Off to the Doctor!

Last week was very busy for us! Monday Zane started swim lessons. He's in the same level as last year (it's for 3-4 years) but he is so much different this year! He went right in, does what is asked, and is a lot more comfortable in the water. It's been fun to watch him start to become a little "fish!"

This is how I found Mason taking his nap!

Zane's first day of swim lessons (he's to the right of the teacher)

On Tuesday, Mason turned 7 months! Hard to believe! Both of the boys had checkups at the doctor's office. Zane looked great, and hadn't been in since last year for his checkup...yeah, a healthy year! Mason looked great too. He weighed in at 21 lbs, 10 ounces!! He did have an ear infection, but I never would have guessed that! He gave us a perscription but told us unless he got a fever or pulled at his ear we didn't need to fill it. We didn't and he is doing just fine! Zane and Matt also had dentist appointments Tuesday. I had a meeting, so couldn't be there, but Matt said Zane talked their ears off! This was the first time he let them clean his teeth. He was very excited to tell me all about them counting and cleaning his teeth. He even got a "Cars" toothbrush!

Mason at 7 months

After eating his first biter biscuit...with no bib on!

We're getting so close to crawling!

The rest of the week we spent going to swim lessons, swimming, and trying to stay cool! It was a blistering week to say the least! The boys and I had lots of "quality time" together because Matt spent every night working on the new motor to get it ready for this weekend. It was kind of a long week for all of us!

Thsi weekend we stayed at my parents' house. They boys had fun at the park and getting ce cream! Sunday afternoon they went to Mary Lu's house to feed her fish.

Feeding Mary Lu's fish

Dad & Zane's version of basketball

The World According to Zane

• One day we had a couple of errands to run and Zane always wants to know where we're going and what we're doing. So I told him we were going to go to JCPenney's and then swim. Right before he left he said something about "Jason's Pennies." I did not have a clue what he was talking about, but finally figured out he meant to say "JCPenney's!"
• We like to make microwave caramel popcorn at home. If you haven't seen it, there is a packet of caramel that you put on after you pop it. So Zane calls it "poop popcorn." We were out of it and while at Hy-Vee I put some in the cart. Zane said, "Yeah baby! Dad will be so happy that we got poop popcorn!" Oh I hope noone heard him...
• On our way home Sunday night, we stopped at a fireworks stand to get some things for the 4th. Zane had to go to the bathroom and we noticed a Johnny on the spot. We started walking there and he said, "You pee outside and people can see you. You pee in the pee house and they can't see you!"
• Zane told me the other day, "Mom, you're fired!" I asked him why and he said "You tell me no, so you're fired." I told him that if I was fired he would have to find a new mommy. I asked him who it would be and he said, "Grandma."
• "Mom and Dad, you are naughty to me." Why are we naughty to you Zane? "Because you tell me no, so you are naughty. You are fired." I don't know what's up with this firing business

Camping and Father's Day!

We had some rainy days and some HOT days this week! Tuesday we went to school for a little while and I got a little bit of work done. After that, we went to Jo's house to take her some cookies for her birthday, which was Wednesday. They were heading to the pool so we went along with them and Zane had a BLAST! It was nice to have Jo's girls there to watch after the boys! Not only did we swim Tuesday, but Wednesday and Thursday also! I'm sure glad we bought a season pass, I think we'll be using it a lot!

Zane & Mason pretending to sleep

Zane took this picture...pretty good, huh?

Wednesday morning we went to the $1 movie with the Ottis family. It cost us $2 to get in and we took our own snacks, so it was very affordable! The theatre was packed, but luckily we found a seat in the back. The movie was Space Chimps. Don't ask me about it because I was too busy dealing with kids and/or talking to Mary! Zane didn't like it very much, he kept complaining about being hot and telling me he wanted to go home! Good thing it was only $1!! Afterwards we went to McDonald's to eat then to the pool for a little bit.

This weekend we went camping with Matt's family and some family friends. They have 3 boys and Zane had so much fun with them! They liked Mason also! Zane could camp all the time, he loved it! I didn't care for the mud...it rained Friday and Saturday, yuck!

Hanging out at the camper

Zane & Tate

Making S'Mores

Look at my life jacket!

Mason's first boat ride (he fell asleep)

Zane on the boat

One of many boat rides this weekend

The boys throwing rocks into the lake

I posted lots more pictures on our Flickr site, so be sure to check them out. Saturday night was a great night for the Hogan crew...Chris ended up third! But the end of the race was where the fun began...his motor got claimed! It ended up not being a bad deal, he had to trade motors but got a good motor in return, I think they were sorry they claimed! So it was a busy night for Matt...he usually gets to relax after the race, but had to pull a motor out!

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there! We have the best dads and grandpas ever and my boys have an amazing father! We are so lucky!

Happy 60th Anniversary Grandma & Grandpa Beggs!

I hope you like the new music feature of our blog...if you don't have your speakers on, do so now! You can scroll down to the bottom to stop the music altogether or choose a different song. I'm not sure what it'll do when you play a video, you may have to pause it for that also. We put variety of songs on there, chosen by all of us. I'll bet you can pick out the songs Zane chose!

Another rainy week in the books...we are getting very anxious for summery weather! I don't like the heat BUT it will be nice to be able to be outside more and go swimming! Zane's been wanting to go so bad lately but I just know the water is freezing! This week we spent lots of time playing inside due to the rain, but also got to go out a lot too. Zane is really into playing with his trucks, tractors, and trailers. He pushes them all over the house and pretend plays with them a lot! You can often hear him"talking" to Papa about what's going on with farming. This morning I heard him say "It's kinda rough, Papa." He also enjoys stuffing his cars, tractors, and trucks full of anything and everything he can get his hands on (gummies, popcorn, trash, etc). We so enjoy watching and playing with him!

Mason all tuckered out at Target

On our way back to Iowa Friday, it rained on us again. We saw an amazing rainbow, actually a double one! This is a picture driving down the road through the windshield...notice the raindrops!



We got home pretty early Friday, so we met Matt's parents and grandparents for supper. We don't often get to do that! Saturday Zane spent most of his day at the race shop with Matt and had a ball. He was a dirty boy! Sunday we headed to Matt's grandparents' house to help them celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary! The actual date is June 18th, but we celebrated a little early! They are an amazing example to all of us and I hope Matt and I are able to celebrate that many years together!

Keaton and Zane on the 4-wheeler

Matt teaching Zane how to drive this one...
"I don't want to wear this...I can't see!"

Mason in wonder...

The World According to Zane

• Lately when Zane isn't happy with something we say to him, he will stomp away, put his lip out, and say "I'm not really happy!" One time I said "I'm not happy either" and he said "I'm not happy three."
• Zane loves to copy what we say...you gotta love the 4's. So if I say to him, "Stop it, Zane," he will say "Stop it, car." Then he says "Mom, I not eepeating (repeating) you, I say stop it to the car." Yeah, sneaky.
• As Zane plays I love listening to him, it's so funny! He likes to say rhymes or sing songs that he has learned at school or heard on a movie. One day he started singing "The bear uh sesanamese" (The Bear Necessities)
• Zane "loves" everything lately. If you say to him "Zane, please don't make a mess," he will say "But I love to make a mess." He says that to everything!
• Friday morning I made a trip to the teacher store with the boys. As we were walking around, Zane spotted a notepad that was in the shape of a cowboy boot. Apparently he really wanted it because he began begging/whining for it. I told him no, but then got tired of he whining, so told him if he would be good the rest of the time there, he could get it. He really was good the rest of the time and once when he began whining I said "Zane, what are you supposed to be doing?" He said, "Being patient." Then when we left I told Mason what a good shopping buddy he was and told Zane he was pretty good too. He said, "Yep, and I didn't give up!" I asked him what he meant and he said, "I really really wanted that boot, and I didn't give up!" Little stinker...
• The other night I heard Zane get up out of bed and go into the bathroom. Matt went in to check on him and found Zane gonig to the bathroom...in the trash can. I think this is the Baker in him...from stories I've heard from Keeta!

Mason's Latest

• Mason's growing up too fast! This week he started shaking his head back and forth ("no no").
• He is really wanting to move around and gets up on all fours and will start rocking back and forth. He does move some, but scooches backwards and can't go forward. If there's a toy in front of him he wants he will stretch as far as he can!
• He can also pull himself up to a standing position from sitting. All you have to do is hang onto both of his hands and he'll lift himself up.

Our first week of summer vacation!

Last week was our first full week of summer and it was great! I actually got a lot accomplished...the house is clean (for now anyway)! We didn't do a whole lot, hung out at home, played outside, and did a few errands. It was nice to have the time to do everything!

Mason is growing too fast! If you let him hold onto a finger with each of his hands, he can pull himself from a sitting to a standing position! It won't be long now! We've also been giving him a few solids to eat...infant puffs and "mum-mums." Here's a video of him chowing down...

This weekend we were on the farm and Zane was loving it! He had fun helping Papa with his chores. The races went very well this weekend! Chris got 2nd place! We were all very excited about it!

Sunday we came home early so that Zane could attend a birthday party for his friend Andy from preschool. Andy turned 5 at the end of May. It was at a local place called "Air Zone." They have giant blow up toys that you can slide, bounce, and play on. Matt went on the slides a few times. You'll see he had to hold onto his shorts or they bunched up on him and it was a little uncomfortable! Zane enjoyed it...he kept saying "I want a party here..."

Andy & Zane

Zane going down the big slide Matt taking Mason down the slide
All the kids at Andy's party

Mason hanging out in the baby area

Matt & Zane sliding

The World According to Zane

• Zane wanted to eat some of Mason's puffs the other day, so I told him he could. He said, "Mom, if I eat this, will I turn into a baby?"
• Zane was playing farm with his tractors. He was talking as he was playing and I heard him say, "I'm feeding the cows because they're getting angry!"

Zane's Birthday Party

Last week marked the end of another school year. On the last day of school the teachers at my building all line up and wave at all of the kids as the buses pull out. We used to climb up on the roof, but since our new construction we don't have access anymore. As I was standing there waving this year, I felt as if I was just doing that same thing about a week earlier! This year has flown by! It also marked the end of Zane's first year of preschool. I must say it was a successful one! We are so proud of all that Zane has learned and accomplished this year! He is very anxious for summer and keeps saying "I get to stay home all day and play outside and it's summer."

Miss Annette, Zane, and Miss Michelle

Picnic (inside due to weather) at Jo's house
Big Bird and Zane

Our first official day of summer break was Friday. There is so much that needs done, but I told myself I got at least one day to do nothing! So we hung around the house, picked some things up for Zane's birthday party, and got things around for the weekend. Zane and I butted heads some...I think it's a preview of how our summer my go since we both want our way, but we'll work through it! Mason just smiles through it all!

Mr. Smiley

Look at Mason's face!

Usually we head to Iowa on Fridays, but we stuck around for Madelyn's third birthday party. Her actual birthday was the 26th. It was a "princess" themed party. Jo was the party planner and it was a great time! Zane got a sword and crown and Mason got a onesie that said "Prince Mason." There was a bounce house, pinata, cake, and lots of fun had by all!

Zane "cheating" during his turn.

We had Zane's party on Sunday. He finally decided on a Monster Truck theme, so that's what it was! We had the party at Mom and Dad's house. Matt grilled a huge pork loin and we grilled a few hamburgers and hot dogs. There was lots of food, everyone brought something to share! It was all yummy and I think lots of us ate way too much! Zane is a lucky boy to have so many people who love him so much! We ate, opened gifts, had cake and ice cream, and spent lots of good time together! Thank you to everyone who could come and help Zane celebrate!

Zane's guests at his party

Zane with his presents showing us he's 4

Mom with a frog on her shoulder


Zane's reaction to his new four-wheeler


Zane on his four-wheeler

Zane adored his cake!

Zane with all but one of his Papas!
Zane cheering while the guys were playing bean bag toss

Mason hanging out in the bean bag box

There are lots more pictures of the week and the party posted on our Flickr site, check them out!

The World According to Zane

• Matt was playing some hard rock music for Zane and he began to bang his head to the beat. He told Matt he liked the "head bonking" music!
• Zane cut his finger when we were cutting up strawberries the other night. Before Matt put band-aid on, he put some cream on it. Zane's reaction was, "Cream, yum! I love it! You can put cream on your butt too!"
• Zane has seemed to enjoy looking at his poop lately...and the other day from the bathroom I heard, "Holy moley!" Then he summoned me to come look...BOYS!