science museums—the typical go-to day outings for kids in the St. Paul suburbs.

We go to the aquarium here not for the fish, which are just fine, but for the outdoor area with the deer, ostrich, crocodiles, bunnies, fox, eagles, snakes, and whatever other random animals happen to wander along. There are also the walk-through aviaries.

But if you asked the kids what their favorite part of the aquarium was it would be the skanky pond with the tiny bridge over it where they would have happily spent hours getting eaten by mosquitos for the pleasure of poking at mud and weeds with sticks. Sounds awesome doesn’t it?

Lowe was digging around in the pond with a long stick, trying to lift out a big pile of weeds, when SNAP, the stick broke in half. He turned around and immediately his chin started to quiver, and then it all came out. He was so incredibly sad over this. Eventually he realized that the stick was still plenty long—plus, his sister could have the other half.

Now look at this. These are the moments parents treasure above all else—when the kids play together and both have genuine fun.