Gavin went to Singapore on the weekend.  The hubby was down for work, so Gavin and I tagged along for a holiday so I could catch up with my BFF and her son.  It was great to see our boys playing together - they got on like a house on fire and played “chase” through Suntec Mall.  Gavin’s even learned a new word - “Jack”.

On Saturday we took him to the zoo.  At eighteen months, we were hoping he would now enjoy looking at the animals instead of the materials used to create the enclosures which seemed to fascinate him most when he was last at the zoo at about eight months. 

Although we had an improvement in that he was at least looking at the animals, he didn’t seem particularly thrilled to be at the zoo.  He seemed mildly amused by the animals the hubby and I excitedly pointed out ot him.  If anything, you would have thought it was hubby and I who were the kids and Gavin the adult.

I thought he would enjoy the zoo because he seems rather keen to see the dogs and the birds at home.  Instead, what interested him most at the zoo were the fish that happened to be in the enclosures with the other animals. 

Even the water creatures, like the hippos didn’t particularly interest him.  Neither did the larger animals, like the giraffes - which we paid $5 to get closer to so Gavin could feed them. 

Any smiles that we caught were incidental rather than any real thrill to be at the zoo.

Contrary to my expectation that he would be keen and rearing to run around the zoo, he seemed to want to be carried all the time. 

After about an hour and a half, he looked like he was ready to leave.  By the time we got into the car, he had a bit of breastmilk and he was out like a light - which surprised us because he is usually full of energy and it usually takes him about five to six hours after waking before he’s ready to go down for a nap.

Perhaps it was the heat, perhaps it was the excessive visual stimuli that overwhelmed him.  Whatever the case, I think we would be better off taking him to the aquarium next time.  We’ll save the zoo for when he turns two.  Perhaps by then, he’ll be more excited to see the land animals.

Ironically, we took him shopping on Sunday morning before heading back to KL and I could have sworn he seemed a lot happier and enthusiastic about running around the mall.  Looks like we have a city boy - at least for now…

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