100% Muscle Men

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that I've become a semi-permanent resident on our living room set, Z and Big Daddy Paul have taken to calling me Queen Momma of the Couch. Luckily I have these 2 handsome muscle men to keep me  company, and give me something nice to look at while I'm stuck on my throne!

Thanks to Nonna for picking out the muscle shirts for Zachary--he doesn't quite understand what happened to his sleeves, but with the heat we've had these last few weeks, they've been perfect!

ANIMAL!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think it's about time Zachary is introduced to the muppets, maybe he'll see the resemblance between Auntie Kitty and Animal too! 

I've been referring to Catherine as my fairy godsister. No less than that would give up their entire summer vacation to help take care of me and Zachary (and in a few days? weeks? Elara!) She has been an incredible help all ready, and we literally couldn't have done this without her. 

Apparently she'll even let Zachary brush her hair. You're a good auntie, Auntie Kitty!

This Blows!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That look on Z's face certainly doesn't say this blows! He just loves making bubbles, anytime and anywhere. This time he convinced Auntie Christine to take him out for some bubble time, and he even got to use the giant wand all by himself.

Zach in the Hat

 

 

 

 

 

Play time with Auntie Christine and Uncle Jon Jon quickly evolved into dress-up and smile for the camera. It was fun to see that Zachary actually fits in the Elmo baseball hat now, at least when Auntie Christine isn't wearing it. Of course, every time we pull out his baseball hat, he wants us to give him the baseball and bat from Auntie Ginnie!

Wiggles and Giggles

 

 

 

Nothing better than a Poppa Power Tickle Trap to get Zachary laughing hysterically. He giggles until he can hardly breathe, then begs for you to keep tickling him some more! 

Sliders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it's a hot, sticky, miserable day, and your Momma is being a bum on the couch because of some "bed rest" nonsense, what can you do? Have Auntie Lizzie fill up the pool, plop a slide on one side, and have a blast! Swim Trunks optional, of course!

Hope your 4th of July is a happy and festive one! (and hopefully not too hot!)

Continuing the Tradition

 

 

 

 

 

It's been almost a month since her high school graduation, and I'm finally getting around to posting a Congratulations blog post...It's impossible to stay up to date on these pictures, I'm always 3-4 weeks behind. I get close to caught up, and then we go on a trip, or have a big party, and I fall behind again. I just hate to miss out on any of the great pictures and stories. So better late than never, I suppose: 

CONGRATULATIONS CATHERINE!!! Davenport Central Class of 2012.

 Catherine did her part in keeping up the Butterworth Girls tradition of wearing red shoes to graduation. She, of course, wore very striking, patent red high heels, I wore red converse sneakers, and if I remember right, Elizabeth wore very cute red dressy flats. So we each had our own take on the tradition. Then there are the Butterworth Boys with their own tradition...they chose not to walk across the stage at all for graduation!

We are very proud of you Catherine (aka Auntie Kitty), and look forward to seeing where the next stage in your life brings you.

another Z-ism

 

 

 

 

"Momma, I love Ashley. And you love Gruncle Ben!" 

It Takes a Village

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am entirely dependent on my "village" to help take care of Z right now. It's always good when the village grows in population for a few days! While we were in Iowa, we were happy to have Gruncle Ben and Rebeccah come for a visit with Ashley, Morgan and Chloe along for the ride. Zachary just loves that "little girl Ashley," as he calls her. She was such a good sport about it too! I'm sure she'd rather have been hanging out with the older girls, but she spent a good part of the weekend playing with Zachary (and making him a very happy little boy!) By the way Ashley--he still brings out the little unicorn you gave him, and tells me all about how you gave it to him!