elk

Early December I was driving along and from the backseat I abruptly heard Z exclaim "ELK!" He only had a handful of clear words, all the typical firsts. But "elk" was new. and random. (or so I thought) He said it over and over, leaving me a little confused as we continued our drive.

And then did it again a few days later, in the same spot.

And then we were in the hardware store when he nearly jumped out of my arms pointing and calling out to the elk mount on the wall. "Elk!" and then, "Goat!", "Turkey!", "Deer!", "buffalo!" and "MOOSE!" (he bellows that one) but the elk was clearly his favorite. 

I come home, laughingly and proudly reporting said events to Husband. He laughs and confesses. Turns out my loving husband, who is a wonderful daddy, has "man training" well underway. Oftentimes when he comes home from work, he scoops up the boy and takes him elsewhere so I can finish dinner. They check on the garden or work in the garage or on Friday nights, go and visit his best friend who works the gun counter at Sportsman's Warehouse. Z knows the names of all the various mounts and by now, can even use his hands to imitate the shape of their antlers. (my favorite is the way he says "pronghorn antelope!" His favorite is elk. So much in fact that when asked what he wants for Christmas, he said "Elk!" And his auntie got him an adorable stuffed elk.)

So anytime we drive past sportsman's, the boy calls out "ELK!"