How are we all related??

So Zach was laying in bed tonight and wanted to know why the cat was black. I said "Because cats come in all kinds of colors. So do people. Uncle Anthony is black." Zach replies, "no he's not, he's brown, that's his choice if he wants to call him black, but he's brown." :)

Then he wanted to know who my uncles are - which made me think for a moment - because i have 3 but don't have much contact (especially with the deceased one). Then he was trying to figure out why his uncles are not my uncles but they may be brothers or brothers-in-law. I'm sure having a lot of siblings in my family doesn't help matters. When he went to cousin Koltin's graduation, I was explaining that Koltin's other mom was going to be there. A lot to digest since he he assumes Shannon (Ryan's sister) is his mom (she's been step-mom for 15+ years) so he was very confused on why Koltin would have 2 moms . . . I tried to explain the marriage-divorce-remarriage thing, but it went right over his head! I just love seeing the wheels turn, comparing his life to everyone else. There really is an amazing amount to learn about the world works!


Zach playing baseball with Uncle Travis



Zach & Natty going for a spin on the motorcycle.

Zach at 4 1/2 is a pretty happy dude - very confidant on the bike without training wheels, still asks a million questions, loves to do anything physical, is getting a little more expressive and comfortable shaking his booty or singing. He finished up at preschool for the summer but fortunately their 2-day a week daycare stays open all summer. He loves to help with projects. He and his buddy Kai (next door neighbor) are having a great time running back and forth, shooting dart bullets, riding bikes looking for bad guys.

Natalie 4-11-09 (20+ months) Zach 10-31-06 (22 months)


Natalie will be 2 in a month. She has learned lots of great potty talk and spitting from you-know-who (ugh!) and No is one of her favorite words. But she is sure sweet when she wants something :). She is talking a ton - "Where did Zachy go?" "No, that's Natty's ball" "I want more licorice please" She has thrown a couple tantrums that are quite funny as she will be sprawled out all over the floor but is really easily distracted. She is giant - moving in to 3T clothes with her crazy long torso. I used to think her girl energy was so different from Zach's (which it is) but now that I'm seeing some other little girls, I am thinking her brother is rubbing off on her! She's quite the go-getter. She loves that brother!