Weird noises & such

As Zachary turns the corner towards being a 3-year old, he's starting to show more of those "boy" traits that you hear about. His energy level is astonishingly high, his mess-making is over-the-top, and now he's randomly started making really strange noises. One in particular has become the most annoying. It's almost like the sound a sea gull makes. Here's an example:

Mommy: "Zachary, how was school today?"
Zachary: "Michael threw the ball and we were laughing."
Mommy: "So you & Michael were playing with a ball?"
Zachary: "GAAWWKK"

Another example:
Zachary, singing, "Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. Round young virgin, mother and child. Holy infant so tender and, GAAWWKK"

Zachary, counting, "1,2,3, GAAWWKKK"

Zachary, reciting, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic, GAAWWKK"

As you may notice in previous posts, when I mention a new stage of Zachary's, I speak with a warm heart and even use words like, "So sweet, so cute, endearing, melts-my-heart, favorite, love, etc..."

You will notice none of those descriptive words used in this current post. Nothing ruins the scriptural version of the Christmas story from Luke 2:4-14 like a loud "GAAWWKK."

The uninvited houseguest

As of today - Allie has mild pneumonia, Zachary has an ear infection, mild pneumonia and pink eye, Rebecca has pink eye, a throat & sinus infection. Where this bacteria came from, we do not know. Why Todd has not been affected, we do not know. Rebecca, Zachary & Allie are currently taking a combined 13 medications and breathing treatments 4 times a day. UGH!

More funnies from Zach

After digging in his ear, Zachary pointed his wax-covered index finger at me and said, "Mommy, look what I found in my ear!"


He spent one morning searching for his blankie. I suggested he look upstairs in his room. To which he said, "No, I can't go upstairs, it's too dangerous."


The Orkin man (Nicolaus) came last week for his monthly visit. Zachary followed him around as he sprayed around the house. That night, during his bedtime prayers, Zachary said, "Thank you God for mommy, daddy, baby Allie & Mr. Nicolaus."


We were in the car and, for some unknown reason, it was quiet. Zachary says, "Mommy, talk about something."


Todd & I were talking about Zachary. He interrupts Todd & says, "Daddy, are you talking about me? Don't talk about me."


I put his dinner in front of him at the table. He says, "Mommy, the carrots & potatoes are not my favorite, but I'll eat the applesauce."

Thanksgiving in VA

We drove to Virginia to celebrate Thanksgiving with Jason & Meredith & Mimi & Grandad. We had a good time. We ate a huge meal with some basketball players and we were able to see Uncle Jas coach his basketball team to victory!

Road trip:

Allie & Mimi at the basketball game:

Allie has started sucking her thumb during non-sleep times. I think this is super cute:

Zachary knew when to cheer. He especially liked the "fire"... in the gym, they have a flame that shoots up whenever a 3-point shot is made. He's still talking about this.

Little snow bunny & daddy:

Grandad enjoyed his little granddaughter. So sweet:

We're letting Zach's hair grow out...it has a mind of it's own:

Allie loves Aunt Meredith:

Mommy loves when Allie laughs through her thumb-sucking:

The kids were EXHAUSTED at the end of each day:

Amazement Square

Over Thanksgiving weekend, Aunt Meredith took us to the best educational museum I've ever seen. It was such a great place for Zachary. He loved it.

He got to...
Pick some corn:Milk a cow: (seriously, liquid came out into the bucket!)

Play with one of those walls that has all the pegs that can be pushed into the wall. I loved watching him put his belly & head on it. So funny!:

Crawl through tunnels & slide down them (this was his favorite part):

Float a boat down the river & watch it rain over the city:

And...my favorite part...He got to paint the windows. See daddy's hand?:

This was such a fun morning for Zachary. Thanks Aunt Meredith!!