Zahra's First Rock Song

So what have we been doing lately? I am playing with my latest toy, my brand spanking new Blue mic that Shan... er Santa gave me. Check us out. And yes I look like a dirty Asheville hippie.

Snow White

It's not going to be a white Christmas. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy some Snow White entertainment.

Today we unleashed another Xmas gift for Z. I had this crazy idea to try and have Z watch the Disney movies in chronological order. I felt that starting her with the classics would enable her mind to mature at a steady pace. Rather than blitz her with CGI and fast paced ADD movies, we'd go for the traditional flicks that have a slower pace.

So we went with Snow White, the 1937 classic (unbelievable that thing is so old!). It did not disappoint. The expressions on Z's face were priceless. She was so happy to watch that! She was gleeful when the animals and Snow White interacted. Laughed her head off at the dwarfs and their silly antics. She was sad when Snow White was duped by the queen and bit the apple. Oddly enough, she was a little down on the ending because she was not happy that Snow White was leaving the dwarfs.

Overall it was a great experience to watch that with her. She was sitting next to me the whole time and we got to enjoy that together. It was a nice way to kick off the Disney film cannon.

Next up, Christmas.

Holiday Vacation Time

It's break time. I'm off from work, Shan is off from school and Z is ready to party! Uncle Ted will be with us later this afternoon and will be around for a whole week. We're enjoying unseasonably warm weather up here and taking it easy. It should be a nice relaxing Christmas time and New Year.

Our little girl continues to grow each day. Her language is always impressive (today she told me how gorgeous our city is on a drive into town) and she is really coming into her own with doing things all by herself. Once we can get those tops on, she'll be pretty much able to dress herself. She is also the master of washing hands and using the potty all by herself as well. And when it comes to getting into the pantry or fridge, she's got that covered.

I'll have tons of Xmas stuff up when it happens. It's going to be quite a day as we have a ton of gifts (mostly all from family, thanks!) to dole out and witnessing all of that will be pretty fun.

Thanks again to everyone who attended the birthday fiesta! And we appreciate all of the wonderful gifts. Here's Z on her first bike ride.

I'm Three!

If you'd like to see the HD version of this video, go to the following link.

The Party to Celebrate Three!

Of course we had to have a party for Z! She's Three!

It all started with the arrival of my mother earlier this week. She arrived with her usual energy and spirit. She's cooked, cleaned and just about done everything since she's been here. Zahra and my mom had a lot of catching up to do so they have been inseparable since Wednesday.

Earlier today we had a visit from Aunty Julie and her crew. They only stopped by to say hi and deliver lots of love. It was a nice appetizer for the day ahead.

The party got rocking at around 3:30 with the arrival of a slew of guests. Z had so much fun! We had a delicious home made cake from Marissa to share with everyone. So many friends and family showed up including Grammy Lanie and Grandpa Larry. Z was over joyed with the love around her (and the sugar in her system didn't hurt either). All in all, it was a grand success. The kids were running around and screaming while the adults were conversing and enjoying delicious Cuban food and spirits. Shannon was a little under the weather and Z was still recovering from a similar bout of the yukies but we all survived.

We'd like to thank all of the friends and family who came to spend some of their time with our beloved daughter. She's finally down for the count (9:47!). We appreciate all of the lovely gifts and your warm wishes.

I'm Three!

It's been an incredible three years. How can it be that Z is three? Unlike most people however, I do not feel like it has flown by. Rather, I feel like I can't remember when we didn't have her. I can barely remember her as a toddler much less an infant. It's amazing that she's just three. So little yet so grown up.

My mom has flown up for the week to celebrate the occasion and the rest of the family will be here Saturday for the party. Right now she is enjoying some rest as she's a little under the weather. She'll be up and at 'em Saturday for the big fiesta.

Christmas Tree Time

So right after Thanksgiving, we go off and buy ourselves a tree for the holidays. The pagan symbol of the holiday season! And Z helped us choose it to boot. We spent Sunday night decorating the tree and watching Z dance to holiday music.

Thanksgiving 2011

Wow, I'm full of food! We've had a wonderful time here in Greenville with the Capezzali clan. Shan, Z and I drove up to Aunt Julie and Uncle Harold's house and met up with their kids and Grandpa Florida and Uncle Chris. We've been eating, watching TV and taking in the local scene for the last three days.

Zahra's been staying up late, eating lots of junk food and watched tons of television. We've consumed lots of football and did I mention the food? From Aunt Julie's incredible cooking of the Thanksgiving feast to Grandpa Capezzali's generous restaurant indulgences, we've gained lots of pounds in our brief stint here in SC. It has prompted Shannon and I to seriously consider a cleanse!

But of course the best part of all of this is the time spent with family. We love watching Z interact with her relatives, especially with her uncle and grandpa. She's had her moments of terror such as the no nap craziness and the tantrums when asked to do something she doesn't want to do like leave a toy store in a timely manner. But overall she's been a trooper. She's kept up with a crew of adults and hung in there. This is the second year in a row we've made this trip and we hope it continues to be a tradition.

Fall Fun

It's been a hectic few weeks since Halloween came and went. Z has had some monster tantrums and some sublime moments. Shannon has been working her tail off for school and work and home. And I'm slowly recovering from my work hangover. Having a student teacher can be great except when it's time to get back to work and you've been cruising for a few weeks.

A few fun things we've attempted have included taking Z to her first try out ballet class, Mommy and Daddy going on a few dates, and lots of play dates for Z with her buddies.

We spent most of today knocking out X-Mas shopping and setting up for the holiday card we send (last year's card inspired much applause and a few jeers). We also did a ton of house work including me raking about ten million leaves and Shan doing some painting. Needless to say we are pooped.

We'll be making our Thanksgiving plans soon. Look for an update on that as we rock it out!

Halloween is Back

Yesterday was Halloween or as we like to call it, Zahra's Favorite Holiday. People giving our child chocolate? Major happiness for Z!

Z loved every minute of it (except for the slight tummy ache she got from eating so much chocolate so soon). She shook off the grumbly belly quickly and ran around Vermont Ave with a vengeance.

West Asheville Fall Fest

End of October means its cold again!

Brrrr. 30 degrees this morning. Back to the thermals for early morning walks with Che.

We're getting ready for Halloween tomorrow so expect some pictures after that show. Right now still dealing with Z and her good sides and bad. Shan is working hard to get her exams done and I'm back at it as my student teacher is done. We're all pretty happy though even with the chill in the air. The afternoons are gorgeous!

And it's official- Z's birthday party will be December 10th! Come out and join us!

Enjoy some photos of Z's braids and the family.

Hey Ride!

ATL Weekend

We hit ATL up this weekend to spend time with Grammy and Grandpa. It was also awesome because Aunt Julie, Uncle Harold and Emma and Morgan were there as well. We celebrated Shannon's and Elaine's birthdays that weekend as well. Good times!

ATL Weekend Continued

Sleepy Child

Zahra's Not a Toddler Anymore

Man, it's been a wild and crazy six weeks since I last posted. Our daughter has done an incredible amount of growing during that span of time and it's blowing our minds.

First the tantrums. Z has been going through some major terrible two stuff. Horrible screaming and yelling fits when she doesn't get her way. Nasty kicking, punching and spitting to accompany the screaming. Out right disobedience and some major battles out in public that have made Mom and I furious and not want to be seen with the child. More monster car seat battles that have left us with post traumatic driving disorder. In short, it's been a hell of a time with Z. It makes us question our sanity and whether our child is the demon spawn. But most of our friends and the experts out there confirm that this is normal. And the truth of the matter is that while a lot of this has been going on lately, she hasn't been like that all the time.

A lot may have to do with the lack of sleep which has been caused by some more molars coming in. This is turn may lead to cranky child. We've also ditched our day car provider and have gone back to Gloria. We were not happy with the place that was taking care of Z. We noticed some habits and attitude that might be attributed to some of the things she saw at the preschool. And to further prove this, she usually had pretty good days when we got her from Gloria's but pretty tough ones when she came back from the preschool.

The amazing things that have been happening lately which hopefully will signal the shift from the tantrums to the maturing child have been with her continued growth in expression and thought. Just a few days ago she caught Shannon and I at odds and pointed it out pretty astutely. I had mentioned to Z that we were going to hit the mall and have dinner there. When she informed her mom of the great news, Shannon told her that we were having dinner at home. Z shot me a look of dread and in her best frowny faced voice decried "That's not what daddy said!". Shannon and I were both surprised and pleased to see her connect the two conflicting messages and catch us in a confused parental communication moment. Needless to say we went to the mall and had a nice dinner.

Of course what happened next was a moment of anti-Zen. Z had to go to the bathroom but was not compliant. The indoor playground was of the greatest importance to her. I firmly stated that after we went potty we could play. Well, she took that about as well as the the Republican party being invited to a gay pride event. She was on the ground screaming at top levels in the mall. I calmly picked her up and carried her to the bathroom, elbows and kicks flying around my head. Here's where the focused semi smile look finds its way onto my face as I try to remain calm. Inside I'm seething. So we reach the bathroom. At this point, my cool facade is cracking and I'm really pissed. Why can't she just use the bathroom and then have some play time? Once inside the facilities, I did something I never dreamed I do. As I was telling Z that now was the time to use the potty, she interrupted me by slapping my face AND spitting in it simultaneously! I lost it. I picked her up and delivered a nice CRACK to her rear end. It wasn't a super hard hit. In fact it was more like a whip style hit where it was more shock that actual pain. But man did the message come across! She did the open mouthed silent scream for about four seconds and then wailed. BUT she was compliant. I asked her to go to the potty and she did. I asked her to go wash her hands and she moved slowly but surely to the sink. And when we were all done, she reached up for me and gave me a huge hug and told me she was sorry for hitting me. WTF? This stuff works? But I didn't take the bait. I apologized for hitting her and told her I was upset and wanted her attention. She accepted and we moved on. Minutes later she had another tantrum but I used the time out and she chilled out.

So what's the morale here? Is spanking a useful method? Shannon and I talked about it afterwards and I agreed not to go there again. I have playfully used the spank before and on one occasion did spank after she had one of those horrible moments with her mom. But in the end, I want to teach my child that hitting others is not a good thing. I can't model that behavior by hitting her. It did work in the short run but I will refrain from it forever more. It's just not going to work over time. At least that's how I feel.

It's been a while since I posted so I have a lot to get off my chest but to sum up more stuff here, Z is really becoming a kid. She is starting to become a real quote machine with her gift of gab and is probing us with good questions. She is perceptive and alert and doesn't miss a thing. Her mind is firing on all cylinders and it's incredible to watch. We both have to be real careful with what we say and do around her and I'm looking forward to the challenge. I think we're about to hit some more amazing milestones pretty soon.

Shoot, one just happened today when I told her I was going to the store. She ran to me while I was heading out and told me she wanted to come. She immediately put on her shoes and told me she was ready to go. I said "Where are your pants?" and she sheepishly looked down and said "Oops.". But she didn't give up. She started to fix the problem! She raced to get her shoes off and her pants on by herself. She kept speaking aloud how she had to hurry not to miss the ride to the store. I almost didn't believe it. She had a reason to get dressed and did so by herself successfully for the first time! And while at the store, she was by me the whole time, engaged in conversation and following my lead. The same kid who only days before was still racing away from us, having tantrums and going nuts. Maybe it was the time spent with her cousins this weekend in ATL. Maybe she wanted to go in the car and watch TV so was motivated by that (It was still in the car after the long road trip back). All I know is that this kid is just that; a kid. And she's our precious kid and we love her dearly.

The Fair

Been a while since I last posted. Z has been great. Going to school three days a week while Shan works hard to finish internship at city and continue to work grad school. I'm loving my class and having fun at school. Weather has turned for the cool with temps sinking to the 50's in the mountains.

We hit the fair today. Had a blast. Z was all about the rides as she is now tall enough to go on them. We saw some acrobats from Africa (The picture of the guy balancing on the chairs was followed immediately by his scary fall. Fortunately he managed to avoid getting hurt), some large farm animals and lots of interesting folks from WNC. It was a great night and it was all about Z. Shan and I were living vicariously through her. She was so thrilled to be hitting all of the kid rides. Her smiles and laughter were priceless.

Skytop Applepicking

August Pictures

Big Catch Up

Wow, it's been a crazy three weeks since my mom was here and I began work. Lots to catch up on.

After my mom left, we made a trip to SC to visit Aunt Julie and her family. Uncle Chris and Grammy Laniey met us there as well and it was one huge family reunion. We were so glad Z could catch up with my side of the family AND her mom's as well. I had to leave to go back to work while the girls stayed an extra day.

Once I got started with work it was full speed ahead. Days flew by as the girls enjoyed time together at home. Shan took Z to the Nature Center and several other places around town while I was getting to know my new batch of kids. We have had a chance to escape and do fun weekend activities though. We've done two straight Friday Night Light evenings by hitting the Asheville High football games. We've been to birthday parties and parks. We also went apple picking today with the Anderson clan.

Zahra has also started pre-school during the times Shan has to do her internship. She's loving it so far. Her language continues to progress and impress us. Z was also the recipient of her first real haircut (the others have been tiny trims to keep hair out of her eyes).

All in all, it's been a great summer and now as the air begins to cool up in the mountains, we know it's only a matter of time before the days begin to shorten and the leaves start to fall. We're ready for you September!