So Auntie Kristen showed us this really neat farm in Tyngsboro today that just might become our new favorite place. Aside from having awesome pick-your-own crops (raspberries, blueberries, peaches, strawberries, apples, pumpkins etc.), a rockin’ farm stand with fresh made baked goods straight from the farm, and an ice cream stand, they have GOATS! And I’m not talking a pen with a few goats. We’re talking about many goats; miniature goats, big goats, young goats, old goats. There is plenty of feed to go around for those very friendly, very hungry goats. They stick their heads right through the holes in the fence to get the food from all those little hands.
Unfortunately I did not get a picture of what might be the best idea ever: Goats on platforms. Now I know that sounds strange but really, it was awesome. The highest platform is 20 feet up and there are ramps to the smaller ones and to the ground. These goats climb their way up to the top and lounge around all day. Those are the smart goats you see–they don’t have to fight eachother over the hole in the fence. There are cups to fill with food and use the rope and pulley system to bring that food right to those lazy lounging goats. And while you’re not yet interested in the goats on platforms I found it quite funny to watch. We had a blast picking lots of raspberries with Auntie Kristen and playing with and feeding all the goats. Yes, Parlee Farms has made repeat customers out of us!
I won’t lie to you. I was anxious about taking you camping. The idea of changing your sleep routine from in a comfy crib in central air to outside in humid weather in a tent made me nervous. You showed me I had nothing to worry about! So you refused to nap the second day–clearly there was way too much cool stuff to do and see for you to sleep. I can’t say I blame you.
In the tent
At the playground!
Dance party in the tent!
Ducks at Newfound Lake
At the Children's Museum Meredith, NH
Swimming at Newfound Lake (round 2)
Watching Toy Story 3 at the Drive in at Weirs Beach!
Dear Zach,
Almost every evening we go outside after dinner and you help Daddy in the garden. There is lots of watering to do but you also enjoy rearranging the vegetable markers. It’s a good thing they’re well established enough to know what is what!
You and Daddy have put a lot of hard work into that garden but there is nothing quite like enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Dear Zach,
We trekked up to Ipswich today for the annual Strawberry Festival. After checking out all the animals and feeding some ducks we took your first hayride out the the strawberry fields. We were told several times not to eat the fruit until after we paid. But really, how could we take it away from you? You had fun walking up and down the rows of berries and helping Daddy pick the nice big ones.
Do you think they knew you snuck a few strawberries before we paid?
Dear Zach,
You move so well. You really do. When people ask me if you’re walking yet my usual response is,”No. He’s running.” It’s sometimes hard to stop you from moving so fast. And sometimes, things like skinned knees and this happen:
Ouch.
You took off in the driveway and when your legs couldn’t keep up you landed flat on your face. Ouch.
I’ve gotten a lot better at going down slides by myself. I know the last time you saw me try it I could get up the stairs but couldn’t figure out how to get my legs on the slide despite watching the zillions of kids there push past me and do it over and over again. In case you forgot, this is a picture of me from when we went to the mall and played on the slide.
I went to the playground the other day and I managed to get down 2 slides all by myself. Albeit one not very gracefully. I figured you’d like to see the videos Mom got.
Today we got up early and made it to the parade right here in town. Daddy and I haven’t been to this parade before so we didn’t know what to expect. We were surprised to find that it is a really great parade! The Shriner’s Auditorium is in the same town so you can imagine just how many cool shriners we saw today! You particularly enjoyed the little miniature trucks!
You saw clowns, and cars, and trucks, and heard riffles and got flags from the boyscouts and heard the school bands and the shriners bands. All in all it was a pretty neat sight to see!
After the parade you took a nap and when you got up we headed over to Auntie Kristen and Uncle Joe’s house for their annual cookout. You enjoyed spending time in the pool and playing with Remy.
We look forward to many more holidays like this one! So much fun!
I have to preface this letter by saying I know it is cliche to say that when you have a child your conversations revolve around all things kid. That is to say all things formula and baby food and diapers and sleeping and napping and toys and of course: poop. Your Father and I have become cliche. If we do have time away from you we talk about you. You are always on our minds. We love you so much. And I’m sorry if you are embarrassed by any of the stories told on this website. And with that I give you today’s letter:
Poor Zach. You seem to be cutting another tooth for the past few days. You’ve been all drooly and chewy and today had a little bout of diarrhea to boot. That caused your poor little bum to become SO red and sore that just wiping it causes you to scream and howl in pain. We decided to give you some diaper-less time to air things out and since you’d already moved your bowels about 16 times today we figured we were pretty safe. You snuggled on my chest and watched cartoons with your huggie. After a little bit you wiggled your way down and made your way over to your car. You’ve really figured that thing out lately. You tool all over the house and yard. It is parked in the living room to charge by the TV. So you climbed in backwards and stood there watching the TV. You had literally been off my lap for all of 15 seconds when I heard that tell-tale grunt. I didn’t need to look. I already knew. By the time I got to you though (about .2 seconds), the poop had smeared all over the steering wheel and up your backside, and plopped into the floor of the car. Somehow Mommy managed to corral Elvis into your room to keep him from **gulp** “cleaning up” while holding you and your dirty bum at arms length. After you were hosed off in the tub Daddy got home from running errands and we set in on cleaning your car. You somehow got poop smeared in every crease and crack of the steering wheel. It required the use of an old toothbrush to get it all out. A toothbrush that has since been thrown out. You thought it was funny that Daddy and I were cleaning your car in the bathroom as you splashed around in the tub. And as I was tooth brushing poop out of your steering wheel I realized how much our lives have changed. And I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Love Always,
Mom
P.S. If there is one thing to be learned from today it is that you really need to chew your blueberries better.
11 months ago we took our first trip to Silver Lake. Today was a gorgeous day that we took full advantage of by digging and splashing and running at the beach. And all I have to say about that is: Digging.Is.AWWWeeeesssommee!!!!
Last year you pretty much just laid around and slept through Daddy working on the garden. If you remember, Daddy planted those blueberry plants in hopes that they will grow with you and you will love to pick and eat them in a few years. This year, you’ve become very helpful. This is a picture of you helping Daddy weed “Blueberry Island”.
The pots that barricade the garden gate don’t have flowers in them yet. You like to use one for a seat and dig in the dirt of the other two.
I can only imagine how helpful you’ll be next year!
In the final month leading up to the big 1-year mark you’ve done quite a few new things! With the weather starting to shape up we’ve been able to spend much more time outside–which you seem to absolutely love!
You love spending time on the swing, and going down the slide and just chasing Elvis around the yard. Also, bubbles have become way interesting and fun to play with inside and out!
But it isn’t all fun and games around here. There are a few things on our checklist that had to get done before your first birthday party. First off, you needed a haircut, dude!
And you had to have your 1 year pictures done so we can send them out with your thank you notes after the party!!!
But oh to be an almost 1 year old little boy! You get all kinds of presents early!
Dearest Zachary,
For future reference, when Mommy and Daddy take time to make an appointment and plan to spend too much money on professional pictures to be taken of you, it would be nice if you could perhaps smile….once or twice….during the entire session. Or at the very least the crying and hysterics that ensued today could be minimized.
In your defense, the “professional” photographer was nothing more than a girl with a fancy camera who insisted on calling your name over and over in her shrill voice as though that somehow would stop the tears. And in Her defense she did manage to get a few good shots even though I think you only actually smiled smirked once, and in that one picture I’m pretty sure you can see the goldfish I had just shoved into your mouth to pacify you. In all the rest you are either chewing or crying.
And yet somehow I look at these pictures and think about how cute you are. No worries, Zach–we bought a membership to JC Penney. So we can try again next time. Ok?
