Memorable Zachary Quotes

Just a few of the more poignant phrases uttered by our little man that have stuck with me (Kelly).

After seeing a helicopter while waiting for the bus: "Do you know I rode in a helicopter once; it was after I was born when I popped out of mommy's belly." What?

On the way to McDonald's after putting on a new shirt he thought was especially cool: "The food-givers are going to think I look awesome!" (food-givers == McDonald's employees). Displays a mind that knows what it wants to say even when it lacks a certain broadness of vocabulary. Also, a great deal of respect for people who serve dinner in a box with a toy.

After spinning around in the bath tub while the water let out: "I thought I was just going to swirl down into the drain."

Tear-jerker: "Daddy, I love you like the sky loves the clouds." Poetic genius.

Several times during the Riverdance performance in Dublin: "Daddy, I just like the girls more the boys." Well said.

Told to the pastor after the children's sermon: "I sneaked a apple from the fruit bowl." Must have been a huge relief to get that off his chest.

Shouted while crying hysterically after falling down: "I wish I didn't have knees!"

Somewhat related comment from the next day after bumping his head on the wall hard enough to make a pretty loud bang: "I wish my head was fluffy." That one got him laughing so hard he forgot about the injury. I enjoyed the fact that he recognized that he needed a head (unlike knees).

Praying the night after he started using "big kid toothpaste" that you spit out when you are done with: "Thank you God for toothpaste and spitting out the stuff".

Big Boy Bike

A couple of weeks ago, we found a great deal on a big boy bike for Zachary. He had pretty much outgrown his little tricycle, and he took to the new bicycle like a pro. He's been tearing up the streets of Oslo ever since. Fact of the day: helmets on kids are both safe and cute.

Fjord Fishing

This past Saturday we went to the beach with our Dutch friends. Zachary played in the sand, rocks and water with his friends Maurice and Philippa while Bethany and Lucia watched on and talked. It was a little cold and overcast so the kids just got dirty and explored a bit instead of swimming.

Pim and I spent a couple of hours fishing in the Oslofjord nearby. I have not fished in many years, so it took a while to relearn some things (tying knots, casting the reel, etc.). Plus, we just used lures instead of bobbers and live bait, which I had never done. We hung out, talked a lot, made some excuses and caught zero fish (actually I accidentally "caught" one tiny starfish-like creature that somehow got caught on my hook so technically I win). We couldn't even buy some fish on the way home and tell our wives we had caught them, since they watched us not catch anything. This had been a favorite trick of my dad's when we used to fish, but no dice this time.

All was not lost, though, because Zachary got to fish for the first time. He did not catch anything either, but he had a great time holding the large rod and reeling in the line.

Later that night, we shared a favorite family tradition - the eating of fajitas - with our friends. All in all, a pretty great day!

The King's Silver

In a continuation of our summer day trips, we took a drive about one-and-a-half hours west to the silver mines just outside the city of Kongsberg. The Sølvgruvene were in operation from the early 1600s until the mid-20th century. We took a very small and very noisy train about 1.5 miles into the mountain to the King's Mine, the most profitable silver mine and owned by the king himself. We had to wear jackets because it was about 48 degrees F.


Zachary got a treasure map and spent most of his time looking for the treasure chests set up around the mines.

We took a tour of about a kilometer through various tunnels, up and down stairs, stopping at various locations as the guide explained how things worked (thankfully in English!). As you may guess, safety was paramount.

One of the coolest things was an old working elevator from the 19th century that miners used to descend into the depths below, three times the height of the Eiffel tower. Two shafts alternated moving up and down as workers hopped video-game style from step to step on each one.

Because he was so successful at finding the king's treasure, Zachary was allowed to mint his own coin by hammering an image into what I can only assume is a genuine gold dabloon.

Bærums Verk

This weekend we made the short drive to Bærums Verk, a small town about 20 minutes west of Oslo. The little town has lots of small shops to explore, including a few where you can watch the craftsmen at work. However, the best thing to do in Bærums Verk is to get something yummy from the bakery or chocolate shop (or, in our case, both), and sit near the waterfall to enjoy them!