Raising Zack

50 things

2011-04-16T22:41:00.002+12:00

So Zack celebrated his 7th birthday a few weeks ago. Here is an updated 50 things

1. Zack calls me Mum

2. Zacks best mate is Kody

3. Zack still prefers fruit to any kind of lollie

4. His favourite food is Sushi

5. He attends Brookby Primary School

6. He doesn't like "pip bread"

7. He is allergic to pineapple, mango and seafood (gives him excema)

8. He loves Star Wars

9. He loves Lego

10. He is totally uninterested in riding a bike without Training Wheels

11. He is pretty good at doing an indian accent

12. He still loves weapons and has a large collection

13. He loves animals especially our cat Mink and Bretts Dog Lady

14. He loves Mameres cookingt

15. He likes drum and bass, sings most of the words to Shapeshifter album

16. He isn't really interested in sports all that much

17. He is looking forward to going to the movies over the school holidays

18. He recently went on a class trip to Rangitoto where he brought back a piece of rock for pretty much everyone he knew.

19. He hates having baths/showers, but once you get him in there just try and get him out.

20. He loves surfing youtube looking up lego stuff

21. His favourite treat from the diary is anything with LOADS of sugar in it

22. He rarely eats all his lunch at school

23. He cries when he doesnt get his own way sometimes

24. He has a HUGE collection of movies and DVDs

25. He still picks his nose and eats it

26. He gives the BEST cuddles

27. He is a deep sleeper and loves to sleep in

28. He recently stayed over night with Grampa Curchin in Tairua and raved about it to everyone he knew for weeks

29. His favourite colour is still blue

30. He raised a chicken for Brookby Ag day

31. He still hasn't been to rainbows end but is looking forward to it for his 8th birthday

32. He wants to take Karate lessons

33. He does great artwork

34. He likes giving gifts

l35. He HATES wearing long pants and will wear shorts no matter how cold it gets

36. He recently learnt how to tie his shoes

37. He loves Malcolm in the Middle

38. He likes taking photos and is pretty good at it too

39. He is pretty good going to bed most night

40. The most nights he has stayed away from Mum is 5

41. He has been fishing a couple times but has only caught little fish

42. He still collects Bakugan

43. His room is ALWAYS a mess

44. He really enjoys making people laugh especially me...usually when I am trying to tell him off

45. He has great manners

46. He doesn't listen and has poor concentration

47. He still tries to wear my high heels

48. He can't save...money burns a hole in his pocket

49. He is terrible to bargain with

50. He is a bad liar, but still manages to catch us out sometimes with stories

Me and Zack

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Spider man

2009-05-02T16:29:00.002+12:00

Zack took this photo himself, I think it's an attempt to capture himself throwing a spider man like web from his hand.

Paparazzi Shot

2009-05-02T16:26:00.002+12:00

Zack snapped this shot on my phone while waiting in the car at the gas station.

Sean and Jack

2009-05-02T16:23:00.003+12:00

Zack took this lovely photo of Sean and Jack

A Mask Zack made at Kindy

2009-05-02T16:22:00.002+12:00

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2009-05-02T16:16:00.001+12:00

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2009-04-30T12:16:00.001+12:00

Zack and Trix

2009-04-27T22:56:00.001+12:00

The dog

2009-04-27T22:55:00.001+12:00

Dangerous toilet

2009-04-27T22:54:00.001+12:00

Trix bein woken up

2009-04-27T22:53:00.001+12:00

Baby Trix

2009-04-27T22:42:00.001+12:00

Glenn lei'd

2009-04-27T22:37:00.001+12:00

Trix sleepin

2009-04-27T22:30:00.001+12:00

Mum's beach party

2009-04-27T22:29:00.001+12:00

Trix at the beach party

2009-04-27T22:23:00.001+12:00

Zack wit his tiki

2009-04-27T22:21:00.001+12:00

Zack wit tiki

2009-04-27T22:13:00.001+12:00

Zack made this at kindy. It's magical and provides protection

Sun shine!

2007-01-25T20:18:00.000+13:00

I worked half a day today and it was the perfect day to pick! The weather was gorgeous!

We cleaned the paddling pool and set it up for Zack and the Holt kids (Gabby, Kendle and Briana from over the road). Zack and Gabby spent hours in the water, making cups of tea and splashing each other. Zack wasn't impressed with Kendle who turned up with a massive water gun and rarked all the kids up squirting them! Margs, Connor and Jack turned up later. Connor always loves playing inside with Zacks toys, however Jack was happy playing in the paddling pool for a good hour! The Holt kids went home leaving the place a lot quieter but still fun. Margs and the boys stayed for dinner then Zack had a bath and went to bed early! YAHOOO!

This weekend is a long weekend, but we haven't made any plans...just staying home for most of it and perhaps a visit to Margs place...make a mess there instead!

Later
J

Back again

2007-01-23T20:39:00.000+13:00

Well unfortunately the new look wasn't enough of an incentive to get me posting more regularly. But that's OK! Here is an update...

Xmas was great, Zack was very excited. We left a note for Santa and prepared his Santa Sack on his bed. Unfortunately he lost it in his bed and thought Santa had taken it rather than leaving it full of presents. We located it in amongst his blankets and he was over the moon. The day was great, Zack loved all his presents and took the time to thank people for the gifts he was given. It was difficult explaining when the presents had all been opened that there weren't anymore presents....in fact he still sometimes asks when Santa is coming again. Its going to be a long year of waiting I think.

The holidays were good, although we stayed in Auckland and mostly at home. I enjoyed the time we spent together. Zack is almost back into a routine with me being back at work, although just this weekend gone we went away on holiday with the Christini clan which has disrupted things a little but was certainly worth it.

Zack is in the process of learning to use the toilet and doing a great job. I am extremely impressed at how quick he is getting the hang of things. We have a sticker chart going which has been re-vamped a couple times already just due to the quickness of things (keep running out of room for stickers).

Obviously Zack's vocab has come along a lot in the last month, he is speaking much more clearly although Uncle Fork still has some trouble understanding exactly what Zack is asking him. They both get pretty frustrated but tend to work things out in the end.

I am busy hunting down new books for Zack all the time now. Zack gets a real kick out of reading books about real boy things, spiders, diggers, robots, pirates things like that. It can be real fun for me particularly when I find a book which will interest him, although it seems that like most things that there is a much bigger range for girls :(

That's about it for now, but hope to post again soon when I have more time.

Love
Jannine

New Look

2006-12-19T23:03:00.000+13:00

So its been a while and I'm not sure if anyone is still checking this site. I will probably send an email at some stage to let everyone know that I'm updating again.

To catch up, here are some random things that may or not be of interest;

Zack is reeeeeeelly excited about Santa coming, cause Santa is bringing everyone "Peasants". When I ask Zack, he wants swords, although he quick to remind me of his broken sword, which at the time I said I would replace and never got around to. Mostly because it made an annoying noise! I know I always said that noisy toys never bothered me, but at that time I had never encountered this particular sword which makes a (really loud) clanging sword noise. For all of December, the first thing Zack asks in the morning is "Open the window?" which refers to opening another door of his Advent Calendar for a chocolate. Chocolate first thing in the morning can either make kids REALLY grumpy or REALLY silly!

Zack knows exactly how cute it is when he says "I love you" and now uses at appropriate moments (for him), like when he is in trouble, when he wants something and when he is showing off.

Zack's best friend would have to be Gabby from over the road. Zack will stand at the gate calling her, in the hope that she will come out....her Mum tells me that she does the exact same thing! Gabby is the fourth of five kids and gives Zack a real run for his money, although Zack has learnt that if he puts on the tears that she will give in to his demands. They fight regularly but always make up with a big smoochy kiss when she has to go home.

Some norty monsters have been visiting Zack's bedroom after dark. He wakes up crying for me and I have to go in and tell the monsters "Get home to bed, your mother is very angry, you should be home in bed sleeping" (thanks Mum). It always works and he goes straight back to sleep.

Zack sleeping peacefully;

after I have sent the monsters home

We haven't had a chance to get a Xmas tree yet (a real one) so I have put the fairy lights from last year up in Zack's bedroom. It has made going to bed a real novelty for Zack...they may have to be a permanent thing, just as well they are cheap!

Zack counts to 10 on his own (without any prompting what so ever) and loves to count just about everything. In particular steps! He has been singing lots and likes to use my hand to do "This little Piggy". Dancing is a big thing at the moment too...although he makes this "chi chi chi" noise as he is dancing...I do it too, so he gets it from me but I still think its odd - I don't know why I do it!

Zack and Mamere, relaxing at the MCC Family Xmas in the Vines. It was a beautiful day and we had a fantastic time. Zack was so excited see Santa and get a present from him (a kite), although he would have rather pushed to the front of the line instead of waiting his turn.

Zack was NOT at all interested in having his face painted...until we suggested he get a spider. He was most impressed with it and kept wanting to look at it. Long after it had worn off he kept telling me to be careful not to smudge his spider, even when he had a bath that night he refused to let me wash his face, I showed him in the mirror that it was already gone but I guess he thought it was a good excuse to not have his face cleaned.

Zack's favourite TV program is Mickey Mouse Club House, but a close second is Handy Manny. He still loves Little Einstein's but as he has seen all the episodes about a million times it isn't as much enjoyment for him. He will sit and watch Mickey Mouse Club House from start to finish and even interact with it...like when they ask which tool to use or which colour the shape is. There is a bit where Mickey calls the tool kit (or what ever its sposed to be) "Oh TOOOOOO-DLES" and Zack yells along with them.

All in all, I think Zack is a very good boy. He eats well, he goes to sleep without much hassle, his tantrums last a few minutes at the very most (when he is tired/hungry), he is very sympathetic and compassionate. If I walk into something or stub my toe (which happens regularly) and happen to say ouch (or worse) he will drop what he is doing to make sure I am OK, tell me to "Come here Mummy, its OK, kiss it better". I love him to bits, he is amazing!

Love
J

November!

2006-11-02T22:17:00.000+13:00

2 Days till Guy Fawks
A few weeks till my birthday
Just over a month till christmas...

Where has the year gone?

Work is good, Im back doing 20 hours a week from 30 hours. Perfect time of year for it to happen with all this beautiful sun shine too.

Zack is very settled during the week at the Baileys. He is talking so much now, full on sentences and repeating lots of things we would rather that he didn't.

He is sleeping extremly well, still napping in the afternoon most days and going down to bed very well at night.

His favourite toy at the moment is a plastic gun which shoots those rubbery, sticky bullets. The bullets are long gone (thanks Jack) but he loves it just the same. He particularly likes to pretend to shoot the neighbourhood kids out the window (who could blame him though).

Zack has started drawing spiders and they actually look like spiders. I know that may not seem like a hard task to achieve but we are impressed and thats all that matters.

Denzil is practically fully grown now, Zack can hardly lift him. Im sure Denzil thinks that is great! Denzil still hasnt been fixed as he seems to have a constant cold. The vet tells me its common with persians but his fixation on humping Cailsen and Zack is getting a bit much.

Maya is talking lots, most of it in a language that we dont understand but most of the time we get the general idea.

I took Zack around to Mum and Sean's in his dinosaur costume for halloween, taught him "trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat" on the way there, not surprisingly, all he remembered was "smell my feet".

Here are some photos I took on my new phone;

Zack, ready to go to Nanas

Zack about to grab my phone

At Sahria's Birthday Party

Zack wearing his favourite hat (its Sean's)

Such a Boy!

2006-09-15T08:42:00.000+12:00

This morning Zack jumped in bed with me (as he does most mornings) to watch TV. Denzil was asleep next to my head...but he gets jealous when Zack joins us, so he usually hops up on Zack and purrs loudly in Zack's ear or sneezes on him (errr cat snot is not nice). Anyway Zack starts complaining that he has a sore back, I know its because he wants me to move Denzil. So I move Denzil to the other side and give him some pats. Then Zack says to me "Rub back Mummy". Lovely to be fought over like that, but I really just wanted to sleep for an extra 10 minutes! Oh well, how many girls could say they wake up to their two favourite boys fighting for her attention every morning. And even though I am WOKEN up, it's to their cute smiling faces!

Update

2006-09-14T08:45:00.000+12:00

Zack was back at the Bailey's as of Tuesday. Everyone was extremely happy with this. Zack didn't have a sleep on Tuesday as there was just so much catching up to do. Both evenings when I picked Zack up, told him it was time to go, he asked Nana and Grandad if he could stay. It's so cute, hard to say No to.

Zack is right into singing at the moment, he likes to take my hand and try to sing "This little piggie". The song goes on for ever as you can imagine but he makes sure to get in lots of "Wee wee wee, all the way home". He also likes for Mummy to sing the "Little Einsteins" theme song and leave gaps for him to fill in. Its especially cute how he uses his sing song voice just for one word!

Uncle Fork is up in Auckland for the weekend, even though we saw him briefly last week, it will be nice to sit down and catch up with him properly.

Anyway, must dash and get ready for work.

J

Just a little slack

2006-09-10T08:48:00.000+12:00

Well it hasn't quite been a month, as you can imagine lots has happened but when you think back and try to put it into words, there doesn't really seem that much to report. So I will fill this post with just random thoughts/stories.

Zack is a real DVD fan...STILL. He is right into his Little Einsteins of course but also likes Ice Age and Monsters Inc. I have lost count of how many times we have watched them, sometimes I even dream about them!

Zack has had a tummy bug for the last week, like every other kid in Auckland by the sound of it. The Bailey's are missing him terribly having not seen him for over a week now. I am back to work tomorrow, so Zack will be coming with me to work. To be honest, I'm not looking forward to it. Since he has been sick he has been quite grumpy and very bossy (something else he got from me), to the point where when we are out in the car, he tells me what way I should be driving and gets very angry when I don't go the way he wants me to. As you can imagine it has been a very tiring week. Most of the time it's just funny but when you have him fighting you at the doctors because he is insisting that you drink more water (your onto your second cup), its much easier to cry than laugh.

I tried to buy a Nemo light for Zack's bedroom the other day and although he liked it, he insisted that I put it back on the shelf. He turned his back, so I snuck it back again. The look on his face when he turned around and caught me in the act was hysterical, again he demanded that I put it back. It took about 5 minutes of me pretending to look interested in something else on a nearby shelf before I could sneak it back again with out him seeing.

On the other side of the coin, he has become much more aware of things WE do that are 'norty' and is very quick to point them out. It's amazing how quickly you chill out when a little voice tells you that a word you just used "isn't nice".

Zack's bedtime routine has changed in that he prefers to read to himself in bed, without me. This is a little sad for me as I really enjoyed the time we spent together reading (providing it wasn't the SAME book night after night after night). Now the light gets left on for 5 minutes and he sits, propped up on pillows, reading to himself. It's very cute! After a while I go in turn the light of and kiss him goodnight, he snuggles down and goes to sleep.

Zack still has his blankie although his need for it seems to swing wildly from not needing a specific pink pillowcase (any silky pillowcase will do), to insisting that he take his specific pink pillowcase EVERYWHERE with him and not even wanting a clean one.

that's all for now, will post again soon as I think of more to write
J

Stuff

2006-08-15T23:13:00.000+12:00

WARNING : Due to the fact that I just lost everything I had written, this post may seem a little pathetic

Zack is becoming a rat bag going to bed...the requests for cuddles and drinks and kisses and additional blankies go on for about half an hour at the moment. He has also started asking for Bottles again which is really strange because he hasn't had a bottle at bedtime for a good 6 months or more (except when he has been sick). Nana thinks it might be because Maya has bottles, I think that might be it. Tonight I told him the bottle was in the bin, he got terribly upset but he stopped going on about it.

Mamere brought Zack a watch last week which Farts, Burps, Coughs and Spews....Zack thinks its hilarious. We played up to it, pretending like he had farted (which is his favourite). He didn't get sick of it and had to be distracted with other things.

The weather is getting warmer now which means Zack can spend more time outside (Yah). He certainly sleeps, eats and drinks better when he has had a lot of fresh air and that is always a good thing.

Zack is counting more and more, he can tell you what number comes next and will even start counting on his own... One, Two, Three, Four, Six, Seven Eight. Seven seems to be his favourite number (as is mine), if there are more than two of anything he will tell you there are seven!

Zack enjoys talking on the phone and is actually managing to talk back (sorry to those of you who get fed up having to talk to him all the time), although he does need reminding to say Good bye! Since being back at work, Zack doesn't like saying goodbye and thinks that if he avoids saying goodbye then no one is leaving.

I know this post is a little dis-jointed...that's just how Im feeling right now, but I knew I HAD to post so here it is!

J

Some more photos

2006-07-30T22:55:00.000+12:00

Zack and Denzil, having a cuddle

Denzil looking very content

Zack wearing my sunnies...upside down!

What a dork!

Hi Stranger

2006-07-30T10:57:00.000+12:00

Well its been a while, thank you to those of you who gently (and not so gently) reminded me that it had been a looooooooong time between posts.

Not much new to report
- Denzil has had a couple of baths and showers since the last post. Keeping that cat out of water is proving to be a real mission
- Zack is making big sentences, like 7 plus words.
- We have been to playcentre twice since the holidays, its fun!
- It was Sean's Birthday yesterday, "Happy Birthday Sean"
- Zack spent the day with Dad on Tuesday, Zack had a tummy bug and Dad came to look after him. They had fun spending the day together, so much so that Zack was still in his PJs when I got home from work HA HA HA HA
- Kody and Trinity have both turned two...they both celebrated their birthday's yesterday. We went to Trinity's party as we went to Kody's party last year. Yesterday we had a bouncy castle and with only three little kids there the adults had LOTS of fun. Zack was a little nervous but had some fun bounces.
- The passenger side of my car was kissed by a bus last week :( only paint damage but very annoying!
- I paid off Zack's bike...his early Xmas present. He is loving it although still hasn't worked out the pedals.

Here is a photo I just took...Zack decided it was more fun to put the ant stickers on our faces than in the sticker book

This is a photo from last week...the boys in the bath. This is the only shot where Connor WASN'T scratching his butt cheak (excema) HA HA HA HA.

Water Baby

2006-07-17T22:21:00.000+12:00

Well Denzil finally did it...after NIGHTS of dreamily watching Zack in the bath he finally got in (of his own accord). I managed to snap a shot in while trying to find a towel and pissing myself laughing;

He dried off amazing quickly and has been incredible snuggly ever since, I think he is feeling a little silly. Poor cat!

Zack has really been pushing the limits...grizzling a lot, every second word out of his mouth seems to be "NO" and hitting :(

Gotta run, can't type with Denzil climbing all over me!

The weekend has arrived!

2006-07-14T21:39:00.000+12:00

Another hectic week at work for me...I certainly got in the hours. Zack is still sick, its been a week now but he certainly on the mend. Still a little grumpy at times but bearable. Here is a photo from last night...him snuggled up on the couch.

I can't remember much of this week, other than lots of running around. Tonight Margaret cooked us dinner (although we turned up late), it was nice to catch up with them but both Zack and Connor were in rowdy moods and didn't play very well together. Margaret got a computer...YAH so we can chat online now!

This morning Zack and I spied two beautiful spider webs outside the dining room window...

Uncle Fork is up for the weekend to put new shocks in my car....funny but Im actually excited about it. Hoping it will make a big difference.

Anyway, Im off to bed...Night

Greggles and Glennills

2006-07-10T22:27:00.000+12:00

And of course...the boys were up from Wellington with Gracie (dis-gracie). We only had the chance to catch up with them for one evening but they are JUST the same, although Grace is a bit less hairy on her tail! It was great to see them, but still sucks that they don't just live around the road!

Love you Boys!
J

Another week just disappeared!

2006-07-10T20:16:00.000+12:00

Well, we have been pretty busy. Work was full on last week and our weekend was jam packed.

Uncle Fork was in Auckland, Maya turned One, the entire Christini Family was in Auckland to celebrate Grandad's birthday and Zack has been sick.

I felt like I haven't sat still in a looooooooooong time. I haven't had a decent night sleep in like a week, but somehow I am still going (thanks to energy drinks actually).

Poor Toni had a birthday party planned for Saturday, but of course Maya was sick as she has practically been living in Zack's pocket the last few weeks.

The family dinner on Saturday night was lovely, great food and great company. Shame the boys were both sick and grumpy. They weren't that bad though considering.

We saw lots of Brett during his visit, Zack just loves Uncle Fork and gives him the cheekiest smiles.

Poor Denzil has hardly seen us the last couple days, he has worked out where everything is and is very comfortable with Shaydee and both the other Cats now which is nice. He cuddles up with me at night which is very cute until he gets playful and then it just hurts. Needless to say he is as much to blame as Zack for my lack of sleep.

That's about all I can manage at the moment, Zack is calling for me to wipe his "boogers" again.

Take Care
J

I just can't help myself...

2006-07-01T11:01:00.000+12:00

But look it was worth while snapping all those shots, cause I finally got a good one.

Love
J

More pics of the baby!

2006-06-29T15:37:00.000+12:00

Our little ball of fluff!

Looking grumpy, but he is actually falling asleep!

New Addition to the Family!

2006-06-28T21:59:00.000+12:00

We got a new baby tonight...he is a 15 Week Old Chocolate Smoke Persian. He kinda looks a bit like a kitten sized wookie! I tried to snap some shots but when he isn't busy playing he wants to snuggle up close and purr loudly.

He is an awesome little cat, loves to play and not very skitterish (although he hasn't met Shaydee yet). Very affectionate and a talker! Not sure what we are going to name him. Suggestions welcome!

Bye for now

Not quite a week!

2006-06-26T11:56:00.000+12:00

Woah, things have been busy.

Tuesday - I worked, Zack entertained the Bailey's. Mamere picked Zack up from the Bailey's as I had a Playcentre Meeting to attend. Zack had dinner with Mamere and Sean, loved it!

Wednesday - We went to Playcentre, very fun session. Lots of kids and very noisey! Zack went the Bailey's in the afternoon.

Thursday - Zack and I popped into Manukau Water (Zack left me a lovely picture on an important note), then MCC to visit Mamere at work, then to the Bailey's for the day, and to stay the night! I worked :(

Friday - Grandad dropped Zack off home in the afternoon, although Zack wanted to go again (with Grandad). We had a quiet afternoon at home for a change, watching "Little Einsteins" of course.

Saturday - Zack slept late, I didn't! Margs, Connor and Jack came over for a play, then we all went to the opening of the new ToyWorld at the Manukau Super Centre. A little bit of shopping and then home to play with our new toys.

Sunday - Visited Nan C and Grandy, did the usual tour around the back yard. Home for lunch and a nap, then visited Mamere and Sean in the afternoon.

Monday - No Playcentre this morning as I had to be at work, Zack is at the Bailey's having loads of fun no doubt.

New Stuff!
This morning Zack pointed out that the horses were wearing blankets! Zack now knows the difference between his Ugg boots and his Gum Boots (still called Gum Gum Boots). If Maya cries, Zack tries to comfort her with his blankie. Zack wasn't scared of the big dressed up characters at Toyworld (even the big scary looking Dora). Zack will answer questions with a "Yes" or "No" (mostly honest). Zack is all about numbers, trying to work out how many of something he can see (mostly two). Very polite, always please and thank you. Zack says "Love you" and "Miss you".

Bye
J

Quick Update

2006-06-20T15:58:00.000+12:00

Yesterday we went to Playcentre, I offered to do Mother Help again as no one had their name down and I was still feeling bad for forgetting I was on the week before. So again I spent a lot of time in the kitchen. Luckily Tracie and the boys were there this week (after being off sick last week) and Zack spent most of the time with them. He came to check up on me a couple times, I think he could smell the cheese I was grating as that seemed to be all he was interested in.

He went to the Bailey's in the afternoon and was VERY happy to see them, after being away for a whole two days. He stayed the night there last night as I had a playcentre meeting which surprisingly enough finished by 9pm and I was home in time to watch Grey's Anatomy (yah).

Today I'm sick with a terrible sinus headache. I went to work this morning till lunch time and was then sick all over myself on the way home :( at least I was more prepared for it than when Zack does it.

On the 'learning new things' front...Zack is talking on the phone lots. I spoke to him yesterday and today. He blew me kisses down the phone, it was a little strange that I recognised the noises and didn't need to be told by Nana what was going on. Oh and when ever he sees birds flying he tells me "Seegils" for Sea Gulls I guess but it comes out as one word.

That's about it from me...my head is too stuffy to think straight, hope this post makes sense!
J

Meow

2006-06-18T16:14:00.000+12:00

Well it's been a cold wet weekend. But we have been inside by the fire for most of it so it's been cosy!

I woke up before 7am this morning and couldn't get back to sleep, meanwhile Zack slept till just before 10am, where is the logic in that??? These early morning starts must be getting to me! I have been going to bed earlier, not making it past about 10pm and not even getting through one chapter of my book.

Shaydee has been a real shadow all weekend, I guess us not being home much is affecting her too, or maybe it's just that we are both "Fire Hogs"!

I managed to snap a few shots of my two favourite boys last night...smooching on the lazy boy!

Cailsen was there first (asleep), Zack managed to squeeze up there next to him

OOoooh Smooch!

Cailsen isn't too impressed with the Paparazzi

But Zack just LOVES to have his photo taken

Congratulations!

2006-06-17T11:41:00.000+12:00

To the Dunphy family...a baby girl born at 10:52am this morning. 8lb 12oz, 59cm tall, they have named her Briana! Well done Tonia! Can't wait to visit!

Love
J

More Photos

2006-06-10T22:43:00.000+12:00

Some other random pics

My little caveman just loves to eat meat off the bone!!!

For some reason, Zack gave himself red whiskers with the felts while I wasn't looking. Luckily they were washable!

Not a very good photo, but Zack brushing Sammy

Photos!

2006-06-10T18:09:00.000+12:00

Zack pushing Maya in the trolley

Zack trying to squeeze into the trolley with Maya

Maya left Zack to it!

Zack took this photo of Maya

Zack took this photo of Nana and Sammy

Zack....by Christina!

Sammy with hair!

Zack's toes and Sammy...guess who snapped this shot

First post for June!

2006-06-10T16:45:00.000+12:00

Well as you can guess we have been pretty busy these last few weeks. Zack has settled into the Bailey's well, as expected. Now on the weekend, he is still expecting to go there and when ever we go in the car asks if its to Nana's house! Work is great, being kept busier and it's just the right amount of stress for me. I'm really missing Zack while I'm at work and I feel like the time that I do spend with him is mostly spent in the car in the process of either dropping him off or picking him up. So it's been nice to have a quiet weekend at home just the two of us. Although Zack is really missing Mamere and asks to go and visit her and Sean constantly. Apparently the staff at Mamere's work are missing Zack too. We would visit her at least once a week before to have lunch or just catch up for coffee. Each time they see me there, I see this look of anticipation on their faces and then disappointment when they realise that Zack is not with me. So that will be one of the first things we do when I finish work and life is back to normal.

I dislocated Zacks elbow last night when I tried to pick him up by the arm. I have been told all my life that you shouldn't pick anyone up by their arms because this would happen but quick as a flash, I did it and it happened! Poor Zack wouldn't even wiggle his fingers and just held his arm limply crying that it hurt. He perked up when we told him we were going to the doctors to get it fixed though. So we got to the after hours doctor...and it was Zack's favourite doctor - Dr Fur. Unfortunately, it was quite a wait and Zack fell asleep while we were waiting. He woke up to Dr Fur pulling and twisting his sore arm to get it back into place, which really hurt. Needless to say he wasn't too impressed to see the doctor so not sure if he will still be his favourite. Perhaps he was still too sleepy and sore to remember! Anyway...it was put in a sling overnight and Zack was back to normal using his arm again by lunch time today, like it never happened. Not so lucky for me though, I will not forget that feeling...it was like a Simpsons episode where anyone who ever told me not to pick a kid up by their arms floated into my head and told me over and over again not to do it - but it was too late :(

Aside from that drama though, we seem to be finally getting over our colds, just a few runny noses here and there but certainly on the mend.

Back soon (hopefully)
J

50 things

2006-05-30T11:23:00.000+12:00

As at 30th May 2006...

1. Zack loves to be tickled and asks "More tickle"
2. Zack’s favourite book is “Hop on Pop” by Dr Seuss
3. Zack has just been locked out of Mamere and Sean’s pantry by stronger magnets
4. Zack will spend hours trying to wake Uncle Sam, so he can hammer with him
5. Zack counts “4, 2, 4, 2”
6. Zack loves to play with Junior and Shaydee where they kiss all around his neck
7. Regardless of a hat being worn or not, Zack calls it a “Hat On”
8. Zack loves Mummy’s singing
9. Zack likes to read books with Maya
10. Zack enjoys a drink of water just as much as juice
11. Zack wants to be like Sean, he copies things he says and even mimics his stance
12. Zack will tell you Nana Bailey is 100 years old
13. Zack refers to all meat at dinner time as “Chicken”
14. Zack remembers all your pets’ names and will recite them on our way to visit you
15. Zack likes to use the potty but still prefers to wear a nappy
16. Zack’s favourite song is “Hammer Hammer Hammer”
17. Zack makes sure Sean gets a share of any lollies Mamere gives Zack
18. Zack’s favourite saying is “Mummy do it”
19. Zack still uses a pink-purple pillowcase as a blankie
20. Zack will blow you kisses, but you must put them in your pocket for safe keeping
21. Zack likes talking on the phone
22. Along with his blankie, Zack takes Nicki, Giraffe and Penguin to bed with him. They must each be kissed, cuddled and tucked into bed with him
23. Zack still loves spiders
24. Zack’s favourite colour is blue
25. Zack admits he is a ratbag
26. Zack is very good at pealing potatoes
27. Zack does an excellent job of brushing his teeth but needs help from Mummy to rinse
28. Zack understands what birthdays are but always asks where the spider cake is
29. Zack’s most favourite things in the world are Diggers!
30. Zack likes to use the Paris Hilton quote “Zack love it”
31. Zack can tell you the noises Mr Brown can make from the Dr Seuss book
32. Zack is a real poser when it comes to having his photo taken
33. Zack likes to watch/take part in cooking dinner
34. Zack’s favourite TV show is “Little Einstein”
35. Zack is learning opposites e.g. “Big/Little, Warm/Cold”
36. Zack tells Mummy she is a “Good Girl”
37. Zack and Jack (Sean’s dog) don’t like each other very much
38. Zack is quick to point out a mess and tell you that someone else did it
39. Zack loves to hide in Mummy’s bed
40. Zack likes to get up at the computer and browse through photos
41. Zack is very good at helping to clean up/put toys away
42. Zack’s favourite ad is the BNZ piggy bank one
43. Zack talks non-stop in the car.
44. Zack thinks it’s funny to ignore you but can’t keep a straight face.
45. Zack enjoys making people laugh
46. Zack has an excellent memory and sense of direction, he will tell you things he expects to see on the way somewhere in the car and then point them out
47. Zack makes sure all cats/dogs are well fed
48. Zack will say “Oh Look” when he finds something new or interesting
49. Zack loves reading and is good at pointing out even the littlest details
50. Zack is my most favourite person in the world

Over a week!

2006-05-29T09:39:00.000+12:00

Well I have been REALLY slack and not posted in over a week. I keep meaning to but never get around to it.

I started work last week, it went really well but it meant that we were incredibly busy. Either at work or picking up/dropping Zack off. I really missed him last week. He ended up staying overnight 2 nights with the Bailey's. One thing I didn't miss was all the housework...I did have to catch up on it this weekend though which wasn't fun.

On Thursday night we went to see Those Indian Guys perform "From India with Love" it was hilarious, if you can get to see it - its worthwhile!

Here is a photo of Zack and Grandy - Taken on Nan-C's pxt phone.

Almost a week

2006-05-18T09:21:00.000+12:00

I know its been AGES and I have been slack. Most of you will know why I haven't really felt up to blogging. We didn't make it to playcentre at all this week. Monday I had to take a mental day off...luckily Mamere was working from home and Zack had lots of fun making her run around after him. Tuesday we spent most of the day with Margaret and the boys. Yesterday Zack had a snotty nose so I decided to keep him home rather than make him worse or spread the bug further. We did get out for a walk in the afternoon with Tracie and Campbell - it turned out to be a beautiful day. We ended up going back to have dinner with them all...it was lovely and the boys had so much fun playing together. It was nice to see the older two boys take Zack under their wings and play/cuddle/fight. Zack was even introduced to their arsenal of weapons, Machine Guns and swords. He wasn't really too sure about what to do with them at first but quickly learnt the idea.

Anyway...just a quick catch up, back with more tomorrow perhaps
J

Long time no post!

2006-05-12T09:18:00.000+12:00

Well it's been a while since I have posted, not because we have been busy but more because I haven't really felt in a blogging mood.

Monday we had playcentre, monday is great cause Tracie and the boys are there. Zack and Campbell played lots together, they seem to get drawn to the same things. We did marble painting and Zack did LOTS of painting. It was a really messy activity for the kids to do...the girls dropped the marble idea all together and had fun with their hands just mixing all the paints together which made for some very wet paintings. Ange and Amber were away for the week and we really missed them, it seems things run so much more smoothly when Ange is there and Amber is always the life of the party encouraging the other kids.

Tuesday morning we went for a walk round Papakura and Zack fell asleep not long after we had gotten going. It did make the journey a little quiet what with his usual gabble and singing. In the afternoon we visited the Bailey's and Zack was a little grumpy having had a sleep in the morning rather than his usual afternoon nap.

Wednesday we had Playcentre, it was windy and rainy and as usual the kids were running a much which is always stressful on the Mums. We came home and Zack had a massive sleep, almost till 6 o'clock which meant he was up a little later than usual.

Yesterday we met Mamere at Manukau for lunch. Before meeting her we did a little shopping for some warm pants for Zack although as usual I couldn't find much to chose from. Unless your going to buy an entire outfit which can't be mixed and matched with other outfits there isnt really much selection (for boys anyway). Zack was a handful too, going on and on about Mamere wanting to know where she was and why I was bothering with boring shopping when there was a fun Mamere to be found! After lunch we went to Margaret's...in his excitement to see Connor, Zack fell asleep in the car. Connor was not impressed and tried to get near Zack to wake him up any chance he got. When Zack finally woke up the boys played really well together and we ended up staying for a YUMMY dinner.

Today the rain is PELTING down which interferes with the digital reception and Zack is NOT impressed that he can't watch the Playhouse Disney channel. Lucky we have recorded a few "Little Einstein" episodes on DVD so he can still get his fix. Thinking about visiting Lex and Saharia today as we haven't seen them in ages...will ring her shortly to arrange. Meanwhile...her are some pics!

Zack - making a REAL fashion statement "What NOT to wear"

Two ratbags in the bath!

Sleep In

2006-05-07T11:17:00.000+12:00

Zack stayed at the Bailey's last night, which meant I got to sleep in this morning. Just as well too cause yet another night where I woke up about 2am and didn't get back to sleep until after 5am. Not sure what’s up...I have been walking lots lately and since I started I have been waking with these weird bursts of energy early hours of the morning :(

We have been spending lots of time with Margaret, Connor and Jack lately. Connor and Zack have been playing together, laughing, squealing, running, giggling, jumping, dancing and even tickling each other. It's really cute to watch, Margaret and I are sore from laughing afterwards. They are both real characters who just love to make people laugh. It's really good to see them getting along so well, Zack went through a stage of real jealousy with anything Connor played with or even looked at...it seems giving him time-out and being persistent paid off cause he finally got the message. We still have the odd battle but it's nothing like it was and Zack is very quick to apologise and its obvious that he just got carried away. We had no playcentre again on Friday which was weird, but we still managed to have a jam packed day visiting and walking and doing house work. I think moving to Mondays and Wednesdays was a good move.

I have been approached by Manukau Water to co-ordinate some testing they need done, starting 19th of March...20 hours a week for 6 weeks. I'm still going to keep attending Playcentre with Zack on a Monday and Wednesday, Zack will be with the Bailey's for most of the time that I'm at work though. I hope that it isn't going to be too much....for everyone - me included. But it's only 6 weeks so I'm sure it will be fine...just my usual anxious self thinking too much :)

Today I plan to mow the lawns while Zack is away, vacuum the bits of the house I never get to when Zack is here cause he wants me to stop short of finishing the job and then collect Zack. Yah!

Well I’m off, back later
J

Another rainy day!

2006-05-03T15:44:00.000+12:00

This morning the weather wasn't too bad...We had playcentre and spent the day mostly inside. Zack had a pretty good time, usually he gets a little frustrated at not being able to run around outside. He was a little clingy today, I was mother help which kept me busy in the kitchen for about half an hour. By clean up time he was ready to go and requesting "Home, Home, Home" and trying to push me away from the sink where I was cleaning the play-dough toys, he can be quite persistent. I mostly find it funny but I think a couple of the other mums felt sorry for Zack.

We met up with Tracie and Campbell as they dropped Ronan at playcentre, then we headed up to Botanical Gardens for a walk/run. The boys were very happy to see each other though it was only for about 5 minutes before they were both rugged up in the buggys and then asleep once we started walking.

By the time we finished, Tracie and I were both drenched but felt good due to the exercise. I can't even remember the last time I was out in the rain like that (getting soaked to the bone). It was like being a kid again...it certainly put us in a silly (well sillier than usual) mood.

We have the fire going this afternoon, its lovely! The rain is pelting down outside but we are inside in the warmth, drinking milos! Zack was so cute, sitting on the big leather lazy boy with his little cup of milo and me in the other...everytime I took a sip he would too!

Tomorrow I'm back to the optometrist to pick some glasses and maybe lunch out!

Seeya!
J

Long Week

2006-04-30T10:23:00.000+12:00

This week has been a tough one. On Wednesday night Zack started throwing up everywhere and couldn't keep anything down, I ended up taking him to the Doctors, they said it was either a bug or a reaction to something he ate. It lasted about 48 hours so but no one else seems to have been struck by it. You know how when you have a tummy bug, you feel fine one minute and REAL bad the next, well with two year old, that means loads of power chucking at the most unexpected moments. I think he managed to hit both the lazy boys and the couch, just as well its leather so it cleaned up! I got at least 3 blasts, one of them in the Manukau Car Park about to go to an optometrist appointment :(

But it seems we have gotten past it without losing too much hair, however there is lots of catching up to do on washing, housework and sleep.

I finally got to get my eyes tested on Friday and I got a major telling off...I have to buy glasses and when I get them, I have to have a nice long break from my contacts to allow some scarring to heal. The scarring is from wearing contacts past their expiry date and not enough time without my contacts in my eyes (awake). Oh well, at least its getting sorted!

Zack and Maya in the bath!

Tomorrow we have playcentre, its Campbell's birthday (cake Yummmmy). Nothing planned on Tuesday, then playcentre again on Wednesday. It was nice having Fridays free of playcentre again, perhaps this term we might even be able to get away one weekend *Fingers crossed*

later
J

Photos from the Zoo

2006-04-25T21:10:00.000+12:00

A Giant Tortise

Cute Penguins, one getting impatient for some fish

The new Cheetahs....so gorgeous

Big Cats lying in the shade

"Come-On Kitty"

A Giraffe taking a drink...took a while to snap this shot!

Zack loved the Fish

An Elephants bum...they were fast movers surprisingly enough

Zack and Mamere watching the Elephants

Zack watching the Lions

The Lions watching Zack

The Spider Monkeys were out and very playful

Two playing on a log

Zack pointed out (very loudly) the monkeys "diddles" and still does everytime he sees this photo!

And just for Dave...see there ARE snakes at the Zoo

Update

2006-04-24T15:25:00.000+12:00

The Zoo was great on Saturday. Harrison has grown so much and was obviously having a good time, crawling around chasing the birds. It's amazing to think Zack was doing the same things only a year ago when he is now walking, running, jumping, climbing, talking, singing, dancing and throwing tantrums (not that we get those very often). Zack had a ball, he was very interested in all the animals, especially the monkeys and the fish. He stayed awake for the entire 4 hours around the zoo which surprised me as I thought he would fall asleep (surely after all the running around he did). Again he was quite specific about who he wanted to push the buggy (mostly Mamere). Sean carried Zack quite a lot of the way too, it was so nice to have a break from that as he is getting so heavy.

Yesterday we stayed home for the day, popping out to the supermarket briefly. I can see Zack gets frustrated being indoors all the time, we have been walking which seems to help - just the little bit of fresh air does him wonders. However we didn't get out for a walk yesterday as the weather was too yucky, Zack wanted to go shopping and kept asking "Car, shopping, supermarket?".

Today we popped into the Bailey's to drop back Maya's buggy which we borrowed to take to the Zoo. We stopped in for lunch at Margarets, we saw Jack but Connor was asleep. I'm surprised he stayed asleep actually with Zack running around yelling "Connor, Connor".

We are back at Playcentre on Wednesday and I am looking forward to it, get out and about again.

I took lots of photos at the zoo, but on Mum and Sean's camera...when I get them I will upload them here!
Till then
J

Right on the tip of his tongue!

2006-04-20T21:07:00.000+12:00

My poor baby has an ulcer on the tip of his tongue and he is not a happy boy. If anyone knows about Ulcers its me...they are PAINFUL. I still remember exactly how painful it was when I had a reaction to some medication and was put on Morphine for the pain! So needless to say I have been keeping him dosed up on Pamol. All the Dr could give us was Bonjella and Zack is not impressed...as soon as the tube comes out he starts running. I love the stuff...shame he didn't get that from me. The last couple of nights Zack has also had a temp so our sleeping patterns are pretty stuffed up. It's already half an hour past Zack's usual bed time but he only got up from his afternoon nap less than two hours ago so it seems a little rough for him to be sent to bed. I'm sure we should be right again by tomorrow.

We went out shopping today, a birthday present for Harrison who is turning one! We are going to his party at the Zoo on Saturday and I am so excited. Im sure if Zack knew where we were going then he would be even more excited than me...probably a good thing he doesn't.

We also visited the Bailey's this afternoon. Maya was outside walking around on the grass with a little bike...so cute!

Very Clever

Big Grins!

Fallen over, but she doesn't mind

Zack beeping the horn in Grandad's car

Tomorrow we are catching up with the Playcentre crew round at Ange and Amber's place. Will be nice to see everyone after a week (Ha ha, no Im not having withdrawls). Other than the Zoo on Saturday should be a quiet weekend at home.

Back with Photos sometime over the weekend

Happy Easter

2006-04-16T17:07:00.000+12:00

Wow, I didn't realise it had been so long since I last posted.

We had our last day of Playcentre on Wednesday, it was a nice session which was great as we had clean-up to do afterwards. Where EVERYTHING gets cleaned and put in the garage. I dropped Zack off at Nana and Grandad Christini's while I went back to playcentre to help. He was good for them, although he didn't go down for a sleep and Grandad had to change a dirty nappy and they couldn't find the wipes...errrr poor Grandad!

On Thursday, gee I can hardly remember now, oh we went to Manukau to have lunch with Mum and did a little bit of shopping. Friday Zack went to Bailey's for TWO nights it was great having the house to myself, although I did miss him terribly. I didn't get ANY wallpaper stripping done, I will try to do some tonight while Zack is asleep. I did however mow the lawns, got lots of housework done and I started a quilt...Just a really simple two colour one but it's going well. I have done four of the twenty squares I will need, unless I decide to do it smaller ha ha ha ha....This is a real possibility knowing me.

Zack wearing Nana's Glasses

Zack on his new bike

Today I picked Zack up from the Bailey's. He got TONS of Easter eggs and that's about all he has eaten all day, I won't be surprised at all if he is sick later.

that's all for now,
J

Flutter Byes!

2006-04-11T12:42:00.000+12:00

Our Monarch butterflies have started hatching...We had one this morning and 3 when we got home from a short trip up the road.

Zack loves them and spends lots of time looking at them, making very cute noises "ooooooh awwwww".

Zack's visit with the Bailey's went well, no hassles at night time (as usual) and he behaved himself. When Mum and I arrived to pick him up we got a quick "Hi" and then he was off again playing. They took him to visit Gee Gee yesterday morning, Hana and Ella were there, they had lots of fun playing together.

Today we popped in to visit Nana and Grandad quickly on our way back from Takanini. Aunty Nicola and Connor were there. Connor is again taller than Zack, a good couple centimetres but it is very obvious. This afternoon we are staying home, I have a headache again today, not quite sure what is up but I will try and sleep it off while Zack is having his afternoon nap.

We have playcentre tomorrow morning, its our last session for the term. I'm staying to do my stint of clean up after session, I will drop Zack off at Nana and Grandad Christini's for the afternoon, he is very happy when we are there, spending lots of time outside in their garden (I hope he avoids the flowers on the ground this time).

Later

Jannine

Comments Please

2006-04-09T22:57:00.000+12:00

Feel free to leave comments! It's nice to know who reads this and what they think!

A typical weekend for us...Saturday we visited Nana and Grandad Christini, it was a nice visit. Although their bird Sushi still hates me but that's ok cause I don't like it either. Zack stepped on a big dead flower outside on the ground and was HIGHLY disgusted. It was pretty funny, he was very upset though, crying and saying "Nucky", I had to wash his foot when we got home as he will still going on about (more than half an hour later). Saturday afternoon the weather wasn't very nice but Zack did manage to get outside to play in the Sandpit for a while anyway. Today, Zack went to the Bailey's for the night. He was very happy to be there and played with the Play-Dough lots. He has a real thing for Uncle Sam at the moment (who sleeps in till after mid day most of the time), Zack stands at the back door calling him (he lives in the Rumpus room out the back) and tries to get someone to take him out to Sam to wake him up. The house is very quiet without Zack, even though the Disney Channel on sky is still going, I can't be bothered changing it...no wonder I always get the theme tunes stuck in my head.

I broke Jack out of the kennels this afternoon, he was so happy to see me...he peed! Nice to know at least one boy (other than Zack) loves me! After I picked Mum and Sean up from the airport tonight, Jack gave me more attention than Sean, after not seeing him all weekend. Perhaps he holds a grudge from being taken to the kennels by him...ha ha ha. Speaking of Mum and Sean...here are some photos

Smiles, isn't Mum gorgeous. She looks too young to be a grandmother. Quite often when we are at her work, council workers who know Mum stop to ask us if Zack is her son and they are surprised to hear that he is her Grand Baby! Awwwwwww

Awww

Look at the camera hog down there!

And here is Zack helping me to make omelets for dinner...YUM

Tomorrow I am sleeping in...at least until the shopping arrives anyway...then stripping wallpaper, no I haven't gotten much further than when I last mentioned it. I also have some stuff to do for playcentre in the afternoon before picking Zack up.

Till tomorrow

Woohooo

2006-04-07T16:40:00.000+12:00

We had a great time at Playcentre this morning. Margaret, Connor and Jack came with us. Connor had a ball checking the place out and painted LOTS! The kids decorated Easter Boxes and at the end of the session got them back with Easter Eggs in them! It was cute and kept them quiet for about 5 minutes. The weather wasn't the best this morning which meant the kids were inside most of the time and pretty noisey, but somehow Jack even managed to have a sleep (lucky boy).

This afternoon we have had a sleep and now Zack is playing on his three wheeler bike which I bought from the Warehouse with the gift card from Grampa and Nanna Curchin (Thank You)! He hasn't really been interested in riding his other bike...Who could blame him though, it is a Holden.

Junior is staying home with us for the weekend while Mum and Sean are away in Wellington, he is missing them already and has taken out his frustration on some McDonalds toys. As you can imagine Zack wasn't too impressed with this behaviour and Junior has been in his bad books ever since. Poor Puppy!

Not much planned for the weekend, although Zack is going to stay with Nana and Grandad Bailey tomorrow. Will give me some time to finish stripping wall paper in the hallway and my bedroom. Mum has also moved her bed around to Sean's so we have a spare room now. I'm going to set up the other half of Zack's bunk and maybe even move the hutchdresser in there.

that's about it from us, more in a few days no doubt
J

Some actual Writing!

2006-04-05T16:37:00.000+12:00

So I'm not going to post ANY pictures today...I'm going to write instead, cause I know I have been slack over the last couple of weeks.

So Zack is two...while it's still hard for me to accept it, it sure is nice to have an excuse for the tantrums he has been throwing. At the moment they don't seem to be happening very often and he seems to accept it for what it is and chills out in time out. Playcentre surprisingly enough is helping in that he is getting lots of stimulation and then having really good sleeps, however on the cross side of that he is learning some new behavior from the other kids like spitting errrrrr. He has only done it a few times and I jumped on it pretty quickly telling him it was wrong.

Aside from the spitting and the tantrums though, he is a lovely little boy and I'm really enjoying having him in my life.

Today we had loads of fun at playcentre, we made spiders out of paper plates and twisty ties to hang from the ceiling...as you can imagine, Zack with his spider fascination was well impressed! We also had some boxes from the fundraising we had been doing so I linked them together with string, taped a yoghurt container to the front carriage and the kids painted the whole thing like a train...it was VERY cool.

This afternoon Zack had a massive sleep after lunch, the first really big sleep since his birthday and I really noticed the difference in him when he woke.

This weekend we are going out to visit Anne, Sarah and Loni from playcentre. Sarah and Loni's father has a demolition business and more importantly a DIGGER! We are going out to get photo's of the digger and their family for the playcentre magazine...and Zack might even get to have a ride on the digger...pretty wicked!

Anyway, better fly and get dinner on. Will write more tomorrow!
J

Guess What

2006-04-05T07:29:00.000+12:00

For those of you who do not subscribe to Linky and Dinky newsletters...

On Thursday 4th May, at two minutes and three seconds past 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be exactly

01:02:03 04/05/06

Mark it in your Calendars (just kidding)

After the Storm

2006-04-03T21:36:00.000+12:00

Well the party yesterday was great, even though we were stuck in side there was plenty enough room for everyone, even it was a little humid and warm!

The kids had a ball, there was way too much food, nothing got broken, a few of the kids took a couple of knocks but nothing major and just the usual day for them.

Here are the photos...

The banquet!

Look at all that food!

Hana and Ella, Zack's Cousins

Aria, such a princess!

Enjoying his feast!

The Cake!

(A Big Thank you to Nana, Aunty Toni and Megan for such a PERFECT cake, it was yummy and looked fantastic!)

Checking out the cake

Blowing out the Candles

Hana and Erica playing dressup

Connor having a cuddle with Nana, so cute!

Phew thats all the photos.

Sorry I have been quite slack with my writing the last few weeks, hoping that I will have more time to sit down and whack out some novels in these next few weeks.

Back soon

At Nana and Grandads

2006-04-02T11:57:00.000+12:00

Zack spent from Friday afternoon till Saturday afternoon with the Bailey's. He got lots of cool presents and they all had fun playing with them.

Here are the photos

Zack and Grandad, ripping into the Quarry!

Zack making sure Maya doens't get her hands on his new workshop from Aunty Toni, Pops and Maya.

Zack in his new monkey sleeping bag, about to drift off to sleep

Zack in his dragon costume from Mamere!

And as with Zack's first birthday party, the weather is horrible and raining. Luckily there is plenty of room inside at Playcentre with lots to do, especially for the kids who have never been there before. Fingers crossed it should be a good day!

Birth-Day

2006-03-31T16:24:00.000+12:00

Well today has been a bit of a blur but it went well...here are some photos

Looking very stunned!

Woohoo, Bob the Builder Workshop

Here it is, many many minutes later after Mummy finally got it put together

Painting at Playcentre

Serious Painting

At the water table

Up the ladder

Down the slide

"Happy Birthday to Zack"

Poor Zack was quite upset when we took the cake away to cut it up

And straight back home to the sandpit!

Back later when I have a chance to write more and upload some more photos!

Tomorrow is the big day!

2006-03-30T20:17:00.000+12:00

We have had a busy week this week.

Wednesday, Playcentre was full on but really good.

Today we have been at the Bailey's decorating Zack's birthday cake for Playcentre. I also started shopping for Zack's party on Sunday.

Tonight Mum and Sean set up Zack's sandpit, he loved it. I know he is going to spend hours out there playing in it.

Tomorrow morning we have Playcentre, then lunch with Mum and then to the Bailey's for presents. The Bailey's are having Zack for the night so that should give me a chance to get the last few things ready for the party.

Here are some photos...

Zack's Birthday Cake for Playcentre

Zack, Mum and Sean testing out the awesome new sandpit!

Zack destroying a sand castle

Junior, having a dig

that's all for now, back tomorrow

Monday-Itis

2006-03-27T10:34:00.000+12:00

Zack is much better today. We spent the weekend at home, just keeping indoors and relaxing.

Zack spent the entire night in his bed last night, he had been getting into bed with me early hours of the morning - but this morning he didn't come in until just before 8 YAH.

This morning he is grumpy with Junior for some reason. Not sure what Junior has done but the poor puppy keeps getting told off.

We are just waiting for the shopping to be delivered, then off to playcentre to get some things ready for the kids on Wednesday, then visiting Margs and the boys. Zack is looking forward to seeing Connor, he goes on and on and on about him as soon as I mention his name.

Here are some photos from over the weekend...

Zack engrossed in Disney channel and trying hard to ignore me

Just HAD to crack a smile, but still refusing to look at the camera HAH!

I know this is horrible, but he got in there himself and then couldn't get out...I thought it was funny!

And Gorgeous little Maya, almost too big for her carseat now!

Back Later

Zack's first tummy bug

2006-03-23T21:09:00.000+12:00

We had a truly horrible night last night, Zack has experienced his first tummy bug. Although it was quite a kind bug, with no vomiting at all - just lots of nappy changes. We saw the Doctor this afternoon who gave us some really gross stuff that Zack has to drink and some acidophilus tablets to help his tummy. I was pleased to not have been given Anti-biotics but I guess if this stuff doesn't help then we wont have much choice. But Zack is much better tonight, still obviously not his usual self. He still has some catching up on sleep to do as well (we both do).

No playcentre for us tomorrow, which is a bit disappointing as we were hosting an Open Day - a pain to miss out, but there will be others I'm sure.

Here is a photo from the other night when Mum and Sean watched Zack for me...This is an early birthday present (a dragon costume), I didn't actually get to see it in person so they took photos to show me.

Tomorrow will be more wall paper stripping if Zack is feeling better that I don't have to hold him all the time like I did today. Not much planned for the weekend either, I guess it depends on how things pan out with Zack's upset tummy...Fingers crossed!

Sick again :(

2006-03-22T15:08:00.000+12:00

Zack woke with a temperature this morning and a bright green snotty nose, pamol seems to be keeping it under control so far but its not nice.

We did half a session at Playcentre this morning. I was responsible to taking in paperwork for the kids activities today so we didn't really have a choice.

The session went pretty well considering, Zack got in a good few hours of play. The theme today was "Space", the kids had Astronauts, Planets and Space ships to colour in....the boys were particularly impressed. Then Tracie and I helped them to make space mobiles with carboard stars, suns, moons and with UFO's made out of two old cd's stuck together with milk bottle lids for the middle. They looked pretty cool if I do say so myself.

Zack has been asleep since we got home, he just woke up and is about to have some lunch.

Must dash
J

The weekend is over!

2006-03-20T20:53:00.000+12:00

Our weekend was good, nice and relaxing. We went out the Nicholson's on Saturday afternoon, Zack and Connor had so much fun playing together. After dinner the boys had a bath while Aunty Nicola and Uncle Craig snuck out to the party. The boys were very good, although Zack did get a little jealous when Connor and I were cuddling on the couch reading a book, but we found room for him and he got over it. Both boys settled well and had a good night sleep for lots of playing on Sunday.

I took the camera with me but forgot the memory stick so no photos unfortunately. The animals are all much bigger now, except for the new baby chickens of course. They were very cute, looked like they were wearing flares the way their leg feathers sit on their ankles. Zack didn't like the sheep too much as they were quite pushy for pats but he really loved the pig.

Zack and Connor played very well together, although Zack did get timed out a couple times for snatching and pulling...he seems to be getting the hang of time out and there is a noticeable improvement in his behavior when he comes back from it so I think it's working.

On Sunday afternoon Zack went to the Bailey's for the night. As always there were over the moon to see him and Zack had a good sleep before going there so he was in a particularly good mood. Still no fussing when I leave which is great, makes me feel that much better about leaving him. I really needed the break, although I missed him I had a nice relaxing time reading and even watched a few movies.

Tomorrow we are home for the day, hoping it is fine to get some bedding washed and our duvets aired.

Take Care
J

End of the week

2006-03-17T19:47:00.001+13:00

Playcentre was good today, not as busy as it usally is there which was nice. The group seemed smaller today, must have been a few kids still off sick. The majority of the ones there had running noses...YUCK.

We visited Fletcher, Taylor and Ashlee today. Ashlee turned one year old today, she is go gorgeous, very quiet - not shy just laid back.

Margaret, Connor and Jack came to visit while we were there too. And I remembered to get a photo of Jack...although the lighting wasn't really that good.

Also found someone (Gareth) to install a head deck in my car....FINALLY. Its been months now of no stereo and I'm getting pretty sick of Zack's requests for "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Incy Wincy".

Tomorrow we have afternoon tea at Fletcher's and then heading out to Aunty Nicola's for the night, we are watching Connor while they go out to a house warming. Will be nice to have a good catch up with them all.

And finally a photo of Fletch, Taylor and Ashlee!

Love

Almost the end of the week

2006-03-16T22:47:00.000+13:00

We didn't visit Lex today. Zack and I were both still coughing this morning and the last thing I wanted to do was pass our bug on to the baby. Not entirely sure why its taking so long for us to get over this cold, must be a particularly nasty one, although I am feeling much better than last week.

We dropped quickly to the Parson's today (Margaret, Connor and Jack) to drop off some shoes and clothes. Tania, Alyse and Campbell (the new baby) were there. The kids had a play in the paddling pool, probably not the best idea with Zack being sick but it was really hot there! Here are some pics....

Hope to get some photos tomorrow at Playcentre, fingers crossed!

Love

Dog tired!

2006-03-15T14:30:00.000+13:00

Oh to be a dog....Actually rather a cat, to lie around in the sun all day.

And check this one out...What a dork!

Playcentre was good this morning, it was quiet as a large number of kids were away today but still nice!

Zack has been in bed asleep since about 12.30 so its given me a chance to fold the washing and do some vacuuming Yah. I finished Zacks birthday invitations yesterday, so have lots of visiting in the next few days to get them delivered.

The boys leave for Wellington tomorrow (Greg and Glen). Although I haven't known them very long it will be sad to see them go as they are both so awesome. Really genuine and a good laugh. We are going round to say a last good bye tonight...I wish I had made the most of having them so close (around the corner), but if you could see into the future like that you would do things a whole lot different.

That's it for me...Tomorrow we are visiting Lex and Sahria and I will be sure to take more photos this time.

Spider Mania

2006-03-10T21:40:00.000+13:00

We didn't go to playcentre today as Zack and I are still sick and I didnt want to pass the germs around the other kids. We went to Manukau to have lunch with Mum instead...we just HAD to get out of the house.

Zack is still Spider Mad, so today we went shopping and Mum and I found him a toy spider. Its soft and squishy and looks real. It says on the box that it even feels real, if that's the way a tarantula feels its not what I expected. The only problem with Zack's new spider, is that Junior is in love with it too and keeps trying to take it out the back yard to either destroy or bury, so Zack can only really play with it when Junior is not around. Perhaps it will be a good "take in the car toy".

Tonight I started teaching Zack "Incy Wincy Spider" and of course he kept requesting it "again" and "again" and "again". My throat was sore before we even started so I only did about 5 rounds rather than the usual 10. He has been trying to sing it himself too...It goes something like this "Spider spider spider, wash" its really cute. He even tries to do all the hand actions...he is especially good at the "down comes the rain" action but that's about it. His rendition of "Twinkle Twinkle" is coming along more and more every day....I hope when he finally does get it that it is still as cute as his attempts now.

Anyway...Footballers Wives will be on soon, quick pick up of toys around the house and a coffee for me!

Later
J

Stuck inside

2006-03-09T19:25:00.000+13:00

This morning, when I asked Zack if he wanted toast for breakfast, he told me "No...Sauce" Paaaah ha ha ha!

We spent the day inside today, the cold Zack and I had been sitting on for the last few days hit us in full force. Zack was on Pamol most of the day and tonight as he struggled like a wild animal, I managed to get a final dose in before bed time. He is usually pretty good with taking Pamol but I guess he had just had enough of it. Trying to bribe him with lollies didn't work either as all he heard was "Lollies" and couldn't understand why instead I was trying to shove a spoon full of pamol down his throat...Needless to say I felt terrible.

Playcentre tomorrow is looking highly unlikely, best bet would be to stay indoors and keep warm rather than spread this horrible bug even further....My only hope is that we haven't already passed it on to anyone else. Here is a cute photo I took of Zack and Junior today...They were desperate to get outside and play with the neighbour-hood kids but we couldn't.

Later

101 blithering posts

2006-03-08T21:34:00.000+13:00

Wow, this is my 101st post...freaky! When I started this blog I never imagined that it would become what it has. As we are doing stuff through out the day I find myself thinking "I must remember to blog this" Paaaaaaaaaah ha ha ha, what a freak! Anyway it has been worth while, even for myself, just to look back on and reminisce. And of course it has been a treasure trove for friends and family.

We made it to playcentre today, even though Zack still wasn't in the best of moods (due to his cold). The weather was slack too, which meant we were inside for most of it. The bad weather always makes the kids a little crazier than usual too.

Zack has been doing a lot of drawing lately, well pulling all the pens out and asking me to draw for him; he is right into spiders at the moment! He has even started drawing them himself; he has the legs down pact and still attempting to master the body. I must take some photos of them next time.

We are missing Uncle Fork like crazy, he went home yesterday. It so nice just having the company. Oh well, we have been planning to take a trip down there soon anyway - will have to get into gear I guess.

I found some photos of Zack that Brett took while he was here...

I'm not entirely sure if Zack is posing for this photo or running away from Uncle Fork :)

This isn't a very good shot, but it shows how silly they are together. I think this might have been a joint effort photo.

That’s all for me
J

P.S For the first night in almost a week, Zack didn't get up out of bed after I put him down for the night...NOT once good aye. He has been getting up and I have to take him back to bed. Nothing major but still a bit of a pain. Anyway tonight he didnt. Here a pic....

Hey wait a minute...where is the baby?

The little ratbag!!! He must have gotten straight up and into my bed cause he even thought to take his bottle, which he didn't finish!

Long Weekend

2006-03-07T11:15:00.000+13:00

It seems as though it has been a long weekend for us, as my brother Brett (Uncle Fork) turned up on Friday night and is here till this afternoon (sad face).

Friday we had Playcentre in the morning, then Aunty Nicola and Connor surprised us with a visit. It had been almost 6 weeks since we last saw them, although apart from both the boys getting bigger nothing much had changed of course. Connor is getting really good at stopping Zack from snatching toys off him which is great, less work for me! Zack was cute saying "Connor" and trying to get Connor to do things like ride the rocking horse. After they left Zack kept going on and on about Connor, especially when I was putting all the toys away Zack was saying "Connor...Mess" when in actual fact is was Zack who had pulled all the toys out to show Connor.

Zack and Connor with the Trainset

Connor with some de-railed trains.

Zack stayed at the Bailey's on Friday night and most of Saturday, he was a very good boy as usual and they had lots of fun painting and playing with play dough. He came home counting...well the even numbers anyway - all the way up to 10.

Saturday night Mum and Sean invited us over for a BBQ at their place, it was yum! Zack
had lots of fun showing off to everyone.

Sunday Zack came down with a cold, was sneezing most of the day and had a runny nose and eyes...kept him dosed up on Pamol.

Yesterday Zack was well and truely down and out with a cold...slept lots, cuddled lots but still laughed lots too which was nice. Specially good that Uncle Fork was here to help out as Zack had kept me up most of Sunday night.

Zack and Gabby drawing with Chalk

Gabby lives over the road from us. She is 6 months older than Zack and talks LOTS. She has a photo of Zack on her bedroom wall, she loves him! Quite often the two of them will be yelling across the street to one another it goes something like this "Zack", "Gabby", "Hi", "Hi", "Zack", "Gabby", "Dogs Out" (Gabby is petrified of our dogs). This morning the calling out to Gabby started at 8am...I don't even think Gabby was out of the house.

Zack playing on the fence...being very cheeky!

Zack in Uncle Fork's Car...beeping the horn!

I can tell by that look on his face that he is going to have a thing for cars!

that's all for now, off to bed for Zack and I. Fingers crossed we are well enough for playcentre tomorrow.

Munch and Crunch

2006-03-03T13:45:00.000+13:00

Well Playcentre was full on this morning...Another messy day as usual. Zack did loads of artwork, it seemed everytime I put a clean piece of paper up for the next kid he decided to paint again. Perhaps that's what he thinks painting is about...Get rid of the white! We also made a birthday card for Kyle as it is his birthday tomorrow. The kids had a special morning tea to celebrate, Birthday Cake Woohooo!

After Zack had his lunch, I was changing him into a clean shirt ready for bed, when I noticed this on his leg...

Yes that's a bite mark!

Nana Bailey told me that I should explain to Zack that it was naughty to bite and I told him that if anyone ever bites him to come and tell Mummy. I kissed it and he said "Better" Awwwwww.

Not much planned for the weekend, although I do plan to catch up on the housework while Zack is with the Bailey's. Lots to do for playcentre too as I have decided today to put out a newsletter, silly girl!

Anyway I'm off for a coffee

So Organised...NOT

2006-03-02T21:07:00.000+13:00

This morning Zack got up earlier than me. Usually he comes into my bed and naps for a while till I wake up, but for the last few mornings he has gotten up and watched T.V before coming in to get me. This morning I awoke to his little angelic face saying "Mummy, Mummy, Egg, Egg" with a massive grin on his face. I just assumed it was something he had seen on TV (the disney channel) but sadly it wasn't. My darling boy had attempted to make me breakfast in bed, on the kitchen floor were half a dozen broken eggs, behind me I hear "Oh No, Mess". It was so cute, I had to laugh. Needless to say, the first thing we did after leaving the house was go to the baby factory for a latch for the fridge. Poor Zack, no more snacking on cheese slices or fingering all the yoghurts while Mums not looking.

For lunch we went to Manukau, checked out the sales on toys as Zack's birthday is coming up and picked up Mum's birthday pressie for this Sunday. Zack was stuffed by the time we got home and slept from 1pm till 4pm, that's 4 days running now - he must be having a growth spurt.

Tomorrow we have a hell day at Playcentre. Friday is the busiest day with the largest number of kids on session and the most keen Mums, its always MESSY. This weekend Zack is going to stay at Grandad and Nana Baileys on Saturday night.

Must dash and get the notices done for playcentre tomorrow.
Love
J

Playcentre

2006-03-01T12:08:00.000+13:00

We had playcentre this morning and I was mother help...we take turns each week - it was my first time. I had to make sandwiches and cut fruit for the kids for morning tea and get everything organised, then clean up afterwards. This meant that I was only really free to spend time with Zack for very short periods of time. I had been a little anxious about how this would go...being shut off from him I expected him to hang around the kitchen grizzling like half the other kids do when its their mothers turn. But guess what, he didnt! He was off happily playing for the most of it, although he did come back regularly to check I was still where he left me and that I was doing ok. So cute!

It was a busy day at Playcentre (nothing unusual). We made slime again for the kids to play in and had the hose going on the slip 'n slide. Zack actually got involved this time and had lots of fun, he got really messy! We are home now, for lunch and then a nap.

Back later
J

Another week has passed

2006-02-23T12:26:00.000+13:00

Our computer was hit by a really bad virus over the weekend which has really disrupted our house. Amazing how you come to rely on things like this. It meant I haven't been anywhere near organised for all the playcentre documentation I was supposed to be doing, which was a little embarrassing but we managed.

This week
Monday - We went swimming in the morning which stuffed us both for the afternoon. Zack is getting more and more confident in the water which is fantastic.

Tuesday - Went to the Bailey's to use their PC to get playcentre stuff out the way. Ended up spending the entire day/evening there. They kept an eye on Zack while I slowly got through all the paperwork I had to do.

Wednesday - Woke up and couldn't move my neck (at all). Mum took Zack to playcentre for me while I went to the doctor. He kitted me out in a yummy pink collar which I thought I would never wear but its actually sooooo comfortable. Still wasn't able to move much though, luckily Zack went to stay at Nana and Grandad's. Thanks so much!

Thursday - Feeling much better today, heading over to collect Zack soon.

Here are some photos from Aunti Toni...

What a poser!

Junior, keeping cool on the steps. Although, one ear up and one ear down is anything but COOL.

Zack eating fruit in the sun on the deck!

Princess Maya...asleep

Bye

Sorry its been so long!

2006-02-16T22:06:00.000+13:00

I have been laid up in bed all this week with Kidney Stones (aka Renal Colic). Its been really horrible, the pain has been worse than what I went through at Christmas time. Luckily the Bailey's were able to have Zack for me, he had lots of fun, and Mum was able to take time off work to look after me and take me to the doctors for the numerous Pethadine injections I had. So this week has been pretty much a mess, No Playcentre, no playing with Zack nothing! I know I sound depressed but I am feeling much better and looking forward to Playcentre tomorrow!

We went to the Lantern Festival on Sunday and had lots of fun. Zack was intrigued by all the rides there. He went on the planes, I snapped a couple of photos;

Zack doing a quick check to make sure all systems are GO

Cleared and ready for Take-Off

And just quickly, a photo of Dad and Zack (getting a shoulder ride). Zack loves getting shoulder rides, when ever Matt sits down, Zack will try and sneak around behind him and then try and lift his legs over Matt's shoulders. Then when Matt tries to take him off (after a run around the house) Zack curls his feet together and holds on to Matt's ears so he can't be pulled off. It's VERY funny.

Mum and Sean took more photos of the Lantern Festival (as they didn't have their hands full with a toddler running around demanding to go on all the rides) as soon as I get copies of the photos I will post them, the park looked amazing!

Till then

Update on Scarring

2006-02-09T22:51:00.000+13:00

We had an appointment with the OT team at Middlemore today and they are very impressed with how well Zack's scar is doing. It feels soft and not so dry to touch and it doesn't seem to be raised at all now. We have another appointment in two months just to check up on it. We still need to watch it and go back to see them if it becomes raised at any stage. For now, we just have to keep positive about it. They said that when we talk about it (within Zack's hearing) we should talk about it in a positive light and we people ask about it we should tell them with positive words as they will be the words he uses to talk about it. He seems pretty confident with it anyway, happy to show it to people and point it out. He seems more of a show off about the bite on the other hand that he got from Jack though, even though you can only JUST see the scar which I am sure will disappear in a few weeks.

After our appointment we went to the book store to buy a new bedtime book for Zack "The little Yellow digger goes to the Zoo". In the book shop, he noticed some chocolate bars (right at his height) and grabbed 5 of them saying "chocolate chocolate chocolate" he was sooooo excited. It took me a while to pry them from his talons, but I did it! What a tantrum he threw, lying on the floor arms and legs going (ha ha ha ha) it lasted about 30 seconds before he completely forgotten about it but right then I thought to myself....my baby is slowly reaching the "terrible twos". Oooh the fun I have to look forward to. And those poor chocolate bars, if it weren't for the cadbury wrapper you wouldn't have known what they were, I considered purchasing them due to the state that they were in but then I figured...if they leave them at that height, that's obviously what they are expecting to happen so its their own fault (Paaaah ha ha ha). Ok I feel a little bad, but I really dont need to force chocolate bars on myself at the moment!

Tomorrow night we are hoping to go to the Lantern Festival at Albert Park, although the weather isn't looking to crash hot *fingers crossed*.

Back later
J

P.S Zack did wees in the potty again today!

Fun and Games

2006-02-08T20:54:00.000+13:00

We had our first day back at Playcentre today, Yahooo! There were quite a few new faces which was nice - even a few babies *cluck cluck*

Zack attacked the paint as soon as we got there, on his clothes, face and limbs he did however manage to get SOME on the paper this time. I was kept busy most of the time we were there arranging secretarial stuff and so Zack was off on his own, not that he even noticed!

Tonight we had fish pie for dinner but it looked more like fish slop! It was yummy and Zack scoffed it back but I dont think I will be trying that again in a hurry.

Funny thing happened yesterday - I went to the Dr to arrange for a scan on my kidneys from the 'infection' I had at xmas time only to be told that it wasn't an infection at all, dunno what the old geezer at the Urgent Doctor was on about then because he told me that the test results showed an infection. Our family doctor says there was no sign of an infection from the results of the tests that he saw WEIRD huh. Anyway he reckons it was kidney stones so I still have to go for a scan for that, will probably take around 6 weeks to get an appointment.

Tomorrow we are off to Middlemore to see the Occupational Therapists about Zack's burn....hoping to get something more done for his scarring *fingers crossed*.

Back with an update later
J

Such a clever man!

2006-02-04T11:46:00.000+13:00

WARNING - some people may be grossed out by this post, I suggest you avoid reading this post if you have a strong aversion to potty talk.

*************************

Zack has just successfully used the potty for Number Ones (yahooo). He has been Number Twos on the potty a couple of times but this is the first time for weez! He asks to use the potty a couple of times a day but very rarely does anything come of it. We have just been encouraging him to sit on it and feel comfortable. He has also gotten very good at letting me know when his nappy needs changing, particularly when it is dirty. The next step is to buy some little underpants for him to wear during the day while we are at home (instead of running around in the nude), will be so much cooler too.

Some new words Zack is saying "Again, Beep Beep, Boat, Bounce, Burger, Cleaning, Connor, Digging, Draw, Egg, Ferry, Honey, Iceblock, Icecream, Keiley, McDonalds, Money, Orange, Photo, Pocket, Pool, Pretty, Raining, Rubbish, Shirt, Sticky, Swim, Zack Bailey" Pretty clever we think!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Love
J

The weekend already

2006-02-03T09:53:00.000+13:00

We have spent the last few days at home, playing outside! It has been so hot, we have been making the most of the paddling pool! Zack is talking more and more every day, coming out with new words on his own rather than copying all the time which is amazing.

Today we are going to try and get round to the Bailey's or go for a swim if they aren't up to visitors. Zack is getting more and more excited about being in the water, I think (like me) he will always maintain a very healthy fear of the water.

Also today...I have to go and get a clip for the fridge to keep Zack out of it. He has learnt how to open it and helps himself to what ever he can reach :(

Here is a photo of Zack at the Bailey's on the weekend....

Back Later

Busy couple of days

2006-01-31T22:30:00.000+13:00

Well we have had a busy looooong weekend.

Saturday - Zack spent the night with Mamere and Sean, I went out to a birthday party in West Auckland. When I picked Zack up on Sunday morning he was very upset about leaving Mamere and cried the whole way home :( That afternoon Nana and Toni picked Zack up to take him to Ella's birthday where he had lots of fun playing with all the kids. He spent the night and most of Monday with the Bailey's playing in the paddling pool and outside. On Monday afternoon we went to our friend Lea's house for a swim and dinner. We ended up staying the night. Zack had lots of fun playing with her kids Devon and Trinity. Here are some photos of our travels...

Zack and Trinity on the Gym

Devon Sunbathing

Trinity on the Gym

John on the phone (ha ha ha, got you!)

BATMAN (aka Devon)

Take Care

Tuesday and Wednesday

2006-01-26T22:16:00.000+13:00

Tuesday was pretty average, the weather was gross and we stayed home all day, playing inside colouring and cooking.

Wednesday we visited the Bailey's. Maya was crawling around (swimming mostly) on the floor, she can move so fast and far now. I took a few photos, it's amazing all the different poses she can do...

"Surprised by the Paparazzi" shot

"Not really happy about you taking my photo" shot

"That camera looks like fun, let me have a go"

"Getting ready to Sumo your @$$"

Doesn't she look cute in pink and yellow, it really suits her. She is growing so fast and has a very strong personality, she knows what she wants and when she wants it that's for sure. So Gorgeous.

Love

From Monday

2006-01-26T21:58:00.000+13:00

On Monday we went to the pools, it was good cause it wasnt very busy however the toddler pool was closed so we could only go in the bigger pools. Zack slipped while walking at the shallow end and went under, amazingly we were both pretty relaxed about the whole thing but I think it did put him off for a wee while. And he went down the kids slide, into the water. Took him a while (like 5 minutes) of standing up there watching the other kids till he would come down but he enjoyed it. Next time we go with someone, I will take the camera to take some photos...he loves watching all the kids and looking at the animals they have around the place.

Monday afternoon Aunty Nicola sent us these photos...

Connor on the lawnmower

So Cheeky

Their Sheep Mocha and Capuccino

Their pig Espresso

Bye

Last Weekend

2006-01-26T21:47:00.000+13:00

Zack spent the night at Nana and Grandad Bailey's, he had a fantastic time. They love waking up to him - I reckon its the early signs of madness that old people get cause I certainly don't enjoy it (ha ha ha ha).

Mamere picked Zack up from their house on Sunday afternoon and they went back to Sean's for dinner. Apparently Zack had lots of fun helping Mamere make a salad for dinner. She took some photos but I'm still waiting for them. I will update this post when/if I get them.

While at Nana and Grandad's Zack took a tumble on the stairs and has a cute little graze on the side of his nose...Apparently he took it quite well and calmed right down as soon as they read him a book (typical).

I went out with a girlfriend of mine, we checked out the Kumeu Classic and Hot Rod Car Show, there were loads of people there and the weather was great. Unfortunately I forgot the camera (dork).

Bye
J

From Friday

2006-01-26T21:34:00.000+13:00

Sorry it's been so long...I had been locked out of my account for reasons unknown to me - the support team have since corrected it Phew. So here is the update.

We visited Aunty Nicola and Connor, had lunch with them on their deck in the sun. It was beautiful and so quiet.

The boys played for a while in the Sand pit, running and rolling around in the grass - Lots of Fun.

Said hello to all their animals - Sheep, Dogs, Pig and Chicken. They have a cat too but we didn't see her.

Here are some photos...

Connor eating a muffin

Zack and Connor in the Sandpit

Stay tuned for more

Grrrrrrr

2006-01-19T21:16:00.000+13:00

Today, we had to go to the Doctor as Jack (Junior's Father) left a puncture wound in Zack's hand after he thought Zack was muscling in on his steak :( Poor Zack got more of a fright than anything else, it cant have hurt too much as within about 30 minutes of it happening he was having fun digging his finger into the hole. It has been dressed and Zack is on antibiotics (again), we are supposed to try and keep his arm elevated, using a sling YEAH RIGHT! Luckily there hasn't been any swelling so we should be ok. Back to the Doctors tomorrow morning for them to have a quick squizz and then we are going out to visit Aunty Nicola and Connor. Sounds like Connor has had another growth spurt, it will be interesting to see the difference in size.

For those I haven't already told (cause I have been telling everyone), Zack got into my bed around 4am this morning and went straight back to sleep...I was lying there just watching him sleep (as mothers do) when he stretches his arm out and says "Icecream" ha ha ha, it was soooooo gorgeous, he was dreaming about icecreams (Thanks Nana). I had to laugh (quietly).

Till tomorrow
J

Happy Hump Day

2006-01-18T15:14:00.000+13:00

We went to Chimpmunks today, it's a massive indoor playground which has 3 areas of play for all different ages. Zack had a ball, going down the slides, through the tunnels and playing in the ball pools. Here are some pics...

YUCK...please don't do that!

Zack, Erica and a girl Erica made friends with while we were there

Zack and a little bro he made friends with, he is the same age as Zack and just as rambunctious.

Tomorrow we will go to Manukau to have lunch with Mamere and maybe try and visit the Bailey's as it has been over a week since we have seen them.

Take Care

Meh...Tuesday!

2006-01-17T21:09:00.000+13:00

We have Erica (my cousin) coming to spend the week with us this week, while her parents are working. Yesterday we went to the local heated pools. Zack first swim in a pool. At first he was a little nervous and hung on tightly to me, but he relaxed quickly and had fun splashing and watching all the kids. It went surprisingly well, I was so proud of him. We were there for an hour and a half and all three of us were stuffed by the end of it. Zack came home and crashed while Erica and I watched a movie.

Today we went for a drive out to Maraetai and then spent the rest of the day at home playing. Erica had brought over some bubble solution and a magical Ghost bubble blower, it was very cool. It blows bubbles full of smoke and when they pop it looks like a Ghost.

Tonight, Zack came out of his room from playing saying what sounded like "walk" I was a little confused about what he wanted so I asked him to show me. He took me to his room and showed me the buggy, turns out that he wanted to go for a walk....at 8pm! Anyway, he got very demanding, saying "Walk, Walk, Walk" louder and louder, finally he started stamping his feet and then crying. It was still light out and the more I thought about it the more I felt like going for a walk, so I caved in and we went for a walk, just up the road to see the diggers all parked up. I know I shouldn't have given in to him especially because he put up such a performance about it, but I felt better having gone for a walk and it's only a walk...So funny though, this is the first time he has shown any interest in going for a walk and he was just so adamant about it. I try and get out for walks with the buggy regularly but we only go once a week. I just assumed that he went along for the ride but he must enjoy it for him to have asked to go. When he does things like this it makes my heart warm with pride but a little sad in the pit of my stomach cause he is growing so fast - he will always be my baby to me!

Wonder what surprises are in store for me tomorrow, till then
J

Sweet little Sahria

2006-01-15T21:10:00.000+13:00

We spent the day at home today and had a few visitors...Lex, Mike and Sahria came over in the afternoon. Sahria is now 3 months old and growing so fast. Lex looks great and is enjoying being a Mum, she's glowing! Mike is such a proud dad, you can see Sahria is going to be a real Daddy's girl.

Zack was so pleased to see Aunty Lex, she played with him lots, throwing him around and hanging him upside down - he loved it. Zack got a wicked 4x4 from them for Xmas, which he had fun playing with. Zack gave Sahria a Baby Einstein book which he read to her, proudly telling her all the names of the animals and making their associated noises.

Here are some photos...

You have to get in quick with Zack around, I managed to get a quick cuddle before Zack insisted on holding the baby. Such a sweetie!

Zack is becoming quite the photographer, he had to have a turn with the camera and took this photo of Sahria - she's laid back watching TV.

As well as taking photos, Zack insisted on Lex taking his photo too - such a poser!

Sahria, asleep on Mum

I also wanted to mention...that yesterday Zack was a real ratbag, getting on tippee toes to get things off the bench. One of the million things he got into was Mamere's Tanning excelerant, it's chocolate scented so of course he thought it was something yummy to eat, he was kind enough to share it with Shaydee. For those of you who don't know about tanning excelerant, it has an active ingredient that makes your skin all tingly and it can be a little uncomfortable (stingy) but I think that's only really when combined with exposure to UV lights. Understandably though, I panicked - but a quick phone call to the poisons hotline calmed me down. Zack and I lay on my bed where it was cool, reading books and with the fan going until the redness and swelling on his arms, face and legs calmed down, then everything went back to normal. The things kids do! Oh and after a drink of water and being let on the bed, Shaydee was ok too!

Till Tomorrow

Our Summer Holiday (Part Three)

2006-01-13T22:55:00.000+13:00

Friday (today)
Today we slept in...till 9am. Then we took the Ferry to Pauanui, Zack held on to me soooo tightly but he was fascinated by the whole thing. We waved to the people on the boats and jetskis and Zack kept saying "Ferry" even after we got off. We walked into the Pauanui shops to have lunch and had a look at the garden centre. Then we went back to play at the play ground while we waited for the ferry to come again. There were lots of interesting houses in Pauanui...all so different, I regret not taking photos. Sadly we had to come home today, just after Grampa got home *sad face*. The drive home was very tiring, Zack stayed awake chatting the whole time (thanks to the ice cream he had just before we left - thanks Nana). Zack crashed out in bed soon after his bath and is sleeping soundly. I have already unpacked and am about to head off myself. Here are some pics from today.

Not a very good pic, but Zack on the Ferry

Serious playing going on at the playground in Pauanui

Cheeky Zack on the slide

Our Summer Holiday (Part Two)

2006-01-13T22:32:00.001+13:00

Thursday
We went to the beach again (of course). Checked out the shops, everything was pretty expensive though. Spent a while at the play ground (Zack's favourite), then Keiley took us for a site see of the local beaches and we checked out the houses for sale, talking/dreaming about which ones we would buy. When Nana got home, Zack helped her prepare a beautiful dinner, then we went to the beach AGAIN where the girls jumped off the bridge. Zack was a little worried and grizzled each time but he got used to it. Zack had a big play in the water, even fell face first in water almost up to his knees but he still laughed. Here are some pics...

Ocean Beach (I took this photo), doesnt it look like a postcard!!!

Another shot of Ocean Beach...not sure what that island out there is.

My favourite house in Tairua (second to Nana and Grampa's of course)

Another driveby photo shooting of the house I love!

Zack and Nana getting the vegetables ready for dinner. Zack was especially good at mangling the potatoes.