Zac is ONE!

I can't believe he's already a year old. I was definitely able to sit back, relax and enjoy this past year with Zac much more than I ever was able to in Scotty's first year. I always heard the second child is easier, but now I believe it. He's not only easier, but he's an angel baby. A lot more even tempered than Scotty and not as sensitive. He's going to be our "go getter" for sure. No fear. Jay and I still marvel at the fact that we have two little boys. They are so different from each other even down to their features, but they are best friends already and definitely have their own language between each other. Oh, and they can eat like no body's business. We are in for some serious trouble as they grow older. In celebration of Zac's birthday, we hosted a party at our house. We had 40 people invited but because it was an outdoor party and the weather turned sour on us, we decided to keep it indoors and reduced the guests to family only. It was a good thing because my family alone makes for a crazy gathering. And considering some of the family hadn't been in the same room together in years, it was probably best to keep the outsiders at bay. I had no doubt that it was going to be a great party, but I didn't realize how great until I was actually surrounded by all of the people I love dearly, in my home, sharing a special day with us. Bygones were bygones and all was harmonious again, if even for just those few hours. My mom used to be the "rock" in the family and she always brought everyone together. She's been gone for seven years and this is the first time since her death that everyone had really been together again in this type of relaxed setting. Not only was it a celebration of Zac's first year, but it was a celebration for the family. I feel so blessed and my heart is happy and fulfilled.

Doin' the Puyallup

For those of you from the northwest, you may know what a big deal the Puyallup Fair is every year. It easily ranks in the top ten as one of the largest fairs in the United States and of course, since we're finally back in the area, it was a must this year. The fair takes on a whole different appeal when you have little ones to share it with. We spent the day at the fair with Scott, Nik, and my nieces. We enjoyed lots of unhealthy fair food, crazy rides, and the wonderful act of people watching. It's amazing the kind of people and activity the fair attracts. We had a good time and the weather was perfect! Scotty was too afraid to ride any of the kiddie rides and neither Jay nor I wanted to brave the nausea of taking Zac on them, so we enjoyed all of it from the sidelines. Scotty had fun playing the games and we came home with several stuffed animal trophies. However, after being coerced by my nieces, I reluctantly agreed to ride the big wooden roller coaster with them. I am not the young whipper snapper I used to be for sure. After the first big drop, I was done. I don't think I opened my eyes once and my niece had a bruise on her arm from my head burrowing in to it. That ride is nothing like I remembered and I didn't think it was ever going to end!! But I survived and attached are a few pics from the day.

Mama's Night Out

Saturday night I decided to tag along with my brother and Nikki to their friend's 30th birthday party. Jay chose to stay home with the boys and let me enjoy a night off - what a nice guy! I was so anxious about attending a party with a bunch of people I didn't know that I decided to have a little pre-party of my own with a 40 oz. Mojito in a bottle. Then, upon arriving my brother's house, Nikki and I partook in a celebratory shot of peach schnapps. Uh oh, tummy is not feeling so well.... hm, maybe because I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast! Well, we all know where this night is going. Turns out, I actually knew quite a few people at the party and this was a mutual friend of my two cousins as well, so they were there too. A family affair! What did I get so worked up about? I was three sheets to the wind by 8 PM and I am sure I said and did a few things to embarrass myself, but what the heck. I was having fun and it had been a LONG time since I'd let loose like that. Fortunately, my dear brother who does not drink was my DD and brought me home safely, but not before a quick stop at Taco Bell! Gotta love those all-night fast food chains. However, it was a little too late for food to make any difference at this point, but it was the best soft taco I'd ever had! The only problem with this scenario is that I have a one year old who sometimes wakes at 4 AM. I was praying to the Holy Heavens that this would not be one of those mornings, but I was not so fortunate. Thus, I was rocking my baby, still in my drunken state, and slowly starting to feel the aftermath of my wild night out. Needless to say, the rest of my morning was not so good and as I lay in the bathroom praying yet again, this time to the porcelain Gods, and promising never to drink again, the realization hit me that I'd just drank and danced and hooped it up like I was 21. What was I thinking? Who was this person? I am a 34 year old mother of two who has no business lying on a bathroom floor hungover!!! But I have to say, now that I am recovered from my crazy night, it was worth the pain. Though, I won't be venturing into my 20s again anytime soon.

There's no crying in Preschool

So, I lied when I said I was homeschooling. Well, not exactly. The preschool I wanted to enroll Scotty into was full until just this week. I was actually at the park last Tuesday with Scotty exploring, as part of our first-day-of-homeschooling activity when I received the call that one child dropped the class and Scotty was next in line. So of course, this being a preschool offered through our church, I jumped at the opportunity. So much for homeschooling....

I attended the parent-only orientation that evening and was so impressed with the teacher, the program, the classroom. Everything! It's just what I imagine preschool would be for my child. We were even issued a school supply list - so exciting! I rushed right over to Walmart after the meeting to get all that was required. I was so giddy, it was pathetic, as if it were MY first day of school!

Thursday was the big day. I made Scotty an extra special breakfast and had his first-day-of-school-outfit all primped and hanging in his closet. I even put mousse in his hair for crying out loud (do I need to get a life?!?!)! We arrived at 9 AM sharp and the moment I realized this wasn't going to go as smoothly as I'd hoped was when Scotty latched onto my leg as if he were falling down a cliff. He would not leave my side and I really didn't think I was going to get out of there without dragging him behind me. Each student had their very own seat at a table with play-doh set out, but Scotty wouldn't sit. The teacher wanted to take pictures of each student to put on their placemats, but Scotty wouldn't have it. I somehow managed to sneak away from him and get out the door without him following me, but it was heartbreaking because he just watched me leave with those big blue puppy dog eyes and then proceeded to stand in the corner of the room for a long while after I left. Little did he know, I actually hung out in the hallway, out of sight, with the other parents and peeked in on him. I heard the teacher ask him if she could take his picture and he gave her a flat out "No". I was mortified. I also realized that I had forgotten my own camera (hmm...maybe next time less mousse and more organization....), so I didn't get any pictures of my own. Thus, the picture posted above is the one shot the teacher was able to take. I think it's a good indication of the mood of the day. When I came to pick him up two hours later, he was doing fine and sitting with the group on the floor, but I learned that he had a meltdown soon after I left and had to be taken to another room along with the only other crying child until they quieted down. NICE. That made me so proud! Needless to say, the first day didn't go so well, but hopefully things will get better as he gets more comfortable. It's tough being a preschooler.

Skater dude? Don't tell Jay.....

Today I walked into Scotty's room only to discover that Zac found his way up onto the skateboard all by himself. Scotty hardly ever plays with that thing and if he does, he's usually pushing it around the house, not standing on it. So it dawned on me, when I noticed he was looking out the window while on the skateboard, that he was watching the neighborhood boys ride their skateboards around the cul de sac. He was trying to be like them! How cute is that? It amazes me how, at such a young age, they just figure things out.