our week with zeeke

Zeeke adjusted fairly well to post-vacation life.  It helped that he had missed his friends and was looking so forward to Halloween. 

Thusday, Steve disassembled the stuffed lobster from Cape Cod and hot glue gunned the pieces to a red hoodie Karen had stowed away.  

Friday, Zeeke wore his costume to school for their Halloween party.  He was so excited.  After school, he went home with Jen & Amelie for a play date (while Steve & Karen went on a date).

Saturday morning, we met up with a bunch of Zeeke's friends at the Spooky Saturday party on Passyunk Ave.  Zeeke enjoyed showing off his claws for local merchants while trick-or-treating and had a blast coloring at the craft table.  At some point he became convinced that every adult in costume was there to entertain him so he would just run up and hug them.  In the afternoon, we went to Tristyn's birthday party and then hung out at the playground. 

Sunday morning, Steve & Zeeke went to Smith Playground for Julian's birthday party.  In the afternoon, Karen & Zeeke went to the park on Pier 68, shopped at Old Navy, and then took a tour of Termini Brothers Bakery (the last time we took the tour was when Karen was pregnant).

Conversations with Zeeke:

Telling horror stories:
"...and there was another mad scientist who took a bunch of dead people and put them inside the squishy ball and made it even squishier. AND THEN ELECTRICITY! It has hands and arms and legs and even wings, but it doesn't have a mouth and it doesn't have a stomach because its stomach is electricity. And its muscles are made of hats."

We started the week still in Newport, RI then moved on to Cape Cod for part two of our vacation.

Monday, while Karen was visiting The Redwood Library & Atheneaum, Steve & Zeeke went back to Brenton Point State Park for more kite flying, but unfortunately the wind did not show up so they went to a local playground instead.  After picking up Karen, we all headed out to Flo's Clam Shack and then did some more cliff walking, then ended the night having sushi with Jay, Brenda & Avery.

Tuesday, Karen got started on the packing while Steve & Zeeke picked up breakfast at Ma's Donuts.  After another failed attempt at kite flying and one more lunch at Flo's, we got on the road to Cape Cod.  We unloaded the car at the cabin, then headed over to have dinner with our hosts, Billy & Kath and their sons.  Zeeke adored hanging out with the boys, watching Calvin do backyard stunts, trading jokes with Jack and Liam, and playing their drumkit.  

Wednesday, we drove up to Provincetown.  None of us were up for climbing the pilgrim monument tower that day, but we enjoyed the scavenger hunt in the museum at its base.  After a great lunch at The Lobster Pot, Karen & Zeeke played on the beach while Steve hit the shops, searching for ingredients to fulfill Zeeke's choice of Halloween costume (crab or lobster).  Steve returned with a large stuffed lobster, but then Zeeke had an epic meltdown because he'd gotten his pants wet in the surf.  Karen tried to fix the problem by turning them into cutoffs, but hysterics continued.  Finally we decided to give up and head back to the cabin.  

Thursday, we drove out to Nauset Light and walked out to see the Three Sisters (a trio of retired lighthoues that had been moved away from their original location).  It was lovely trip and Zeeke delighted in finding lots of tiny pine cones.  We had lunch at The Lobster Shanty and then spent the afternoon on the beach at Great Pond, where we dug in the sand, chased fish and watched a pair of mated swans.  That night we joined Billy, Kath & the boys for pizza.    

Friday morning, we went to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and then hiked the amazing trail behind it, which included woodlands, salt marshes, meadows, tidal pools, mud flats, barrier beaches, and a standing stone solar calendar.  Thoroughly exhausted and starving by the time we were done, we dragged our damp shoes to Oliver's for fish & chips, which reinvigorated us enough to drive over to the Edward Gorey House.  Although a bit young to fully appreciate it, Zeeke had a good time, especially at the arts and crafts table.  

Saturday, we planned to do a nature hike, but the park we'd chosen was closed, the weather turned suddenly gloomy, and Zeeke passed out in the car.  Karen visited a cute local library while Steve hung with the napping boy.  We picked up some lunch at The Original Seafood Restaurant and headed back to the cabin, where we spent the rainy day, doing laundry, packing and relaxing.  That night, Jack & Calvin came over to keep an eye on Zeeke while he slept so that Steve & Karen could sneak out and catch Billy & Kath playing live music at the Claddagh Inn & Irish Pub.  It was a lovely ending to the trip.

Sunday morning, we loaded up the car, said goodbye to Kath, and headed out on the very long drive home.  It was such a great vacation that Zeeke didn't want it to end.  Fortunately, he slept for most of the afternoon portion of the journey.

Thanks to Jay & Brenda and Billy & Kath for being such amazing hosts!

Vacation started Friday afternoon.  We picked Zeeke up early from school and got on the road to visit Steve's brother Jay and his family in Newport.  Zeeke's hand-me-down iPad (Thank you, Scott!) kept him quite happy on the long drive.  Of course, just to be a pill he stayed awake for the entire trip and then finally fell asleep twenty yards from our destination.

Saturday morning, we had a nice breakfast with Jay, Brenda and Avery.  We loved their amazing house.  Zeeke was especially fond of the secret door.  Then the three of us went for a hike along the Cliff Walk.  Zeeke loved climbing on the rocks and going down to the water.  When we finished, we needed a snack so we hit the local sushi joint.  Zeeke insisted that he wanted to eat octopus and even polished off a second order all by himself.  We toured the shops a little, looking for lobster or crab claws for Zeeke's Halloween costume.  When we got back, Zeeke and Avery played while Jay & Brenda cooked Lobster Fra Diavolo for Steve & Karen.  Yum!

Sunday, while the ladies slept in, Jay made Nutella crepes for Steve & Zeeke.  Once everyone was up and fed, we headed off to Brenton Point State Park to fly kites and walk the dogs.  Zeeke was so thrilled to be walking one of the dogs that he didn't even care about the kite flying.   When we got done, we all headed downtown for the Seafood Festival.  Zeeke gobbled down shrimps and clams, while Steve & Karen ate lobster rolls.  On the way back to the car, we took some pictures in a pumpkin patch and scored a candy corn cupcake.  That night before bed, Avery and her friend Molly introduced Zeeke to Twister.

After saying for weeks that he wanted to be a skeleton for Halloween, Zeeke has decided he'd rather be a crab.  He said, "You have to make sure that one of my claws is a big crusher claw and the other one is a little pincer claw."  He says he wants Steve to dress up as a basement.

Saturday was a rainy day, so  Steve & Zeeke mainly did jigsaw puzzles and watched movies, but they managed to sneak out to a nearby consignment sale where they met some friends and did some crafts. 

Sunday, Karen's mom visited and she, Karen & Zeeke went to the Academy of Natural Sciences to hang out with dead dinosaurs and living butterflies.  They even played with Lego and ate lunch in the museum cafe

.

Monday was the last day of our beach weekend with Pop-Pop & Gigi.  After breakfast, we took a final trip to Shark Park, then picked up Aunt June and the five of us headed down to Margate to see Lucy the Elephant, which Zeeke enjoyed tremendously.  After lunch, Steve & Zeeke headed home to reunite with Karen, build a model elephant and eat some pizza.

Thursday, after school, Zeeke wanted to watch the movie Yellow Submarine again so Steve got out his action figures to play with.  Zeeke was very excited every time he could see the same character on screen and the coffee table at the same time.

Saturday, after dropping Karen off at work, Steve & Zeeke headed out to the zoo for a quick visit that included watching the ourangatans play with pumpkins, then headed off to an event at Smith Playground.  In addition to the usual attractions, Zeeke met Curious Geoge and listened intently to a lengthy presentation by visiting zookeepers, all while feasting on free hot dogs, popcorn and vitamin water.

Sunday, his pal Zoe came over for a playdate.  They played with everything in the house, tidying up as they went, had a nice lunch, and even attempted to nap together.  In the afternoon, we went to the playground, where Zeeke drew a fish with an eleven foot tongue that he directed Steve to cover with bugs.

Conversations with Zeeke:

"I make very great artwork and I'm going to make art so great you won't believe your eyes."
"I believe it, Zeeke, and I hope you keep making art for your entire life."
"What about during dinner?"
"Except during dinner."

Steve & Zeeke took a trip to the beach this weekend, staying with Pop-Pop and Gigi at their time share in Brigantine.  It was overcast and chilly when we arrived so we headed out to Storybook Land to ride some rides.  Zeeke had a great time and tried even the scariest of the rides.  His favorites were the flying elephants and the Tick Tock Clock Drop.  There was a hay ride, a corn maze, and pumpkin decorating.  We even got filmed for an upcoming show on the Travel Channel (Sleeping Across America).  

Sunday morning, we headed out to Shark Park, a great nearby playground.  By the time we were done Zeeke was chomping at the bit to get to the beach, so we picked up some hoagies and had a picnic on the beach.  We dug moats and played in the waves, which were surprisingly warm.

Every morning when we leave for school, Zeeke hugs the tree in front of our house and says, "I love you, tree!"  When we're walking home on blistering sunny afternoons, he says, "Don't worry, Daddy, we're almost in the shade of our tree!  Ahhhhh.... thank you, tree!" 

This week, Zeeke worked intensely on an epic undersea illustration that took up three sheets of paper.  He had us write in the name of each kind of fish (most of which he invented).

Saturday morning, we went to FDR Park for scooter practice, nerf rocket launching, and a little walk.  Zeeke made friends with a boy named Felix on the playground.  In the afternoon, we asked him what he wanted to do and he said, "Well, I'm wearing my playground shirt so we have to go to the playground!"  At Colombus Park we met up with Jen & Amelie.  

Sunday, Zeeke's pal Delano, who has started at a new school, arranged for all his old friends to meet up at Smith Playground for a giant play date.  Zeeke had a blast playing with his friends and riding down the big slide.  When everyone started going home, we kept the party going by driving over to see Jen, Kim, Jack & William.  After lunch, they bounced and played and then Zeeke passed out while they were watching television.  We got ice cream cones in Chestnut Hill and the boys filled filled the chalkboard in their patio with an amazing collaborative artwork.

This weekend, Zeeke's cousin Becca got married, so Zeeke had a great opportunity to spend time with lots of out-of-town family, including his Uncle Jay, Aunt Brenda & cousin Avery and Steve's Aunt Cynthia (aka Aunt Cissy) and cousin Erica.  

Monday was Labor Day.  Karen & Zeeke went to the art musem for the last week of Art Splash and had lunch at the cafe.

Friday, we picked up Zeeke early from school and went out to Pop-Pop & Gigi's for dinner with the extended family.  Aunt Cissy brought Zeeke a Color Wonder drawing set, which he got straight to work on and loved.  Zeeke and Jackson took an instant shine to their cousin Avery and were soon competing for her affections.  

Saturday, we went to the zoo in the morning.  In the evening we dropped Zeeke off at his friend Zoe's house for the evening.  They had a great time camping out in the living room, but still weren't asleep yet when Steve & Karen got back from the wedding, so they picked him up and took him home.

Sunday morning, we went to the Seventh Annual Philadelphia Honey Festival.  Zeeke learned about bees, made bee-themed art, created a bee costume, marched in the bee parade, and sampled local honey.  After the festival, we headed downtown where we met Pop-Pop & Gigi and Aunt Cissy & Erica for lunch.  We ate at Han Dynasty and Zeeke drew a picture of Purple Flower Mountain for Aunt Cissy.  Then went for ice cream at the Franklin Fountain and even stopped into Shane Confectionary for a little candy.  Then we strolled down Elfreth's Alley and Steve & Zeeke visited the comic book shop.  

The recent trouble at dropoffs seems to be resolved.  It took a couple days of bribing him with the promise of afterschool popsicles to remind him he didn't require an emotional scene in the mornings.  We instituted a new goodbye ritual, making faces at each other through the closed door, which moves things along quite nicely.

Friday was a half day at school (in honor of Labor Day weekend), so Steve & Zeeke joined Mike & Esme and John & Del for a nature hike along the Wissahickon Creek.  The kids had a blast looking for critters and schist, then playing in the creek.  On the way home, Zeeke said he wants to go back there every day.

Saturday, we went out to New Jersey for another nature hike, this time an impromptu scavenger hunt with Katie, Dave & Greta and Jorge, Amelia, Lily & Izzy.  The highlight was a cool swing somebody had hung from a tall tree.  Zeeke also showed off his climbing abilities.  After the hike we went to lunch with the Rizzios.

Sunday, we went to the zoo in the morning.  After his nap, we went to the music jam at FDR Park.  After some time exploring the new playground, Zeeke had a blast dancing to the live music and chatting with the singer between songs then running back to tell us what she said.

Conversations with Zeeke:

"Oooh, Daddy, I see the aquarium!"
"Huh... oh, that wasn't the aquarium. It's just a building with a whale painted on it."
"Why did they paint a whale on the building if it's not the aquarium?"
"I don't know, bud.  I guess they just thought it looked cool."
"Oh, I know why they did it, Daddy. So that people walk in and say, 'Wait! This isn't the aquarium!' And then they would laugh."

Fed up with us talking about things that happened before he was born, Zeeke now loves to make up stories about things he saw and did without us.  They provide interesting glimpses into how he perceives the world.  For example:  "One time, when I was driving on the highway, and you and mommy weren't with me, I saw a car drive up onto that overpass and blowup."

Saturday, Steve & Zeeke had a long trip to the playground where he got to play with Zoe, Sadie, and Esme.   In the afternoon, they watched Hercules.  

Sunday, Karen & Zeeke went to the beach with Katie & Greta.  Zeeke played in the waves all day and then gorged himself on fried clams and ice cream.

Conversations with Zeeke:

"We like learning about animals, don't we, Zeeke?"
"Yeah, like I already know that zebras lay their eggs in tiny caves! And the eggs are as big as giants, but they get smaller and smaller when they're ready to hatch and they can lay about twenty eggs a year!"