Kiln night!

Eric (nextdoor) is a potter and has built a wood fired down draught kiln in their backyard. On Thursday morning he fired it. We visited in the morning, before dinner and again before bed. Here is Zachary all relaxed, watching the logs burn in his PJs. He (and I) were totally fascinated by the process.

 

With the glow of the kiln and the flames shooting out the chimney, and an almost full moon it was really quite spectacular.

 

One of the wonderful things was the kiln was so hot it actually made the Texas evening air feel less than the 90F it was.

 

Barton Springs

Zachary and I had a great Fathers day. We ran a bunch of errands and then cooled off at Barton Springs pool. A weird swimming pool, river hybrid, but it works out well. Z and I saw a couple of ten inch and one 16 inch fish down in the depths of the clear cool water. Completely changing the subject, after dinner tonight. Z said out of the blue "lets surprise Mum when she gets home. Lets tidy up the house really good and we'll be nice to each other. won't that be a great surprise" why yes, it would be amazing.

Best finds - rock pooling

DSC_0201, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Crab, Prawn, two Fish, Sand Eel, Starfish, Hermit Crab

Lamorna harbor wall

DSC_0252, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

In the Pink forest

DSC_0557, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

We return after a successful trip to England.
So many stories and no way to upload photos from the ipad. But now all the pics are up, Aswell JMI and the springs, Helen and Ross, Tim and Lucia, Cousin Peter, Penzance with Granny and Grandpa, rock pooling ( a theme through out our trip), Lands End, Paradise Park, Lamorna (because he loves the song), and culminating in the Sims wedding. What fun.

Dalek for sale

Dalek for sale, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Also note the prefect badge holding up a Victorian dress medal (Kabul 1842). Thank you uncle Simon. The crazy lump on his is to stop the three day old shrunken balloon from blowing off.

Wonderwall

Ignoring the video, just listen! This is the state we call drunk tired.
Z "...to walk are winding .... what does winding mean?"
S "it means doing this" Sarah indicates with hands M "twisty turny ........ there are..."
Z "many things that I would Like to say to you But I don't know how Because maybe You're gonna be    the one that saves me And after all You're my wonderwall .... what does wonderwall mean, what does wond?"

as promised

bicycling

Swimming and now biking, Zachary is just racking up new skills. He was motivated because Tavi next door just learned how to ride without training wheels .
Z and I went on a ride to a quite street and then I took off the stabilizers.  I held the back of the seat and zoom off he went, a super speed. But as he got better at the balance, he slowed down and didn't need me sprinting along side him.  It was an awesome day (certainly a mothersday to remember) and we celebrated both with icee's.

Video to follow.

Swiming

With the abundance of hotel pools, Zachary went swimming each day of our trip. He is now swimming on his own!  It little looks like a cross between doggy paddle and slow drowning.  But even though it is inefficient it get him there and under his own steam, for which he is very proud and happy. He started out swimming the width of the lap pool, just two or three yards, and by the time we left Toronto he could go from one end to the other (14 metres).
Next we'll be working on closing his mouth, so he doesn't fill it with water every time he goes under.

Tagged out at second base

DSC_0177, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Go Z

An Artist

Every time someone has asked Z what he wants to be for the last six months or more the answer has consistently been an artist.

While visiting Toronto for the wedding, we stopped by the Art Gallery of Ontario.  The build was designed by Frank Gehry. He got to play on the Henry Moore, and see his large collection sketches, models and statues on display. He also enjoyed the storm room, a modern sound/experience piece, as well as a number of other sculptures and paintings.

Holding hands

At Kyoung and Kenny's wedding there were a handful of kids, around Z's age and all girls.

And with the excitement of the wedding there was a lot of imaginative play involving weddings, brides and grooms. No surprise, Z (the only boy) was picked to groom and may now be a serial bigamist.

During the best person speeches I went over to keep the kids from being too rowdy and raucous. There was a castle like structure in the corner of the hall with stairs and windows. It was far to echo-y but very fun, and for I few minutes I sat listening to Sarah, Brian and others.

I glanced over to see Zachary and one of the girls sitting on chairs like a king and queen. Another girl was talking and seeing to the royal couples needs, while two more girls were dancing for them. Then the servant turned to watch the dancers, and there was a quick moment of privacy. The little girl nudged Zachary's thigh with her hand palm up. He glanced down and went back to watching the dancers. She nudged again, and left her hand for a second in his lap. He looked down again, then at her and slided his hand into hers, and they sat holding hands. Adorable.

Canadian side Niagara

Canadian side Niagara, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

American side Niagara

American side Niagara, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Wedding in Toronto

DSC_0177, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

The three of us  (all matching!!) had a great time at the Kenny and Kyoung-Yim's wedding and in Niagra. More pictures (only 4 up for now) and stories to follow ...

warm up

DSC_0116, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

looks like a pro streching but really just waiting patently to bat.

Pajama day

Pajama day, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

with leg warms to fend off the sudden cold front.

Team pride day

Team pride day, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Missed a photo of Tuesdays silly sock day, but really odd socks aren't as exciting as team pride. Z is sporting his tigers uniform, Y teeball cap and his handknit "giants" scarf.
Wednesday, was an ice cream afternoon treat.  Z told us his teacher was funny, Ms Jessica said "I have a silly question, would you like more ice cream?" of course they all did and so he ate almost no dinner, as his belly was full because he'd had two tubs!

There it is! With help from z

There it is! With help from z, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Spot the chick?

Spot the chick?, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Crazy hair day

Crazy hair day, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

For week of the young child (April 14-20) daycare has something everyday.

Today = crazy hair day

So Z went to daycare with awesome spikes. Helped in part by his sudden angelic behavior, he was super cooperative and helpful all weekend, earning him a prize this morning. It just makes life quicker and easier. He was dressed and eating breakfast before I even had a chance to get in the shower. And that gives us extra time to do fun things like coat his hair in gel and blow dry it into the work of art you see before you.

Hi Zachary!

Welcome, from the telescope! It is 4am, and hopefully you are sound asleep. We're working hard, and having fun.  Some people up here even saw a mountain lion yesterday! Love you.

Mom

zachaRy pop

ZaChArY cAt  To  MOM   LOVE  FROM ZACHARY MOM   LISTEN TO ME?

Tagged

DSC_0425, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Tagged

DSC_0428, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

When you joke about the internet

Clearly we brought it on ourselves.

Pretty much every day when we get home Zachary yells "DO I HAVE A PACKAGE?!?!"

The answer to this question is inevitably no, like 90% of the time. It is not his birthday, it is not a gifting holiday. It is APRIL.

So late last week he cried out as we parked the car. And I quite exasperatedly started to shut him down. Except there was a package on the doorstep. An *unexpected* package on the doorstep. That Zachary was unsurprised about (although we'll just put that up to his five year old optimism that if he HOPES hard enough, the universe will warp to his will. Which is usually right so...)

Me - "Zachary, are you buying stuff from Ebay?"
Z - "Yup. I got up while you were sleeping and used the computer to BUY THINGS!"

Apparently sarcasm has transferred generations adequately. I believe our job here is done.

He ran to the package, scooped it up and shrieked "IT IS FOR ME AND FOR DADDY!" Of course it is. How could I even doubt?

We went climbing down in the greenbelt. Zachary is getting braver all the time. Ironically, braver without his harness on. Something about the straps make him wildly cautious, but he'll boulder way up high with just his boots on.

coming soon ...

DSC_0277, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Sarah has a few really funny stories to jot down here. In the meantime, cuteness to tide you over.
We had a super awesome weekend, with Tee Ball (more pics are up), vegfest (a vegetarian extravaganza), and Kieran's 3rd Birthday party.

Erlenmeyer flask with experiment inside, by Zachary

Erlenmeyer flask with experiment inside, by Zachary, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

zachary joke

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Banana pants
Banana pants who?
liar liar pants on fire

Counting

In the car to daycare, Z started to count. He went from one to one hundred, with me only prompting a little.
"38, 39...."
"what comes after 3"
quietly under breath "1,2,3,4"
"40, 41, 42 --- 48, 49......"
"what comes after 4"
quietly under breath "1,2,3,4,5"

"50, 51, 52 --- 58, 59" then quietly under breath "1,2,3,4,5,6", then "60, 61 ---"
He went the rest of the way on his own. and got to 100 as I was pulling into the parking lot.

Puzzle persistence

Puzzle persistence, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Neither of these puzzles are easy, but Zachary logical tried each piece in turn, both directions until the Matzah on the right was finished. I was impressed with the patience he displayed.

Tooth numero 2

Last Thursday, Zachary, had a loose tooth, an extremely loose tooth.  So loose that he pushed it 90 degrees and we could see the little hollow root. It fell out at school. Which makes for a first for him, out of only two. And he proudly got to give it to his teacher to look after for the day, just like Ramona in one of Beverly Cleary's stories.

It turns out it fell out during his speech therapy session, so a first for Ms. Terri too!  She wasn't traumatized, and told me this morning it had just pop out during his mouth exercises. Hitting the floor with a tinkle tinkle, and a gasp from both of them!

Austin at dusk

IMAG0507, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

JWST - IR camera demo

JWST - IR camera demo, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Z with "cold fingers" from the bucket of ice. I think his lenses blocking the heat is quiet stunning too.

JWST extravaganza - Z on the telescope

JWST extravaganza - Z on the telescope, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Purim carnival

DSC_0192, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

self belaying

self belaying, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

songs

Zachary has been exploring the world of composition. He has been enjoying making up all sorts of funny and silly songs.

one of his recent (and more sensicle) is about not killing animals

Sarah caught most of it ....

Zachary is currently alternating between singing the spanish days of the week song, "Animals are good you shouldn't kill them they are part of nature don't cut down treeeeees", Batmaaaaaan.... Gold ranger!.... "Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, you shouldn't kill dinosaurs... Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, you can't find dinosaurs..."... oop, now spoken word "I am saying the introduction... This song is called the flight of the bumblebee... BZZ BZZ BZ I LIKE TO BZZ BZZ!...flying is my job.. making honey is my job!... " (repeat sections as you see fit) 

And then his brain exploded

Watching Zachary try to fall asleep is like watching a sperm whale battle a giant squid. It is painful, and intriguing, and you're never quite sure who is going to triumph.

This evening he was charming, but his brain is literally exploding like a pinball game gone sentient and out of control. As he was falling asleep he cycled through the following questions/statements/musings

1) What does it feel like when a mommy has a baby in her belly and she doesn't want it there? What does it feel like for the baby? Do you have to kill the baby? (I think, after some gentle exploring, that this is a mash up of our explanations of my work with The Lilith Fund along with one of his old teachers being very pregnant.) We discussed it. If you ever need advice on talking to your 5 year old about making babies, miscarriage, and abortion, let me know, because now I've been there. Heads up? Watch Mr. Popper's Penguins first.

2) How do you make rock? Can we make rock now? (No, go to sleep)

3) Is our sun going to explode? (In these instances being an astrophysicist totally pays off.)

4) Mommy, I want to take a break from Power Rangers for this week.  (why?) It gives me scary dreams. I want to only watch gentle shows this week. (DONE.)
(NB - We do not, a la "Clockwork Orange", hold his eyes open and force him to watch Power Rangers. I know, you're shocked.)

And, as Mark mentioned, he WROTE HIS FIRST CAPITAL R.  We did not initially appreciate the significance of his original announcement, but he drove home the point. "No, Mom. My first capital R EVER. I AM BLOWING MY MIND RIGHT NOW"

Point taken. Consider that all of us.

He finished the rest of his valentines tonight. He was quite insistant we finish them this evening. As we were getting ready for bed, out of the blue, "I am SO relieved about the valentines." (in what way?) "They were really pressing on me".

Oh man. He is so my kid.

valentines

"I want to make Willow a valentines"

pause

"actually, no I don't cats can't open them!"


At the behest of Zachary's preschool teacher, he is writing his name and the name of each classmate in their valentines. It has been an exercise in adorable. He was jump up and down in his seat excited when he figured out how to do a capital R.

Parent panic

Me walks into kitchen, where only minutes before Zachary had been eating breakfast. It's empty, ghost ship empty.

I call out "Zachary?"

nothing

Again "Zachary?"

I glance around the room to see if he's hiding anywhere. I notice the front door locks are unlatched.

nothing

this time with a little panic rising "Zachary??"

nothing

I peek into his room and ours, nope. not there.

"ZACHARY?" panic plus loud enough to get his attention if he's slipped outside


"yes Daddy" from behind me

that right he's standing on the toilet looking in the mirror brushing his teeth, 'course he couldn't answer.

Reading

Like with whistling, when Z sets his mind to it, there seems to be no stopping him.  At a parent teacher meeting recently, Diane suggested we take home the "Bob Books".  Zachary was stoked and is now sounding out books 1 through 4.  WOW! now he's a "reader", how did that happen so fast?

son of m0nk3yphd

monkey does

Star Hat

DSC_0107, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Zachary and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to McDonald Observatory with Sarah. In the background you can see the HET which is "mommys telescope". And just behind the orange fencing is the structure that will hold all her spectrographs.
We toured all three big telescopes at McDonald with a some staff members and later with the tourist guide. Both were great, we got to ride on the HET as it spun around and learnt about the history of the site. It also snowed, Zachary was very excited, although it didn't settle. But there was a few small patches left from the last big snow. He made a snow angel and had lots of fun throwing it around, mainly at small signposts. Because it was a little to gritty and icy for a really snowball fight. In other exciting weather, we got a texas duststorm and 60+ mph winds. Bit chilly, so during the star gazing party at the visitors center, Z fell asleep all bundled up during short lecture. But I was impressed with the number of questions he answered without a pause before curling up in the seat next to me. Including, if you can't see Jupiters red eye where is it? "on the other side", and what's the next planet out from Jupiter? "Saturn"... no prompting from me, and quick than anyone else in the room! A trip to remember for sure. His highlight, listening (for the first time) to Harry Potter and the philosophers stone audiobook on the eight hour drive out and back to austin.

snow angel

DSC_0014, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Dangers of a hipster 'hood

Dangers of a hipster 'hood, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

aviators and a nerf pistol, ready for anything. Now, I'm tempted to teach him "the name's Collins, Zachary Collins"

Zachary camping

IMAG0429, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

"you and mom are in the tent"

LGBT Texas cookie made by Z

LGBT Texas cookie made by Z, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

with some help from Grandma. Zachary mixed the three primary color food coloring to get a spectacular (and tasty) rainbow icing.

Zacharys Crystallization Experiment

IMAG0409, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Reaping the rewards of growing sugar crystal, after two weeks he gets to eat them. Also check out his new glasses.

Snow Day

townlake ymca snow day, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

The grand reopening of the Y here in Austin, had a few tons of "snow" dumped on the playing fields out front. All the kids had a great time in the muddy snow, while it was 65F and warm in the sun. There was also a snow slide.

"two wheeler mode"

IMAG0300, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Easel Painting

flowers and sky, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Zachary is getting to do lots of big upright painting. His teacher told us that it helps the kids develop the arm muscles they need for learning to write in school next year. All those big up and down stokes on the easel also make for beautiful art (read as soppy parent).

monkey on

Last weekend we stopped at a playground in Georgetown to enjoy the sunshine. Zachary made several friends while playing and showed us he can do this.....

"I AM SO EXCITED!"

jumpoline

VIDEO0035 a video by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Yes, gigantic trampoline bouncing. To wear out the kids before christmas eve.

Pooping Penguin

Yup. It poops candy. It is a wind up toy that poops candy. A.. birthday gift? Christmas gift? from a classmate. Everyone got one! Different animals!

The poop is "cola flavored"... Although it tastes a bit more like.....

Jokes

why was the toothpaste on the wall?
because it someone squirted it on the towel.

why couldn't the airplane couldn't fly?
because the spaceship was putting it down on the ground insted of up in the air.

they make no sense, don't worry. Apparently silly is a stage they go thru.

I love to solder

I KNOW! ME TOO!

Quick catch up. It is chanukah. Night five, to be precise. We've been doing some candle lighting. Some latke eating. The usual. Zachary has gotten some presents. It turns out the theme is probably survival of (fill-in-your-favorite-catastrophe) apocalypse, but that was totally unintentional (bow & arrows, walkie talkies, learn to solder kit)... He was *so* excited by the learn to solder kit (Sparkfun is amazing, and you can find the kit here).. It comes with tools! (which now all have is name on them) It makes hot! And light! Big hit. I know you're surprised.

We did some of the soldering this evening before dinner. We took turns holding the solder and the soldering iron. I'll take a picture when there is some blinky light action for everyone to see.

In other news? Z also attended my work holiday party with me, and managed to bring home a golden reindeer in a scarf. A glittery golden reindeer. There was a raffle (they were the table centerpieces) which we did NOT win. But he clutched this one like it had a place in his heart, and our friend Emily sent it home with him.

I tried to leave it on the porch for decoration "and protection". But he pointed out how foolish that was because "The cats can protect us fine, and IT CAN'T MOVE so it can't protect us."

Obviously.

innocent?

IMG_3554, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

born archer

IMAG0365, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

learning important skills to be ready for the zombie apocalypse.

All asleep

All asleep, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

PIcture in your minds ear a slightly squeeky, wheezing murmur, that's a cross between a purr and a happy sigh. It's adorable. It's Z snoring.

Looking for Y

Looking for Y, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Eddy the Pirate - kite

IMAG0348, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Z had a world of fun flying his new kite (Thank you Lori) on a warm, breezy Saturday afternoon in Zilker park.

My House

My House, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

What doesn't really come across in the picture is the amount of sparkle in the iridescent paint.

one, two ... my new fish shoe

DSC_0151, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

three, four ... get stuck all the more

Body parts from school

Body parts from school, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

One of my favourite things in Zachary's class room is when the kidlets draw, and then narrate to the teachers what it's all about, or what they've learnt during a particular session.

I want to be a paleontologist ..

is what Z declared half way through "Discover: T-Rex: "New Science, New Beast"

Also a few days ago, Zachary performed his first experiment! For his quiet bed time reading he chose "the knowhow book of experiments".  He found it very entertaining, and called me several times to explain (even without reading) the pictures and the experiments they showed.  The next morning, we picked one to try.  He gathered all the equipment he needed (a ruler, a rubber band and two pencils) and we made high and low notes by moving the pencils.  The teacher/scientist in me then drove home the idea by talking about his violin and the pencils are like the bridge and his fingers! It was eye openningly adorable!

First experiment - high and low notes - by Z, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Psyching up in the dug out

DSC_0295, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

onto the next house for more CANDY

DSC_0245, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Pulling up the anchor

Pulling up the anchor, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

at the crown and anchor