Sunday, April 18, 2010

conversations from the backseat

Lots of driving around in the Vinnie Man this week. Looking for a new bike. Grocery shopping. . . . . Other stuff (that my brain is stumbling to remember. . . ahhh, age).

Anyway. Plenty of interesting boy conversations.

Like, finding music we all like. As Sam switched stations, he came across Tracy Chapman's Fast Car. Which Luke instantly liked (which was amazing, because Luke was in such a mood that I couldn't imagine anything that would appease him). Jack, of course, did not approve. That's a farm song, he said. And Sam and I laughed (me probably more than anyone. . .farm song. . .).

Later, we took the boys through the drive-thru (after a dinner of ice cream and popcorn. . .I accept my nomination as Mama of the year. . .thank you). And asked what the boys wanted. . . Luke: fries (is there anything else?).

Jack, do you want a burger or fries?

I want two burgers. [I see our future of drive-thru's ending soon.]

Luke: Jack, that was not a choice.

Too funny. They've had me rolling all week.

new bike

We took Jack to get his new bike last night. . .and at 8 pm, he and Sam were downstairs putting the pieces together (with Shrek on the little basement tv to keep them entertained). And at 9 pm, the three boys (Luke wanted to join in the adventure) were outside trying it out under the glow of the street lamp.

It's awesome! he says. He chose a black Schwinn with orange flames. Classic looking. And very boy cool.

He was up this morning and ready to ride before breakfast.

Nothing better than a boy and his bike. . .ready for any adventure. . .

Sweet.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

life is good

Jack's morning started out on the rocky road of grumpity grumpiness. . . not ready for the morning day and waking up. . . not happy with leftover cracker barrel pancakes (from Sunday morning breakfast when he loved them). . . upset because his bike blew a tire. . . and the pinnacle: spilling orange juice all over his tony hawk shirt and khaki pants (which look good together!). . .

Leading to a Mama / Jack Summit about looking to the positive. . . happiness being a choice. . . yada. . . yada . . . yada . . .

Bounded off the bus in the afternoon, announcing: I should have worn my life is good shirt because I got on challenge spelling today! He's been frustrated because he's only been on it once this year. . . So, a good little boy day (is 2nd grade still little. . .because I say it is. . .).

We finished off the day with breakfast pizza for dinner (must do that more often). And a trip out for street hockey and baseball supplies (for a busy summer of boy fun activities). And a peek at new bikes for my growing but still little boy Jack.


Today is much quieter. A mountain of laundry that only a parent could fathom. Baking oatmeal raisin cookies (and making the house smell like Grandma Smith memories). And folding about 12 loads (not making that one up) of laundry while watching Fringe and drinking coffee. . .

A cozy rainy day. . .

Thursday, April 8, 2010

first bites

He's been watching us eat for about a week. . . licking his little lips. . . interested in big people food. . .

So today I put together his little highchair (opted for the chair-size model this time around). . . And tonight he had his first bowl of ricey cereal.

And he loved it! Smiles and open mouth (I seem to remember Luke crying during his first meal. . . and Jack gagging. . . ). . . wearing a sweet little I love Daddy bib.

Can't believe we're here already. He's so much fun and so interactive. . .

But my heart aches at how quickly he's growing.

Monday, April 5, 2010

and back to Monday. . .

Putting Ethan on his belly is an exercise in futility. Belly time, he laughs. He just plants his face into the floor. . .so he can't breathe. . .so I'll pick him up quickly, without any effort on his part. It's a baby conspiracy, I tell you.



But, today I realized that he has his four month appointment next week. Next week! And I know that Dr. Talamo is going to ask me if Master Ethan is holding up his head a little steadier. . .if he has rolled over yet. . . and that I will have to confess that Master Ethan refuses to hold his little head up when I put him on his belly. That he's a slacker, and pushes his little nose into the carpet so he cannot breathe. . .and I fall for it every time.

So, I put him on his belly this afternoon in front of his little singing ally-gator mirror. . .



And he held his little head up and laughed at the baby in the mirror. . .



And then rolled over!



He rolled over! [Does it count as rolling over or falling over?] So very exciting!

I cheered and laughed and clapped. And he grinned. So, I put him back on his belly to try for a second time. And, he planted his little nose in the carpet. Ahhh. . . . .

Tonight. . . I held Ethan in my lap as Jack finished his homework. Jack was reading a story (his usual Monday night homework).

And every other sentence, he would pause. . .open his mouth wide and yawn loudly [fakely]. . .and glance up at him, stiffling a grin. . . Over and over and over. Throughout the whole 50 page story (or so it seemed). Ethan laughed and laughed at his brother's antics. Such a little prankster. Must be learning new little tricks from his friends at school. [And let me tell you how hard it is to not yawn when someone in front of you is yawning a ba-jillion times.]


Good days here at the Zeli house.

Friday, April 2, 2010

a good friday

The traditional Good Friday dinner at Nan and PapPap's house. . . The making of so many good memories:


Cuddles with Great Grandma. . .



Cousins riding around in the red Jeep. . .



An Easter egg hunt. . .





But, the best part of the day (unanimously). . . was when the boys and I got into the little wagon, and Dada drove us down the big hill on the tractor. . . [Note Jack in his new Commander Cody outift that Nan got for him. . .and note that he wore it for three days straight. . .]
Blue skies. . . And a handsome driver. . .


A beautiful day.


Thursday, April 1, 2010

my little april fools



masters of disguise. . .

all we need around here to have fun, is paper, some scissors, and tape (mostly duct tape. . .but tonight it was scotch). . .



my little secret agents on secret missions. . .

[which mostly involved running around the house in circles talking in funny voices. . .]


fun times. . .