Get Your DVRs, VCRs, Beta Maxes Ready

Okay, we are sorta a big deal around here. Well maybe we aren't a big deal but Aaron Rochlen's study on SAHDs is a big deal. Such a big deal that a small little morning show came to town a few weeks ago to do a story that will be part of their week long piece on Trends in Families. They came to the house at 7 am and then followed the boys all day until about 2 pm. We have no idea how this story is being edited or if it will be any good but if you are at home on 4/2 and watching Ann, Matt, Meredith, and Al you may just see a few familiar faces.

I don't have an exact time that the segment will air. My guess is that it will be in the second hour. If we hear back on a specific time, I'll let you know.

Note: The link above is just one of many links to the SAHD study. Here are a few others:

http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct07/stayathome.html

http://www.utexas.edu/features/2008/fathers/

How to eat popcorn

Rick has been super busy with work lately, which is good news. The only problem is that it is a new client who doesn't see the need to set a schedule and instead will just email and ask for somethng back that day. All of this is pointless excecpt for the fact that this happened to him this week and as reward for the boys' stellar behaviour he took them to see "Horton Hears a Who."
JT's favorite thing about the movies is that some smart marketing person invented the kid's combo: a small drinnk, small popcorn, and candy. JT prefers this over my smuggled-in snacks. Anywho, JT and Zach were snacking away on their popcorn, waiting for the movie to start and JT says in a very serious, concerned tone:

Dad, I hope Zachy doesn't eat all his popcorn now; he needs to save some to eat during the movie.

Later, when I got home JT was still talking about the cool snack pack. I inquired about the candy and asked if Dad got a snack pack to which JT replied:

Dad didn't get anything. I had to tell him that he didn't need to say "look bigfoot" and try to steal my popcorn, he could just have some.

Sleeping

And you wonder why we don't like them to sleep with us.

Crawfish!

Few of you (those you up north) may not realize this but it is crawfish season here in the South. Our friends Lee and Rebecca are Louisana natives, which means we were invited to our first ever crawfish boil. We had a fabulous time. JT had the most fun playing with the crawfish and if he could have would have taken one home.

Don't Hit the Guy With Glasses

Zachy is mastering boxing on the Wii.

The other night he was playing and he stopped. We kept telling Zachy to punch (yes we do have concerns about encouraging Zachy to punch) but he wouldn't; he just stood there watching. Finally he said:

Mommy, Zachy no punch, guy has glasses.

Zachy, it is okay to hit the guy with glasses.

Zachy knocked the guy out.

Happy St. Patricia Day (belated of course)

We missed the chance to wish Patricia a Happy Birthday.

Here is my photo ode to you. I wish you were here so we could sneak off at lunch again!

Two posts in just a week in honor of the Drake; clearly we miss you and want you to come back to Austin (preferably when we are in town).

Wii Caved

I won't list the 5000 reason I've come up with to justify the purchase of a Wii but if you want to hear them, call Suzette or Michelle. They have kindly listened and pacified me and my purchase. Wii (I can't stop overusing this) were at Target today and I foolishy said outloud for JT to hear, "Let's go get a Wii" believing that like every other Target trip there wouldn't be any there. When we saw three boxes behind the locked glass case I took it as a sign that we were meant to get one since the topic of how Wii owners obtained their Wii has become as common place in the parent conversataions as potty training, night time routines, and other such child rearing events. I've even recently started taking mental notes of the tips and tricks some people mention when recounting their purchase in anticipation of going on the hunt for one.
I'll save all my drama and catholic guilt for therapy but by all means plan a trip over to the Lucas house so you can play some Wii with us.

Speaker Phone

Yesterday Rick called me at work. He had a very serious tone and told me that JT really need to talk to me about something that had happened. My friend Rebecca had just stopped by to grab me for coffee. I strangely asked Rick if he thought she needed to hear and Rick said sure. On went the speaker phone. JT jumped on the phone and everyone that I work with got to hear this:

"Ummm...Mommy. Zachy is being really mean to daddy."

"Really? What is Zachy doing?"

"Mom, Zachy was in the room singing, "Daddy has a poopy ass" (JT of course sang this to the tune of Black Sabbath's Iron Man - Zach's favorite song.)

I quickly had everyone in my cube and I was unable to figure out how to take my phone off speaker. So far HR hasn't called.

Hey Batter, Batter

Zilker Park Kite Festival 2008

A few weeks ago we went to the Zilker Park Kite Festival. It was almost a perfect day until the wind got out of control and made it almost impossible to fly a kite. I think Zach was the only person that managed to fly his kite without issue.

Rick and JT setting up the dragon kite.
The Dragon takes flight.
Zach flying his kite.
JT, Tori, Bella, Izzy, and Zach

I think I took at least 15 shots, trying to capture all fo the kids (Carl is hidden behind Tori). The only thing that remained constant in each shot was Izzy holding tight to Bella. Not sure what was going on there.

Coolest Friend a Blogger Could Have

It rocks to have a friend that knows how to do cool things to your blog. I am sure you noticed a slight change to the page. Sit tight, as soon as I have viewed every blog in the world, I may have more changes.
Thanks Drake!


I know you can't really see the Drake in this photo and it is a few years old but it is such a great photo of the Drake golfing in Hawaii.

Life With Zach Fu

The photo above happened when I spilled something on the floor and grabbed a wipe to clean it up (thanks to whoever invented those fabulous antibacterial cleaning wipe things). Zach begged for one so he could clean the floor. He got really in to his effort. If only I could get him to clean the entire kitchen floor instead of just one small section.

Zach left Rosie the train at a friend’s house. He had gone most of the afternoon without realizing it. I had spoken to the mom and said we would get it another time. Around 7 PM Zach realizes Rosie was missing. He started crying and laid on the floor, torn apart by Rosie’s absence. I loaded the boys up and headed over to pick up Rosie. As soon as we got home, Zach sits down at the coffee table, Rosie in one hand and Thomas in the other.

Hi Rosie!
Hi Thomas!
I miss you Rosie.
Miss you Thomas.

I was sitting on the couch this morning going through emails. All was quiet in the house and then I heard Zach crying. I waited to gauge which type of cry it was and realized Zach was having some sort of train induced nightmare.
No Thomas! No in the water. THOMAS! Oh no! Thomas!

About 30 minutes later, bad dream over, Zach was in his bed singing.
Monkeys jumping on the bed. Mommy said, No more monkeys jumping on the bed…

Zach and JT just watched some Tom and Jerry. Hard to believe we convinced Zach to watch something other than Thomas (the child is obsessed and I know this is punishment for the comments I made about a friend whose son has every Thomas item imaginable). After Tom and Jerry was over, Zach said:
That funny show. I like show. That funny.

Gardening With JT

JT wants to plant some veggies this year. I think we will keep it simple with strawberries, tomatoes, and peppers. We cleared out a spot where this strange bush/tree thing has been growing or trying to grow since we bought the house. Despite our fabulous weather, the plant store guys told us that it was still too early as there are a few nights where it will be in the 30s.I have promised JT that we will keep everyone updated on the progress of his garden.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

It was a breezy 76 today in Austin, which means it was the perfect day to kick-off spring t-ball season. We (per JT's selection) are the Cubs this year. The first game was good fun. JT played catcher and made an out at home.