Play Date

On Sunday, Dillion came over for the day to play with Zach while his mom had to work. He was a very good houseguest and taught us a few things while he was here.

What did Zach learn: Zach learned that not only does he have to share at school - he may have to share at home too. Zach knows how to play well with other children, but he hasn't had someone in "his territory with his toys". All day long - Zach says "That's my ________, Dillion". Mom or Dad says "Zach you have to share, it's okay for Dillion to play with that. You can have it when he is done." He was okay with sharing, he just had to let Dillion know what was "his".

Zach also had the opportunity to watch someone close to his age (Dillion is 3 1/2) use the big boy potty. That has started something in our household! We found him twice in the bathroom with his diaper off and wanting to sit on the potty like Dillion today! Now, we are "trying" to start the potty training - wow is this gonna take some work! (I am not sure that he is physically ready - he still wets his diaper quite often.)

What did Mommy learn: I learned that Zach does not get all the socialization that he needs at school. It had never dawned on me that Zach isn't very "social". He is with other children all day long - but once he is with Mom and Dad, there are not very many other children that we visit or come over. (With the rush of babies entering our social ring, and the first round of babies getting older - maybe this will change)

Goggle Boy

I am not really sure how we ended up with two pairs of goggles, but he is sure that he should wear both of them. (They go with his tools/workbench)

My Pregnant Fortune

This came with my lunch the other day......

Zach the Airplane

Sharing

Zach's new favorite "after school snack" is applesauce. He does a wonderful job with the spoon and eats every last bit of it! Today, though, he decided to share his snack with his new cars. (It is tough to see on all 3 cars, but there is a plop of applesauce on each one)

Another Trip to the St. Louis Zoo

Let's go to the Zoo!









Zach checking out the Guinea Pigs - he thought they were pretty funny and was "pretty gentle" with them.
















This was the first time the petting zoo was open while we were there. Zach wasn't too sure about the goats, but he did pet one anyway!











HIPPOS - The entire Hippo swimming pond was empty, we couldn't figure out where the hippos were.... then we noticed them in the corner - they were all piled on each other. Zach was more impressed by the fish, though.







Checking out the Elephants! (We finally have a picture of one of the elephants without a pile of poop next to it!)

Ice Cream Cake Recipe

Okay - Here is the Ice Cream Cake recipe I promised. It is really pretty easy and tastes great!!

Here is a link with a picture - I found this in the free Kraft Food & Family Magazine

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
1 (8 ounce) tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
8 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, chopped
12 vanilla ice cream sandwiches, unwrapped

DIRECTIONS
-Pour fudge topping into medium bowl. Add 1 cup of the whipped topping; stir with wire whisk until well blended. Add dry pudding mix; stir 2 min. or until well blended. Gently stir in chopped cookies; set aside.
-Arrange 4 of the ice cream sandwiches, side-by-side, on 24-inch-long piece of foil; top with half of the whipped topping mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining 4 ice cream sandwiches. Frost top and sides of dessert with remaining whipped topping. Bring up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to loosely seal packet.
-Freeze at least 4 hours before serving. Store leftover dessert in freezer.

Okay - now here is my experience with this recipe:
I made the mistake of making this right when we got home from the grocery store. The ice cream sandwiches had been in the cart and in the car ride home - then straight to the kitchen counter (only to have warm fudge layered on top). I recommend letting those have a chance to refreeze before using them. As I was putting the second layer of ice cream sandwiches on, the bottom layer was almost completely melted. AAHH! Thank goodness they have you set up the "foil packet". I quickly finished the layers, wrapped up the foil, and put it in the freezer. I was able to take it out a few hours later and frost it. Then let it set in the freezer until the party. My second recommendation is to work fast and get everything set up before you get out the sandwiches. But, if you have to, you can easily frost it later!

This is not to scare you away from the recipe - I just hope it helps your cake making go a little smoother than mine. I am looking forward to making this again - now I know what I will do differently. Let me know how it turns out for you!

Happy 2nd Birthday Zach!

WE LOVE YOU!


(Sorry the video is so dark!)

Zach's 2nd Birthday Party

Cake Time!























Time For Presents























We saved the best for last!











Thank you to everyone that was able to come celebrate Zach's Birthday with us!




PS - Amy, if you leave pics like this on our camera for us to find later.... I am gonna post them to the internet!

Making Cakes

Getting ready for Zach's Birthday party. I found a fantastic recipe for an "Ice Cream Cake" It doesn't really look that great in the picture, but it was fabulous. I will have to post the recipe! (I made the "regular cake" just in case the Ice Cream Cake didn't turn out - we got to enjoy both!)

Zach's Sick Day

NO MOM - I don't like it
(didn't want me to take his picture)












Today was Zach's "crabby" day. He has a little bug that is causing a fever and messy diapers. He wanted to do nothing today but sit in our bed and watch CARS or Little Einsteins. Who would think a 2 year old could sit through an entire movie?? (Are you seeing a pattern -> tired/cranky/sicky Zach = blankie & Nuk)