Check Yourself Out

Happy Birthday Z!!! Can't believe we are celebrating your second birthday. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the day to day, and then suddenly your birthday sneaks up on me. You are an amazing little dude, and make me and your daddy so happy. I have to say, one of my (many) favorite things about you is your sense of humor. You pretend to sleep (complete with snores), and pretend to feed your toy animals. You have the absolute cheesiest grins, and I'm convinced you know how cheesy it really is. Sometimes you'll call Daddy Momma because you think it's funny. Fake sneezes too. Lots of them. I fake sneeze too, because I love how you say, bless you momma. Today while we were out and about, your Daddy gave you a ride on his shoulders, and you said, "Ride Daddy Horse." 

I hope your imagination is always this big, and that you continue to think my silly songs are funny, and not just embarrassing. Because I'm always going to love you this much, and I'm probably not going to stop singing

Love you to the moon, and back, Zachary.
 

packing it away

My son, the knowledge sponge. Z is an avid reader, and has an incredible vocabulary. He is always surprising me with a new word he's picked up.

I think it helps that we're not afraid to let him watch television. He has learned a lot from the shows he enjoys. I think too many parents get caught up in the tv-is-evil mind frame. There are some wonderful, educational shows out there, and not allowing your kids to watch any of it is a shame. I'm not letting him watch TV all day long, and I don't let him watch just any old show. But Sesame Street, and Super Why and Baby Einstein are great. He gets to learn about letters, and counting and shapes, in different ways than I could teach him on my own. He even has a sign language DVD that he loves, and can show off all the signs he knows!

I'm not recommending unlimited television, it's certainly not a substitute for reading and coloring and play time, but I think it's a great complement to our day. We'll watch a show or two in the morning, and then spend the rest of the day playing, reading, and adventuring. 

walk quietly....

A walk with Daddy at the end of the day is becoming tradition. What a lucky boy to have a Daddy like this one! 

Daddy, we hope your next year is even more wonderful than the last, full of lots of walks, sticks, rocks and happy little Zakkies. 

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

one is silver and the other gold

And in this case, they are both soaking wet!

Auntie Hillary and Uncle Case are welcome to come see us anytime, rain or shine. We know Uncle Case is  busy serving his country in Afghanistan for the next year, but we are lucky to have Auntie Hill close by. Love you both!!

but keep the old..

No visit is quite complete without the requisite trip to DuClaw--including the sampler platter! Uncle Case provided the entertainment throughout our dinner service, and the beautiful Auntie Hillary impressed us with her spot on toddler-interpretation. BIG thanks to Uncle Case for teaching Z to slurp fishies right off the table. I promise I'll pay you back for that someday...

make new friends...

It was love at almost-first sight. Z had to warm up a little bit after waking up from his nap, but after that they were all fast friends. Uncle Case and Auntie Hillary made the trip up to see us, and to meet Zachary for the first time. Yes, we know that they are technically Second Cousin Case and Hillary, but we have disposed of these unsuited titles. Aunt and Uncle are much more fitting!

Water Warriors

All day long I hear Z say, "CriCri...JonJon..." followed by a deep sigh. I'm pretty sure this is a deep sigh of sadness that they are not available to play with him all day every day. Z wants them to know that there is a futon available in his room, if ever they should decide they can't bear to be without him any longer and want to move in...

the world is his racetrack

He already walks all over us, why not drive his cars over us too?

sweet as summer

Nothing says summer in Rhode Island like a Del's Lemonade. This was Z's second time enjoying the sweet-tart frozen drink, and he liked it so much that he ended up finishing both mine and Grandma Ann's! Better order him a Jumbo next time!

the Beautiful Sea

When we revisit this location in May, the ocean won't be the most breathtaking and beautiful view we'll be admiring...Can't wait to celebrate Auntie Christine and Uncle Jonathan's upcoming wedding! 

A wave and a kiss!

This Newport paddle boarder had a lot of great views to take in while paddling through the harbor. How wonderful to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Auntie Millie, Auntie Ginnie and Grandma Ann. And, of course, there was Zachary waving and blowing kisses like he is royalty. I guess that would make me one of his loyal subjects!