First Bike

Monkey got his first 'big boy' bike yesterday. We had been talking for a few days about getting a big boy bike, and it just so happened that our local bike shop was having their big sale this weekend. We didn't intend to buy a high end bike, but thought it would be a good place for him to get on a bike and get their opinion on fit and sizing and all that. So we did that, and then we went to Toys R Us and tried a few more, and then Monkey was still talking about the 'red bike' at the bike store (of course he was, it was on sale for $160) but Mrs. Z agreed that there did seem to be some differences between the 'red bike' and the TrU bikes. Monkey was getting really tired so we came home and while Monkey was napping Mrs. Z took a browse on ye olde Craigslist to see what was out there. Lo and behold, there was a black and red Specialized Hotrock 12" for a good price. So Mrs. Z drove up to 'Canada', where the good stuff on Craigslist always seems to be, and came home with a new bike. It could use some new paint and has definitely been well-loved by other little boys, but it doesn't seem to matter much to this particular little boy. We're going to the store today to get a bell and then maybe we'll fit in some more practice time later tonight. Mr. Z helps him with his 'balancing' while Monkey pedals... or hits the brakes with no warning. You know, whatever.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Mr. Z managed to wrangle a few hours off to go to the St. Patty's day parade with us. It was ridiculously nice out. Monkey really loved the fire engines - he had to pose for pictures with them.

Sprinkle Fever

Sunday morning we woke up ready to try a new mass at a new church. Unfortunately, as soon as we took off Monkey's jammies we realized that he was covered in a rash and running a fever. So we stayed home and made cookies instead. Monkey wanted 'sprinkle cookies' and Mr. Z wanted snickerdoodles, so they compromised.
Monkey was diagnosed with scarlet fever on Monday, but after 2 doses of antibiotics his fever was gone and the rash was fading fast. He's back to school today, although still pretty tired. Hopefully this is the last of the winter illness (ha ha ha. famous last words.)

Play Date

Sometimes we have play dates. Here is a picture from a few weeks back, with a fellow Monkey friend.

Wise Words

Last weekend Monkey had his first ever bout with the stomach flu bug that's been going around. He woke from a sound sleep to several hours of vomiting. (We didn't stop to take pictures, obvs - just trust us on this one.) Sometime after the third or fourth round he surveyed the damage - his room, the hallway, the bathroom - and said, ever so sadly, "This is a disaster." Mrs. Z said "I'm so sorry you're sick, buddy." Monkey replied, "It's so hard. It's so hard to be sick."

Mrs. Z could not help but laugh, which seemed like a really good thing by that time of night.

Monkey is feeling better, and made it through school today without too much trouble. Hope you all are staying well.

Couch Kernels

Since we got our new couch in the fall, we have no problem finding reasons to snuggle up together. Unfortunately, some people think that snuggling should also involve snacks - the most crumbly, irritating snacks possible, of course. Therefore, the boys now have a new chore on Saturday morning: vacuuming the couch.

First Skating Class

Monkey's first officially registered skating class happened this week. Apparently he remembered the falling down from last time and seemed perfectly content to stand on the ice. Standing on the ice is not falling on the ice, and that seemed like a pretty good deal to him. It looked a little like this:
We are very pleased with his teachers but are hoping that the rink is a little less hectic next week so that he can concentrate on his class a little more. He spends a lot of time staring at the hockey team in awe...