Zachary's 2nd Birthday!

 
Today is Zachary's birthday and he has been celebrating in style...

Dressed as Noddy for the day

He had a great party with his little friends this morning. He wasn't quite as distracted opening his presents this year, but he did wander off a few times. 

Zachary loves this noisy truck from Jacqui

Unwrapping

Hannah and the other Zachary have fun playing in the hall

More hallway games with Eva, Zoe and Evelyn

 Then it was time for a party lunch...

Zachary enjoyed eating the smarties from the tops of the marshmallows

Alistair and Zachary have lunch on his new table and chairs

Maddie and Eva enjoying the food

Then it was time for cake. Zachary managed to blow out the first candle all by himself, but then was surprised at the smoke coming off and wouldn't go near the second candle. 

Pointing at the blown out candle

Creepy bear cake

Then it was time for a party game... pass the parcel! The toddlers were surprisingly good at passing it around.

Zoe opens a layer with help from Mummy

Eva's turn

Cake please!

After a fantastic party it was finally time for everyone to go home. Thanks to everyone for making Zachary's day special.

The Fitz Wedding

Last weekend we had the privilege of being invited to Rich and Beth's wedding, so we headed to Cardiff for the weekend and stayed with Auntie Vickrum and Auntie Phobe.

Arrived just in time to read some books before bed

Here's what Zachary was up to on the morning of the wedding...

Anything to tire him out before the service!

 We had a wonderful time at the wedding; the bride and groom made a stunning couple:

Picture perfect

Here's Zachary waiting for the service to begin. He sat still for the 5 minutes before it started, then decided it would be more fun to run around, dragging Daddy down the steps and attempting to pick oranges from a dwarf orange tree which was decorating the church.

Planning his exit

There were some lovely welcome drinks at the reception. They were alcoholic, so Zachary had a glass of squash instead. However, he wasn't at all interested in his squash and only wanted Mummy and Daddy's "juice".

"That's the one I want!"

Zachary had a great time 'mingling' with the crowd i.e. attempting to run away and disappear while Daddy chased, it was a fun game to him.

Wondering if anyone will share their juice

Then it was time for a delicious meal; Zachary made every effort he could to get as messy as possible, but he did very much enjoy his chips and beans (not so sure about the chicken nuggets). He had a brilliant time pulling the stickers from their sheet and sticking them onto the tray of his high chair.

Drawing a picture of the tray

Thanks very much and congratulations to Mr & Mrs Fitzsimons- we hope you have a fantastic honeymoon!

Another congratulations is in order for Beckrum and Mr K on the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Kalina Elsie Robinson, a hefty 10lb 9oz, who was born on Friday 27th June.

Couldn't wait to stop by and have a cuddle

Out and About with Bumble

Here's Zachary enjoying a few recent sunny days out with Bumble (his Grandma on Mummy's side).

He has been to a few toddler groups and loves playing with new toys, singing (most of) the songs (there's one with lots of jumping and shouting that always makes him cry) and riding on little cars.

So engrossed he wouldn't look up for the camera

Zachary had a lovely day trip with Bumble to Crealy Adventure Park, especially enjoying  the rides.

Strapped in and ready to ride on the honey swing

Driving a car on the merry go round

Riding on the train to look at zoo animals

"Thanks, Bumble, for a wonderful time!"

Zachary's Little Habits

Before going to sleep, Zachary insists on making the noise for virtually every stuffed animal on the shelf in his room.

Zachary's animal wall display

Zachary has now claimed Daddy's armchair as his own. If Daddy is sat on it, Zachary pulls his hand to get him off before climbing up himself. 

King of the man chair

When Zachary is hungry and you suggest a certain snack for him to eat, he shakes his head until you run through a long list and finally reach the word 'satsuma', at which point he shouts "yes!".

If it's on Zachary's plate, it goes on the floor; if it's on Mummy or Daddy's plate, it goes in Zachary's mouth.

Zachary always wants to watch Noddy on TV. He can now press the correct button on the remote to play an episode again. He continues to do so until you turn it off. 

Zachary has worked out how to remove most of his clothes. When you attempt to catch him, he runs away at speed.

No need for potty training - he's found a good place

At the playground, Zachary always chooses the swing first. When he's bored of the swing and you ask what he wants to go on next, he always points to the next swing along.

Swinging with Daddy on his lunch break

Zachary repeatedly brings you the same book to read over and over until you hide it. Then he chooses a different one and the cycle continues.

Reading about Spot with Auntie Lucy

Zachary is well trained - no matter where he is, he always sits down to eat a snack.

Zachary loves numbers and always counts the stairs as he walks up (he can manage up to four, though not particularly clearly). He always points to our car number plate for you to read out each letter and number.

Every time he hears an aeroplane, without looking, Zachary points directly upwards into the sky.

Glamping and Grandparents

This half term Zachary enjoyed lots of attention from the Cardiff girls as we headed to a glamping ('posh' camping) location near Taunton. The site was lovely and Zachary could run around freely across a large grassy area, which he loved. Unfortunately the weather wasn't too great on the Saturday, but Zachary loved roaming around the glamping tent and reading stories with the girls.

Reading stories with Auntie Bev

 

Snuggling up on a rainy day

Zachary sees dinner coming

Swinging with Auntie Vickrum, Auntie Beckrum and a tiny baby!

Mummy and Zachary slept in this gypsy caravan which was nice and snug

Around the campfire

Tired out after a long day in Bridgwater, Zachary fell asleep holding a piece of cheese and a tub of tomatoes

After a few days of glamping, we headed up to Lancashire to visit Zachary's grandparents, plus Auntie Marilla and Uncle Bar.

Zachary spent ages stepping on and off this roundabout

Zachary eats a yogurt at the Longley Farm cafe in Holmfirth

On the last day we visited the beautiful Arley Hall Gardens in Cheshire. Zachary spent most of the time jumping in puddles in his wellies.

A tempting puddle

Pretty garden walk with Grandma Jeanette

Weee!

Just before he slid over trying to get down

Zachary's Day Out with Thomas

Zachary stayed with his Grandparents in Exeter last weekend, while Mummy and Daddy visited Cardiff for a birthday party. Zachary had a wonderful treat on the Saturday, as he visited the South Devon Railway for a day out with Thomas the Tank Engine (and with Bumble and Grandad). He had a ride on various steam trains, including Thomas himself and also got to meet the fat controller (Zachary LOVES Thomas)! They then travelled in one of the trains to a rare breeds farm and also visited the otters and butterflies at the Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary.

Zachary looks delighted as they are about to set off in the miniature train

The trains were all decorated as 'Thomas' characters - I'm not sure which this is.

Zachary looks very interested in the Fat Controller

Zachary loves owls and snakes, which he got to meet up close at the rare breeds farm.

Meanwhile, here's what Mummy and Daddy got up to at Dan Jones' 80s themed fancy dress party. And no, I'm not supposed to be a green chef (Bar!) - I am in fact the Smurfette and Swith is Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando.

All ready to party

Easter in Leyland 2

Here's the second part of our time away in Leyland over Easter. 

Zachary had a wonderful time feeding some ducks, although he wasn't very good at throwing the bread and most of it landed at his feet. 

"Come closer and eat my bread!"

We visited several playgrounds, as they are Zachary's new favourite thing. He could have spent all day there if we'd let him:

Hiding in a house

Bouncing up and down with Auntie Marilla

He had to be dragged away from that playground...

Swinging at another playground

In charge of the battleship

We also enjoyed a wonderful orchid-filled walk up Warton Crag on a gloriously sunny day. The views at the top were fantastic. Zachary had a great time walking over the rocks (probably because they reminded him of walking on walls, which he so loves).

Nearly at the top

Zachary hasn't noticed the sheer drop behind him; Grandma Jeanette has!

Zachary acquired a stick and used it to hit Daddy on the back of the head whenever he stopped for a rest.

Here's Zachary enjoying himself at yet another playground...

Thanks to the Dobsons for a wonderful time once again.

This weekend Mummy and Daddy are going to Cardiff for the weekend, while Zachary is staying with Bumble and Grandad. Rumour has it that he may be seeing Thomas the Tank Engine...