Let me introduce...

Captain Jack (o'lantern)
Scary Sid

The little monkey that supervised the whole carving experience!

Not a big surprise but a great saturday afternoon!

Momentous Event!

There are multiple firsts in ones life. There is the first bike ride, first day at school, first crush, etc etc. Not sure where this one fits in the order of importance. But nonetheless it is pretty cool.

Presenting Zachio and his first clipon Tie!

So it beginnings!

This past weekend Zachio had his consecration service! He got his own little Torah and got to dance in the Sukkah! AS you can imagine smiles were the main facial expression!

Challah making!

The only thing better than eating fresh challah for the new year, is making it with the best little baker ever!

Gearing up for Halloween!

Sir Zach (part 1 and 2) and his fearless steed Sharpie!

What to do when there is no school!

Knight Zachio! So Z doesn't have school this week and since i am slightly crazy and like to ignore the tenure clock I decided to enjoy my time with him. Instead of getting a babysitter, Z and I have spent the last week playing knights complete with card board armor, tin foil swords and stuffed dragons. The only injury to date is the smithy stapling his finger during the making of the armor (and by smithy I mean me!).

Think I may use this as my new faculty photo =)

Mmmm...Mmmm...good

Adorable picture!

Happy 4th of July!

As part of Zachio's schools 4th of July celebration the kiddeos were suppose to go on a parade thru their neighborhood. Unfortunately, it rained - so they just marched around their school. It was very very cute! Here is some pics of the little patriot!

Belated Birthday Pictures!

The loot!The Cake
The birthday boy with the dad day dog Playing with the loot inside

Playing with it outside

Happy Father's Day! (The best Dad day present ever!)

Traditionally, father's day presents are lame (see above). Dad - before I continue on with this post I like to apologize for all of the not so fashionable ties, shirts, sweaters, not so artistic pictures and all the other not so great gifts. Although this year I had high hopes - I got my old man raffle tickets for Celtics tickets. Well it didn't pan out - so instead of great seats at the game - I ended up making a chartiable contribution to the Shamrock foundation in my Dad's name. (The card that explains this years gift is on my kitchen table waiting to be mailed =)

Well after seeing my dad and his dad before him get not so great gifts I decided to take matters into my own hands. Keep in mind that Zachio is newly 4, and I am a single parent so any presents he gives for me are at the mercy of his teachers. He did give me a very nice place mat that he made at school. (I guess his teachers are not very impressed with my eating cleanliness - maybe I will get a bib next year!)

Anyway - I have been contemplating what I should get for myself. For a while I was think a Wii but decided I dont need any more excuses to act like a 12 year old. So I got myself a dog for father's day! Yes I know - dogs are a big responsibility - they will take up some of my minimal free time, cost money, poop, etc, etc...but I really want one. So on Friday - Zachio and brought home the best father's day present ever - Sharpie!

Sharpie is a 1.5 year old lab-chinese sharpie mutt. So Sharpie has been here for almost 2 days and he is the best behaved dog I have ever been around. He is crate and potty trained. Will play for 15 minutes and then lay down and take a nap! He lies NEXT to the bed when I go to sleep and has been great with Z. So keep your figures crossed - that Sharpie stays as good as he is.

And Happy Father's Day! May all of your presents be as good as mine and my the celtics give us reasons to wear green tomorrow to work!!

Birthday Question?

Zachio has reached the ripe old age of 4 years! He honored me with this question during his birhtday breakfast.

Daddy, why don't cows have penises?

Of course this was asked with my mouth fill of cereal...leading to multiple repetitions of the question. Each one slightly more humorous than the last. Lucky I was able to swallow my mouth full of cereal quickly and replied ...cause cows are girls and girls dont have penises. This seemed to satisfy his 4 year old curiosity. Luckily the presents covering the living room floor where enough of a distraction so there where not any follow up questions.

Don't worry B-day pictures will be coming quickly. =)

Question of the Day! (aka why I love being a dad)

Daddy, why don't dogs use toilet paper?

How to keep a nearly four year old occupied and clean!

One word answer - sprinkler! Here are some pictures to prove it. I write more but a picture is worth a thousand words!

Somersaults!!!

As most of you know - Zachio has been enjoying gymnastics throughout the spring. Last week was his "show-day" - which really meant all of the kids brought their parents onto the mat. Zachio has mastered somersaults, monkey jumps (cartwheels), donkey kicks (hand stands) and the balance beam! He gets better every class - it is really amazing to see! Unfortunately, my camera battery died 2 minutes after the show started. So I don't have that many pictures to share - but atleast there is this action sequence. And Yes that is a Celtics shirt he is wearing!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Just wanted to wish all the mothers out there a happy moma's day! Here are your favorite midwest boys!