"Tack, Tack"

"tack tack" is the sound a duck makes. I've never realized before this trip just exactly how many figurine ducks gramma has around her house. Cooper has been gracious enough to allow this realization. So, he goes from duck to duck saying "tack tack". Rumor had it that Uncle Dusty has possession of some real ducks. So last night Carrie and I took Cooper to see the ducks. By the end of our visit we realized we may have just instilled a deep fear of ducks in Cooper due to a traumatic scene. Those who were with me last night are much better story tellers than I am, but I'm the one writing it down, so my story will have to suffice.

Upon arrival at Dusty and Tena's Cooper met the dogs, cats, and a new kitten. He climbed in a cage, and walked around holding some dog food (which he may have actually swallowed a bite of...he put it in his mouth, and by the time I got to him it was gone. He either swallowed it or spit it out after hearing the loud gasps of "noooooo"). We then ventured around to the frond of the house where the ducks were. The ducks were with the chickens in the chicken house. All animals were happy, clucking and quacking the night away. Then, to their sudden terror a man and woman (Dusty and Tena) started banging on their home. Tena scared the ducks to the other side while Dusty grabbed one. This is probably when Cooper's lifelong fear begins. The animals started clucking and quacking, and flapping their wings in a crazy manner. When one was finally caught, the Duck threw up...yes, threw up...inside and out of the chicken house. At this point I'm saying that Cooper just needed to see the ducks, there is no need to cause such ruckus amongst the animals. I look at my child to see terror in his eyes. All the coaxing in the world couldn't get him to touch or pet the duck.

Cooper saw that maybe ducks were not as fun in real life as they were as a figurine, a plastic toy for the bath, or in a book. However, this morning, he didn't seemed to traumatized when he saw the non=real ducks. He still seemed excited to talk to the ducks around Gramma's house. Hopefully there is no lifelong fear there, but in the event that there is, we all now know why.

We are having a good time with family. Here are a few snapshots of our fun.