Happy 3rd Birthday Zack

It's hard to believe that it has been three years since we have been blesed with having Zack added to our family. We have always had a great time celebrating his birthday, however we were a little concerned with this year due to Alexis coming so close to his birthday. We were afraid that Amanda wouldn't have the energy to entertain in our apartment. So this year we thought that we would forgo all the hassle and have his birthday at Jungle Jim's Playland. It just so happened that Alexis came 2 weeks early. So Amanda made a tough decision to stay home with our little girl and miss his party. That means that Aaron had the pleasure of being in charge of a wild and crazy birthday party. She was very much missed by Aaron and the family, but we also appreciate her sacrifice.
So on the day of Zack's birthday, Zack woke up and he was very excited because we had told him that he was going to go and play with his friends and cousins at a birthday party. He didn't care that it was his birthday he just loves the concept of a birthday party. We had already ordered the cake, which Zack picked out. Any guesses... Yup, Thomas the Tank Engine! So we first stopped off and picked that up from Sam's Club. Then we made our way over to the Playland. Everyone showed up and everyone was having a great time riding the rides until Zack found the play house. He had a great time. So much so I'm sure we could've had his birthday party at McDonalds. Either way he had a great time as did everyone else and so it was a success.


Even the older kids (Joel, Ruthann, Dan, Ranna & Seth) had a great time playing the token games. They were very good at getting the tickets. They won over 650 tickets. So after prying him away from the playhouse, literally, we went to open presents. He had a great time opening all of his presents but he probably just wanted to get back to the playing. He enjoyed his cake and ice cream, as did everyone else. The cake was really good this year.
As everyone started to leave Ruthann and Charlene took Zack to cash in all of the tickes that the older kids had won. That was the deal Aaron made with them when he gave them over 100 tokens. So when Zack was asked what he wanted to get he asked for the Cat in the Hat hat. To Zack, it was the best!

Panicked!!

With bringing Alexis home, we aren't even close to getting set on a schedule. This is difficult for Zack because he is very much regulated by a schedule. We are very grateful for that. So last night we had put Zack to bed and Amanda stayed up with Aaron to feed Alexis. After the feeding, Amanda and Alexis went off to bed. A few hours later Aaron started to come to bed too. He locked the front door and went to check on Zack. One of the cool things that you get to do as a parent is to peek in on your little angels while they sleep. Only when Aaron went to do so Zack wasn't in bed. So Aaron thought that with Alexis being home that perhaps Zack may have climbed into bed with Mom. So Aaron went to check on the baby and Amanda. Still, no Zack was to be found. Aaron started to freak out!
See, Aaron ran away from home when his parent brought his little sister home and has always been teased that Zack might do the same thing. But Aaron was sure he would've seen or heard Zack go out the front door. So he went back to Zack's room to see if he was under the blankets. Still nothing! Aaron stood there in Zack's room dumbfounded as to where the little guy could've gone. Then he heard a sound and found Zack here:

UNDER THE BED

Zack had never done this before due to the fact that the crib mattress was under the bed. Best we can figure is that he must've dropped some toy under his bed and had gone after it. Aaron then woke Zack up and asked him to get into his bed. Wow what a fright!