Fourth of July and A Day at Home

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear America. Happy birthday to you.

Zoe sang that song at some point over the long Independence Day weekend. What a firecracker. Get it?

What did we do? Hmmm. Besides hanging out at Busia and Dziadzia's house ... we took Zoe to see really bad Beattles impersonators on Friday night (they played Yellow Submarine, so it was worth the trip for Zoe ... the elephant ear was a favorite, too) and the Bay City Fireworks spectacular on Saturday night ("I liked all the colors, but it was too loud," Zoe said).

Mitchell and Alyse didn't make those trips -- thanks to Busia and Dziadzia for watching them so we could take Zoe -- but they did make an appearance at Uncle Norman and Aunt Midge's anniversary party Saturday afternoon.

With all the kids dressed in their finest red-white-and-blue attire, Momma wanted to snap a family portrait:

In Sonja's words, ""Thirty shots and this is the best. We need a professional!" Someday soon.

Some more party pictures:

Zoe and her 'Aunt Tephs.'

Uncle Gordon showing off his formidable baby-holding skills.

Alyse and cousin Emily. Check back in four years and we'll likely have a photo of Alyse wearing that blue sundress Emily has on!

Aunt Midge (in her party hat) and SupaBusia helped out with dinner.

And here's Marissa, our hostess with the mostest, holding a very sleepy Mitchell.

It was a great weekend of frivolity ... and we were glad to be able to introduce the babies to some family members for the first time. We're all already looking forward to Family Reunion 2009.

A DAY AT HOME
Some of you may not know that I've rearranged my workload to spend most days at home with the kids. I've cut back to part-time at Domino's -- foregoing my previous designs tasks to work primarily as an editor/writer on the three publications we produce, much of which I do from home -- and picked up some additional evening hours for the Ann Arbor News.

Sonja, meanwhile, is back to work 30 hours per week and will be full-time again at the end of August. She often gets solo night shifts ... which I'm certain is the more difficult of the two.

The other day I sent Sonja these photos so she'd know what was going on at home ... and to let her know we were thinking of her:

Catching up...

A lot has happened in the three-and-a-half weeks since the last post: Two visits to Newaygo, my return to work (early, due to that darn best rest), a trip to Bay City and Mitchell and Alyse's two month check-up.

First, some pictures from Zoe's trip to my parents' house at the end of May, where she got some major spoiling.

Observe Zoe in her self-decorated ballerina outfit, courtesy of Honey. Now she thinks she's a ballerina princess! I'm sure Rich will be putting in some overtime playing catch with her to counteract this stage.

Enjoying the beach with cousin Danni:

Petting a stingray at John Ball Zoo. Notice how she has her tongue in her cheek. This means she's extremely proud of herself.


Until this visit to the zoo, we could rarely get her to pet anything more wild than Busia and Dziadzia's cats or my sister's small dog. Quite a step for her. As I was told, it took a bit of coaxing and a lot of patience.

Honey, Aunt Shane and Danni started Zoe in the petting zoo and worked her up to this....

What happened to ponies?

Thanks to the family for showing her such a great time.

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As I've mentioned, I don't know where we'd be without all the help we've received the past two months. This includes Monday visits from The Good Doctor and Wednesday visits (which often extend into Thursday ... or Friday) from Busia. Here she is on one of those visits. I left her alone with the three kids to run errands and came home to find two sleeping babies and a happy 3-year-old. Ahhhhhh! What a pro.

The second week of June we all trekked to Newaygo. Rich was supposed to go on his annual kayaking trip with the guys from the News. They kayak the Pine River and camp in a town about 30 minutes from my parents. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and his kayak remained fastened to the top of our mini-van. While Dad rode out the storms, Mitchell and Alyse got acquainted with some of their cousins.

Cousin Sam was more than happy to take a baby off my hands and soon had Mitchell chuckling.

Seeing a cute photo op, I plopped Alyse in cousin Sid's arms. He was decidedly less enthused about holding a baby (I believe his exact words were, "Could you take this baby NOW?"). Despite that fact, Alyse tried to charm him with her sweet smile.

Zoe spent every morning at Honey's in her favorite spot...the hammock swing.

This past Sunday was not only Father's Day, but also the day we took a trip to Bay City to celebrate Busia and Dziadzia's June birthdays.

The trip enabled Mitchell and Alyse to meet their great-grandmother, SupaBusia!

Zoe kept busy playing lawn darts with Dziadzia, petting her 'best friend' Calico...

... and running through the sprinkler.

Mitchell had a good time grinning for the family (Thanks for holding up my head, Dad)!

As did Alyse.

The birthday boy and girl.

A final bit of news. Mitchell and Alyse had their two-month check-up on Monday (they are nine weeks). Mitchell tips the scales at 10 lbs. 7 oz. and is 22.75 inches tall. A gain of 9 ounces and 1.75 inches.

Ms. Alyse checked in at a mere 9 lbs. 4 oz. and 22.5 inches tall. A gain of 3 oz. and 1.75 inches.

Both kids remain in the 50th percentile for weight and the 25th for height for their actual age and 75th and 50th for their adjusted age (the age they would be if they were born on their due date).

That's all for now. Take care.

ZMA's mama

Reunion at Frazier State Park

Note: This post has been updated below.

Headed up to the Tri-Cities this weekend for some visiting and a Family Reunion/Baby Shower-turned-strictly-Family Reunion.

Say huh? Well... there's been a groundswell for a Sinicki family reunion for a while. The impending arrival of my cousin Jim's (and his wife Kris') baby became the impetus for planning one. A baby shower portion of the event was kept a surprise from Jim and Kris... and, apparently, from Rylie Claire (below). Her early arrival meant Jim and Kris missed the party (we're granting them an excused absence).

The cancellation of the baby shower meant we could all focus on the great spread of food (special kudos to Aunt Kathy's Polish meatballs) and having some fun at my cousin Cindy's beautiful home. There was so much going on, we forgot to pull the camera out until the very end.

Here's our host and hostess with the mostess, Cindy and Mark. It's a safe assumption that their daughter, Katie, was entertaining Zoe somewhere when this picture was taken. Zoe had a great time with her friend.

Dziadzia took some swings at the green Mark set up in the backyard, beyond a pond.

And here's Uncle Butch explaining the finer points of horseshoes to the audience on the deck. When we packed up, he and cousin Kenny were still undefeated.

There were still some shower prizes to pass out. Zoe "won" this stuffed dog in a purse that she now insists on sleeping with. What are the odds Zoe's name would be drawn for that prize? I think we need to investigate.

It was a great time. Special thanks to the Fraziers for hosting and to everyone for the delicious food. Hopefully we'll get to meet Rylie at the next one!

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE...

Gotta love the blogosphere. I make a comment about our lack of photos and they start showing up in my email inbox. Here are some more from Busia via Cindy. Thanks!

The first one is Zoe, Katie and Busia relaxing on a hammock...

... which probably happened after Katie and Aunt Steph wore her out on the trampoline:

Not sure if Katie, Aunt Steph or I really blasted a shuttlecock before this next shot was taken, or if we were pausing to admire the clear, blue sky.

And, last but not least, a peak at some partygoers. Girls on the deck...

... and boys in the yard.

Weekend in Bay City

A full (very busy) week late, here's a recap of Zoe's three-day trip to Bay City. Busia and Dziadzia picked her up Saturday morning and brought her home Monday evening.

Here's Busia strapping in Zoe for the trip:

And, in Bay City, Zoe paid back the favor by taking her for a little ride in the driveway:

Then it was time for a little dress-up in Aunt Tephs-old-room-turned-Zoe's-guest-room:


What would a trip to Bay City be without some new toys waiting for Zoe's arrival? Here she is on her new Sit-n-Spin:

On Sunday (while Mom and Dad went to a movie and dinner... thanks!), it was time for a little visiting. Zoe got to hang out with Supa Busia (and we hear Uncle 'Nawmoon' stopped by, too!)

Later, Dziadzia made sure stalker-boy Spanky didn't get too close to his granddaughter at the playground down the street.

Monday featured a trip to the Saginaw Zoo, where Busia had the tough task of talking Zoe into brushing a cow. Right now, she prefers animals keep their distance by staying between the pages of books.

Unless, of course, those animals are made of metal and rock back and forth:

Or have pole stuck through the middle of their back:

And what great story doesn't deserve a sweet ending:

Party(ies) time!

After a very loooooong week of sleepless nights, many visits to the doctor (it's just a little bug... maybe a touch of strep throat... actually, it's pnuemonia!) and one horrific case of poison ivy (Rich, not Zoe), we were more than happy to head to Bay City on Sunday to celebrate Dziadzia's birthday, Daddy's "half-birthday" (long story), Father's Day and a graduation.

Zoe was feeling much better, Rich no longer looked like he'd been beat to a pulp in a bar fight and I was ready to eat too much and relax. Zoe was just thrilled to interact with someone other than her parents! Here she is at cousin Brandon's graduation party, playing with cousin Katie. She spent most of the day in the ice bucket, telling Katie it was 'told' ice!

After the party, we headed back to Busia and Dziadzia's house to celebrate birthdays and Father's Day. Busia pulled out Zoe's pool to cool her off. Here she is practing the breast stroke.

Busia had another surprise in store. Remember Slip 'N Slide? Well, Zoe is now the proud owner of one... however, for her, it's more of a Cautiously Walk So I Don't Slip or Slide. Thanks for the support, Aunt Tephs!

She did find a way to enjoy it, however. It is now the longest drinking fountain on earth.

Before heading home, Busia gave Zoe a ride in her wheelbarrow...

Thanks for the laughs. After last week, we needed it!

Take care,

Zoe's Momma

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Editor's note: Yes, those are three distinct outfits worn during a five-hour trip. Can't wait until we start taking our longer summer trips. Anybody know a good pack mule breeder? rsr