Pamperin Family

Swimming and t-ball

2009-06-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to the local pool for the first time all summer. At 95 degrees, we were ready for some pool time. Zack swam all by himself, no flotation device, and with goggles, for the first time ever. It was amazing to see how fast he is and how good he really is. His very first comment: "Mom this is so exciting! It's beautiful underwater!!!" And all he was looking at was a cement blue pool.

After two hours in the pool, we went straight to t-ball. Lesson learned, and we'll never do that again. He was so lethargic and pooped out, he couldn't care less about t-ball. He had a hard time hitting the ball, but connected really, really well with the T every time. Lance has been pitching to Zack, so we'll have to go back to the T. After two times at bat, he turned around and said "I give up" and walked straight into my lap. With the heat, I didn't blame him.

Pictures from the first weekend at the lake.

2009-06-09T16:48:00.000-07:00

So, Grandma's resort is finally open for the season. Which means it is time to fish. Which means I get to trail after Zack all day, constantly bating and untangling the Diego fishing rod, and fighting with him over just how much time he gets on the boat versus how much time Daddy gets alone to REALLY fish. The new boat ran great, and the fish were biting. And biting. And biting. And biting.

Swimming Lessons, Day One

2009-06-09T16:24:00.001-07:00

Day One of swimming lessons. When I registered Zack, I debated whether to put him in the Beginner or Intermediate Preschool session. He jumps off the dock into the lake with zero reservations, and he's also the kid who, two summers ago at the age of 20 months, ran along the deck of the pool, jumped in, and was rescued by 3 lifeguards. He of course came up laughing at his trick. The mothers in the balcony all screamed and did the Super Gasp, and the lifeguards didn't think it was any too funny. That was my first clue...this kid likes the water. But, I also didn't want to get him into a class too far ahead of him. Well, about 14 seconds into today's class, I realized I was going to have to bump him up a level. This being a beginner class, they weren't blowing bubbles with their face in the water, but were pretending to blow out candles on their finger. Meanwhile, my Crazy Larry is jumping up and down, dunking himself, holding his breath for 3-5 seconds, and popping up, to the huge dismay of the horrified teacher. Yeah...pretending to blow out candles isn't cutting it when he has the whole pool at his disposal. So afterward, I asked him if he would like to do a harder swim class, or if he wanted to continue to blow out candles. Clearly, you know what answered. So all night, I've been hoping, hoping that we can get into the Intermediate class, which has a session right alongside the one he is already in. Especially since he's asked 14,000 times tonight: "When does that harder swimming lesson start?"

Second day of swimming

2009-06-09T15:56:00.001-07:00

First thing this morning, we approach the teacher and ask if he can move up to the next class, which is going on at the same time as the beginner class. She says "oh yeah. No problem. He's obviously a swimmer." Oh, I just swelled with pride. In this Intermediate class he is no longer playing "Simon Says" to put a face or an ear in the water, but is being supported on his front and back, learning to float, and will eventually learn strokes before the class is over. He also got to put his face in and reach for the rings that his teacher held out. Right up the alley of the kid who can hold his breath for 11 seconds in the bathtub. Yeah -- 11 seconds. After the lesson, as I wrap up his chattering teeth and lead him away from the pool he says "I don't want to stop swimming. Going home is boring. I want to swim between the lines. I want to stay swimming. Mom, what time do we have swimming lessons again?"

2009-05-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

Everyone receiving their certificates.

The Boze, tired of the preschool program.

Preschool Graduation Day

2009-05-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

So, the rest of the class is singing "Red, white and blue, red, white and blue. These are the colors for me and you." If it looks like Zack is a ventriloquist who has got it severely wrong, it is because he has chosen to sing "dead deer, oh, dead deer." And he ain't whispering it either - and he is a second off, because at the end of the song you hear his final "deer!" All while grabbing his crotch.

Zack 'reads' the giving tree.

2009-03-01T16:47:00.001-08:00

With a memory like this, there is NO reason why he shouldn't be able to get good grades purely on memorization.

I would have recorded more but I wasn't sure how this would load.

Presenting............Ben!!!

2009-02-19T18:25:00.000-08:00

Zack and I got to visit Ben for awhile this evening. I think Zack was a little caught off guard by Becky in the bed, because he was pretty shy for awhile. After telling Ben "you'll grow big like me when you eat" and "I have lots to teach you", he didn't care much for him. He told me "i'll hold him tomorrow." Becky got up and walked to the bathroom while we were there. She was pretty surprised when they told her she would be doing that. Apparently they no longer require you to stay in bed 24 hours after the c-section. She had some wonderful jello and is looking forward to real food on Friday. Marcy, Warren and the girls came too, so Becky's room was full of visitors. I think it's crazy that the nursery is closed until 10 pm and the baby has to stay with you. Wow--she looked real tired. These videos of Ben are "pre-scratches." I feel horrible. He was doing that thing where he tried to stuff his fingers in his mouth...well, his gown was covering his fingers. So I asked Becky if she minded if I helped him stick his thumb in his mouth, and then uncovered his hand. Within seconds he had scratched his face. You can really see it in the pictures. Kid has crazy long fingers, and his nails are ready for a manicure. I guess when you get that big, your nails do too.

And some photos:

Later dude. Zacky and mommy sledding.

2008-12-21T20:32:00.000-08:00

It may have been below zero, but we were itching to try the sledding hill near our house. With our little old school blue plastic sled, we made 4 runs before we couldn't take it any more. Next time: an inner tube so we can dominate that hill. And slide straight instead of fishtailing all over. We were the only two people there.

Pictures from the program - video is below

2008-12-21T20:12:00.000-08:00

Is this not the face of an angel? This is his proud smile.

And this is his chewing on his cheek face, which he did most of the night.

Chatter with the Angels, soon in morning.........

2008-12-21T20:06:00.000-08:00

He's got the 'chatter' thing down, but he sure doesn't sing much.

2008-12-21T20:00:00.000-08:00

This was the curtain call:

Zack's big debut on stage

2008-12-21T18:41:00.000-08:00

The much anticipated Christmas program finally arrived, and our angel was just perfect. As expected, I cried, but I was laughing right along with the tears. (You'll notice the camera a little shaky. Sorry.) Per usual, there's the kid who will someday be featured on America's Funniest HOme Videos, for trying to yell the loudest. Thankfully it isn't ours. He turned slightly shy, kept the same look on his face almost the whole time, and barely sang a word, but sure like banging on the sticks. He looked so cherubic in his little costume, I wanted him to wear it forever.

We LOVE his preschool. I cannot say enough good things about it. His teachers are wonderful, the lessons are great, he loves his friends....I could go on and on. After the program, he took a cookie, and said "I have to...I have...I've got to...." and couldn't spit the words out. He walked up to his preschool teacher, Mrs. Kahara, and handed her the cookie. For MY little Sugar Bug, to give anyone ANYTHING that has even the remotest amount of sugar in it, is huge. So I can tell that he REALLY likes her.

Oh, Grandma...you would have LOVED this program. We wish you were here! He had to double check that Ella had been there, and when I assured him that she was, he said "those lights were blocking my way. I couldn't see Ewwa."

2008-12-10T13:41:00.000-08:00

This is Zack practicing his favorite song for the Christmas program. His part is to bang two musical sticks together, and he takes it really seriously. The program is December 21st at 6 pm for whoever would like to come and sit there bawling with me. Today at preschool they got measured for their angel costumes. Costumes?! Real, white angel costumes. Oh, man...I am so nervous to go, because I know I am going to CRYCRYCRY like a baby, at my BABY up there singing songs. I cry telling Grandma about some of the things he says while he practices. I cry when I picture me crying.

Can I just have 25 seconds to make a grocery list?

2008-12-10T13:25:00.001-08:00

So Zack was intently making some project at school using markers when I picked him up. He sat there an extra 5 minutes, after everyone had left, because he wasn't finished with it yet. The teachers said he'd been working on it all morning, and was so worried to leave it when they left the room to play, practice their program, or have a snack. When I asked what it was, he said it was Daddy. It kind of looked like him, too. Well, I convinced him to finish it at home, taking along 2 markers. (we do NOT have markers at home. For obvious reasons.) So, we've had lunch, he's coloring at the table, finishing his project, and I dug out the Christmas cookie recipe book to make my list. I had read through ONE recipe, just ONE, when I heard "hey mom, I want to wook wike a cwown." translated: I want to look like a clown. "uh-huh...maybe next Halloween", I answer, distractedly. but something made me look up. A big flash of BLUE caught my eye, and when I looked up, he said it again "I want to wook wike a cwown" and was proudly sporting THIS face:

Then when I tried to wash it off, alternating between laughing at just how MUCH he got on him, and doing the typical mom's response "what were you thinking?!", he started bawling that "Now I won't wook wike a CWOWN!" So I took a picture of his sadness. Or, the Sad Clown.

Then, as he's looking in the mirror, lamenting the loss of his 'costume', I said "hey, Clown...do you know where Zack is?!" So now he's back to being happy, because he think I mistook him for a clown. Happiness is back.

Reading "Field and Stream" and Grandma's email

2008-12-08T11:49:00.000-08:00

Saturday night I caught Zack laying in his bed, still awake at 10:30pm. He was intent on reading his new magazine, the latest issue of Field and Stream. He was chewing on his lip, so deep in thought, turning the pages and taking in every single word and every photo. When I hit the play button on the camera, he caught me, so you don't get the full effect here.

Grandma Shug sent Zack an email. After I read it to him the first time, he had such a proud look on his face, that I wanted to capture it. So, I videod while reading it to him again. I hope this doesn't make Grandma cry.

This video below was actually the first time I tried to record him:

The Batman mask he made himself

2008-11-30T20:26:00.000-08:00

I was in my scrapbook room last week, and Zack was painting at his table next to me. He's talking to himself, saying things like "mom, I don't like to paint my nails. Megan and Emily paint my nails." "mom, Megan and Emily like to paint nails," and one that should have made me look up but didn't "Mom, Batman has black eyes." Uh-huh. Intent on my project, I continued to do my projects, distractedly commenting to him, doing the 'yeah, sure,' to whatever he was saying. Suddenly I heard the mail carrier drive into the neighborhood, and loving the mail as much as I do, I ran past Zack and went bolting down the stairs. I'm grabbing the packages from her, so excited to see what she has brought us today, when she looks behind me and says "whoa! what's that on your face?!" I turn around, and see Zack behind me, looking like this:

Showing his Spiderman muscles

2008-11-30T20:24:00.000-08:00

Santa, Zack wants his own camera for Christmas

2008-11-30T20:20:00.000-08:00

Zack LOVES to take pictures. I recently found this out when I discovered 30 photos on my camera that he had taken while I was in the shower. Photos of things like: the tv, the remote, and a picture of KAri, Paul and Xavier. Here are some of his works:

Thanksgiving photos

2008-11-30T19:57:00.001-08:00

We went to Thanksgiving dinner at Coyote Moon at the Plantation Golf course. We brought along Zack's handmade centerpiece from preschool, and place setting from Leah's house. Our table was the prettiest one there. Zack got to eat his favorite -- desert.

His new favorite song:

2008-11-30T19:52:00.000-08:00

The "hot chocolate song" from the movie The Polar Express is Zack's new favorite song. And since hot chocolate is one of his favorite things to drink, we hear the song alot. Here's his rendition:

Cutting down the tree

2008-11-30T19:45:00.001-08:00

We found a fabulous tree farm in St. Cloud Saturday. After a hayride to the bull ranch, where we got to feed the bulls, they drive you out to the trees where you can cut one of your choosing. After much walking around, we found the perfect tree, and with 20 seconds on the saw, it was cut down. Then we got to try jerkey from previous residents of the buffalo farm -- Zack loved it. Zack couldn't stay awake for the decorating of the tree, he was too tired. So, I decorated during nap time and here's the result:

Man Hands - Peanut Lover

2008-11-30T19:39:00.000-08:00

We went to lunch at a burger place in town called "Five Guys Burgers and Fries." They are super yummy, and have amazing fries, which are from Idaho potatoes. So of course we're big fans. They have peanuts that you can eat while you're waiting for your burgers. So I took a handful to our table. I didn't even realize that Zack had never eaten them before. He popped one in his mouth immediately, and when he bit down, the look on his face was hilarious. Of course he spit the entire thing out. I said "I'm so sorry! I forgot that you didn't know how to eat these." Once he tasted one without the shell, he was a big fan. The intensity with which he cracked them open was so funny. I had to video it. And the man hands! Someday the rest of him will catch up to the size of his paws.

2008-11-20T08:47:00.000-08:00

This is how I found Zack during his nap yesterday. He was reading his coloring book, and fell asleep. You can hear the Diego video playing. He is so into books lately. I love it. Whatever ones I pick out to read, he insists on reading them for a few days in a row. And he remembers their titles after just the first time. Yesterday we read "the pillow war", and he asked for it again last night. "I want to read that pillow fighting book." So we'll be stuck on that one for a few days now. Good thing its short.

We are waiting for it to warm up a bit,m then we are going to take some bread to the 10 bazillion geese that are on the pond down the road and try to feed them. Probably the last time before they all fly out for the winter. We have lots of bread saved up, since we haven't been there for awhile. At least it is sunny today.

2008-11-11T19:09:00.000-08:00

And then there is the new toothbrush. Or, more specifically, the 'tickle toothbrush.' Someone ought to patent that and market it as such. Who knew there was electric toothbrushes for kids? This little thing is the answer to our toothbrushing struggles.

Zack has wanted an electric toothbrush, and is often said "when I get big I can get a toothbrush like mom and dad." I've thought "uh-huh...you've got a long wait pal." After all, I was 35 before I got one! Well, last week he and I went to Target, and I'm moving along the toothpaste aisle, just looking to pick some up quick, when with a huge yell, like he'd struck gold, I hear Zack yell "THEREITISTHEELMOTOOTHBRUSHELMOTICKELTOOTHBRUSHMOMELMOTICKLETOOTHBRUSH!" The look on his face was of utter surprise. He had the most enormous grin -- and was pointing at an electric Elmo "tickle" toothbrush.

Once at home, he had to use it before nap time. (huh? This from the kid who used to scream while I brushed and gagged while I tried to hold his mouth open?!?) He even slept with it Monday night. Here's a few pictures of the first time in action:

I found Zack sitting next to me like THIS on Sunday. That particular grin, a naked boy, and a green highlighter do not mix, and this is what it looks like:

Yeah. that's not gangrene people. He colored his toe. He had to take off his socks, his pants, his shirt to do this kind of damage. And, he did it while sitting so docile next to me. Right NEXT to me. Am I that oblivious to my own child? Or is he that stealth and sneaky? Please let it be the later. Luckily it all came off pretty easily - I only cleaned off his face, so I'm sure the babysitter was scared when she gave him a bath Sunday afternoon and saw that toe.

Even hunters get thirsty

2008-10-22T11:40:00.000-07:00

So when do you break them of the sippy cup??? It seems like Zack will be 16 and still using his. Seeing as it is his comfort item, the one thing he cherishes and cuddles with each night. Might be hard to get rid of. Here we are on the Zacky and Mommy hunting expedition on Monday. Thanks to Grandma for the new gun (or dun, as Zack calls it). I really struggle with this gun thing. I've talked with lots of moms, very Christian moms at his preschool, who've raised two and three and four boys. They all say the same thing: Boys are going to play with guns. They ask "oh, your husband must be really into hunting." NO! He isn't. Just my son is. He just developed this infatuation with hunting, then it was fostered at just the right time when he spent a few days with Justin, who he adores. So now it's "mom...I'm doing like Justin do." Deer hunting shows, games on the computer, and play-acting. Sunday when he went for a hunt in the woods behind our house, they were crouched down, and a 10 point buck ran in front of them. So Zack 'shot' at it. Now all he can say is "I shot a 100 buck." Then a few minutes later it was a "200 buck."

The last picture is him talking on the phone with Lance. Note the cute shirt that says "voted best dressed." He also got one last week that says "future prom king. Cast your vote with Mom."
I love funny, sarcastic little boys' clothes.

Color Inspiration challenge #21

2008-09-04T14:16:00.000-07:00

I needed to do a Congrats card for a friend who just got engaged. I decided to partake in Kristina Werner's color challenge to give me a starting point. I used a Stampin' Up set from the summer mini "all about spring", which has only been used for these 'bride to be' cards. I used mini crystals& marbles on the flowers. I had never used these before; a word of caution: they are VERY MINI. When they spill, they go EVERYWHERE and are very hard to pick up. Hee hee. I really wish I could tie cute bows. I've watched video of it, to no avail. Still can't do it. Uck.

Looking for a good book? I just finished "Skeletons at the Feast" by Chris Bohjalian. It. Was. Fantastic. I didn't want to put it down. It has several story lines, and intertwines the lives of a German refugee, a Scottish POW, and several Jewish prisoners during WWII. It was a whole different perspective of the Holocaust and the attrocities that went on during that time. Chris Bohjalian is one of my FAVE authors. Can't go wrong with him.

My Etsy website

2008-09-04T13:30:00.001-07:00

http://paperminiskirt.etsy.com

I've started a shop on Etsy selling some of my wares. I'll be adding more soon. I'll also be selling at three local craft shows:
St. Joseph Kennedy Elementary October 18
Apollo High School November 15
Albertville/St. Michael November 22

For anyone interested in my scrapbooking/cards, I also post items several times a week at http://paperminiskirt.blogspot.com

Off he goes........

2008-09-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

Our little man took one big step today. All the way to Northland Christian Preschool, a whopping mile down the road. The days leading up to preschool, he would say he didn't want to go when I mentioned it. In fact, one conversation, Monday night, went like this:

Me: "Zack, are you excited for preschool?"

Zack: "No."

Me: "Why not?"

Zack: "Too scary." Followed by the lips puffed out, arms crossed in front of his chest new 3-year-old-to-be pout.

Me: "What do you mean it's too scary?"

Zack: "Cuz. They'll be mean to me."

Me: "why will they be mean to you?"

Zack: "Cuz. I'm a superhero."

Huh. Well. I didn't really know how to counter that one. So I kept my mouth shut.

Wednesday morning he was all yippy to go as soon as we put the backpack and new shoes on. He even hurled himself into the car. We reviewed how he'd stay, and I'd go home and make lunch, then come back.

When we walked in, he saw his name/photo above his hook in the entry way, and went running into the classroom. Mrs. Kahara showed him where to put his crayons/markers/glue/pencil box, and had him put the Kleenex on the circle so they could make a tower later. He was all over that, and wanted to pull out EACH crayon/marker to show Mrs. K what he brought. I stood to the side and watched for about 5 minutes, then he sensed it....and came streaking over to me and had me in the death grip. The clincher hold. Deep breath. "Zack, you get to stay here, they told the Mommies to leave." This followed by wailing from Zack. Mrs. Beth comes up and says "is it easier if I just take him?" I wanted to say "why, heck YES, it would be MUCH easier if you'd just TAKE him", but I think she meant only for the morning.

After using my full strength to wrangle Zack's arms out of his grip on my neck, I went walking out of the room. But not before I caught a glimpse of the arms outstretch, begging, pleading red-faced, "MOMMY!!!!!!!" wail that he let out. Just walk out. Do not look back.

I was pretty proud of myself for not crying.

I went straight to the salon to get my hair done.

And 35 minutes later the phone rang. On the other end was the sing-songy voice of Mrs. Kahara: "hi, Mom. We have a VERY sad little boy here." (I could here the gulping and the trying-to-catch-his-breath cries.) She asked if I could come back to school. "ummm.....now? i've got 20 foils in my hair. I...I..I'll get there as soon as I can." When what I was really thinking was "please don't think I'm the worst mom in the entire world for running off to have my hair appointment five minutes after I dropped my baby boy off at preschool for the first time, and not being able to drop everything and rush back there. she put him on the phone, where I did some fast talking to him about "tell all your new friends about that fish that swallowed your line...and your new fishing boat...and how you put leaches and worms on all by yourself...and how you jump off the dock..." which calmed him a little bit. And calmed ME a little bit.

Another 30 minutes later the phone rang: "Hi Mom. He's much better now after a snack." (guess I forgot to warn her how Pamperin met get when they don't eat. Right. Now.) "there's no more t-e-a-r-s's," she spells out, "he's doing great."

I got there early enough that I got to sit and listen to the story time, where he kept looking over at me and yelling "HI MOM!!!" every 30 seconds. Ater he was dismissed, and we walked out, he hugs me around the legs and says "Mom, I WUV preschool!"

I guess we'll be going back.

The head staples

2008-06-01T19:43:00.001-07:00

Here's a quick video of Zack's head. he finally went to sleep, after an Everready battery kind of day, and I was able to get a clip of it. Sorry if it's gross. Staples. Real, live staples. In his HEAD. Poor little dude. You can hear him snoring. Which is a whole other deal - he's going to have to get his tonsils out because of his snoring issue.

We start soccer on Wednesday. Two days a week, for 8 weeks. Wow. Fun for him, not so fun for me. Did I mention it is parent assisted? Huh. Yeah. Exercise for mommy.

A few pictures from this week

2008-06-01T18:26:00.000-07:00

We cut some of our tulips this week, to put in a vase, since they were at their prime. Left a few in the ground. Zack watched me cut them. The next day, he said "mom, I'm gonna go outside." I could sense that something was up, so I decided to stay inside and watch him from the window. He had his scissors, walked up to the tulips, and started cutting them. Right below the flower. Leaving zero stem. I walked outside and said "hey. Um, what are you doing?" "I'm tutting the flowers. I love tutting flowers." So we gathered them up and put them in -- a bowl. This morning I threw out the dead ones, and he asked where the red ones were, and why there were only white ones left. Very observant.

Zack and Daddy went fishing one afternoon; dug worms and everything. Here Zack is pretending to eat the worms. Quite the kidder, he is.

Feeding the ducks

2008-06-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

It was our first time out this year to the pond down the street where the million ducks live. We took a few pieces of bread we've been saving for weeks, and our left over french fries. The ducks weren't too interested in us yet, but I think now that we've been there, word will get around. Next time they'll welcome us. We didn't just have plain ol' bread, we had RAISIN bread. They've got to love us.

A trip to the emergency room

2008-06-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

You'd never be able to tell that he had three staples in his head a few hours ago. Staples? Yeah, staples. Right at the top of his head. He was such a trooper - he screamed a little bit of course, but as soon as they were done and brought out the sticker bin, he was all done and asking for pizza and to lay on the couch with me. Long story short: we'd been outside for hours, and I was making him come in to eat. I had a towel to try him off (he'd been in the wading pool), and was snapping it at him to make him stop screaming hysterically. He started laughing, we started roough housing in the hall, and he fell back and hit his head smack dab on the corner. I could see the gash, and it was some pretty thick blood coming out, so I grabbed the towel, stuck it on his head, and threw him in his car seat. He was naked. Buck naked. I was sweaty and stinky from playing outside all morning. We walked into the emergency room that way. I got some really weird looks from the others - naked boy, bloody head/towel. He stopped crying as soon as we got there because they had a fish tank, and that was all he could think about. After we got home, he had some couch time for about :29 minutes, then he was back outside running through the sprinkler. He DOES NOT stop. Two and a half hours at the park today, three staples in the head, no nap, some Benedryl and warm milk. He's still not out.

2008-06-01T17:04:00.000-07:00

2008-05-04T17:02:00.000-07:00

Riding the Big Wheel - his favorite

2008-05-04T16:49:00.000-07:00

2008-05-04T16:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple videos of Zack riding his Big Wheel down our street> He can ride with his feet on the peddles, he just chooses to use his feet, pushing off the ground. Still, he is ridiculously fast. In the time that I stood and videod (19 seconds) he made it down the entire block. And I can't let him get to the end of the block, because if he takes a right, which he knows is headed to Ella's house, he goes down a really steep hill where he won't be able to stop on his own. And that is right where he is always headed.

Flying kites

2008-05-04T16:19:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the sideways video; I keep forgetting that I can't switch it ones I've recorded it this way. We had two really windy days here in St. Cloud, and flew a kite that Zack received from Granny and Boppa Pamperin. It really took off, and he thought it was the greatest thing. Well, I think Lance thought it was the greatest thing ever. Zack just laughed right along with him.

Ice Skating

2008-05-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

This was Zack ice skating at the SCSU arena two weeks ago. This was his third time on skates, his first time holding onto something in front. He LOVED it, and laughed and smiled the whole time.

Zack with his girlfriend, Kellie

2008-02-12T17:38:00.000-08:00

Here's Zack laying in bed, relaxing with Kellie. He LOVES Kellie. Loves, loves, loves her. He asks me to keep his door open when he goes to sleep so that Kellie can come in. He says it like this "Momma, weave doe open. Keh-wee come in."

You can see him rubbing his ears like crazy. No, he doesn't have an ear infection. The kid rubs his ears when he's tired. Gives him away every time. So of course, here he is totally tired, given the way he's rubbing them so much.

2008-02-11T10:40:00.000-08:00

now does it work?

Zack and Ella at the game

2008-02-11T10:29:00.000-08:00

Learning, learning how to do this, and I thjink I've got it! This is a video of Zack and Ella at the Tech vs. Apollo basketball game. The kid loves basketball, loves his cousin Ella, and loves dancing. He was in heaven. And how sporty is he in his Harvard sweater? More to come later if I get this correct.

A few randoms

2008-02-11T10:27:00.000-08:00

NHL, here we come!

2008-01-18T15:57:00.000-08:00

First day on skates! These were taken at Laven's amazing ice rink on December 22nd. It was freezing out, but Zack had a BLAST!

Our ice skating rink

2008-01-18T15:55:00.000-08:00

So we made a red neck ice skating rink in our front yard. Couldn't be the BACK yard, it's gotta be right in front where everywhere can see. (I'm secretly impressed, though). We went to Play it Again Sports to look for a used pair of hockey skates. USED, as our two year old has never skated before. In the middle of December, it's not easy to find a beginner, smallest size, pair of skates. But hey! We've got a new pair here, for ya! When Lance was told that Zack would wear the skates for 2-3 seasons, and that he could then consign them back, he was sold. So the bright, shiny, gold trimmed skates came home with us.

We wore them for the first time at Laven's amazing rink on December 22nd. Zack couldn't do much more than stand there and try not to fall. When he saw his cousins (big, full grown men) using the hockey stick, he said "I want DAT. I want DAT." So Lance gave him a stick. He still can't stand on his own, but I'm pretty impressed.

Didn't I say he wasn't going to play hockey? I'm already talking Division I college scholarship, and Lance insists that if he should choose to (downgrade his education) go to St. Cloud State, he's not living at home. Zack's only two and already his dad is planning to kick him out!

I know, I need to get him a hat that fits. Again, hand me down from the Johnson's.

Christmas in January

2008-01-18T15:48:00.000-08:00

Here's Zack so proud of his new life-sized pony he got from cousins Odin and Trygg.

Zack is in LOVE with Rumple, the Johnson's cat. LOVES him. And Rumple reciprocates. Zack follows him everywhere, and wanted to sleep with him. Here's Zack lovin' on Rumple, in his cute new airplane shirt.

Blast from the past

2008-01-18T15:45:00.000-08:00

On our last trip to WI, Lance dug up his and Dana's letterman's jackets. I made them put them on for a photo. Look how cute they are! You can't see how many medals each has, but they had a lot. Both jackets still fit them! Now whether they'll wear themn out is another story. With that big "92" on the side, Lance might get some looks. I dared him to wear it around and see what kind of comments he got. Wow, are we OLD!

2008-01-18T15:43:00.000-08:00

How pretty is this one? Every so often I get lucky and catch him in a real smile instead of his new two-year-old way of grinning, which is scrunching everything up.

New Outfit!

2008-01-18T15:42:00.000-08:00

Here is Zack sporting a new outfit from Gymboree. Brand new, never been worn, which is a rarity for him. When I put something on him that is, truly new to him, he'll say "from OdinTrygg, mom? From OdinTrygg? (he says their name one word). He is so used to hand-me-downs. But not this time! Everything is brand new, just-took-the-tags-off NEW right down to the matching socks! So we had a photo shoot to show off. So handsome.

2007-11-16T07:04:00.000-08:00

The little painter

2007-11-16T06:15:00.000-08:00

Well, it was finally our turn to have the 'it's too quite in here' moment.

First, let me tell you that Zack is ADDICTED to waterpaints. We leave the tray, the water cup and the books on the table 24/7 because he does it first thing when he wakes up, and he floats over to the activity whenever he's bored with something else. He is in LOVE with painting.

Yesterday, Lance decided to touch up some corners in the house that have rubbed off, and touch up the corner in our bedroom where the darker color had bled.

So, Zack goes and gets his paint brush and says he's helping. Lance yells at me to please come get him, because of course, he is NOT helping. "All I want to do is get these corners done, Kristi, so can you watch him?" I'm in the closet, hanging up quite a bit of laundry. I'm intent on getting my task done, and clean up the closet. I yell "Zack, just watch. " After a few minutes, Lance leaves the room and moves on to the next room, and the next corner to paint. A few minutes go by. Of course, my mind is on the closet and hanging up my clothes. When I finished, I walked out of the closet and stared right at the wall...which Zack was painting...in black stripes. I started to yell, but then had to remind myself "he was helping." So I very firmly said "Whoa...Zack...wow, are you a good painter. But only daddy paints on the walls. Zack paints in his books." And with a ginormous smile on his face he goes "gettin' the corners! Gettin' the corners!"

Suffice it to say, Lance wasn't happy, but luckily it wiped off with water.

The finished landscaping project!

2007-06-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

Many many weeks ago we started this project, and we've pretty much completed it. Finally. But not without some choice words between Lance and me. The brick walls need a few more adjustments when we can get our hands on a saw. We also need to move the remaining 9-10 wheel barrow loads of rock out of the cul-de-sac so the neighbors can stop calling us the Griswolds. I ha ve sinceadded wood chips to the picture above of the mailbox. Those are all perennials in there, so I'm anxious to see how they thrive. I planted annuals on the right, where a second mail box will go when (if) we ever get a neighbor.

Lance worked so hard on many of his days off and received some pretty big bruises, back aches, and farmers tans as a result. He did a great job, considering how much he was being nagged. I'm proud of us! Now we are patiently waiting for the grass to grow. It is slowly but surely getting there. We chose not to do the underground sprinklers (the source of the choice words), so we get to move the manual sprinklers from one end of the half acre to the other end all day. Every day. Day in and day out. Over and over again. Did Imention it was a half acre? It will definitely be worth it in the end. If anyone has a used riding mower they'd like to get rid of, we could use one. Mowing a half acre with a push mower--another reason why we're known on our street as the Griswolds.

Out for dinner

2007-06-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

Tonight we went out for dinner in Albertville. Zack got his favorites -- chocolate milk and vegetables. During dinner, his (toy) phone rang. Aparently, it was Grandma. He had a long conversation with her and wouldn't let us talk. He stood there eating while talking to her. How does he know how to do this stuff?

Parade

2007-06-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to take Zack to the parade. For one, because I personally LOVE marching bands, and haven't been to a true Minnesota parade in nearly 15 years. And knowing how much Zack loves the drum music, I couldn't wait to see his reaction.

I brought along his bug catcher to use as a distraction, and it turns out it was GREAT for catching candy! He held it out into the street, and people would just plunk candy into it, and we didn't even have to get up! The weather was super warm, with no humidity!

The dentist, some ducks and then a deep sleep

2007-06-11T10:51:00.000-07:00

Zack's first trip to the dentist! I wasn't sure what to expect, but he did great. The hygienist turned out to be a friend of mine, which was awesome. She was great at keeping Zack calm, and interested in what was going on. He grabbed a handful of new toothbrushes, which should keep us stocked up for awhile. The dentist said all looks good. On the way out, we came upon a mommy duck and 6 little babies trying to cross the parking lot. Zack stopped and helped each one get over the big curb. I was so lucky to have my camera to catch such a sweet moment!

Following the dentist visit, Zack crashed so hard he was snoring. He was asleep as soon as we hit the road. (Still clutching his new green toothbrush!)

Preschool Carnival

2007-06-03T15:18:00.001-07:00

The preschool had a little carnival last week with tons of games and fun stuff. The first thing we did was head toward the the parachute. As we walked in, Zack whizzed away from me, and went straight to this parachute, where the teachers were hoisting it up and down. He ran up, grabbed an edge of it, and ran underneath it. Fun for a few minutes. He buzzed from one game to the next for nearly two hours, and wouldn't sit still to eat pizza. The last event of the evening was the"Teddy Bear Band." We sat down to listen (which is a pretty hard thing to do. this kid doesn't believe in sitting down.) Zack started clapping and bouncing his head, and ten seconds later was up and jumping around, flapping his arms, while holding on to his snack cup (see picture below.) that lasted about ten seconds more. Then he chose to run rampant among the 1000+ attendees, making me have to chase after him. We ran into alot of people we knew, but I couldn't stop to talk because all Zack wanted to do was keep running. And running. And running. We definitely looked like idiots.

This would be called the "Boze face"

2007-06-03T15:12:00.000-07:00

Aptly named after the original Boze. I looked at Zack one morning and said "make a Boze face." And he did. Right on que. How did he know? I have no idea. So now he does it every time you tell him to. Of course, Grandpa Nick thinks it is hilarious, and that Zack looks just like him. Doesn't help that he's totally dirty and in need of a haircut.

Still doing yard work

2007-05-20T19:01:00.000-07:00

Lance is wearing himself out with this yard. Why oh why oh why did we think we could handle a half acre? He's been moving black dirt around and adding seed to the spots where it hasn't yet grown. Problem is, he's doing it the Amish way--one wheelbarrow load at a time. Poor guy. Please be sure to comment on the beautiful landscape the next time you're at our house, everyone. He could really use the compliments.

Zack has loved all the work going on. He cannot leave Lance alone outside for one second. He has to be out there with him the entire time. And the independent child that he is, he picks up on what Lance does, then goes and does it himself. I can hear the wheels in his head spinning: "Oh lets see, Dad's taking the dirt out of the wheelbarrow? Well then i'll transfer the seed from this bucket to this bucket here. Hmmm..the seed spilled all over the lawn? Well, dad scoops stuff back up with the shovel, so guess I will too." He's such a hard worker, but I can see Lance gritting his teeth, since what Zack is really doing is making Lance's job more difficult. Bless his sweet little heart. Zack is getting more and more blonde and developing more and more of a farmers tan. (which is why he was out in nothing but a diaper Saturday. Gotta even out those tan lines.)

It's POTTY Time

2007-05-20T18:55:00.000-07:00

He may not look happy, but this was his idea.

Lately Zack has been noticing his...well, noticing HIMSELF more. And he has even said the words 'potty and toot' where they applied. So, we're going to start potty training. Wow--I haven't even thought about this subject, it just sort of fell upon us. I mean, we have still been working on the 'hands are not for hitting' mantra, and now he's ready to tell us when he's going to pee?

This was Zack's first seat on the throne. Later today he went walking to the toilet and sat there saying 'potty. potty. potty.' When I put him on, he didnt go, but it's a start, right?

Mother's Day

2007-05-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

For my Mother's Day present, I had the day off! Becky and I went to the Sugarland/Kenny Chesney concert in Minneapolis, and took our sweet time getting there by stopping at the outlet mall and Shops at Arbor Lakes before hand. Before I left, I got my pic snapped with my little Hunky Hunk. I haven't been in a photo with him in MONTHS. Why is that? I'm always the one behind the camera. Gotta take more pictures with my boyfriend. I love Zacky's kisses.

Our helper

2007-05-10T09:49:00.000-07:00

I love the concentration on Zacky's face. He was so intent on moving this rock. What's so funny, is we had yet to load it into the wheel barrow. He figured out that is where it was going, and he started scooping it up and putting it in. Two small rocks at a time.

Landscaping project

2007-05-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

Finished! It will look much better when the grass grows in. We also have one more layer of bricks to lay on the border, but they need to be cut with a saw by a professional. Next step, the west side of the house and a brick circle in the front yard.

The big truck came and dumped the rock, and Zack got right to it. He wanted to help so badly. this morning, the first thing he said when he woke up at 5:30 a.m. was "da-da...rock. Da-da. Rock." Don't say the word rock around Lance. He's wiped out after our work yesterday.

What I did for FOUR hours today

2007-05-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

My back is killing me, bu I got a good chunk of the blocks layed down. There is something throwing it off, so I hve to stop for now. Guess I'll have to wait for Lance. Zack and I ate our lunch on the new picnic table. You can see the new tonka truck and the new shopping cart in the background.

Yes, Lance, that is Sammy under the shrubs in the first picture. He got out, and where do i find him? In the sun.

The tale of a boy who just wanted to play outside

2007-05-03T11:59:00.000-07:00

We were outside since 8 a.m. At noon, I decided it was enough. Hauling dirty boy inside, I started to take his shoes off, saying we were going to eat lunch. A union break, basically. He threw a fit. The first picture is him yanking on the locked mud room door, frantic. I wish I'd had more time to line up the shot. The second, again, the fit.

Look at that face. Does it look like he has four hours worth of dirt on him? He is exhausted from playing with the three new Tonka Truck diggers we got at a garage sale today. The previous owner never used them; they were brand new and $2 each. We also got the two most wanted items on our list: the radio flyer wagon ($10) and a picnic table ($15). God bless garage sales.
I was taking pictures and saying things to get him to stop. Obviously, he's going to be a drama king, because as soon as I said "cheese" he looked up and smiled, then came and sat in my lap so he could look at the pictures I had just taken. He loves looking at himself in the digital camera, and almost understands the concept that that is HIM inside there. I'm working on getting him to say "me."

This will never happen again

2007-05-01T12:40:00.000-07:00

After a long weekend of playing with two different dogs day in and day out, playing at two different playgrounds, eating in fantastic restaurants, and no naps for four days, Zack had had it. Sunday at 11 a.m. he zonked out in front of Erika's TV. Now, we watch a LOT of TV at our house, and he's been tired before. But he has NEVER fallen asleep in front of the TV, and I don'/t think it will easily happen again.

Weekend in Denver

2007-05-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

I was in desperate need of a girls weekend with my bestest, bestest friend who I have not seen in nearly 4 years. So what do I do? Grab Zack and head out there. Just to be clear, this was never a trip that he was invited on. I was desperate to go, so I had to bring him. Never again. Never, never never again. Next time, I'll leave him with our neighbors, the 19 deer that visit our backyard every night. He seems to really like them, and them seem pretty reliable. Zack LOVED Erika's dog Cash. Cash was pretty well fed all weekend, because anything that I put out for Zack to eat ended up in Cash's mouth.

After awhile, Zack realized it and just offered his food to Cash.

"Cash, listen to me. " Zack begging Cash to come and play.

If Cash wasn't going to use his kennel to get out of the sun, Zack was.

And a few more randoms

2007-05-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

Zack's new fascination is for the truck. He loves climbing it it, riding in it, pretending to ride in it, and beeping the horn. He can no longer hold the keys as a distraction because he goes right for the red button (help button) because he knows it makes the best beeping sound. Quick story: he and I were in a store, and in the back of my mind, I heard someones car alarm going off. There were only a few people in this little store, and they all looked at one another, shrugged their shoulders as if to say "not mine." I thought nothing of it. We don't have an actual car alarm, which is what I assumed the beeping was. I suddenly noticed Zack with the keys, pushing the red button. From inside the store, the truck sensed it, and was spouting off the annoying "beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeep."
While playing outside, he needed a diaper change. I grabbed one from the truck, and he thought we were heading off somewhere. Yes, I know his socks are mismatched. When he has his shoes on you can't even tell.

Now why would one do this to one's self? that is what I asked him. This was a typical bowl of mac-n-cheese that Zachary decided would look better in his hair. Took the whole bowl, rubbed it on top of his head. I'm blaming his dad, because that devlish grin that Zack is wearing is all Lance.

Zack finally goes and gets a book, and will look through it on his own. Last week, following the never ending hitting incident at school, I went straight to Barnes and Noble and bought 2 books on hitting: "No Hitting!" and "Hands are not for hitting." The clerk says to me "are you being proactive or reactive?" Yeah, definitely reactive. I'm sure i've told most of you about the hitting incidents we've had. yesterday was our first ECFE class in two weeks, and he only hit once.

So here's what we've accomplished so far with the landscaping endeavor. We are using retaining wall blocks to follow the curve of the sidewalk. We'll then fill this will rock and shrubs. We have added the first 3 shrubs and flowers in the center section; i'll have to take a picture to update that.

Just a few updates from the past month

2007-05-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

Last month we drove to Wisconsin to visit Granny, Boppa, Dana, Charlie, Odin and Trygg. On the way, we stopped at the Children's Museum in St. Paul. What a great place! Wish we lived closer so we could go more often. They had an exhibit where the kids stood in front of a blue screen, and could see themselves up on the tv screen in front of them, like they were in a video. They got to choose music from a stereo, and use a microphone. Not sure how Zack knew to use a microphone, but he picked it up and immediately started pretending. He was fasinated seeing himself.
Daddy and Zack at the Bob the Builder exhibit, which was the whole purpose for the stop at the museum.

Playing with the tool set at cousin's house. Dad taught him he has to wear the safety goggles.