Finally Clyde

Every time we head to the zoo, the kids have a routine that they like to follow. I have finally learned to let them follow this routine, even if I do not want to see the orangutans for the 100th time. We head in straight to the Francois Langur monkey exhibit (holding hands, of course). We run as fast as we can to the glass and stare straight up to the tip top of the trees and exclaim- "Two Free!" (Jayno) "I think they're sleeping." (Teigue). Always.

We then run to the little stream next to the monkeys and do the standard tossing of some leaves in the water and see them fly down the waterfall. Then the conversation always turns to our beloved Clyde. Will he be there? Will he be sleeping? Our Clyde has been somewhat of a recluse lately and not showing his um, pretty, little head. We have learned that Clyde comes out every other day...so we come every other day and he is not out. Or he comes out in the afternoon so his son Satu (who is trying to be the head of the clan) can come out in the morning. Nope. Trying to get a hold of Clyde can be quite tricky, and a certain mom has learned more about the orangutans than she ever thought possible. Well thankfully, we were able to finally! see Clyde and chit chat with him...although he was being very antisocial with that bag over his head. We didn't care. We love our Clyde and all is 350 lbs of dread locked loveliness.

Clyde has a very special place in our hearts, especially the heart of one Mr. Fox. When he was little, he would come and chat with Clyde (since Clyde was out every day at that point) and tell him things that were happening in his life. After he went poop on the potty, on our next trip to the zoo, Brady told Teigue that he should tell Clyde the news, as loud as he could. Thankfully for me, that was the beginning of the Satu vs Clyde era, and we could just not get the timing down. When we finally did, enough time had passed that Teigue had forgotten he was supposed to yell, and quietly mentioned it to him. Phew.

We were so excited about seeing our Clyde, even going as far as to attempt to kiss him through the glass, that we pretended that we were Clyde. Oh, my little lady.

Thank you Clyde for being out and chatting with us today. We will come and see you again soon.