We didn't really do anything on the 4th of July. Marty had the day off, and we just all hung out together and relaxed. It was neat because our neighbors were gone, so we set up an outdoor table in an outdoor tent and Marty and I played cribbage while Ezekiel played all day.
The 7th of July was my 33rd birthday. We had a birthday/bbq party at our place the weekend following. I think Ezekiel enjoyed it more than I did. He loves to work the crowds. He is such a little social bug.
During the end of July, I have felt really worn out. I slowly started feeling worse until last Sunday I was vomiting, exhausted, and in some serious pain. I kept telling myself 'ok, if this gets worse, I'll go to the doctor'. It built..and built...until Thursday when I called my pcp. She told me to get my butt to the E.R. I went. Come to find out my gallbladder is plum full of stones. One of the stones had released and was stuck in one of my ducts. It was/is causing my liver to work improperly and not at all so it is sort of acting like a poison. On Friday, I had an emergency meeting with a surgeon (she is fabulous - Dr. O'Rourke) and we scheduled me in to have my gall bladder removed next Thursday :( I'm not at all happy, and I'm super stressed about how everything will work out (like Marty and work, etc) but I'll be glad to feel better and stop this terrible pain.
But back to Ezekiel. We have spent a few days at Gray Animal Farm. Marty got to go with us once. It was sort of cool - Marty got to see a fisher at Gray Animal Farm, and then when we got home, we were out for a walk and a PACK of fishers crossed maybe 15 feet in front of us! It was kind of scary.
Here's Ezekiel seeing the bears for the first time:
Looking down at the bears:
Ezekiel decides he wants to get down to the bears since they look so friendly:
hmmm, he thinks maybe they will come up to see him if he calls to them under the gate:
When we got him home, he was EXHAUSTED (and sweaty, and a little sun burned even though I applied 50+ three times!) He passed out in the chair:
Close up (notice the melted popsicle under his chin):
Jacob, Emily, Ezekiel, and I went back to Gray Animal Farm a few days later. E. was NOT in a good mood. Here they are with the black bear:
Trying to get them to pose:
There was a final really huge breakdown after it was time to leave the fish (he really likes to feed the fish). We had people turning to look at us and everything while he screamed and thrashed. Jacob very calmly just reached down, took Ezekiel's hand and said "I totally understand. I don't want to leave either, but it's time". Ezekiel just stopped crying. I snapped a pic of them holding hands :)
During my birthday party, I didn't have my camera going that much, so I snagged some pictures that my mother and Angie took to include.
Trying out the various seats available:
Favorite seat in the place:
Pretty sure of himself:
SPRAYED!
I think he gets his confidence from his Daddy..who is also quite sure of himself:
Matthews' congregate:
Pool time(before Daddy changed out the nasty water):
More pool time:
Sprayed again!
We have these kids' cars that drive the kids around. The kids were all driving them around during my birthday party and just having a blast. One of them - the Jeep - is a two seater. Ezekiel got into the passenger seat and let his cousin (Jenny's son) Darius drive him around. It was a hoot. Darius didn't know what he was doing, and Ezekiel just kept grabbing the wheel. They were giggling and having a blast. I gotta say though, by the end of things, Darius had that Jeep in control and was driving Ezekiel around like a Little Miss Daisy.
Here's E. and Darius. E. is a classic hillbilly, chewing on his grass:
Marty is an awesome dad. You'll notice how he is often featured in the birthday pics helping out with the kids. He is a natural. Seriously.
Here they are getting out of a jam. I love how the Littles are helping Marty push:
Ezekiel thinks he can move it himself:
Moving on from my birthday ....
Here are the three kids on the front porch. I really tried to snap a good picture...
HE LOOKS UP!
Ezekiel loves his Jacob. Jacob doesn't get to sit by himself while he is here:
The kids have discovered my closet in the livingroom. They like to use it as a "camp". Ezekiel just likes to be naked.
LE doesn't get to sit by himself anymore either.....
Playing outside:
awwww, feeling sorry for himself:
Wearing Grammy's sweet goggles:
By the firepit (where he is NOT supposed to be):
Ezekiel has discovered his love for coloring:
He already knew about his love of eating :)
Playing outside:
Ezekiel loves, loves, loves hanging out with his daddy on the weekends. Here he is with crazy bed head and his new t-shirt that Daddy picked out for him (Nintendo Mario shirt):
ATTACK!
Takes a break for the cam:
Back to GET DADDY!
