Christmas tree 2008

This past weekend my sunglass clad dudes and I headed out to get our Christmas tree.

We were going to go to a tree farm and get a "living tree" so we could plant in yard after the holiday's but teething has really messed up nap time so we opted to just go to Loews's and look at cut tree. Zack checked out the selection, but ended up loving a fake one with a ton of lights. Is even more environmentally friendly so we bought it. I have never had a fake tree but we live in a different world now and it is pre-lit! Huge time saver!

Zack showed some concern about the tree fitting in the back of the truck, but with little creativity it worked out.

Zack and dad put the tree together, but needed to take a little nap before the was up for ornament hanging.


So I started with the high, breakable ones. Then he and dad finished up with Zack friendly ones down low.



He really liked the snowmen...







and the dog-dog ones...













and the candy canes...

Especially once he figured out that they are eatable!








I really love how excited Zack gets every morning to say good morning to tree and turn on the lights. And again at night when he says good night and turns them off. This is a fun age!!

One and half years old!

*Note that pictures are terrible...taken with camera that is being sent out to repair...Too many play dates*

Today Zack turned 18 months! We celebrated with his favorite breakfast, Pancakes! He ate 5 little ones...Yeah!

Unfortunately B-Day's usually include a trip to Dr. but this time was suppose to be ok, since we don't have shots! But it was during Zack's nap time and the Dr. was running behind and Z had to get flu shot. Made for cranky Z.

Having Thomas and apple juice helped a little, until he had to have his shot....




And a lollipop from a nice nurse after always helps. Then we were off to Zack's favorite lunch...Little Anita's for burrito!




Much happier!!
Stats: 20 lbs, 13 oz & 31.5 inches! Growing, Growing, Growing!

An inside snow day!

Yesterday Zack and I headed to the Campbell's to have a play day with them plus Mia. We did lots of fun things since all the naps are short these days. One thing was play in the snow. It was only 12 degrees outside, too cold for the kiddo's, so we brought some outside in!

Each one kid had a spoon and had a blast playing in the snow! They also so had their own take on it...


LT liked the snow balls I made...




While Mia spent at least an hour "cooking" her snow.



And of course, Zack loaded up a dump truck.

And had a little snack. More pictures from the day!

Hoops with LT

Below is a little video of Zack and Landon trying out his new basketball hoop.

Love of dirt

Zack has a new fascination with dirt, or sand, as I was told by a 4 year old at the park today. It's is his new favorite activity, at least when away from his trains and trucks.

It's harder than you would imagine to find some dirt to play in these days, since all the new playgrounds have wood chips instead of sand but there are still a few good ones around.

Here are a few pics of him having a great time in old fashion dirt (sand)!

He needs two shovels lately but is pretty good about sharing if he has to.


Of course he was really excited when two of his favorite things came together. A building by the house was demolished and he got to watch the excavator's from his books, dig in his beloved dirt!

Dad took him over for a short look when it wasn't too dangerous.

Monday at Children's Museum

Monday morning, Zack and I bundled up and headed to Children's Museum to meet Landon for indoor fun.
It's becoming increasingly hard to take pictures of Zack at play. He is never still for more than a moment. He is always running to the next toy, activity etc. Kari will attest to how fast the little guy is...He sometime manages to escape from both of us. Here's the one time I can almost always get a picture, strapped in car seat!

Landon arrived right as we did and the boys were off. These pictures are of the boys in the little garden...planting veggies then picking and throwing them.

Landon really loves this garden, since I am sure it reminds him of his own little basil and lettuce garden at home.
Soon after, Miss Mia arrived and joined in the gardening fun. I really love Monday's when Mia can play with the boys.

This is a rare picture these days...
All the kiddo's in the same frame! (Mia, LT and Z)

Of course, right after Z and LT moved on to play with some of the letter toys. Surprisingly, I was able to get these two in a picture together.
Lately it's been interesting to observe how the same yet different the boys are. Examples of my point;

Zack checks out things for about minute then runs off to find something else to play with or build. While LT will take the time to even climb up to get better look.
(left)
Another difference is Landon seems to be fascinated with how things work. He needs a closer look at how stool is put together, (right) while Zack, of course, has no interest unless he can stack things on it. Of course he has ran of and is no where to be found.

Sofi arrived soon after and was little bored with the museum so we headed to the play ground outside.
Zack showed Sofi the treasure map, (left) before he took off to play on slide and she showed off her monkey skills.

It was really fun morning and treat to play with lots of Zack's friends.

Newest member of the gang

Sofi is a big sister! The Medina's welcomed Ofelia Blue on November 7th.

Kari and I took the boys to the hospital in an attempt to keep Sofi busy while Mike attended to some of the new baby events.
Taking pictures while chasing three 17 month year olds through the maternity wing proved to be too challenging and I didn't get any picture of the "play date".
The only picture I managed to take was of Sofi taking "her new baby" to see Renee. She was super sweet and very excited to meet her new sister.
Sorry it's terribly blur, but I was trying to stop Z from getting on elevator at the same time.

Welcome to our crazy world Ofelia!

Future CEO's?!?

They have a new display at the Children's Museum that looks like a veterinary clinic. The boys thought it was OK, playing with scalpels, charts, checking the vitals of Kari and I...Then they found the front desk set up...

They look like they would run a successful business, right?!

Look at the seriousness in both of their faces, you would think this was for real. Or maybe those are the faces the daddy's make when they are working?!?!

I have no doubt these two will be the future leaders of some successful adventure together!

Watching LT

Kari and Brian were kind enough to watch Z for us Friday evening so we could join our friend Mo for dinner. So, to return the favor, we watched LT so they could go on a Saturday night date.

First order of business was to decide who was going to ride in the hippo...obviously the little guy pushes bigger guy. Makes perfect sense to me. Landon took his turn being pushed by Zack.
Then that game be came boring, so they moved on. Zack seemed happy just to have his buddy over.

Next Landon spotted all the nice glass things on the DVD case and proceeded to use the universal, baby talk, "ugh, ugh, ugh!!"

Which we guess means. "I want that!"
The "that" in this case was, a thermometer that looks like a bunch of cool "bubbles", according to LT. It was all I could do to keep them from smashing into each others head. After just a few minutes of exploration, it went back up on the shelf.


Next Zack showed Landon the glass whales we occasionally have to give kisses.

Of course, Zack expected LT to give them a kiss too. I'm sure they aren't painted with kid safe, lead free paint, Sorry Kari!

The whales must have inspired Zack, because he pick out his favorite book on marine life to show Landon, since Landon HAD the same book.

Unfortunately right after this picture we lost an octopus arm to Landon, much the same way his own book did.

I decided it was time for some dinner so the boys thought a race up the stairs would be fun...I think Zack only won because Landon got distracted half way up by Shadow hanging out at top of stairs.

Dinner went mostly well, if you judge by the size of the mess Albert helped me clean up. Kari suggested that LT was into apples and to try it, plus maybe some apple sauce.

Landon wasn't in the mood for either,




but he ate all of his sweet potato fries, plus Z's.

It was so much fun trading date night, that maybe we should do it again!?

Finger Painting

I am always trying to think of new things for Zack to experience. When I am at a loss, I check with the kiddos that are going to preschool. A few parents mentioned that they had used finger paints at school already. I thought it might be little early for Zack, since he ate chalk this past summer. But he is 16 months now, and might be ready to really enjoy it.

So last weekend we broke out the paints and let Zack try out his painting skills. Well, at first he didn't understand that is was OK to get your fingers all messy so I gave him a little brush. Once we showed him how to do it, he liked the mess. Right up until he put his finger in his mouth.

He was exteremly unhappy with the taste, and before I could finish wiping his tongue, he rubbed a finger in his eye. A huge mess and a lot of crying followed. I don't have any pictures of the paint in eye since I was trying to make sure he wasn't going to be blinded. (Mostly kidding, paints are safe for eyes, just require washing with water.)

After the bath he was much happier and it will be at least a month or so before we try painting again! This was later that night, happy and snug as a bug!