A 'That's It?' Christmas 2009

Maybe the hype was too much.

A month of telling Zach that Santa was coming and bringing presents perhaps set expectations too high.

But come Christmas morning, after a Christmas Eve spent opening presents from mommy, daddy and grandpas and grandmas, Zach was obviously looking for more.

As the video shows, he was less than impressed with the large package Santa managed to squeeze through the chimney and the art table he stayed up past midnight assembling.

Yes, Zachary, there is a Santa Claus. And yes, that’s it.

Christmas Unwrapped

Christmas 2009

Christmas Wish From Zach

Ice Cream Face

Zachy has never met a chocolate ice cream cone he didn't like. Especially, when it's chocolate peanut butter ice cream.

Watch a video of Zachy enjoying his ice cream cone:

Santa Visit 2009

Zach had his meeting with the big guy: Santa Claus.

It took place last Saturday at Bass Pro Shops.

If you've never been to Bass Pro, it's really cool, especially at Christmastime. There's a Santa's Wonderland area for kids filled with free games and fun activities and fresh-baked cookies.

There's no waiting in a long line for Santa. Instead, you get a card telling you the time of your scheduled visit. Until your appointed time, you're free to shop or play in the Wonderland.

And the best part is that the photo is free.

Watch the video to see Zach's visit:

Christmas Parade

Zach had a brush with Santa at a Christmas parade at a local mall last weekend.

Check out the video:

Let There Be Christmas Lights!

Mommy and Daddy spent the day after Thanksgiving getting the house all decorated for Christmas as a surprise for Zachy, while he was at daycare.

Daddy put up the inflatables and hung up all the lights outside, while Mommy decorated the tree inside.

"It's so beautiful," Zach said as we pulled into the driveway.

Zach's favorite part is turning the power on and off and watching traditional Santa, surfer Santa, Spongebob, and Christmas Alligator deflate and inflate.

Watch the video:

Trunk Show: Part 2

Watch Zach talk about his elephant ride:

Trunk Show

In his nearly four years, Zach has ridden ponies, a giant turtle and a mechanical bull.

On Friday night he added elephant to the list.

Mommy and Daddy took him to see the Cole Brothers Circus for the third consecutive year. He had a choice between riding the big stinky camel or the big stinky elephant.

It was no contest. The elephant won.

Watch the video to see how the ride went:

Zachy The Jokeman

Watch Zach tell Mommy's new favorite joke:

On The Phone With Grandpa Carrol

Zach Reads "Go Dog Go"

Trick-Or-Treating 2009: The Video

Halloween 2009

The Spiderman Strut

Halloween Costume Party 2009

Here's Zach at a Halloween costume party for kids on Wednesday.

There were games, a bounce house and a costume contest.

Even though Zach didn't place in the costume contest, he came away with lots of candy (as usual).

He's got a different costume for Halloween. Tune in Saturday night to find out.

And may the force be with you (hint, hint).

Dancing Machine

Zach showed off his dance moves at the church Halloween party he and Mommy went to on Saturday night.

Mommy just wants to go on record and say that he didn't learn these moves from her.

A Day In The Life Of Zach

Zach had a busy and fun-filled Saturday.

First we went back to the pumpkin patch for a carnival of sorts. Zach rode a pony three times and Mommy lost count how many times he went down the giant inflatable slide.

Then it was off to a Halloween trick-or-treat party at the zoo. Zach was one of the few kids who didn't show up in a costume, but that was fine with us because temperatures were in the 80s and it was too hot. That didn't stop Zach from bringing his trick-or-treat bag, which was filled with a good amount of candy and other goodies by the time we left.


Our last stop was a Halloween party at a local church. A lady at the pumpkin patch tipped us off to it and we're glad she did. It was a big event with hundreds of people and lots of games, activities and, of course, candy (Admission was a bag of candy, can't beat that). Zach even got to show off his dance moves.


Check out some of the highlights of Zach's day (Warning to Grandma Natalie: there's a picture of snake below):


Zach rides a pony named "Hannah Montana."


Zach's favorite part of the whole day.


Zach keeps a comfortable distance from a baby alligator and a ball python.


Zach plays "clean sweep" at the church Halloween party. Yeah, we never heard of this game either.


Zach gets some help blowing a giant bubble.


Zach's not sure what to do during something called the "Holy Ghost Hop." (Remember, we're at a church party).


Zach gets his groove on and break-dances (see him on the ground?)


Doing the "Holy Ghost Hop."

Mommy's Favorite Song

Pumpkin Patch 2009: The video

Pumpkin Patch 2009

Zach went to a couple of pumpkin patches last Sunday and came home with a cartful of, what else, pumpkins, which now adorn our front porch.

Hog Wild

Zach "rides" a Harley for the first time. He spotted this beauty as we walked to our car in a shopping center plaza parking lot this evening. The owner heard Zach oohing and aahing and invited him to climb aboard. "When you graduate from college, tell your mom you want a Harley," the man advised Zach.

Zach In The Bath

ABCs Gone Bad

Zach Goes To A Movie

Zach went to a movie theater for the first time Saturday.

Mommy took him to see "Ponyo," an animated flick about a 5-year-old boy who befriends a goldfish princess who longs to be a human.

Mommy was a little worried that we might get to the theater and he'd want to leave because he's afraid of the dark.

But after a sitting through a bunch of trailers for kiddie movies, Zach didn't even notice when the theater lights dimmed and it got darker inside.

He sat real good for about 3/4 of the movie - even putting his fingers to his mouth and telling Mommy to be quiet a few times, then he got antsy and wanted to play video games in the lobby.

We watched the entire movie and then played some video games.

All in all, it was a successful outing and a good time was had by all.

Zach Does Spanish

Zach has become quite proficient in Spanish.

Yanira, who watches him weekdays while Mommy and Daddy are at work, has one rule for Zach: He must speak Spanish at her house.

According to Yanira and her husband Joe, Zach's ability to speak and comprehend Spanish is on par with a child his age in Cuba.

Watch Zach and Yanira in action:

Twinkle, twinkle zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Kiki tries to sing Zach to sleep with "Twinkle, twinkle little star."

'The Next Tiger Woods'

Zach Batten.

A name that would fit nicely atop a leaderboard.

Zachary took a step in that direction Sunday when daddy bought him a set of golf clubs.

With his first swings Zach managed to hit a desk and daddy’s shin, but he soon decided that hitting the ball is much more fun.

He repeats the steps daddy taught him, “Back and hit it!” aloud as he swings. It looks like his natural tendency is to fight a slice and hit a power fade (like father, like son).

Like all good golfers, he tends to analyze his swing between shots. “Me good player,” he announces after making contact.

That’s the kind of confidence it takes to work one’s way to the top of the leaderboard.

Little Drummer Boy

Zach rocked out on the drums at Dinosaur Playground last night.

Check it out:

Say Cheese!

Zach went to Chuck E. Cheese's for the first time Saturday night.

It was a rainy evening, so it was kid chaos inside.

Zach didn't seem to mind.

He had a great time playing games, going on rides and eating pizza.

The best part was getting to see Chuck E. Cheese himself. Even if it was only the animatronic version of the mouse.

On the ride home he thanked Mommy and Daddy for taking him there and vowed to return very soon.

I guess that means we're going back.

More Zach In The Box

Zach and Ty play in Zach's new sandbox Tuesday evening. Our neighbor Paul, who is a master wood worker and Zach's good buddy, made it. It fits nicely on our front porch. Zach likes to play in it when it's cool outside. Come fall, he'll be spending a lot of time in his sandbox.

Photo Finish

Zach's last day of swim lessons was today. He passed with flying colors.

His instructor, Miss Haily (above), said Zach can either advance to the next level of Pike (from Pike A to Pike B), or if he starts swimming real good with his arms and his legs in the next coupla weeks, he'll be ready to swim with the Eels.

Miss Haily says she liked Zach's class so much that she's going to see about teaching the Pike B class.

Zach really likes Miss Haily.

Something tells Mommy that Zach's gonna be in the Pike B class.

Stay tuned. We'll know in a few weeks, when swim classes resume at the Y.

Babe Ruth, Meet Baby Zach

Since the age of 2, Zachary has enjoyed stepping up to the (chalk-drawn on the driveway) plate and swinging the bat.

Mommy and daddy encourage batting practice as a less-destructive alternative to hitting other things, like mommy and daddy, with a stick.

He’s a line-drive hitter who goes to all fields.

He does jack the occasional long ball over the neighbors’ fence, however, and gets the biggest kick from doing so. Even at his young age, he seems to realize that chicks dig the long ball.

Here’s a video of a recent BP session. Note daddy bravely pitching without a protective screen (Zach enjoys nailing daddy with a frozen rope almost as much as he enjoys depositing a dinger in the right field stands) and the home run trot around make believe bases after his last swing.

No Jacket Required

Zach is doing really well with his swimming lessons.

He's starting to swim without his life vest.

Michael Phelps, watch out!

Check him out:

"The Zach Attack" Turns 1 Today

All together now:

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday dear "The Zach Attack."

Happy birthday to you.

Mommy can hardly believe it's been one year since she launched "The Zach Attack.''

A lot has been documented during that year.

Let's look back at some of the highlights:

1. Zach got his tonsils out and developed a taste for pricey Starbucks vanilla bean Frapuccinos , fueled by a $50 gift card from Grandma Natalie.

2. Zach celebrated his 3rd birthday with a party attended by all of his good friends.

3. "Drake and Josh" has been edged out by "ICarly" as Zach's favorite TV show.

4. "Shrek 2" continues to be Zach's movie of choice.

5. Zach still likes to rock out to "We Will Rock You."

6. The "Hannah Montana" soundtrack has been replaced by Kidzbop.

7. The county fair came to town, where Zach rode the mechanical bull, both times without falling, and had a blast on the bungee trampoline.

8. There was also a family trip where Zach battered Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck (all in good fun, of course). Check out the videos, if you haven't seen them.

9. Zach learned how to ride a tricycle.

10. Zach caught his first fish. (If you squint, you can see it in the picture).

One thing for sure, Zach will continue to provide fodder for this blog and we hope you will continue reading.

Here's to another year of "The Zach Attack."

Zach In The Box

Yeah, yeah. Not the clearest of photos, but Mommy couldn't resist the pun.

Go Daddy, Go!

Not to be outdone by Zach, 3, Daddy gives the scooter a whirl -- with less than stellar results.

Check out this video and see for yourself.

Scootin'

Check out Zach riding a Razor Powerwing scooter for the first time.

Out With The Bang

Zach went with Mommy and Daddy to the annual Fourth of July parade downtown this morning.

We ended up leaving soon after the parade started.

The reason: Zach is terrified of loud noises.

So when the Army veterans started shooting blanks as they passed by in their military vehicles, Zach got scared and urged us to take him home.

"No more shoot," he cried, cupping his hands over his ears.

He also didn't like the Shriners in their little cars and loud horns.

The little guy was having a miserable time, so we left.

The experience wasn't all that bad, though.

Zach got to hang out with his friend Sean for a little bit, talk to clowns, eat candy and show his patriotic spirit.

Spongebob Bigpants

Zach has been wanting to wear his new Spongebob swim trunks ever since Mommy bought them for him several weeks ago.

Mommy got them a size too big, thinking he'd grow into them later in the year.

Unfortunately, Zach's waistline has sprouted faster than his little legs, thanks to his affinity for candy, cookies and all of the rest of the junk food group.

Back In The Swim

Zach's back at the Y, taking swimming lessons.

He took lessons in April. Because he didn't complete all of the exercises perfectly, he must redo the Pike class if he wants to advance to the next level: Eels.

In the interim Zach has been practicing putting his face in the water in our pool, which he didn't use to like to do. Now he does it all the time, putting his whole head underwater.

His instructor, Haily, who was his teacher in the first class, was impressed Saturday, Zach's first day of class.

If Zach stays the course, he'll be swimming with the Eels this summer.

Seeing Green

For some kids it's a blanket.

For others it's a teddy bear.

For Zach it's "Shrek 2" that gives him comfort.

The movie about the green ogre, his princess and their friend Donkey is the first thing he wants to watch when he wakes up in the morning and the last thing he sees when he goes to bed at night. Sometimes he wakes up in the middle of the night wanting to watch "Shrek moonie."

For the most part, Mommy and Daddy don't mind (except when it's the Stanley Cup Finals!!!!).

If you haven't seen "Shrek 2," check out this video:

Memorial Day 2009

Zach attended his first Memorial Day service.

It was at our local cemetery.

Zach got a little scared when the band started to play; the drums were to loud.

But he put his hand over his heart like everyone else in the crowd did during the National Anthem, drawing nods and comments of approval from some of the older veterans.

And The Winner Of "American Idol" Is . . .

Oh, Brother

Zach wants a brother.

We know this because he's been telling us so every day since Sunday.

It started when Daddy took him to the store and got a cart with two seats. Zach was excited and told him the second seat was for his "brother."

Three straight days of rain hasn't helped matters. Every day he tells us, "Me need a brother," as in, "If I had a brother, I wouldn't be bored when it rains outside " (which Mommy and Daddy find ironic since he has our undivided attention 24/7.)

Zach's probably not going to get a brother.

But then again, you never know what the future may hold.

What does a 3-year-old do on a rainy evening if he doesn't have a brother to play with? If he's Zach, he dresses up in his Superman costume and goes for a stroll in the driveway with his best bud, Daddy.

Field Day

Zach tagged along with his good friend Kiki during a field day at Kiki's school Friday.

Zach had a good time hanging out with the older kids.

Zach is happy at Kiki's school field day.

Kiki sneaks ahead of his competition in the balance-a-cup-of-water-on-your-head race.

Zach Flashback

Zach enjoys looking at pictures of himself when he was a baby.

He likes to sit on his bed with Mommy and thumb through his photo albums, stopping at his favorite pictures and adding commentary like " Me eat oatmeal when baby."

Other times we'll be playing games on the computer and Zach will ask to see "Zachy baby," and we'll look at his baby photos online.

Sometimes, when he's tired of looking at his baby pictures, he asks to see his "boy pictures," or pictures of himself now.

In honor of Zach's fascination with himself The Zach Attack is introducing an occasional feature we're calling "Zach Flashback," an older photo or maybe memory from Zach's early years.

Here's the first installment. Enjoy.

Prince Of Pop

Truckin'

Watch Zach take his battery-operated truck out for a spin _ if you dare.

In The Swim

Zach finished six weeks of swimming lessons at the YMCA this weekend.

Zach was in the "Pike" class, where he learned how to put his face in the water and blow bubbles, float on his back, kick his feet, paddle with his arms, and go under water.

Zach was real good at kicking and paddling, but he didn't like to put his face in the water. Not even prodding from his cute instructor Haily (who said Zach was her favorite student) could get him to do it.

Because the Y wants little swimmers to perform perfectly, Zach will have to repeat the class if he wants to advance to the next level and swim with the Polliwogs.

The next class starts in a coupla weeks and Dad will be signing him up again.

Meantime, Zach will practice in the pool now that the weather is warming up.

Watch Zach get a swim lesson: