Parker Penguin Comes Homes

Last week we had a super special guest staying with us!!! Gillian had the privilege of bringing home her classroom's mascot, Parker Penguin, for a week of adventures! Gillian was beyond excited to bring Parker home with her. Her grin was ear to ear last Tuesday when she got him!

Mr. Parker came with a journal with a bit of his backstory in it, written by Mrs. Koehler, G's teacher. Turns out Parker was "born" in 1996 and has visited 195 families through the years. He's had quite a few adventures in his time. So, absolutely NO PRESSURE to keep the penguin whole and clean and not lost, RIGHT?

We had some fun times with Parker though. Gillian first introduced him to our own penguins, Dewey and Della (of beach boardwalk fame). She also make him a bed on the floor of her bedroom with his own pillow and blanket. And she made sure she fed him a bowl of fish at most meals. We took him quite a few places during the week, the Farmer's Market, See Saw Center, back yard play time, and two birthday parties! Oh, and dance class too!

Some photo evidence!




And on our way to our friend Vinny's birthday party!



Colin enjoyed Parker too. And Gillian was pretty good about sharing him a little.


As our week with Parker drew to a close, Gillian started getting kind of antsy about returning him. She just did NOT want to share him. She kept telling me that Parker didn't want the other kids and he wanted to stay with her. On Tuesday, when we had to return him, she tried to convince me that we should "forget him at home" so he could just stay with us. Oh, that GIRL! We DID return Parker and once all the other kids get a turn, we will get another week with Parker later in the school year.

Can't wait!