Busy Days

Family photo!

Zach
This has been a big month for Zach's words!

• He is now saying "Mommee" and "Daddee" and for a brief time, he had it right calling me "Mommy," and Frank, "Daddy." In fact one night, Frank got home late, and when he heard him at the door, he said, "Daddy, daddy" exuberantly. Lately, "Mommee" has been both of us. 
• He's got "please" down now. 
• He's become obsessed with the fans in the house and enjoys using the switches. "Fa" for "fan" is a new word. 
• Gamma got him a cookie monster t-shirt (the best!), and I think everyone has been commenting on it, so he's added "gookie" and "gracker."
• Late month trips added "boat" and "beach" to his favorite letter, "b."

He loves buses!

• "Bus" continues to be a favorite, and when I was in Atlanta, he got to see a bus when we chatted via Google Hangout!
• "Baby" for all those other children who are SO much younger than him. He says it when we walk past Eric, Rachel, and Teddy's house.
• Zach is saying "nose" and can point to his nose!
• He's saying, "hi-yo" for "hello."
• And "fehfee" for "paci." Then, I say "gacko," "ho-hum," "hee-haw," etc.

at the pool

Water Themes: the pool, the lake, and the beach. Three weekends in a row!

Great Stories/Of Note

• I taped trash bags to his window before the blackout blinds arrived. Classy. He's still waking up early, though. We had a few later mornings, but in general it's late in the 5am/6am hour. No good. :(
• Zach's 18 month appointment. All is well, and he doesn't go back until his 2 years old!
• His hair just keeps growing!
• Lots of singing! He signs along with the "Wheels on the Bus," and he knows all the movements for "Monkeys Jumping on the Bed." He holds his head when we say, "One fell off and bumped his head." He wags his finger, "no" when the lyric says, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed."
• He's been loving his "red strawberry" toy from Auntie Em. Frank likes my impersonation.
• Kathryn, one of his teachers at daycare, told us one day, "It's a good thing he can't have sugar...." We asked a while back that he not be given cookies or ice cream, and that turned in to a medical note saying he can't have sugar. That boy has energy!
• Sometimes he puts two chairs together and sits in one and waits for a friend. Awww. 
• He loves showing us that he can put his milk in the right place!

Mother's Day
A busy day unlike last year when I was sick! I did Zumba at the Reston Town Center and then headed to Breaux for a picnic with Frank, Zach, and Kathleen

Excursions & Visits

• Maryland Brewer's Association Brewfest. Zach had a great time people watching, and we got to sample some terrific beer! Thanks, Janna. 
• We had a bbq at Auntie Em's house. Gamma and Daddy Bob came, and Zach got to meet Tiffany!

Susan & Lucy

• Memorial Day with Gamma and Daddy Bob and the awesome Woodstock playground. A visit to Cave Mountain Winery. 

• Old Ox with Emily and Andy

• Lake House and tubing! A visit to Old Bust Head and a very affordable growler of their Russian Imperial Stout. Meeting Daryn and his story of taking their 5-year old to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. They walked miles every day. He takes her to conferences, and his work is in peace studies. Very cool to be reminded of that great work. How does non-violence really work as an alternative to war?
• Lewes and the beach.

Zach on his great,
granddad's chair!

Park in Lewes

Frank and Zach in the bay

Susan & Frank

• Reckless Kelly show at the Birchmere! 
• Kicked off summer with a rollerblade on the W&OD and lunch at Mesob, the other Herndon Ethiopian restaurant

Personal and Professional Fun Stuff

• Cooking - tried out Blue Apron, and we had some great meals, namely spicy Korean chicken and meatball subs. Trying out recipe kits from the Green Grocer now.... 
• Dinner of spicy Korean chicken with roasted potatoes and cabbage and mushrooms for dinner with the Vigionier wine from Cave Mountain, strawberries for dessert, and a basil and mint tisane. Yum!
• Caught up with Tracey!
• Association for Talent Development in Atlanta. Some good sessions! Diversity resources, etc. I saw the Omni of NKOTB fame and shared with Paige! Walked by the Fox Theatre. Ah, Phantom of the Opera, and walked to stumble upon a "fresh, hot, now" Krispy Kreme. Met an aspiring business owner and visited a local brewery where she told me about her business idea. 
• Women, Work, and Life Well-Lived course by Gallup

the tisane