Zachary's Chores

Zachary's new school teaches the kids how to do chores and work around the house.  It's been fun to give Zachary tasks and responsibility, so we've been asking him to water the plants in the afternoons after school.  He loves to spray the plants and say 'hello' to the neighbors as they come home from work. 

Zachary also loves playing in the driveway to watch for Kyle's car.  He'll shreek when he sees it and Kyle is greeted each night with a huge hug from Zachary and 200 tail wags from Kimbo.

CHEESE!!

Kyle and his Best Friend.

"This is HILARIOUS!"

Moments that Make Me Smile

Ice Age was on last night.....

The First Lunch Out Together

Today was the first time Kyle and I went to lunch and got to eat at the same time. All meals out previously  included taking turns walking around restaurants with Z while the other ate.  I would usually take the first shift while Kyle would scarf down his meal to give me a break.  It's the worst. We usually cringe at the thought of going to lunches and dinners until we went with the Walsh's for Sean's birthday.  Kristy brought her iPad and Zachary stayed in his seat.  You could see the light bulb going off for Kyle and I!  Our little squirmier needs to constantly be entertained, so judge if you will, but we're bringing every portable electronic we have from here on out.

Kyle and I went to brunch this afternoon and brought in the portable DVD player from our Breck trip.  Zachary sat in his seat and watched Mickey Mouse while Kyle and I ate.  We had a few strange stares from other parents, but Kyle and I totally ignored them and enjoyed our meal together.

Sometimes Kyle and I talk about surviving as parents and the iPad and DVD player allow us to survive a little more comfortably.  Judge away, we're just happy to get a meal together.

Whatever Works and this Works for Us!

"We're goin' to the Zoo, Zoo , Zoo. What about You, You, You?"

Last Sunday, we took Z to see the new elephant exhibit at the zoo.  It was pretty cool and he loved it!  You get to see them up-close and they have lots of room to do what they do. It was the first time we had a break from 100 degree heat, so we enjoyed being outside.  Kyle even bought us tickets to go on the train, which Zachary loved.  He also loved seeing the hippos, the giraffes, and the monkeys.  And the best part about the zoo?  The great nap afterwards!  Zachary passed out in the car on the way home.

Hope Zachary's brother enjoys the zoo as much as he does.  We're looking forward to going again soon!

Zachary loved being so close and said, "Elephant!  Elephant! Elephant!" almost 100 times. 

I'm wondering if he eats more than the pregnant woman watching......probably not.

The Monkeys swing right over your head!

Mom and boys in tow!

Waiting in line for the train.  He loved it!

Trip to Breck

We headed up to Breckenridge on Friday morning to meet Kyle's family. Kyle's grandparents and the Zielkes all came to spend the weekend together.

Zachary enjoyed riding his bike at the campground, feeding the fish in the river, and throwing hundreds of rocks in a pond.  We had a great time and look forward to taking him again soon!

Kyle got Z a DVD player for the car.  It was a lifesaver!

Zonked after a long day!

The Big Announcement

So, it's official news.  Kyle and I told the family this weekend that we're having a baby BOY this November!  We're trilled.  Kyle and I always imagined ourselves with two little boys in our home, so this news just feels right.

I'm now the mother of two little boys and I couldn't be happier!

And so it begins.......

4th Of July

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

Kyle, Zachary and I had a great Holiday.  It started Tuesday night when Zachary and I went to Lisa, Joe, and Joey's house after work.  We got to spend time with friends and even got to see the Healds.  Little Eden is getting big and she's the same size as Zachary, so it was fun for him to have another little one to play with. 

On Wednesday, we headed to the pool with the Walsh's.  Our pool had a huge party with lots of activities for everyone in the family.  Colin and Dylan were diving for coins and Capri Suns and everyone had a blast watching the cannonball competition.  Kyle put Zachary on his shoulders to watch and Zachary loved getting a great view of the splashes.

In the afternoon, we loaded the kids up and rode bikes to our local firefighter station to give them Red, White, and Blue cookies.  The firefighters were very thankful and gave Colin and Dylan a tour of the truck.  I thought Zachary would really enjoy seeing all of the nobs and tools on the truck, but he was so excited they too, had a washer and dryer like he did at his house.  I couldn't get him away from it and I think he was close to volunteering to do a load for them.  One of the firefighters told Kristy and I that he volunteered to help in Colorado Springs and told us a few stories.  It was incredible to hear them firsthand.

There was a statewide ban on any type of firework (even sparklers) and we were happy everyone complied.  This was certainly not the year to start an accidental fire.  So, even without the traditional firework show, we made the best of it and started our own tradition.

We're headed to Breckenridge this weekend, so hope to have some fun pictures for you soon!