Growing up - independence

10 button morning - teeth brushing without prompting, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

We've been encouraging Z to be more helpful and independent. He gets buttons, for good and helpful behavior. We're filling up a jar with marks for ice cream and higher up a movie.
Recently he has been ROCKING the being good, and wants to be indepent. He is occasionally getting his own juice and ice, or a cheese-stick from the fridge. Or getting n'ked for the bath, scrubbing, drying, and getting PJs! He was amazing this morning and tonight.

He did this himself too

IMG_7354
Originally uploaded by Niais

Please note the orange clog slippers. See? When mom goes to amsterdam, it *totally* pays off.

Independence Day

IMG_7356
Originally uploaded by Niais

Zachary is suddenly doing things ALL BY HIMSELF. He's been able to *doooo* stuff, but now he's combining them together... It is a little bit like the songs he learns on violin. He can play little chunks of something, and remembers and forgets them. And then suddenly one day he's playing something all the way through, FWOOP, fluid, that we didn't even realize he knew.
LIke that. He runs into his room and tells us to look away and keep our eyes closed. And out he popped this morning fully dressed including shoes and rolled socks. Serious business. After this he ducked back in to get his glasses.

Helping the ball down the lane...

IMG_7330
Originally uploaded by Niais

You have to stare it till it drops. That's the rule. (This is glow-bowling, in case anyone was wondering).

AirHockey Wizard...

IMG_7336
Originally uploaded by Niais

Sing along time...

homemade cupcakes

homemade cupcakes, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Snail

DSC_0238, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Sundial

DSC_0602, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

not much use with this much fog

Marching with Grandpa and the Golowan Band

DSC_0188, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Dangerous Cliffs

DSC_0576, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

The weather here in cornwall is amazing, we have only seen sun twice in two weeks. Upcountry it was a tad warmer (see stonehenge pic), but we are reveling in not being in an Austin heatwave (109F/43C a few days back!).

Stonehenge 2012

DSC_0471, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Watch Out for the Vampire Rabbits of Lands End

Hands up, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Shortly after a highly entertaining time with Grandma and Grandpa's friend Eddie the Priate. Zachary and I wandered over to the little petting farm next door. We saw all sorts of amazing chickens and some goats that looked like the were stuck on the side of a small cliff (but probably weren't) and then we went to feed the rabbits. DUHDUHDUH.....
Unfortunately the over enthuasastic beastie took a bite to hard and got Z's finger. Tears blood, and a short ride to the emergency room but all is well that ends well. Z has a awesome looking bandage and a new green teddy bear.

Grandma at Penzance folk club

Grandma at Penzance folk club, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Grandpa at Penzance folk club

Grandpa at Penzance folk club, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

austin drumline 2012 - battle

austin drumline 2012 - battle a video by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

For Junetheen we went to the Alvin Patterson battle of the (marching) bands.
At the end it all went a wee bit free form and two of the drumlines, went face to face, just like in the movie.
Zachary, was on my shoulders drumming along and enjoying every minute, almost as much as his parents.

Garden, by Zachary

First, awesome bee. Second, he wrote "garden".

Garden, by Z, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

every picture tells a story

Kissing, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

This is a picture Elizabeth drew for Zachary. It is a kissing picture. Zachary was quite matter of fact. She drew it because they're boyfriend and girlfriend. I asked what that meant? Apparently, it means they're getting married. I'll let you know when the registry is set up.  Zachary explained that little kids couldn't get married, that you had to be 7 or 8 or 9.  I told him I was pretty sure the rule in texas was 16 with parental consent. He sighed and said that would have to do.

helping with the hive inspection

helping, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Z was very excited to see Mary Harris our queen.

Swimming in the creek

IMAG0178, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Now he's taking a nap before the baseball game tonight, go isotopes! Also I'm excited about theis creek, because you can also climb. Someone even top roped me on a 5.10 while Z sat on the bank eating a late lunch.

Pool noodle guitar

He even went to get a pick, to play with!

Upside down? weird, sorry