Zachary and the animals

Zachary loves animals and is always very inquisitive whenever he sees them. He smiles when he sees a dog and approaches cats to attempt to stroke them (although he tends to pull on their hair a little too hard and scares them away!). We've had the chance to visit a few places with farm animals for him to have a look and he also loves the wide open space of a field to enjoy a run around.

Here we are at the Donkey Sanctuary, near Sidmouth. Zachary especially liked stroking a donkey.

So many donkeys!

Stroking but no pulling

Donkeys with Daddy

The recent Powderham Food Festival was a favoutire for Zachary as there was a hugh field with deer. He couldn't get too close to them but enjoyed following other people around while Mummy and Daddy sat and watched.

Running down the hill towards the deer

A stag just before it ran away

See if you can spot Zachary stalking some children

There is a lovely variety of farm animals at Thornhill Farm shop in Cardiff. Here's Zachary enjoying a trip there.

Feeding the chickens some grass

Some entertaining piggies

Running around on the grass while the girls attempt to catch an escaped chicken

Zachary likes goats, just like Daddy

After all that running around, it's time for a break

Living with the grandparents

We moved to Exeter a few months ago and since then we've been living with Zachary's grandparents, Bumble and Grandad Rob in Heavitree while we've been purchasing our new family home in Stoke Hill. We only have a week to go until we'll be given the keys, so looking forward to doing it up a little before we move in. Zachary has been very much enjoying living with Bumble and Grandad as he always gets lots of attention whilst also having lots of friends to play with when Bumble's childminded children are around.

Enjoying the nice long corridor to take Scout for a ride

Zachary's current favourite things to do involve emptying anything he can find, including bins, cupboards and drawers. His grandparents have a lot of examples of these which keep him amused for a long time.

Zachary empties Bumble's cereal bars into his cart before wheeling them away

Zachary has been enjoying the garden when the weather has been good, especially being pushed around in the wheelbarrow (he cries when you get him out again) and likes picking up apples that have fallen from the tree to take a bite.

Clapping to help the plants grow

Eating an apple he was allowed to keep

Zachary loves having the cat around, although he needs watching carefully to make sure he doesn't try to pull its tail (it only has 3 legs so can't run away quick enough!)

That tail looks so tempting...

Zachary loves having cuddles with Bumble and is always interested in what she's doing...

Helping Bumble with her knitting

Looking a little more like Daddy as he tries on Bumble's glasses

Helping to open the post

Zachary says thank you to Bumble and Grandad in the only way he knows how - by leaving a little present!

The day the nappy failed us

A little naked boy in his prison to stop him treading over the mess

Zachary likes to squeeze his little body into even tinier spaces, including behind the sofa. Here he is in Uncle Aaron's little den...

Trapped but happy

Zachary has a bedtime story each night before he goes to sleep. He unfortunately hasn't been sleeping too well recently (could be for any number of reasons), so we're hoping he'll settle down once we've moved into our own house.

Snuggled up with a book

Exploring Exeter

Zachary is now walking fairly confidently and has enjoyed seeing some of what Exeter has to offer since we've been living here.

For some strange reason, Devon is full of random gorillas everywhere you go. Zachary likes the look of them.

Princesshay gorilla

We have made many trips to Exeter Central Library to borrow books, play/read and also to attend a lively baby singing group. Zachary loves reading (more than playing with toys, surprisingly), especially books that have flaps (although we've had to do quite a lot of selotaping recently!). Zachary always needs watching carefully when we're in the library, as he loves running, especially out of the exit!

Zachary's favourite thing to do is to pull all of the books out

Mummy remembers riding on this rocking horse herself when she was about 5 years old

Zachary has visited various playgrounds in Exeter, especially appreciating things he can grab onto.

Playing with Bumble's minded children in Mount Pleasant

This is Zachary's favourite at Belmont Park; it also works well as a play pen to stop him running away!

Peek-a-boo in the train; Zachary shows off his 6 teeth!

Zachary and Mummy often walk (Zachary too!) down to the nearby post office or school (Zachary likes watching the children playing in the playground). Zachary's favourite part of the walk is the shiny 'no cycling' sign which reflects the sunlight. It's always hard to get him to leave the sign and carry on walking home. He seems to love looking at road signs in general too - we often seeing him looking up to see what's on them.

Zachary points out the sign to passing cyclists

 The Tour of Britain cycle race was passing through Exeter a few weeks ago so we went down to watch. There seemed to be a lot more police motorbikes with their sirens going than actual cyclists, but Zachary liked those better anyway. 

Bumble points at the bikes; Zachary looks at the police instead

Zachary has been swimming several times since moving to Exeter. The first time he was very unsure and cried most of the time, grabbing onto Mummy as tightly as possible. The second time he cried as soon as we reached the entrance, as he remembered that this was where the horrible water was. He later settled down and started enjoying it. On subsequent visits he's been enjoying splashng in the water and kicking his legs to swim.

All ready to swim and looking pretty happy

Exeter museum is within walking distance for us, so we visited one weekend and had a look around; it has changed a lot since Mummy last visited. Zachary and Daddy had fun dressing up as Romans.

Zachary is preoccupied by a big shiny necklace

Birthday Blog

It was Daddy's birthday yesterday and we spent the afternoon getting things ready for when he returned from work. Zachary was helping decorate with a few balloons (although he really wasn't too sure at first!) and getting Daddy's presents out ready for him to open. 

Look what I found! Not so scary after all.

Playing in Daddy's present box

Fun with balloons

Fun with a box

Daddy's gift pile is ready

This reminds us of Daddy's birthday last year when Zachary was very small. Have a look at this unexpected gift he received this time last year...