Trying to Stay Cool

I don’t know about anyone else but it has been one hot summer here in MI. Matt and I hate to run our air conditioning and will hold out until the last possible moment. Usually, only if it stays in the nineties for more than one day do the windows close at our house in the summer but this summer I feel like they have been shut more than they have been open. Zachary has spent plenty of time in Grandma Kipf’s pool and has become quite the dare devil when it comes to swimming. He jumps off the rafts without you there to catch him. He doesn’t want you to hold him; he wants to doggie paddle himself forward. He never wanted to get out even after his lips turned blue. I just hope that he does not lose all of his progress this winter. Since Grandma’s not exactly around the corner we had to find a way to keep cool outside at our house as well. Zachary’s had some great times in the sprinkler that we would set up in our front yard. He is always hesitant to run through it probably because it was really cold (we cannot get hot water from the outside hose) and he doesn’t like water to get on his face. We also are lucky enough to live next to great neighbors and they let us play in their kiddy pool during the week after work. Zach had a blast playing with Megan and Brendan in the pool and watering everyone’s feet. We did a lot of sidewalk water painting and even tried out some water balloons. Zachary would jump at any chance to help water anything. He loved having control of the hose and if unsupervised could be found watering his feet so he could grow big like his daddy.

Fireworks!

We had a great but busy Fourth of July this year. This was Zach’s year that he would be going to the big fireworks displays. We kept him way last year because we didn’t think he would enjoy the loud noises that they make. We are members of the Henry Ford in Dearborn and finally decided to use the membership to its fullest this year. We decided to go with Matt’s family to the Fire Work and Detroit Symphony concert that they put on every year the day before we head to the west coast of Michigan for our annual Peplinski Cousin’s Camp at my Uncle Scott’s where we would partake in more fireworks during the weekend. We got Zach some ear muffs to dampen the sound because they also shoot off cannons while the symphony plays the 18th Overture and then the fireworks begin. We got there a little early so we could do a little picnic and get a spot in the shade. The symphony was amazing and the sounds system was incredible because you could close your eyes and you would have thought you were inside a big concert hall listening to them. We were not close to the stage at all. Zach loved the,” big booms,” as he called them. He kept asking for more and more until he fell asleep in my arms in the middle of the fireworks display. One minute he was talking and clapping and the next he was dead to the world. He didn’t wake up until the next morning. I had never seen anything like it before. We all had a great time and will definitely do it again next year.

The next day we woke up, packed and headed off to CCII (Cousin’s Camp 2 2010). It was our second year and though the group was a little smaller we were still out to have a good time. We did themed nights again with lots of decorations and activities. The following are the theme nights and activities that were planned:

Twilight Series – we had a scavenger hunt, knowledge quiz that covered the movies and books, movie screenings, and a trip to see Eclipse which had just come out.
The Wild West – We had a chili cook-off and water pistol skills testing.
Backwards Day – All the day’s chores were written backwards and we ate dessert for breakfast and breakfast for dinner.

Of course we enjoyed the Lake Michigan and the beach almost every day as well as quad rides, the trampoline, blueberry picking and a campfire each night. Zachary definitely had the most fun out of everyone and continually asks when we are heading back to Uncle Cot’s (Scott) house. He didn’t care for the water at the beach and in fact only went out into it once with my dad. Once the first big wave hit him he wanted nothing more to do with the water. However, he loved the trampoline (which we were surprised about considering he would not go into the bounce house that daycare got for the kids one day). He also loved going for quad rides with the adults (much to my fear) and playing on the swings and in the sandbox with Uncle Scott, Woody (their dog) and all of the kid’s old sand equipment and trucks. For the fireworks display in Grand Haven he stayed up the entire time and even took off his earmuffs and still enjoyed the show. He didn’t even fall asleep in his stroller on the two mile walk back to the car. We took so many good pictures this year that I wish I knew how to share them all but here are a few of my favorites.
In my mind this year was another success and I cannot wait for CCIII to see what we come up with next.

Busy Summer Full of Graduation Fun

This summer was a busy time for our families. We had three graduates this year. Both of Matt’s brothers graduated from college. Adam got his degree from Eastern and John graduated from the University of Michigan. We did get the chance to attend Adam’s graduation but Matt and I did go to John’s and had the fortunate opportunity to hear the President of the United States, Barack Obama give the commencement address. We expected to wait a long time to get into the stadium and I was very nervous because I don’t always do great in huge crowds of people because get claustrophobic sometimes. But it was not bad at all and the line moved pretty fast through security. I thought the President did a very good job and he is a very moving speaker in person. I was a little nervous that Matt’s family would hate the speech because they are definitely republican supporters but even they thought it was a good speech.

My brother also graduated from high school this year and my parents could not be happier because for the first time one of their children has picked their alma mater, Michigan State (MSU). I think they are still in shock since all of the girls decided to go to another school. In fact I am not even sure that any of us applied there. My family bleeds green and is very excited for our brother. My parents were so funny in their old age because they felt that my brother’s high school colors (blue and yellow) were not right for the graduation party because he was going to MSU. It was so hard to convince them that we had used those colors for all of their other kid’s parties.

Greenfield Village

We had such a good time at Greenfield Village with Thomas that we decided to go with my Mom and Dad. I went with my parents when I was younger and my mom used to go all of the time when she was younger. They had not been in over 15 years so I thought it would be a nice treat for them and help us to pay off our membership fee.
It was a really nice day outside and we decided to start off at the farm. Matt and Zach looked so natural sitting on the rockers and enjoying the view from the front of the farm house. Zach was really interested in seeing and petting the animals until a chicken hiding in a dark corner of the barn scared him by clucking really loud. I don’t think Zach knew it was there before it yelled at him so he was really freaked out.
Zachary also got to ride on his first merry-go-around. Matt didn’t think he was going to like it so he grabbed a seat on the ride while I stood with Zach. That way if he started to cry we would have a place to put him. However, Matt ended up sitting all by himself. Sadly, I don’t have any pictures of this because we left the camera with mom and dad and they were unable to get a good picture.
We ended up eating at the Eagle Tavern inside Greenfield for lunch. We were all surprised at how affordable the food was and how delicious it all was. They started the meal with fresh baked hot muffins and breads. Then you got pickled eggs and vegetables and then your main course. We order beer and a pitcher of lemonade and we were all so stuffed we couldn’t eat desert. All this for under $10.00 per adult. We were even able to find something that Zachary would eat.
After lunch we all decided to try the train again with Zachary. He was excited to get on it with us this time and sit by himself. Before the first stop I looked over to see how he was doing and he was out. We weren’t even a fourth of the way around the park. He slept through the all the train whistles and for an hour after we got home. We really tired him out this time.

Blue Thomas

So ever since Christmas Zachary has really been into trains. And for a kid his age that means Thomas. However, Zachary does not watch the videos and neither do we so to Zachary all of Thomas’s train friends are just different colored Thomas. So he was really excited to go see Blue Thomas at Greenfield Village. The day started off really cold so we had like fifteen layers on because we knew it was supposed to warm up just not when.
I was surprised at how much stuff they had for the kids to do. I thought it would basically be ride the train and take pictures but they had a ton of free activities for the kids. They had rocking trains that the kids could ride, tattoo and coloring/stamping stations, story and video times, bubbles, toss games, old fashion toys for them to ride/play with. Plus they had converted a huge building into the biggest Thomas store I had ever seen. They had everything and then some.
We had signed up for one of the earlier rides so we got to the Village as soon as it opened. That ended up being a good thing because Zach got to do a lot of stuff without having to fight for space or toys. Which he is not good at because he is so shy.
Zachary was really excited to see the Blue Thomas and loved when it blew his whistle. In fact, as we were lining up to get on the train and take out ride around the village he kept yelling,” Blue Thomas and All Aboard!!” with huge wide eyes and excitement. The people in front of us laughed he was so excited and happy. However, as the station master took our tickets and Zach realized that he was actually getting on the train he freaked out and started to cry. He did not want to ride on Thomas, just look at him. He cried and buried his head as he rode in my lap almost the whole train ride. However, near the end he did pick his head up and start to enjoy the ride but he would not turn around and face the front. I think next year will go smoother.
Zachary loved looking at all of the big trains and Matt was happy that to see the Calumet train was out and he got to watch it get put away. Zachary also loved to watch the glass blowing. But we weren’t really sure if that was because of all of the colors and fires or because it was really warm in the building and we had been out in the cold for a while.
All in all it was a good day and we look forward to doing it again next year.

First Professional Haircut

I was more than a little nervous about Zachary’s first haircut. My neighbor’s would tell me horror stories about how their son would scream and cry and I was not looking forward to it. Matt and I had even tried to delay the inevitable by giving him impromptu home haircuts. Looking back at it I don’t know what I was so worried about. In fact we would have a lot more cute pictures if we had gone sooner. Zachary’s hair needed to be cut by a professional for a long time.

We ended up taking him to carnival cuts in the mall because that was the only place that we both knew that we had seen kids in. Matt usually gets his cut at a place at work and I was not paying salon prices for Zachary’s haircut. Plus we thought the atmosphere would help. The hairdresser was really good at her job.

After she set him in the car and put his apron on she gave him a sucker. Immediately I thought to myself, “What is she thinking? Zach is going to end up sucking on a hair pop!” But I didn’t say anything because she was the professional and I am glad now that I did not. Not only did Zach do wonderful and not cry once but he didn’t get a single hair on his sucker. She was also done in like twelve seconds. I swear I blinked and it was done. The mad face shone here was the worst part of the whole experience and that was because he did not like the sound of the trimmer. My little baby looks so grown up now however that is ok because I think he is even cuter.

Zachary Burrito

One of Matt’s favorite times with Zach is bath time. Matt usually helps Zach get washed and deals with all of the splashing and tub time fun. My job is to get him out of the water, dried off, lotioned and dressed in his pjs. However, that is delayed by playing games and pictures a lot of the time. He is just so cute when he is clean. (The cute kids towels jut amplify the cuteness). Personally, I think my job is more fun.

Some of Zach’s favorites include: Bath time hugs and the Zachary Burrito.

Zachary loves to get people wet and so bath time hugs is the perfect ploy for him because he cannot get yelled at for giving people hugs and telling them he loves them. Also, he loves to become the Zachary burrito. This is where we wrap him up really tight in his towel so that he cannot move and then fly him around the room like an airplane. Don’t ask why burritos fly because I don’t know but it is tons of fun and always gets laugh.

Stuffed Animals

As a mom, I am always so amazed at the different stages that kids go through and the situations or events that trigger them. I bring this up because Zach has developed a new comfort mechanism.

Our dog, Meg fell asleep on the couch with a bunny toy that we had given her a while back. She was chewing on it one moment and lying with her head rested on it the next. Well, Zach saw this and instantly wanted her bunny. In order to stop him from hugging and playing with the dirty dog toy I quickly pulled a rabbit, that he had gotten for Easter last year, out of his toy box and gave it to him. He instantly took to it and has not let a stuffed animal out of his sight for more than a minute since. It started with the bunny and now also includes, Curious George the monkey, (or George for short), and a dog. They sleep with him, go to school with him, watch TV with him, and even eat with him. They are living people to Zach. He hugs them, kisses them, and tells them to sit, sleep, eat, listen, and look. They have come in handy when he is fussy at the dinner table because if they eat then Zach wants to eat.

I have noticed that he sucks his thumb less when they are around after he gets hurt or upset and he can put himself back to sleep when he wakes up in the middle of the night easier as well. So it is not a bad thing the only problem is I don’t have replacements. Luckily, we have increased the count from one to three but you never know which one he is going to want to spend the day with him in the morning. So hopefully, I don’t have to worry about replacing one before he moves onto the next big thing.

Another thing that Zach is infatuated with is his Aunt Anna. Anytime you ask Zach, “Guess what? Or Guess who?” He instantly replies with a huge grin, “Anna!” He only gets to see her once a week in the morning because she spends the night at our house but he loves every minute of it. It is probably because she gives in to him and he gets everything he wants from her and she is constantly sneaking sugar and candy to him. Plus, she knows all the cool games and songs.

Finally Snow!!

We finally got good snow!!! It has been the saddest winter ever in MI. It is either too cold to go outside and the snow is the texture of salt, or there is nothing on the ground. I can count the number of time there was even enough snow to shovel on one hand. I was shoveling my back patio for something to do and that never happens. But finally, after all the waiting, winter has arrived. In honor of Carnival and the arrival of winter we decided to make a small dog snow statue in our front yard. Really it was because the snow didn’t want to stick when we rolled it across the yard to make a snowman, but after we started we wanted to show that we still had it. I think we did a really good job for thirty minutes and not having any tools, or water.

We also got to go sledding at my parents for the first time. I loved growing up with my own private sled hill out my back door and it is fun to be able to share that with Zachary. To make it feel even more like going home we were able to go sledding with my sister, Autumn, Ryan (her husband), and my nephew, Aiden. Matt was not very successful at getting down the hill with Zachary in the sled. His first run he almost ran into a tree before the bottom of the hill. On his second run Matt didn’t even make it a quarter of the way down the hill before he slid off the sled. However, even with all of these mishaps Zachary would only get on the sled with his dad. He went all the way down to the bottom with me successfully but the entire way was crying for DaDa.

He didn’t even want to go down the hill with my Dad, who is the ultimate sled rider. Yes, you hear it right, my 59 year old dad (who just had his third hernia surgery Jan 28th) was sledding with his grandkids. He looked the most comfortable going down the hill with a kid on his lap. Probably because he has done it so many times with his own four kids and all of his 35 nieces and nephews.







Overall, I wouldn’t trade any winter snow days for all of the summer and sunshine in the world, which is probably why I ended up at Tech and loved every minute of it. I am just sad that we didn’t get the forty inches that some of my co-workers got in PA. Now that would have been fun!!

Good-bye Gram

I am sad to say that we lost a great lady this past week. After 84 years Donna Gligoroff (Gram), Matt’s grandma, passed away. I only knew her for a short time but she always brought with her a great story and lots of love. One of my favorites stories that she used to tell quite often when Zach or I was around was about how when Matt was around Zach age (17 months) they owned a bakery. One day Matt came to visit and while they were working in the back he stuffed a whole hamburger bun in his mouth. Gram started to freak out because she thought for sure he was going to choke. But low and behold no harm came to Matt and he ate the whole hamburger bun in one bite with no issues. He was a good eater from the beginning.
I will also never forget watching her with Zach. She was so good with him. Not that I should have been surprised because she had 5 kids of her own, 13 grandkids and 12 great grand kids. Zach loved to climb up on her lap and sit in her motorized wheel chair and play with her controls. I know that in her last days it gave her great joy when Zach would come and see her in the nursing home and give her a big hug and kiss.

The Next Thirty Years

Yes, I am now thirty. Which if you asked me a few years ago I would have said is so old. However, I don’t feel as old as some younger than me think I should. I actually feel young. I am sure that it is because I have celebrated thirty already with several of my friends, but I also think it is because of Zachary. When you get to play pirates, eat pretend food, draw on the sidewalk, and make forts without people looking at you like your crazy you really feel like a kid again. I am doing all the things I used to love to do as a kid at the age of thirty. It could only be better if I could get paid to do it all day long so I didn’t have to go to work.
Matt threw me a surprise birthday party and I probably would not have had any clue that it was going to happen if he had not acted so weird a few weeks before. Matt is a bad liar and when he started to get paranoid about things without a good reason, I felt like something was up. He yelled at me for picking up the phone to call someone. I didn’t know that he was already on it. He also wouldn’t let me touch his cell phone. On the other hand, my sisters are the best liars on earth. I had no idea that the party was going to happen when they drove me up to the house that night. In fact, my sister, Autumn, had me convinced she was leaving right after she said good-bye to Matt. Little did I know that when I thought she was talking to her husband on the phone she was actually talking to Matt. I had a great time at the party even though I was so full I could not eat any of the food that was there. Matt had planned for way more food than we needed. Thanks to everyone who came and helped me celebrate.
My first thirty years had ups and downs but I don’t think I would change anything because like it or not without the downs I would not have all of the things I have today. However, like the song says,” I plan to do it better in my next thirty years.”

Trains anyone?

Zachary has a real fascination and love of trains. Because of this I think he is going to look forward to Christmas time as much as Matt and I. Matt got a nice train, when he was younger, and this year we decided to put it out under the Christmas tree. We had avoided this in the past because of the dogs but Matt really wanted to do it this year so I said yes. You have to let them win every once in a while. LOL. I didn’t know a kid could enjoy watching a train go around in a circle so much. The first night, after getting the tree up, Zachary sat in Matt’s lap and watched the train for around 45 minutes. We had to tell him that the train was tired and needed to go night-night before he would let Matt turn it off.
After that he wanted to sit and watch the train at least once a night. I thought for sure we were going to have to watch him every minute around the train because he would try and pick it up while it was running. But Matt only had to tell him that first time not to touch it. When he wanted to watch it Zach would just yell, “TRAIN!,” run up to the tree, and sit down next to it in the spot that Matt and him sat that first night. He would then wait for you to turn it on for him so he could go, “choo, choo” and watch it go around.
Both of our parents had trains around their trees too and he was just as fascinated with those ones, although not as good about not touching them. But the Grandparents are really soft when it comes to Zachary and pretty much let him do what he wants.
Zachary liked the train and the Christmas lights so much that Matt and I kept them up until almost the second weekend in January. In the past they have always come down before we go back to work, after New Years, but we knew how sad he was going to be so we left them up. Zachary was so sad the day that we took the tree down and the train went away. For a few days afterward he even ran into our front room looking for his train. Luckily, Santa brought him a Thomas train for being such a good boy otherwise I would be afraid of withdrawals.