Sophie's New Discovery

Sophie decided to climb in a drawer today!

It was so cute, but I realized that our girl could break the drawer, so we relocated her to the laundry basket.

Fun times!

Haunted Gingerbread House

Yesterday we went with Grandma and Grandpa M and Mrs. Christensen to Granbury in search of pumpkins.  Zachary and Daddy selected a very large pumpkin (to be carved at a later date) and Sophie and I found some to be decorated with paints, etc.

This morning, Zachary and I went to Michael's to get paints and other decorations for our pumpkins and came across a haunted gingerbread house decorating kit.  I thought it would be so fun after last year's Christmas gingerbread decorating, and it was!  Grandma T came over to help with the decorating and Zachary did a great job putting all the candy around the house.

Here's our spooky house...

Super Saturday

Our family was all in one place, it was a beautiful morning, and we had nowhere to be. OMG - first time in FOREVER!!

We decided to load up the kids for the Kids Festival at Calloway's Nursery. They had popcorn, balloons, pumpkin patches and decorating, a make-your-own slime center, and a Mad Scientist, all for FREE. Wow! It was a lot of fun walking around looking at all the plant, and Z made quite a creation.

After the festival we decided to stay outdoors and headed up to the central market playground for more fun. The kids had a great time and we enjoyed an outdoor lunch. Aunt Mandy joined us for a little bit, and we ran into some old Little Gym friends, Brooklynn, Luke and Miss Whitney.

Best part of the whole day, though, was my Zachary asking some big kid: "You want a bite of me?" Bless that sweet kid for not laughing in his face. :)

Friday Zoo Day

Decided that it was time to take advantage of the weather, packed a picnic, loaded up Sophie, got Z from school and headed to the zoo. We had a nice lunch and walked to Texas in search of the merry go round. The kids loved the merry go round, and then we had a nice train ride (round trip of course).

We took a good amount of time looking at the animals in Texas. This is usually our last stop, so we end up going quickly. This time we watched the sea otters for a while, explored the gulf coast exhibit (Z touched a star fish!), went through the rattlesnake and bat exhibit (yuck!) and walked back to the front.

Thankfully, the penguins were back from vacation and we got to watch a feeding and see them swimming. Sophie loved it, as did Zachary. On our way out, we also got to peek at the kangaroos and fish in the Australia section.

To top it all off, both kids slept in the car on the way home!

We are so lucky to have such a wonderful zoo, and it was the perfect day to enjoy it!

September 2009

Zachary's 4 year Checkup

Height - 39 1/8" (24%)
Weight - 33 1/4 lb (25%)
Blood Pressure - 96/56 (normal)
In the meantime...
Vision - 20/30 (very normal for 4 years old)
Hearing - no problem

Poor buddy had to get 5 pokes in his arms and 1 finger prick. Yikes! Thankfully this is it for vaccinations till he's 11, with the exception of flu yearly (and next year I'm planning on FluMist).

These pokes cost me ice cream later - cotton candy and pink lemonade sorbet mixed together. He picked.

Dr. Young also detected an ear infection, so now it's Z's turn for the antibiotics. :(

He's growing great, talking well, and doing everything a normal boy his age should be. We are so lucky to have our Little Buddy in our lives!!

Dear Birthday Boy

My Dear Zachary,
4 years ago we welcomed you into the world. I had no idea that you would grow up to be such a sweet little boy and that I could love you this much! I am so proud of everything you are learning - to play baseball, to play golf, to ride your Big Wheel, about the states, our country and the world, your manners, and how to be brave. I am so proud of how you treat others, and how much you care for your sister and family. You are so generous with your love! I love how curious and mischevious you are, and that you love to giggle!
You are my silliest goose, my little buddy and my best boy!
Love,
Mommy

Zachary is 4

Zachary turned 4 today. We had the family over for dinner - breakfast at dinner! My silly buddy loves when we do this and it was so fun for his special birthday! We were so lucky to have Grandma M, Grandma T, Grandpa H, Gee Gee and Bubbe join us to celebrate his actual birthday! Unfortunately, the storms rolled in and the Hollander group was unable to stay for cake and ice cream. Darn those Texas storms!
Zachary loved all his gifts and we had a really nice evening!

A House Divided

TCU vs. Southwest Texas State (or whatever it's called these days)

We all went to the game... it was actually pretty fun, considering how crowded and humid it was. Sophie was very busy taking it all in, and Zachary had a great time. That school in San Marcos actually held their own during the first half - when we were there. As soon as we left, the Frogs took it to them, showing them the way a REAL football team plays. (haha!)

Lots of snacks kept everyone happy till the end of the 2nd quarter (Zachary still thinks the game is over then) and we left very satisfied with our football experience. Now if we could just find a closer parking spot...

GO FROGS!!

Happy Birthday Party #4

Zachary's 4th Birthday Party was held at Jumping Party. He had a great time with his friends and family. The grandmas even got in on the jumping action!!! After cake and ice cream, Zachary was very proud to hand out party favors (kites) to his guests and thank them for coming to celebrate his birthday! A good time was had by all!

First Day of Museum School

Today was the first day of Museum School. Museum School is a big deal in Fort Worth. People used to camp out overnight on the sidewalk outside the museum just to get their child in. Seriously. Now you just mail in a form - thank goodness!
Zachary was a bit apprehensive, but we started the day at the Bagel Store with the McDaniels. Zachary and Gwen were in the same class so that helped. We got there a bit early so we were waiting when the teachers opened the door. They whisked Zachary inside before he had a chance to shed a tear. When I picked him up, he had a great time and could not wait to go back. I'm so glad that he will get to have this experience with his friends!

PS - All this was topped off by a visit to Chuck E. Cheese with Grandpa H and Grandma T. Woo Hoo!!!

He's a Travelin' Man

Zachary and I had quite an adventure this week. We flew to Georgia to take care of his cousins while their parents were in Italy (jealous!). With all the hassles with flying these days, I was a little apprehensive, but Zachary was so great.

First, our flights were on time and uneventful. Second, we were able to carry on our luggage. Third, the DVD player was fully charged and ready to go. Zachary was a great listener, and pretty easy going the whole trip.

We enjoyed lunch at the Varsity by Georgia Tech, the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coke, the mall, a bounce house visit, his first movie theater movie, and a parade, in addition to numerous car pools, drop offs, lessons and church events.

This mommy-buddy time was much overdue and I hope that we can continue to do these trips as he gets older.

PS - if you ever are in need of a traveling companion, Zachary would love to go. Has Lovey, will travel. :)

Georgia Aquarium

Next time you see Zachary, ask him how the aquarium was. I bet you $5 his response will be very close to:
We saw a show and things came out of the TV and the Jellyfish stung me and we got wet and I was scared and it was loud and there were scary things that came out of the TV!

Note to self: My almost 4 year old is not ready for the 3 and 4-D movie experience.

Falling - with Style

Poor Zachary - he comes by this naturally. See, his mom is a clutz. Always has been. I trip up stairs and on flat surfaces. I fall out of chairs for no reason. I regularly have bruises and can't remember the cause.

Yesterday:

He was running in the Shack and fell, Superman style, face first on the carpet tiles. Not so soft. Bruised shins, skinned elbow, and skinned palm. Yowza!

Today:

He was running out to greet Daddy home from a trip. Falls in the middle of the driveway. Didn't twist his ankle. Just fell and scraped his foot.

My question: should I invest in the parent companies of Neosporin and Band-Aid??

August 2009

All Hail the King

Scene: driving up Bryant Irvin

Zachary: "Mommy, I don't want to be a prince anymore."

Me: "OK..."

Zachary: "I want to be King!"

Me: "Yes, your majesty! I'll alert the masses." accompanied by major eye rolling

Sophie's 12 Month Check Up

Doctor said she looks great! She was very cooperative, except during the 4 shots (to be expected).

Vital stats are:
Height - 30 3/8 inches - 87%
Weight - 24 lb, 2 oz - 90%
Head - 18" - 70%

Doctor Young has also encouraged me to quit bottles cold turkey. I haven't given in - so far. We'll see what tonight brings. :)

Happy Birthday to Sophie!

Dear Sophie,
One year ago today, I was in labor with you (please see last year's 8/15 entry for all the gory details), and then I welcomed you into the world. We first got to know each other during late night feedings and watching the Olympic Games. You kept your light eyes, and your hair got lighter. You loved your brother instantly, and bonded with your Daddy after he passed your crying test. You've learned to eat solid food, sit up, crawl, bear crawl, and walk. You love bath time, music class, and your frog lovey. You're not easily impressed, but you're a shameless flirt. Both skills will serve you well later in life.
I hope you enjoyed your family time, party, and dinner today. I know you liked the cake (as any daughter of mine should)! I am so proud of you and I know you will do great things!
Love,
Mommy

And She's Off!

Sophie has officially started walking today. She's trying to get from point A to point B and is pretty successful. Yay Sophie!!!

Fear of Flying

I have never been afraid of flying, even with my child, until I heard about passengers being trapped on planes for hours at a time. This is the latest instance, and I am infuriated.

1 - Why didn't the passengers do something? Ideas for things to do include:
a - call the airline
b - call a family member
c - call the police
d - fake a heart attack
e - fake an asthma attack

2 - Why didn't the employees do something? Ideas for things to do include:
a - open a door
b - go against 'orders/protocol/etc' and get the passengers out in a safe manner

3 - How is this even allowed to happen?
When did we stop caring about how we treat others? What if the airline president's mother/father/spouse/child had been on that plane? Or better yet, the airline president him/herself?

Within all the 'rules' we have forgotten how to be human, how to show a little compassion and decency toward another.

More to come as I organize my thoughts...