Busy evening, remaining good

Z got through all of the Yom Kippur closing service yesterday. It was such a pleasure to see him sit mostly still and quiet, while listening to the melodies and standing up to see the ark open. Plus he got to blow our shofar at the end. He also enjoyed the break fast, and got lots of yummy things to eat. We then stopped by the austin urban beekeepers meetup and learned about honey extraction among other things. He was fascinated, by both the conversation and his richard scary book. He was so good that someone actually came up to say "what a well behaved son [I] had, and it was a pleasure to see him listening and reading". WOW that never happened before, win, I guess we're doing something right.

Zachary's fabric crayon colouring

Zachary's fabric crayon colouring, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Tonight he gets to use the pillow case for the first time! He had so much fun colouring it.

Who has the button

DSC_0037, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Z has the button. Click. Click. Click .....

Who switched my child?

So Z and I talked over the weekend about having a quick and speed morning, with more of a schedule. I've been trying to get him into the idea of going to kindergarden at Maplewood school which starts at 7:45AM! Anyway we agreed to set the alarm clocks and when the morning came around I went to check on him and his alarm got louder and louder and he just didn't even move. Ok I turned it off gave him a cuddle and went to get on with my morning, he could have a bit more sleep and I'll give up the early plan. So just as I get out of the shower I hear, thunk. I check. His door is closed and the light is on, "don't come in daddy". OK I'll leave him be and while I'm getting dressed, I hear clink clank. "hhmmmm" I go to the kitchen. Z has got out the whetabix, milk and is now getting bowls, not only for himself but for me. Awwww. And he is fully dressed! Amazing, so I ask again who came in the night and switched my child?

Game 1 - YMCA Longhorns vs SALL ninjas

DSC_0015, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Great game, mostly chaos. All the kids are still learning how to play; battling and fielding. We went through two innings for each team, with everyone getting a turn. Z clouted it both times he was up to bat, and had fun chasing the ball. When he caught it with his glove he threw it to first. Current rules are no outs so it's more just about playing as a team and learning the skills. Fun was had, sportsmanship is adorable!

DSC_0043, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Coffee is delicious

Coffee is delicious, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

That's why I was being a jerk!

Zachary has been a little meshugah. He burst into tears in the car going to violin. At violin. He burst into tears when he took apart some of his legos. He clung to me in a weird crazy way.  I figured it was because I was an awful mother. Because I'm about to start travel shenanigans again. Because I've been working a lot.

Oh hey. Maybe it isn't all about me? I was about to go do an errand and Z started complaining and I said, in my least good parent flippant way "I am just about ready to give you COUGH SYRUP." And then I paused. And then I said, Zachary, do you have a fever?

Commence thermometering.

Fever confirmed. Tylenol dispensed.

After five years? Still a little slow out of the gate.

And his response, once I've taken his temperature. "That's why I was being a jerk!"

Me too, kiddo. Me too.

No training wheels !

No training wheels !, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

Yup he asked to try without. He doesn't quite have the balance down, but with his speed it is super close.

T-ball Fun!

IMG_7381
Originally uploaded by Niais

T-ball starts next weekend! We went to the YMCA and picked up Z's jersey. It is reversible, grey and green, which seems wildly clever to me. Zachary is totally excited to play. We let him pick between soccer (which seems to be the predominate kid's sport of choice) and t-ball, but he's been set on playing baseball of some flavor for ages. I tried to talk Mark into coaching (they were a few coaches short) but apparently he thought he was unqualified. C'est la vie. We'll just shout wildly from the sidelines. "GOOD EYE, KID, GOOD EYE." (That's all I remember. Hints welcome).

at the symphony

at the symphony, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

We went to see the Austin Philharmonic with Zachary's violin group. It was fun except it was late and he was tired.

sonic

" I want to wear my flame shoes to show Drake" "uh huh, you need sock first" "because I want him to see me run fast, faster than sonic"

sick day jigsaw

sick day jigsaw, a photo by m0nk3yphd on Flickr.

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