June 30th

Sunday morning Zach & I went to the Palmer reunion.  Chris had to teach a motorcycle class so he wasn't able to attend.  I think I should get some sort of award for going to my husband's family reunion without him!  In the afternoon Zach quietly played Legos & Hot Wheels for hours while I did housework and got ready for the week ahead.  He is such a big boy these days and is so independent.  It is both a blessing and heartbreaking at the same time.  These days I drop everything and sit on the floor when he asks "Mommy, will you race cars with me?"  That boy has my whole heart.

June 29th

Saturday morning we went on a bike ride in Altoona to the "dancing waters" and stopped to see the ducks.  They followed us and were obviously hungry so Papa & Zach walked to Hy-Vee to get bread to feed them.  Around 30 ducks surrounded us and we fed them a whole loaf.  In the afternoon Zach & I made brownies.  Don't worry, I had poured the batter in the pan before I let him lick the bowl and spatula!

 

 

June 28th

You say tomato, I say toMATO...

Zach & I are having fun growing tomotoes this year.  We have 3 plants and he does a great job watering them.  Picking the red ones is his favorite part!

June 27th

Watching Zach's swimming lessons have quickly become the favorite part of my day.  He is so brave and tries so hard and has so much fun; I just sit there smiling big the whole time.  Once he completes a skill he looks up at me to make sure I saw it and gives me the biggest smile and thumbs up.  I was pregnant with Zach during the 2008 Olympics when Michael Phelps won all of his gold medals.  I would stay up late watching his races rubbing my tummy dreaming about my baby and what he would grow up to be.  Being Zach's mom is way better than I ever could have dreamt.

June 25th

Today after swimming lessons Zach decided he wanted to go to Grandma & Papa's pool to show Daddy all of his new swimming skills.  Jumping in over Chris is still his favorite pool "trick".

June 24th

Monday Zach started 2 weeks of swimming lessons.  He was nervous at first but as soon as he got in the pool he was excited and ready to learn.  There are just 4 kids in his class and they are working on the front float, back float, and picking things up from the bottom of the pool.  He had never opened his eyes up under water before so he was really proud of himself for conquering that skill.

June 22nd - Afternoon

Zach had a quick nap on the way home from Collins and then we headed to the lake.  Early this Spring Mimi & Papa had gotten Zach his own "boat" at Costco.  It is an inflatable tube that squirts water with a pump and has a fan motor that propels it.  Zach has been really excited to try it out.  I tied a rope to it so he couldn't "drive" too far away.  His favorite feature is the squirter so watch out when you are in range.  We also watched a beautiful sunset and the "supermoon" rise.  Saturday was an amazing (and tiring) day!

June 22nd

Saturday was Collins Days and it did not disappoint.  The weather was HOT but we enjoyed the parade, petting zoo, bounce house, lunch, and hanging out with family.  I am proud to say Zach is the 2013 Collins Days 4-5 year old Tractor Pull Champion!  He had a full pull and had a lot of fun and won $3.  He was pretty darn happy!

Check out our Collins Days adventures from 2012 & 2011 here:
2012
2011

June 21st

Friday afternoon I ditched work a little early to pick Zach up from Karen's.  I surprised him with a Monsters University t-shirt and took him to the 3D movie in Ankeny.  Mimi met us and he LOVED it.  Listening to him giggle and squeal was my favorite part.  I had also picked up a Mike Wazowski (character from the movie) figure for him that he was super excited about.  After the movie we headed to Noodle Zoo for supper.  It was the perfect Friday night with my little monster...and Mimi too!

June 20th

A good dad is like your favorite underwear.
He doesn't hold on too tight, but never leaves you hanging!
(saying in the Father's Day card we gave Chris this year)

I know it goes without saying but I absolutely LOVE these two boys.  Everyday is an adventure filled with hugs & kisses & endless love.

June 19th

Wednesday after work we went on a walk/bike ride to the park in our neighborhood.  We have been coming here for years with Zach and this summer he doesn't need any help on any of the obstacles.  That broke my heart a little.

June 18th

Tuesday night after work we stopped at Craig & Peggy's for a little family swimming before supper.  Zach loves to jump in over someone's head.  Next week he starts his first official swimming lessons.

June 16th

We had an amazing Father's Day filled with family.  We had Mimi & Papa and Kyle & Amber over for burgers & brats on the deck for lunch.  Zach worked so hard writing names on the cards and picked out special TMNT wrapping paper.

We headed to Grandma & Papa's for swimming & grilled chicken in the evening.  Zach fell in love with their pool and even asked if he could hug the gate to the pool because he was so happy.  I expect we will be spending lots of time in the water this summer.

Zach and Chris spent a few special moments laying the hammock before bed.  It truly melts me watching them together.

Happy Father's Day Chris, Dan, & Craig!  We are SO blessed to have you in our lives!