Day 2: The San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park

1st Day

Today we headed west to Cali. Bumpy ride over but we made it.  The little guy did awesome on the flight. 

First stop, San Diego. It's been years since mommy's been here, but it hasn't lost its beauty.  We started in Old Town for lunch and then headed across the big bridge to Cornado.  Had to see the famous Hotel Cornado. This place has so much history and beauty. It was good to see the old girl. 

Next stop the Gas Lamp District for dinner. Just hoping we don't konk out first. At least one of us has plenty of energy

Week in Rewind: June 24

This week started with a trip to National Park. Cute park right on the Delaware River and close to home. It actually has historic significance with the Revolutionary War. A fort was built there to defend Philadelphia. And defend they did with a big battle against the Brits.

The little guy enjoyed his first week off of school with his new babysitter.  And she has been amazing. Role playing, swimming, eating...they've done it all.  And someone is super happy with her. She re-taught him Take Me Out to the Ballgame...and we've heard it multiple times.

I also forgot to post pictures of our trip awoke back to Tyler Arboritium. That was fun until the boy stepped in poison ivy. It then became a mad dash to the bathroom to wash.  I don't know how he did it, but he managed not to get it.

And this coming up week, we celebrate the little guys birthday. Hard to imagine, he will be 6 years old. Wow, where has the time gone.

Week in Rewind

Whew, what a quick week.

On Monday, we celebrated the little guy's birthday (early) at school. Darth Vadar cupcakes, yes please. Having the whole class sing to him, yes please.  Dark black tongues from the icing, yes please. The little guy enjoyed every minute of it. But mommy was super proud when the teacher described him as loving and kind hearted...has she met Zacharina!

This week we also celebrated his last day as a kindergartner.  Simply wow. What a year it has been.

1. Riding the bus-the wheels on the bus go round and round.
2. Meeting new friends-boy, these friend circles constantly evolve.
3.  Learning to read--no more fooling him with misinformation.
4.  Adding and Subtracting--something tells me he has high finance in his future.
5.  Doing homework--not always a fav
6.  Playing baseball and karate, swimming on the side--he's one super busy boy.
7.  Working past self identity-wait, I'm not the center of the universe.
8.  Perfecting his art work--the boy is an artist.
9. Singing in his holiday party--and he dances too
10. Working toward 1st grade--simply amazing

What Zachary loved about school (his words)

1.  Have extra recess
2.  Liked having homework to work on, especially math
3.  Enjoyed learning new things
4.  Loved his teacher
5.  Glad he had specials-music, art
6.  Loves that has lots of friends
7.  Liked counting to 100
8.  Liked centers
9.  Riding the bus
10. Loved learning new words

There you have it folks. The boy made it through kindergarten and is now roaring ahead to first grade!

Week in Rewind: June 10

Last official week of school. Hard to imagine the little guy will soon be a first grader. It's been an awesome first year and we couldn't be more proud. 

Ladies our little charmer is starting to read. So no more pulling the wool over his eyes...as in when Peppa Pig is on tv and mommy says no it isn't on...but mommy, didn't that just say Peppa Pig.  darn, you school with your early reading at kindergarten!  

This week also marked our first venture into the pool. Now, mommy typically likes it in the high 70s...so when you jump in at 70 it's quiet the thrill. The cold water doesnt seem to bother the little guy. And as you can see, he's still working on nailing the dive. Until then, there have been many (and I mean many) loud belly flops. But like a trooper, he gets right out and tries again. 

June 5th: Week in Rewind

So, I'm a little late with our update. But better late than never. 

The week started with the little guy testing for his next karate belt. All weekend, we worked on remembering the meaning of the belt colors. But for some reason, he struggled with the orange belt, his current belt. And what color did she ask for the meaning....orange.  At first he had that look of bewilderment, but then he confidently said, development of the root system. With that, mommy exhaled...he nailed it. 

On Saturday, mommy rowed with her girls. We had fun...but it was a long day. We just missed getting in the trophy race by .04 seconds....or 4inches.  Not bad. Our 3rd race came down to the wire too.  Next year, we'll be ready

On Sunday, we went to the Phillies game. Another hot but fun day. The little guy is beginning to love baseball.  The boy was blown away by the fact that baseball players are paid to play baseball. And when daddy said they get paid lots of money to play...you could see the wheels a turning. Imagine the Legos one could buy. Thanks to mom and mom and pop pop for coming out with us. He's a lucky little boy. 

Week in Rewind: May 29

Happy Memorial Day!  And happy return to spring weather. After a month of cold, rainy weather, the sun has returned. And with that, very hot weather

This week, Zachary participated in his school's Field Day. Which is basically a kid version of the Olympics. Mommy caught up with him as he was doing a friend's obstacle course. Not to brag, but the boy abused the small course. And on his last go around was totally showing off for the ladies. It featured a big smile and lots of jumping twirls. Thank goodness, he has game or he would have totally fallen on his face. 

Speaking of nice weather, mommy's fight with the tent caterpillars is over. And not to brag, but I kicked those little buggers butt. All of those hand picking off the roses paid off with our first beautiful bloom of the season. Someone decided to stop and smell the flowers. 

Week in Rewind: May 20

Where did this week go?  Crazy fast and we are rapidly approaching the end of the school year. Something the little guy is super excited for.

On Wednsday, the little guy finished the last of tball. Actually the last game was a coach pitch game. And mommy was a little nervous because we hadn't practice in a little while (darn you rain). But let me tell you ladies, the boy carries a big stick. He confidently strode up to the plate, gave the pitcher an evil eye, swung mightily...and (wait for it)....smashed the ball on the first pitch. No messing around, ladies.

Last weekend, daddy and mommy finished 2nd in their age group during a sprint Tri. Now mommy never usually places...so when daddy said you finished second. I was overcome with emotion. All of that hard work. That joy became a miserableness when I realized it was because I went up to a higher age group.  Age is just a number, right!  2nd place in age 25 and over I'll take it....as interrupted in Zachary years.   Thanks to mom and pop pop for keeping the little guy entertained while we raced.

Tonight we head to a karate clinic for swords. Yes, I said it swords. Does anyone else see potential issues here.  Out goes all of those lessons about playing with sharp things. Put down that knife it will cut you.  Watch yourself with the scissors. And now, I must add... Don't poke the dogs with your wooden sword. Or maybe I should broaden my declaration to: Don't touch anything with your wooden sword!!

Week in Rewind: May 13

So last week, we celebrated Mother's Day. Really cool day spent with great mothers.

I have my cute Mother's Day gift. I told daddy the only thing really want was a bird house for my garden.   So off to Michael's we went. While mommy shopped, the boy and daddy were engaged in talks about the color scheme. Someone wanted neon colors..but as daddy pointed out rather bluntly, "that color will scare the birds". It was at that point that I casually turned the corner and let them hash that one out. I will say it came out rather nice, and the color scheme appropriate...colonial blue with lime green. Although the very top still needs painted!

Cute factoid of the week. As we passed a group of cows, I casually said that the farmer was feeding them to fatten them up. Which led to why?  (I fell right into that one). So I calmly said that hamburger and steak cones from cows. Which led to ewwww!  And then silence, as I drove on you could almost hear the wheels in motion.  Which led to this...so chicken comes from chicken.

So mommy's garden has a new arch nemesis. Caterpillars. And not just any caterpillars...hundreds and hundreds of them, which are destroying everything. So each night, the boy and I headed out in search of caterpillars.

Happy Mother's Day

Week in Rewind: May 7

This weekend we celebrate Mother's Day. And as luck would have it, this picture showed up on my Facebook page. At that time, we were only a few months into being parents.  What a trip it has been.

Here's some questions that Zachary answered for me.

How old is mommy?  45 (randomly nailed it)
Favorite thing to do with mommy?  Practice baseball (we play a bunch of ball around here)
How much does mommy love you?  100 and thousand percent (got that right)
Two favorite body parts?  Heart ( for compassion) and head (for integrity)
What do you love about mommy?  That you look pretty. (sweet talker already)
What does mommy help you with?  Homework (some days are easier than others)
Whose mommy's favorite dog? Trojan. (I must confess, he's right).
 What is something mommy says to you?  Time for bed (followed closely with wash your hands)
What do you remember about Korea?  You came to pick me up. (love knows no boundaries).

What want to tell mommy for Mother's Day?  I hope you like the picture I made for you. (I do, it's a picture of us walking the dogs).  The boy clearly knows what makes me happy.

To all of totally awesome mothers out there, enjoy your day...we've earned it!

Week in Rewind: April 29

HSo we had a busy last week. Mommy was in the field Monday and Tuesday. Karate and tball continued throughout the week. 

And Thursday, the little guy came to work with mommy. We had so much fun. Breakfast at desk, check. Revelry during meetings, check. Running for the train, check. It was a quick day

But my favorite part was the ride home on the train. As we talked about the day, an older lady behind us suddenly said, "I hope you don't mind, but I've been listening to you two. I miss those days and he is simply adorable".  Definitely put things in perspective.  As he gets older, it's so nice to find those memory moments. We had one on Thursday. 

On Friday, the little guy returned the favor. Mommy came to his school for his spring party. He beamed when I entered. Pretty cool to watch him in his element. Another memory moment. 

Crazy fast week, but a fun one. 

Week in Rewind: April 22

So this week, we sprung into spring. The weather is changing, flowers are sprouting up and the skies are turning blue.  So, there has been lots of outside time in this family. After a weekend of mulching, the gardens are finally done. Of note, the little guy was more interested in climbing the mulch than spreading it. As for the girls, let's just say they are awesome supervisors.

We pulled another double hitter on Tuesday. Karate and then tball. And the little guy did great in both. But what mommy is most impressed with is his grade card. He did awesome. Really cool to see how far he has come. The teacher called him studious and kind. Music to my ears.

Week in Rewind: April 15

I'm not going to lie, we're ready for spring. This cold spell needs to go. And warm, bright sunshine needs to return. 

Because we are ready for some t-ball. And someone looked darn cute in his uniform...and adult male helmet. Yes, I said it...adult male helmet. Let's be honest, the boy has a massive cabassa. As in I don't think kid's size ever really fit. 

The boy put on a show during the season opener. Second time up to bat he walloped it into the outfield.  And yes, he raced across home plate, calmly passing three other little kids. Pick up the pace, fellas.  I've spotted a cute little chickaroo on the sidelines. Not bad for a back to back night of karate and baseball. 

Cute factoid of the week. The boy is ready for ComicCon, that big event where weird dudes dress up in character for their national convention.  We sat down last weekend to watch the latest Star Wars (because one super awesome mommy pre-ordered the blue ray). Anyway, the boy suddenly disappeared...only to reappear as a storm trooper. Which was cool and all until he fell asleep with it on.  One would think it would be easy to get that custom off a sleeping child..I can confirm that it is not. 

Week in Rewind: April 8

It's been one of those quick, long weeks.  Someone really is starting to love StarvWars. Notice the storm trooper that he intended to hide in his backpack for school. Mommy put a quick stop to that one. But he also is now loving to wear his LL Bean jacket, a change of heart from the fall. When I asked why?  The response, Fenn wears this jacket.

It occurred to me that the little boy really loves his sports. We played so much basketball during Easter. And the little guy drives right in there with the big guys. And then there's baseball. The boy loves to hit the ball. And by hit, I mean over the practice fence, causing everyone to run...because he did it three or four straight times. Notice the leg kick, daddy taught him that one. We now call it his power stance.  A boy is a sports uniform ladies.

Week in Rewind: April 2

It came in like a hurricane. Okay, so weather around here has been a little crazy.  Beautiful 70 degree weather, horrible cold winds, snow showers, all within the last couple of days. Welcome to April.

Before the weather turned, we captured these awesome pictures of the little guy under the wheeping Cherry tree. We've taken this very picture since he arrived. At that time, he was so tiny. Now, he almost has to duck to get under it. So you can see, I got one serious picture and one goofy.

Speaking of winds, daddy ran like the wind in it last Sunday. He placed 3rd overall, 1st in age group for the Cesar Rodney 5k. Honestly, I don't know how he does it. The wind was cold and brutally fast. I would have been running in place. But daddy cut threw it and ran like a gazelle. Yeah daddy.

Week in rewind: Happy Easter

This weekend, the inlaws came from Ohio to celebrate Easter.  It was an action packed weekend that included tball practice, plenty of basketball, Whoopie pies, Easter services and lunch. In other words, a whirlwind of activity. And we loved ever moment of it. 

Week in Rewind: Mar 18

Happy Birthday to Uncle Dick. The little guy is so lucky to have you in his life.  He's always been the little guy's buddy. Thanks for being such an amazing example of goodness for the family. We love you

So on Saturday morning, mommy woke early to get a swim in before a busy day. The little guy, ever game, chose to go with me.  So, here we are at 6:30 jumping in the pool...daddy patiently watching from the side.  And lo and behold, he captured one of the first complete dives by the little guy. See those big feet moments before hitting the water, holler.  

This week the little guy also earned his second big boy belt. He's officially an orange belt. Watch out world!