7 years and 2 kids later...

Monday was our 7 year anniversary. It was fall when we got married in Iowa, but it still feels like summer here in Va. Michael went to work while I took the boys to gymnastics at 9:00 and then drove up to Fantasy Playground at 11:00 and let the boys slide & play. We ate lunch in the park and then they napped in the car while I drove up to D.C. to pick up Michael. I worked on my Bible study in the parking lot while the boys slept and Michael finished working. Then, we headed to Michael's sister's house because she graciously agreed to watch the boys while we went out to dinner. They had a great time with their cousins and their dog, Boo. And we had a fabulous dinner at the restaurant 1789 in Georgetown.

Zachary, Mikie, and Boo.

Virginia State Fair

After teaching Sunday School and attending church on Sunday, we ate at Red Robin and then headed south to Richmond for the Virginia State Fair. Both boys took a short nap in the car and were in a pretty good mood when we arrived at 3:00 (thankfully after the major heat of the day...it's still 80 degrees here...where is fall???). There is just no comparing this fair to the Iowa State Fair. I was sadly disappointed at the lack of activities and exhibits; the entire fairgrounds could fit in about 1/3 of the Iowa State Fair. However, we did have a really nice time and the boys got to do what they each loved: Mikie rode the rides and Zachary saw all the animals.

Instead of a sandbox, they had a corn box. The boys dug, scooped, and poured until we had to drag them out kicking and screaming (well...just Zachary...Mikie was easily bribed with seeing large pumpkins).

They had a fishing exhibit that Michael and Mikie took part in and caught a trout. Mikie was so excited about his "long skinny fish" and wasn't at all sad about having to let it go.

The first barn we encountered housed the sheep and goats. I thought it was going to be a big hit with Zachary since he loves to say "Baa, Baa" whenever he sees a picture of a sheep. But, as you can tell from the video, seeing a real live sheep was a bit overwhelming for him. As soon as I stopped recording, a sheep reached out it's head and started nibbling on Zachary's shoes. He was so scared he started screaming. Then whenever a sheep would 'Baa' he would stick out his lower lip and pout. It was so pitiful! (Sorry about it being sideways...I still can't figure out how to rotate my videos)

"Bock, Bock" says the chicken and Zachary too!

This pretty red rabbit was so soft. While I was taking the picture, the little bunny sniffed Mikie's hand. I don't think he realized just how close it was because he pulled his hand away quickly.

Mikie wanted to rush through all the animals so he could go on the rides. He refused to go on anything by himself which left us with about 3 rides he and Daddy could ride together. After standing in a long line for the roller coaster, it was declared broken when we reached the front and was shut down. The flying "Dumbo" was a big hit since elephants are his favorite animal.

We ended the night with hot dogs on a stick for the boys and turkey legs for us. Mikie wanted ice cream for a treat and I had an elephant ear. I knew Zachary would want both but couldn't have either, so Michael got a frozen banana and ate all the chocolate off so Zachary could have it. He loved it! He must have thought it was ice cream because it was so cold. Overall it was a fun day, but it doesn't even come close to the excitement in Iowa.

Harvest Festival

This event was the start of our VERY BUSY WEEK! Saturday morning I had brunch to attend, then we took the boys to a harvest festival at a church in our neighborhood; and then that afternoon, we had a Sunday school social to attend. Here's Mikie on the bouncy slide at the Harvest Festival:

Going Up...

Going Over...

Sliding down...

Zachary loved his first pony ride. Mikie didn't want to try it, but Zachary couldn't wait to get on.

Zachary is 15 months old

Today Zachary is 15 months old. We had another ENT appointment and found out his ears are crystal clear and his hearing is perfectly normal....so no tubes...as of now. Hopefully, now that we know he is allergic to eggs and milk we can prevent future ear infections. He is a fearless little boy who is always climbing, throwing a ball, pushing a truck or train, dancing to music, and copying his big brother. He can say: duck, ball, fish, please, cheese (when smiling for the camera), moo, baa baa, makes pig snorting noises, bock-bock (chicken), roars like a dinosaur, pants like a dog, screeches when he sees a cat, can sign "more," "eat," "all done," and shakes his head yes when asked if he wants something. He is able to follow simple directions "pick up the block and bring it to mommy" "throw this in the garbage" etc.



While Mikie is in gymnastics, Zachary and Mommy have mini-tot tumble time. He loves to throw the blocks into the foam pit, run on the trampoline, and climb through, up, and over all the obstacles. He can tuck his head and do a somersault with help.
He has finally reached 20 pounds and is now enjoying the view from his car seat facing forwards. He has started really hating being in the car and is only pacified by snacks, which I delve out readily so that he isn't screaming. He looks so teeny, tiny next to Mikie whenever I look back at them.

One of the cutest things our little guy does is play duck, duck, goose. He'll walk around bopping you on the head saying duck, duck, and "oose" and then run away. He loves to be chased and dances to Mikie's THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS CD. He gives high fives and kisses and loves to play on Mikie's bed with his blankie. We love you, Zachary Frederick!

National Book Fair

NATIONAL BOOK FAIR

WASHINGTON DC

SEPTEMBER 27, 2008

The day didn't turn out at all like I thought it would. To start things off, Michael wasn't feeling well and the humidity was 100% with the temp in the 80's. The area had just gotten 2 days of heavy rain so there were puddles and mud all around. We did get to ride on the metro, have our picture taken with some characters, and heard Dooreen Cronin read her new book Thump, Quack, Moo. The most disappointing part of the day was not being able to see & hear Jan Brett read her books, or get our books signed by her. We were late getting to the tent where she was reading and then couldn't even get in because secret service had it blocked off due to Laura Bush being there. When we went to get in line for the book signing it was already 3 lines long and she only had 1 hour to sign books. There was no way everyone in that line was going to get a book signed so we gave up.

One of the highlights of the day was walking through the Magic School Bus and listening to Miss Frizzle read a story. The boys even got a free Magic School Bus book.

Learning about planets on the Magic School Bus.

We got our picture taken with: Super Why!The Target Dog even licked Zach's face (he could smell the chicken strip he just ate)
Mikie's favorite was CLIFFORD!
But, he wouldn't stand next to Wonder Red.
We tried to into the book sales tent, but the lines were too long. We were going to go into the PBS kids activity tent, but it was way too crowded and hot. Conclusion: there are TOO MANY PEOPLE in this area! It makes everything a lot less enjoyable. They need to have this event over the entire weekend instead of just one day.

Mikie says more & more

9/2008 While at Petsmart, Mikie found a guppy that looked exactly like the yellow and black spotted one we have at home named "jaguar" (purchased during our study on rain forest animals...hence the name of a mammal given to a fish). I was trying to convince him that we should get a different colored one instead of having two very similar fish. Mikie just stared longingly at it and said, "But they have to be the same so they can be best friends."


9/20/08 6:30 am....Master bedroom...parents sleeping....Mikie standing next to mommy's side of the bed says: "Get up Mommy! I looked outside and didn't see any of the lights burning so we can get up now!"


9/21/08 After I put on a green shirt and pink flowered skirt (first time wearing this post-baby) to go to church, Mikie comes upstairs and says: "Oooh, that's such a pretty dress." (Awww......he'll be a good husband one day...as long as his wife wears pink)


9/21/08 Mommy said: "Yay, look at our strawberry bed!"

Mikie said: "Can we sleep in it?"

9/25 While sitting on the potty: "If I fall in and flush then I'll be at somebody else's house." Apparently this is a new way to travel.... ha ha

Ongoing: "Now remember....." used to emphasize important directions such as:
"Now remember....when you hear this sound (whistle blow) it's time to come play with me.

"Now remember....the speed limit is 35"

"Now remember....I don't like peas, green beans, or baby trees (broccoli)"

After reading the 3 Billy Goats Gruff we put on a puppet show. Enjoy:

Wedding plans....

On the way home from Cubbies (AWANAS) tonight, it was just me and the boys as Michael was in Denver on Navy business, Mikie and I had a really funny conversation that went like this:

Mikie- Mommy, my foot hurts.
Tracy-I'll look at it when we get home.
M-Don't cut it out or you might cut out my ribs.
T-Did you learn about how God took one of Adam's ribs and made Eve?
M-Yes, that was not a good thing to do.
T- Then I explained a little more and told him that when he grows up he will find the one woman God made for him and they will get married. I thought it would be fun to start asking questions since he was in a chatting mood. So, I asked: How old do you think you'll be when you get married?
M- 49 years old (oh great...I may be dead by then and not get to plan a wedding!)
T- How old will the woman be that you'll marry?
M-I think she'll be 48 (if I am still living, now my hopes of grandkids are all gone!)
T-What do you think she'll look like?
M-She'll look like someone from South America (ok...good chances of being beautiful)
T-What do you think her name will be?
M-I don't know! (said as if he meant duh Mommy, I can't possibly know that!)
T-Where do you think you'll live when you're married?
M-Oregon. It's a long ways to get there. You have to fly over Ok-la-hi-mo
T-How many kids do you think you'll have?
M-I don't know, maybe 100 101 1o2 103. We'll have 103 kids. (I almost laughed outloud!)
T-Is there anything else you can think of?
M-When I get married I'm going to choose pink and silver. (of course!)

I think I'm going to keep the radio off in the car a lot more and just start asking questions. I'm always in need of a good laugh.