The Fishers Do It Center is AWESOME!

So, every time I've ever needed anything for home improvement, I can almost always find what I need at the Fishers Do It Center. I've asked myself WHY I even bother looking at Lowes, Menards or Home Depot. Chances are the Do It Center will have the same thing or better and certainly has the people who make sure you have everything you need for every project. So, when I needed to bust up the patio earlier this week...I went there to find a Jackhammer...which I proceeded to rent, and came home and busted out the patio. After a 4 hour jackhammer rental and taking two 1-ton loads of concrete to its final resting place in Noblesville, the back is ready for our latest improvement project of a paver patio.

Of course, what kind of patio would I have if I had no table? Finding a table in late September is quite a challenge. I had better luck finding every type of Christmas tree and decoration! Of coursem the Do It Center had just what I needed! A nice table with 4 chairs/cushions on clearance for almost 50% off!! It was their last one....so Tony bought it last night, and I went in just about an hour ago to pick it up. When I walked in, I was greeted by two really nice gentlemen....who helped me find the table which we had bought. Shelly (who is the reason I come to the Do It Center for projects because she was so great helping me with some flower purchases about 5 years ago) was at the front and offered to watch Zac while we loaded everything into the truck. So, of course, I appreciated the extra hands and set off to move the truck so we could get everything loaded! When I came back in another person was oogling over Zac...and then Shelly encouraged us to stay and grab some food at the Customer Appreciation luncheon...well, it was almost over...but there was still some food. Since I hadn't eaten lunch yet, this sounded quite appealing! She took Zac back to the picnic area while I finished loading up and moved the truck back to a parking space...by the time I got back to the picnic...there were 4 people admiring the little guy. I hope he doesn't remember how all these girls are going ga ga over him when he gets to be a teenager! Anyways, he was just SOOOO happy to be at the Do It Center. I think he is going to like doing home projects as he gets older...or gardening with mom/grandpa....or perhaps painting will be his forte?

We had to get a pose of him at the picnic. He eagerly grabbed this paintbrush and smiled for the camera! The was really the first object he has picked up, kept in his hand and actively moved around! I might have to go back and buy this paintbrush for a toy :) Wish I would've thought about that while I was there! C

Anyways, a big thanks to the folks at Do It Center for re-affirming for me why I shop there. It feels like you are doing a project with friends/family whenver you have one.....and Shelly even loaded me up with a plate of goodies (homemade cookies and cupcakes) to take home to Tony!

Ligonier Marshmallow Festival!

Every year, the Annual Marshmallow festival happens in Ligonier, Indiana over Labor Day weekend. Zac got to attend his first one where he saw the cool old cars, and received a free bag or two of Marshmallows for attending! In fact, I think he may have been attacked by the Marshmallows!
It looks like he wants to eat some, doesn't it? :)

Zac goes to Eastern Hancock!

On August 27, Zac and I went to Eastern Hancock to watch the Lady Royals take on Greenfield Central in Volleyball. Bekah is on the JV team and Cyndi is on the varsity team.

Jessica and Eric were there too watching...and of course, they wanted to hold Zac as soon as we got there!
After Bekah's game was done, she came up and held Zac...but he was paying more attention to Cyndi playing the game than to Bekah!! :)

Check out my latest adventure

I have decided to start baking bread for this last month of my maternity leave...check it out:
http://breadtodaygonetomorrow.blogspot.com

Visiting with Friends!

Part of the fun of being a new mom and being off for 12 weeks is getting to go out and be social! That being said, I didn't really start doing this until about 2 weeks ago...and I am definitely keeping my schedule full!

My friend Jessica stopped by with her son Beckett who is 4 months old a couple weeks ago and brought us some YUMMY cookies and Spaghetti sauce. It was so nice to see her...as we haven't gotten together in a LONG time...like maybe since her wedding when I made her wedding cake? It was nice to get some advice and feedback about being a mom from her. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to get any pictures of Beckett and Zac together..so here is a picture of her wedding cake ;)

Then I got together with my friend Cindy who had Madeline about 3 weeks before Zac. It was fun to sit and share stories about the development of the kids...about getting advice from people who you don't want it from....and to just look at the two kids side by side. While Madeline is 3 weeks older, she is about 1 pound less...and it was amazing how much difference that pound makes! When Cindy sends me the picture we took, I'll post it here...we have a side by side of the two with them making the same 'archer' pose!

On Monday, I went to my friend Amy's house out in the country and had a fabulous time with her...again, discussing 'mommy hood'. It is amazing how much of an instant bond you have with other moms out there. The topic of conversation most certainly ends up being about the kiddos....I wonder if there will ever be a day where I actually talk about something other than Zac! :) Amy has a son Paul, and he was born the beginning of May...so about 2 months older than Zac and ready to start cereal any day now! Aren't the two of them looking so cute??

Amy gave me some pointers for my Bread Project and recommended a great book called "The Bread Bakers Apprentice". I've been reading it and LOVING it!

Tuesday, I went to Borders to buy this book and one called "Artisan Bread in 5 minutes" with my friend Carissa (Who is expecting a little one in December). Zac did great with his first visit to a bookstore! I saw some of the cutest books in the kids section....but it is a bit premature to begin buying them....maybe some relatives will give Zac books instead of Toys if they want to give him presents? (hint hint!)

Today I'm off to buy a Pizza Peel and the base ingredients for my French Baguette (which I WILL master in the next month!). I can't wait for the taste tests of this project!

Bathtime!

Zac absolutely loves bathtime! He loves to splash around in the water and is so relaxed afterwards! Check out how cute he is when he is drying off! It is so funny how his hair is curly when it is wet, and then it goes into its crazy, straight, looks like I just got out of bed look when it gets dry!

Hangin' with Cousin Mariah!

On Tuesday, August 25th, Mariah came over to hang out with Zac and I for the day. He decided to really start interacting with his mobile fish friends right as she got there. He was smiling and talking and laughing at the little things as they spun around above his head on the swing! These are the first smiles I've FINALLY caught on the camera!

After some playing, Zac got hungry...so I had Mariah give him his bottle...and I discovered this was her first time feeding a kid! She did an awesome job...but didn't want to burp him because he always throws such a FIT when you interrupt his dinnertime. He's going to be like his mom and not answer the phone during dinner when he gets older...HA HA.



After he ate, we went to Cancun for some yummy Mexican for lunch (and Zac slept), then we went to the movie theater to see Julie and Julia (and he slept, then ate)....then we headed to TJ Maxx to get me some non-pregnant jeans! Yay. One size bigger than normal....but that isn't too shabby. Hopefully I'll be back into my pre-pregnant jeans by Thanksgiving! (Then I have the bigger ones to wear on Thanksgiving day for all the yummy food!)

Julie and Julia inspired me to take up a food baking project for the last month of my time off from work and home with Zac. I am going to try to embark on a bread making mission. My goal is to make REAL french bread like we bought on the streets of Paris. I have yet to find anywhere here that makes a baguette like those!!

Zac takes Sanders to a Sheep Herding Lesson!

On Wednesday, August 26th, Zac wanted to take Sanders up to Muncie to visit Ferreh's farm and let him herd some sheep. He'd heard a lot about it from me......so when he asked to take the pup up there, how could I refuse? So, we decked Zac out in his Osh Kosh overalls and headed out to the farm!

When we got there, Sanders was excited as always! He was sooo glad to be back. We had a really good couple of lessons and Sanders seemed a lot more interested in the sheep and wanting to work with me during the lesson while Zac sat on the sidelines as a spectator being quiet and just taking in the good country air!

After the lesson, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Thackery's house and ended up getting to play with a teddy bear while I got to can Tomato Juice for my first time. :)

Zac's first Colts game!

On August 20th, we took Zac to see his first Colts' game! We donned Zac in his Colts outfit from Aunt Lela and headed out! We went to the Colts vs. Eagles pre-season game (no Michael Vick at this game, thank goodness!). Can you believe you have to have a ticket to take a child of ANY age to the game? That's right...a full price ticket. Fortunately, it was a preseason game and our friend Cindy had 2 tickets for sale for really cheap!

Zac did really well with the lights and the noise for most of the time. There were a couple times when the crowd got LOUD and he freaked a bit...but I was able to console him pretty quickly by walking out into the concourse where it was a bit quieter. I forgot how loud Colts games are!!

We also ended up finding out Tony's cousin Ronnie was at the game...so we got to sit and hang with him!