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.

I can sleep anywhere...

When Adam and I first found out I was pregnant, we felt the weight of raising a decent human being heavy on our shoulders--not to mention the fervent hope that he would one day embrace our faith, be able to put 2 and 2 together to get 4, and tie his own shoes.

We still feel that weight, and the weight of finding the best way to teach him through these stages of life. In turn, Zachary has given us the precious gift of laughter amidst the newfound responsibility. Every day he does something that gives us a chuckle, and many days he offers something that requires outright belly laughs.

Each night we check him in his bed before we turn in. Many times he's kicked off the covers, or scooted into the corner of his bed sleeping with his bottom in the air. Then there have been the times that we've found him without his jammies on...or his diaper. Well, this week we turned a corner. Upon entering his room, we couldn't find him. Where could he have gone without us noticing? So, we looked in the only logical place--underneath his bed. And this is what we found:

He had taken all of his friends under his bed with him and fallen asleep covered by the bedskirt...so we came in to a completely empty bed! Amazingly enough, he didn't wake up even though we took several pictures before moving him. There is always room for laughter, even under the bed.

8 Years

Happy Anniversary, Adam Self! You're still my favorite guy after 8 years of marriage and almost 10 years of knowing each other. In fact, I like you more now than ever. I appreciate that you love me, the whole package, flaws and all. I knew something was different about you on that first date sitting by the firepit while eating dinner at Desert Fire, and afterward hanging out on the Kirkland waterfront. I guess it's a good thing my neighbors wouldn't come with me on that first date after all, huh? Thanks for taking this ride with me, making me laugh, listening when I cry, playing Ginny Owens when I am at the end of my rope, and for "getting" me (much of the time). God sure knew what He was doing when He paired us up. No one else would be able to live with me, I'm sure of it ;). Here are a few of my favorite memories:

Long naps

I remember when I was a kid, I hated naps. I fought them, and remember telling my mom on more than one occasion, "I'm NOT tired!"...only to wake up after a sweet two hour nap. Now, as an adult, I long for naps and average one a month (if I'm lucky).

What I really crave these days is a long naptime for Zachary. I had no idea that a two year old could have so much energy! It takes everything in me to wear him out in the morning enough to get a peaceful two hours to myself in the afternoon. No, I'm not complaining, because I know many moms would give their right eye and left arm for two hours of peace and quiet. I'm just coming to the realization that I didn't know how great it was before it was less and less available. Kind of like the water situation in my last post, but...okay, maybe not.

So, Zachary is taking a longer than normal naptime right now, and I'm reveling in thankfulness. Soon he'll be up asking for "lemonane" and cookies, and our world be be "right-size-up" again. Amazing what a little rest can do.

Waterless

Do you remember the song, "You don't know what you got, till it's gone"? I feel that way today. The great city of Aurora decided to give us little notice that for some unknown reason we would be without water from 6-8 a.m. this morning. It is now 3:20 p.m. and, you guessed it, our water is still not on...well, not properly at least. We have water in some rooms of our house, but the kitchen faucet pretty much just drips. So, without the capability to shower, I feel a little grimy and icky today. It's given us a good chance to catch up on some of that stuff that gets shoved to the back burner until something offers the "opportunity" to take care of it. Of course, there's always more to do than time in which to do it. Oh well...