Flying Lessons

In the last couple of weeks, Sam has developed a fear of flying -- to the point that he dissolved into tears in the backseat of the car and declared that he never wanted to fly on an airplane.

Not what we wanted to hear when we're getting ready to take off on vacation next week!

Matthew came up with the great idea to visit the airport so that Sam could see where we were going and what was going to happen. There are no longer observation decks at the Portland Airport, but the top of the parking garage was a great place to watch planes take off and land. Sam loved it! Then we walked across the sky bridge and saw where we would check in and then looked at some of the shops and saw where we would go through security before we boarded our plane. Sam kept saying how much fun it was at the airport.

It was a very successful trip!

Sam watching the planes take off and land.

Waving goodbye to the planes taking off.

Goodbye Little Curls

Somebody got their first haircut today! I hadn't anticipated getting Zak's hair cut quite this soon -- but it was out of control!

We took him to the same place where Sam had his first haircut -- a cute little place that caters to kids. Sam had a very positive experience -- Zak's experience was quite the opposite. Thankfully it all turned out fine in the end!

Zak's excited about sitting in his own car!

Things quickly went downhill.

Can you see the big crocodile tears? Poor little fellow!

He survived -- although still a little sober.

Zak doesn't look like a baby anymore -- he's a big boy!

Sprinkler Fun

This afternoon was pretty warm around here, so it was time to take out the "wiggly sprinklers" and let the boys loose. It was Zak's first time in the sprinklers and he seemed to enjoy it. He kept spraying himself in the eye, but couldn't quite figure out how that was happening.

All Sam wanted to do was get Zak wet. And he did it over and over again!

Zak was soaked and freezing by the time it was over --
but still pitched a fit when I made him come inside!

Gate Crasher

The gate we normally use in our family room was out of commission for a couple of days -- so I had to improvise. I thought I did a pretty good job of strategically placing a couple of large baskets in front of the doorway.

Apparently, we have a climber in our family. I've always suspected that Zak would be a climber. Sam was never a climber -- it was great! Zak, on the other hand, will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Especially if it's forbidden!

Caught in the act...

The Piano Man

Zak has recently discovered that we have a piano in our living room. He's discovering lots of new things that have always been around, but now that he's pulling himself up, a whole new world has opened up to him. Books are no longer safe on the end table...watch out for that cup of tea...the coasters keep disappearing. You get the idea.

Back to the piano. Every time he gets loose from the gated family room, he heads straight for the piano, pulls himself up and begins to play -- he likes to play on one end and then walk down to the other end and plays a little more.

Just in case you haven't already guessed...everything is played fortissimo.

Zak's First Birthday

We drove up to Edmonds to celebrate Zak's first birthday with family and friends. It was supposed to have been a picnic/spray park party -- but the gathering clouds, lack of sunshine and cooler temperatures prompted us to move the party indoors.

A fun time was had by all and we'll have another little celebration on his actual birthday, which is this Friday.

Zak loved all the balloons that Poppy and Grammie had at their house.

Opened lots of fun presents!

Zak had a lot of helpers when it came time to open gifts.
He didn't have to lift a finger!

Zak and cousin Drew playing together.

Tuckered out from too much fun!

Zak & The Cake

A child's first birthday cake. They are excited. Smashing cake. Eating cake. Happy times. Not so much for Zak's birthday cake. He wanted nothing to do with the Mickey Mouse Ears cake that his mom lovingly created for him. Did not want to touch it. Did not want to eat it. Did not want to be near it.

This is how it all played out...

Oh so happy when Dad showed Zak his very own birthday cake!

Excited for what was about to happen.

Still seems interested with what is happening.

Ooh, frosting touched his fingers -- Zak did not like that.

Can't believe his parents are making him do this.

Dad "forces" a little frosting into his mouth.

Yucky cake!

Get this stuff off my highchair!

Just let me out of here!

The Garage Guys

Sam just loves to be in the garage with his Dad -- doing anything.

Today they were changing the oil in the car.

Yes, Ma'am

Here's a little conversation Sam and I had at dinner tonight:

Sam: Is Zak a man?
Mom: No, he's a little boy.
Sam: Am I a man?
Mom: No, you're a little boy too.
Sam: Are you a man?
Mom: No, I'm not a man. What am I?
Sam: You're a ma'am.

You can't make this stuff up!

Winding Down

You know there is that special time before bed for kids -- a time to settle down, do something quiet, preparing themselves for a good night's rest.

Well that's not what usually happens around here when their Dad is home to "help out" before bed time!

Take a look...

Zak's Snack Attack

Yummy Cheerios after some swimming in the pool.

Yum, these are good!

So yummy, I'm going to lick the plate!

Fire Fighter Picnic

It was our third year at the annual Fire Fighter Picnic. The weather was hot and the food was plentiful! We met up with friends and headed for the games.

Dad teaching Sam the finer points of golf.

Sam's a pretty good little pitcher -- only the occasional wild pitch!

Zak excelled with the corn popper!

Sam and his buddies, Ben and Andrew.

Clowning around with Ben -- and Sam is eating another hot dog!

Food and friends!

Great water show from the fire boat!

Lounging in the Pool

Now that's it's cooled down to the 90's -- the boys were able to spend a little time outside in the pool. Zak wasn't thrilled with Sam's splashing -- but he'll just have to get used to it!

Zak wasn't sure he liked Sam watering his head!

Content and cool!

Zak loves to be shot with the water gun!