FUNNY COMMENT BY ZACH

As many of you know, I struggled and struggled with Zach & potty training (mostly the poo-poo part). So I don't know why but these past couple of weeks he has been having some "accidents" in his underwear. I don't know if its just thats its summer with lots of stuff going on and he dosn't want to take the time to go poop or if he just ignores all warning signs until way too late! In any case, it happened again today and I was pretty frusterated so I told him he would have to be in a time-out for the entire day if it happened again. No beach, no swimming, no play dates, no movies, etc. I ushered him back into the bathroom for "cleaning up" when he came out a minute later and said "mom, do you think I will be out of that time-out by Christmas?" I had to laugh, too funny!

SHE DID IT!!!

Back in February when Megan turned 8 we told her she could get her ears pierced. She was pretty excited about the idea until the time came and then she decided she wasn't ready. But, yesterday driving in the car she told me she thought she was ready to get them done. Last night we had to go to South Coast Plaza to return a rug (a whole different story for a whole different time). As luck would have it a Claire's was right next to the Pottery Barn (where we were). So I showed Megan that she could get her ears done right then and there. She jumped at the chance and went for it! We all got to watch and she was very brave. So, now she gets to wear these earrings for a long 2 months and clean them 2/day. By Halloween you'll get to see her in a new pair of earrings!

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MOONLAKE RESORT

We were off for a family trip with all of Alex's siblings (minus Courtney who we missed having there) to a "camping" trip in Utah. Our first stop was at the Granny's Drive In in Heber for milkshakes. This is were we all met up and then headed up in the mountains together. It wasn't a true camping trip in that we had little rustic cabins, a small bathroom with a shower, a fridge, sink and stove. That's my kind of "roughin' it". The kids all had such a fun time being together with their cousins. We went hiking, the kids all went fishing with Uncle David, we went out on the lake in some paddle boats and kayaks, horseback riding, we even saw a pretty deer walk into our campground! Luckily, we never saw a bear! The lake is super cold so we didn't really get into that but the kids loved playing at the waters edge and the boys especially loved all the mud! Each night we had a bon-fire and sat around the fire laughing and talking. Zach's favorite part was adding more wood/paper plates/ leaves/whatever he could to the fire. It was a great trip!

Zach & Parker's Pirate Party

Here are a few pictures from Zach and Parker's Pirate Party. We had lots of fun getting into the "pirate" mood. We walked the plank and had a cannon ball toss and then the most exciting part was when Jenny--our local pirate payed us a visit! She came totally dressed in pirate costume and face painted skulls and crossbones (& mustaches) for all the kids. The kids loved her!! At the end of the party, the kids got to go on a treasure hunt and ended up finding the "golden booty" (aka their goody bags). All and all it was a fun party.

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Zach Turns 5!!!

Wow! Zach made it to 5 and I as his mother, made it with him! Its truly been a journey. I have to admit, I will never forget seeing him for the first time...it was love at first sight for me. Zach is my 100% boy (except when he dresses up like Vanna White or in Megan's clothes)...he keeps me constantly running and on my toes. Here's a few things I will never forget:

1. Calling 911 not once but twice (the police came over) we probably have a red flag by that phone number

2. Throwing shoes over my back fence (not just his shoes, but his friends too)

3. Convincing Miss Laurie I was pregnant (when I wasn't)

4. His love for ALL animals - he probably should have been born on a farm

5. His passion for the American Flag (we couldn't go anywhere without a flag with us)

6. Putting a BB up his nose (& then lying about getting it out)

7. The time he took a leap into the swimming pool at his first swimming lesson and sank to the bottom. (he screamed the entire first week of lessons after that)

8. A million or so pair of underwear I went through to get him potty trained.

9. Taking a record-breaking 8 months to get adjusted to nursery

10. His overall love of all the tiniest things in life!