Wild Kingdom

One of the things you don't think about when you get married is that one day you will have children who have interests and dreams different than your own.  I admit to nonchalantly dropping hints to my children about how fun tap dancing looks.  When I got married at the ripe old age of 23, I never imagined I would be able to tell the difference between construction vehicles.  As someone who is uncomfortable around animals, it never occurred to me that I would have a child become obsessed with reptiles.

Linus loves reptiles.  He loves all of nature and life science, but reserves a special passion for reptiles.  Linus' favorite activity is make believe. He can be found swimming across the rug, saying tick tock, as he channels life as a crocodile.  Dave constructs him animal pens using the coffee table, arm chair, and couch.  On the rare sunny day, Linus likes to bask in the sun due to being cold-blooded.  Trips to the zoo require a lengthy stroll through the reptile house and the tropical exhibit.

By far, Linus' favorite reptile is the python, especially the reticulated python.  He can often be found looking for things to hang from like a python.  Linus likes to use the play tunnel as a python costume.  He will take all the stuffed animals and push them through the tunnel as he "digests" them.

Other times he likes to practice constricting his prey.  Eileen and I both find this very uncomfortable.  My favorite python game is baby python.  Baby python is sad, quiet, and snuggly.  He is sad because he is an orphan whose mommy and daddy died (this is a common theme in his role playing).  Eileen has picked up on all the reptile business and slides around the house hissing.  She also likes to be put in a "cage."

As a result of his interest, we now have reptile books.  Linus actually sleeps with a reptile field guide under his pillow.  Personally, I can't think of anything more nightmare inducing that looking at snakes before drifting off to sleep.

Today I decided to be a good mommy and took the kids to the Reptile Zoo. 

So very happy to be holding a snake.

He held that rosy boa for a long time.  No fear.

Eileen exhibited little interest and preferred to carry around a foot stool.

Modeling a corn snake.

 I admit I will be relieved when Linus is done with his reptile phase.  In the meantime, is anyone fluent in parseltongue?