Our Staycation

One of our favorite annual events is the Navistar Cantera employee picnic. This year was even more fun because Zachary was really starting to "get" the excitement and all the cool things they offered (inflatables, circus people, BIG TRUCKS, and more!!). Z got to go on his first pony ride, on a pony named Bingo. He got to go in a school bus, which was extreme fun, ride in a MXT, eat all the yummy food...and (almost) skip a nap. By the time we got home, Z was tuckered out from a fun day and more than ready for a good resting. This was a good day to be a mommy, so fun to watch him experience the newness of things that we grown-ups can--and do--take for granted.

We enjoyed our time with friends, and Zachary got to experience this all with his good buddy, Josh (pictured below in the school bus with Z). This is a great fall kick-off for the Self family...many more fall events to come!

There is nothing that pleases Zachary more than being with his daddy and watching school buses drive by--put those two together and he's in heaven!

Mama and her boy waiting for the pony named...

BINGO

Ice cream, and ice cream sandwiches, are a must in our family for any celebration

Hugging the trees--you can take the Mama out of Oregon, but the genes keep going!

First Day of "School"

Zachary is officially in "school"--a Parents Day Out program at a local Lutheran church. His first day was actually Thursday, September 4, but true to form, I'm a week late in posting photos or any information about it. He goes to school once a week--each Thursday--from 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. A long time for a 2 year-old! But, he absolutely loves it! Two of his playgroup pals, Elsie and Evan, go to the same class, so every day I now hear "Zarachary, Elsie??!!" or "Zarachary, Evaaaaaan??!!" Translated, Zachary wants to see the friend of his choice, as soon as possible, preferably. Since he is two, he had a difficult time standing still for the traditional first day of school photos...so, what I have below is my best effort, among pouring down rain, a blown-out umbrella, and a desire to stay as in-tact as possible for my meeting that I was due to in less than an hour.

Meet Harvey

We made a new friend last weekend, Harvey. The first live preying mantis any of us had ever seen. We watched it on and off all day, and it didn't move from its post on our family room window screen. It was probably the weirdest creature I have ever seen, and it was amazing how much Harvey watched us. Harvey was gone the next morning, and it has been a week since we spent the day with him, but Zachary still asks for Harvey, and looks out the window to find him. Here are a few photos from our home-based adventure.