Fun Friday

So who wants to tell me that Fun Friday cannot be fun when it's raining and down right nasty outside? My kids had their Uncle Barry in town, oh and they LOVE Uncle Barry. After he left, I took them to see the movie they have been talking about for months... Aliens vs. Monsters. Eh, it was o.k., but the best part was that I got a quick snooze to recharge my batteries. Hey, so did Zach! Why did I pay $8 a ticket for us to sleep? Because it was raining and we needed to get out of the house. Murphy's Law - no one would have gotten to nap if we stayed at home.

After the movie was over, I dropped in to Old Navy with the kids to see if they had any cute spring clothes for Olivia. Zach is set in the clothing department (thanks to Watson and Gavin). The kids entered into mannequin land when they walked into Old Navy. They were mesmerized.....holding the mannequin's hand, comparing how tall they were to the child mannequin, petting the mannequin dog. You get the picture. It was extremely funny to me that all I had to do was take them to Old Navy to peak their curiousity. That, my friends, is a fun Friday!

My Baby is 4?

Happy fourth birthday, Zach. Ah, it brings back very fond memories and funny ones too. The photo above is Zach at his 2nd birthday - the Firestation. I told Olivia about the day Zach was born. I knocked on the McCurry's door early one morning to say, 'Hi, would you mind listening for Olivia while we head to the hospital? My parents are coming and I'm not sure I am in labor, but it's possible my water broke." Mark gave me a very funny look. I was always unsure of this, but hey with 4 1/2 hour deliveries for both kids, that uncertainty is A-ok with me. I also remember my parents bringing Olivia to my delivery room. Zach was in my arms and my dad decided to put Olivia in a wheelchair and push her around my room. Olivia was 18 months old at the time. He hit a spot/bump in the floor and she went flying out onto the floor. Tears ensued and I rolled my eyes (and had a bit of a laugh too). My dad does not seem to remember this :-) How soon you forget.....

Zach has had lots and lots and lots of energy for the past week or so. I seem to remember this happening last year. He gets really worked up over his birthday. This year, I'm not sure I had the stamina to keep up with his energy... or random falls, bumps, bruises, splinters and other miscellanous acts of 'acting goofy and hurting himself.' At one point, he was so excited, wanted to touch me, be close to me, etc., he climbed onto a stool, proceeded to fall and was caught by his nose on a cabinet handle. Ouch! But, again, this continued for days (and is still going on). Is this what four is all about?! I'm running out of bandaids! Tuesday morning, he was up really, really early - say 5:45 am and I prepared cereal for him. Sometimes he does not want to eat right away, so I put cereal in his bowl and a small cup of milk for him to pour when he's ready. Well, he decided to pour right away this time. The cup slipped, the entire contents of milk poured out onto the floor - remember this is 5:45 am - and I decided that I had given Zach 'the look' so many times over the past week, that I would just let this one go, clean up and move on. No look, no comment, nothing. Zach watched me clean the spill and said "That's the spirit!" Where does this kid get his one-liners?!

To celebrate the night before his birthday, we read Ricky Ricotta and His Mighty Robot (thank you, Amy) and Dave and I removed 4 huge splinters out of his foot while tears flowed out of his eyes. I can't say we enjoyed it that much, but it was something that had to be done. Olivia was moritfied and said "stop making Zachy cry." That a way, big sister.

For Zach's birthday, we celebrated at the Peachtree-Dekalb airport on Sunday. It was an absolutely beautiful day, we had 28 kids attend, watched airplanes and helicopters and enjoyed ourselves. I love spring-time birthdays! Dave managed to arrange a flight for Olivia and Zach while he flew (during one of his lessons!) He flew them over Stone Mountain and arrived back to PDK in time for Zach's party. The kids said they enjoyed it and even commented on how smoothly daddy landed. Great job, dad! All of the kids were so sweet and looked like they were having a blast on the playground. I think some of them forgot to look at the planes taking off right in front of them!

So, for Zach's actual birthday, which is today, March 25th, we waited to open a few family presents. As Dave and Zach opened his brand new steering wheel and peddles for a Playstation 3 racing game (yes, the kid is only turning 4, but he and his dad LOVE racing) I made myself some coffee. Olivia has been sick with a fever for almost a week and I may be fighting off what she has, who knows, but I am exhausted. I pour milk in, but forget I wanted to use cream to save the last drop of milk for Dave's cereal. Then out of habit, I pick up the strawberry syrup (Zach loves Strawberry milk) and proceed to pour it in my coffee. So, today I had a blend of Starbucks Organic Breakfast Blend with Strawberry syrup. You should try it sometime. Not everyday, but on crazy days, it works. Moving on to the race and the new steering wheel, Zach is having a hard time and eventually crashes horribly. To give him the benefit, Dave needed to set up the controls to be less sensitive. After Zach crashes and the announcer makes it loud and clear, Zach says sweetly, "I'm not worried about the Piston Cup". This one came from the movie Cars, where Lighting McQueen learns that it's more important to be a good friend/person than to win a trophy. Way to go, Zach, I'm happy you are not in it to win the Piston Cup!

I'm Parent of the Week for Zach's class, so we made blueberry muffins to take in for Zach's birthday. Another "Happy Birthday, a bit more of icing (with the kids actually eating the blueberry muffins) and we are on our way to another year. Let's make four a great one!

The Swan House

My girlfriends' had family in town this week, so we decided to take them to lunch at The Swan House in Atlanta. Dave asked "what is the Swan House?" Silly boy, it's a historical house in Buckhead that has been converted (the coach house portion of the estate) to a restuarant/gift shop where lovely ladies go to lunch and enjoy the beautiful architecture and decorations. I wish we had a chance to see more of the house, but lunch and the company was absolutely delightful. My book club read 'The Swan House' a couple of months ago and we were curious to see the house and compare our thoughts.

Thanks for the idea, invite and the wonderful company, girls! Where shall we go next? Hey, I have an idea; let's read a book on Bora Bora next month :-)

Do you think she is sick?

Olivia was out of school starting Thursday with a fever. She's been a trooper running errands with me for Zach's upcoming birthday party. She told me one night that she loved spending all her time with me! I love my kids. While we were out one day, she saw a squishy piranah and asked for it. Does she need another squishy animal? No. I can tell you that she has played with that squishy piranah nonstop, given him baths, told people that he is a carnivore, has triangle shaped teeth and lives in the rivers of South America. Uh, ok. She even made a necklace out of him. Oh, and don't forget the stickers. I think that's where stickers belong, on the forehead, of course!

Dave has been in Sebring, Florida Friday and Saturday for the 12 hours of Sebring race, so the kids and I have been spending lots and lots of time together. Zach helped me mulch the yard. I guess it was more like, while I was mulching, Zach was getting his John Deere Gator stuck in the back yard. I would stop what I was doing to tow him out, and the cycle continued until dinner. Oh well, in his mind, he was helping. That's my almost 4 year old.

Yesterday afternoon we went to the library and stopped by the gelato store for some yummy.... you guessed it - gelato! As I said, Olivia has had a fever for 3 days now, but does she look like it in this picture? Horses and strawberry gelato make fevers better, right? Zach was craving the Superman gelato and proceeded to make a rainbow all over the table. Ahhh. He woke up this morning (the morning of his birthday party) and exclaimed "you get to do WHATEVER you want to on your birthday". Now where in the world did he get that crazy idea?

Busted!

Dave and I went away this past weekend to Amelia Island. The annual Concours d'Elegance was held at the Ritz on Amelia Island. It was nice to be away, but the crowds were there, so it wasn't as peaceful as you would think. There were lots and lots and lots of car crazed men (and women) there. Old cars, new cars, exotic cars - yes, Zach's dream come true. He told me this morning that he wants to go to the Concours next year. I'm not surprised. Oh, and he was more ecstatic that Dave and I hung out with his favorite racer (this month) and had dinner with him - Hurley Haywood. Hurley thought it was great that he has a 3, almost 4-year old fan!

Mimi and Papa weathered the storm by watching all three grandchildren at my house for the weekend. Karen was away in Las Vegas. Let's just say, they will not do that again..... No, let's be more direct; my dad said specificially "WE WILL NOT DO THAT AGAIN". Oh, I do agree. When we returned home, my house was turned upside down, toys scattered, broken, rooms looked like a drunken brawl had occurred in them and my parents probably could have used a drink! ha. After two days of cleaning up, I could use a drink myself. One of the things I noticed on Monday with all three kids, was the kids using the term "Busted"! I kept hearing it over and over, so I asked what they meant by it.

Gavin: "Well.... when someone in my classroom does something they are not supposed to, I tell on them and they are BUSTED"!

So, then Zach picks up on this and keeps saying Busted! I think Olivia had enough of these two boys, so when Tuesday came, Gavin had returned home and they were getting ready for school, I heard two separate incidences with Zach saying "Busted" and then seconds later, Zach crying. Turns out, Olivia "Busted" him, in her own way! She smacked him! Sorry, but I have to laugh on this one.

Wednesday is here, so my kids are back into playing nicely together and hopefully getting along.

Yesterday, St. Patrick's Day, I picked the kids up from school. They were very excited about a leprechaun visiting their classroom and handing out gold coins. I forgot to dress the kids in green for the day (maybe because their St. Patty's Day parties are not until today and Thursday??). So, I asked if anyone pinched them today. If you do not wear green on St. Patrick's Day, you get pinched. Zach thought about this for a few seconds and spouted out "The Hulk is too strong to get pinched". OK......not sure what he was talking about, then a lightbulb went off. Oh, the Hulk is green and he is too big and strong for anyone to mess around with pinching him! Good thinking, Zach! You always keep me on my toes :-) Note to self, dress Zach up as the Hulk for St. Patrick's Day next year. He he.

Olivia always asks/tries to pursuade me to stop for a cookie every day after school. The routine is, we stop for a cookie or doughnut on Thursday, when their school week is complete and they have had good behavior. Well, they have had a LONG weekend, so I thought, maybe just one time. Olivia was SO excited and kept saying, "mommy, this is an extra special day becuase it's St. Patrick's Day. It's a special day, right, right?!" Yes, I guess it is. They were so happy all afternoon, so yes, it was totally worth it. It's the simple things in life that make it all worth it. Of course, we had to pick up a green cannolli dessert for daddy. It was his reward for perfecting his landings during his pilot training. Dave is so excited about flying, and so are we!

The sun was out and the kids were playing outside. I pulled the top of the sand table off and there was water (nice and clean, thank goodness) in the sand table. Olivia looks at it, very excited to see it and exclaims "oh, it's look delicious". I'm sure she meant something else, but if she wants to use delicious, I'll let her have it!

Look at our future.... Brady driving Olivia around with Zach tagging along.... oh my!

And this photo from Zach - car crash - sums up the weekend :-)

Preview or Replay?

The mind of a 3 (almost 4) year old is mysterious, except when he tells you EVERYTHING he's thinking.... That would be the case of Zach. He has been talking to me non-stop for a week. In fact, he's talking right now.....

Zach: Hurley Haywood raced the Brumos Porsche and wrecked. Then we repaired the wheels, put him back on the track and he finished in 1st place! Do you want to watch the race? It goes into the night.....

Dave bought a small Matchbox type car for Zach last weekend at a Porsche Club SWAP meet in L.A.. An innocent purchase, but it may be one that drives me to drink :-) Since receiving the car Sunday night, Zach has 1) slept with it 2) broken the thin black spoiler off during sleep 3) asked me no less than 7 times to glue it back on - while trying to get everyone woken up 2 hours earlier than normal - Daylight Saving time and Alabama time messes with your internal clock, dressed and out the door to drop Dave at work in Sandy Springs and back to drop Olivia at school in Smyrna, 4) conducted 37 races, all in which I have to watch, 5) practices and perfects his 'car sounds' mulitiple times a day, 6) taken the car to every location we have been, 7) does not pay attention in Music Class, Karate or where ever he is because he is so focused on THIS CAR!!!! and last but not least 8) loses the car multiple times a day, including 6 am in the morning because he set it down and couldn't remember where he left it - REALLY?!

So, as I am watching or more like requested to watch the races, Zach asks if I want to see the preview. Preview? I think for a moment and realize what he means to say is "Replay". So, in addition to the many different ways to race that this little brain is imagining, he also has picked up on replays from the good 'ol t.v. My family and I try to think of what Zach will be when he grows up. With the clear, loud projection of a voice and the strong influence he picks up on television, I have a feeling he will land somewhere in the marketing/television/movie world. Or....he could be a defense attorney. He has some pretty strong arguments. Believe me.

This past weekend (starting Thursday night since I take FULL advantage of having Friday's off), I headed to the lake with the kids. Dave was in NY and L.A. We played in the full sunshine and enjoyed the water at Lake Martin. It was up 6 feet from two weeks ago - a huge increase. Plenty of fishing boats were out in our cove to see what was biting. I think the fish were excited too; they jumped out of the water in the late afternoons as we sat idly by and watched. We 'fished' for 3 days straight without catching a thing. Oh wait, you should be quiet to fish, right? That didn't happen, so we just praticed casting our rods and tangling them up. It was actually quite fun. We blew bubbles, searched under rocks for hibernating snakes (right!), and what's the term..... oh yes, "messed around". I'm looking forward to messing around again.

Silent Snow

Sunday was an amazing day. We waited until March to finally see the white stuff, but it was totally worth it. Olivia and Zach have been asking all winter if we would see snow. We tell them that Nonnie (Dave's mom) in upstate New York gets snow almost every day. Luckily, we only get snow once a year. That's another great reason to live in the South! It was the most quiet and calm day of the year. Big, fluffy flakes started falling before lunch and lasted until late afternoon.

We had two snowball fights (with crying, of course). The wet stuff turned icy quickly and poor Zach got the brunt of it. We made a quick snowman that is still lingering after 3 days. Olivia went to check on him Sunday night and thought her ruby red slippers were appropriate for the trip outdoors (see photo). Poor guy will not give up the ghost. With 70 degree temperatures in the forecast, I think Frosty will be on his way. We have Jonquils blooming people, no need for snow anymore!

Olivia finds bird nests in all the trees while we are driving, so she is really ready for spring.

Another funny note - I picked the kids up from preschool today and Zach informed me that Jake has a bloody nose. I said "oh, what happened". Zach - "I'll tell you why people (Jake) get bloody noses".... I'm thinking because they trip and fall, bump into someone, etc. ...."They get bloody noses because they picked them too much!". Well, that definitely explains it, plain and simple. Kids..... :-)