Elijah has discovered how to take down the gate that blocks him from the hall which leads to countless new investigative possibilities.

He tears down the gate and runs to a room so fast that there isn't even time for a picture!  Actually, gates do little to stop him.  We have the longer gate back up around the fire place.  This is what I came across yesterday:

Do you see the little footprints in the ash?

Cousin Jo was over, and Lij showed him how to get back there too.  They brought toys back there and spoons to shovel out the ash.  Yes, we really are trying hard to teach Elijah that the fireplace is hot!

Beth asked me if I exercise... I am sure Elijah fulfills that requirement in my life!  :)

We have eggplants!

As with all of our other longer growing plants, I sure hope that they grow big enough to eat before they get frosted out!  We did end up with a little watermelon.  I picked it yesterday, and the kids loved it.

All week Cassie is mousesitting for Gracie's mice while she and her family are on vacation.  Cassie has been looking forward to this from the second Aunt Lisa proposed it.

Cassie and her friend Alyssa with the mice.

A few days before the vacationers left, Lisa whispered to me in confidence, "If the mice die or get lost in Cassie's care, make sure no one feels bad about it!"  (Hmmm, I am starting to get the idea she's not too fond of them.)

Regardless, they are cute!

When the mice were dropped off, Lisa told me that taking care of them with all their mintanance and smells "should cure Cassie of ever want a mouse of her own"!  "And," she continued, "if you really want to ensure it, have Cassie clean their cage twice!"

Well, I hope Lisa's right, because the day after Cassie started her mousesitting job, she came up to me and said, "Mom, I want to save all my money up and get some mice!"

Here's something to think about today...

We all know that there is a victim in abortion.  (I still don't get how people claim that the baby is just tissue.  He/she is in a constant state of grow, and the gender determined at the moment of conception.  The heart is beating, and nervous system begins developing by the end of the first month.  But "its" not a living human being?!!)  But abortion being so tragic, I often forget that there is frequently another victim.

If you were to go to Planned Parenthood, you would find out that everyone's having an abortion and that the side effects are minimal to none.  They explain that any feelings of guilt or remorse isn't because you just took the life of your child, but because of all those pregnancy hormones and because people around you may have made you feel guilty.  No mention of death.  No mention of trauma.  Any other website with the facts of abortion, pro-life or for abortion, give more accurate details than that.

I came across a website for women who have had an abortion who need emotional support developed by a woman who was greatly struggling with her five abortions.  This is not a site that indicates whether abortion is right or wrong and has no religious or political affiliation.  It is purely for support "after" the act.  They show an inside look at what the woman really goes through, not stats but humans.

The site goes into detail about what PASS (Post Abortion Stress Syndrome) is and various steps to take and resources you can use to help you through it.  Support groups, "recovery" groups, recovery for men who've had women go through it, tips for physical recovery and lists of symptoms to be aware of, support for women who have questions such as 'what happens to the baby's body afterward?', women have "named their babies", and talk about those who felt a loss of a "potential baby".

It's clear that the second victim is the young girl, repeatedly lied too... it's okay to have sex before marriage, birth control passed out in the schools, parents buying condoms for their kids, it isn't a baby yet, it's your body and your choice, minimal pain, minimal hurt, it all goes away...  But we know that there is no truth in any of it, so it is up to us to help these young children by spreading the truth! 

The following is one of several true stories of young girls from the PASS Support Site:

"I was 14 years old when I had my abortion.  I told a close friend first, before anything was sure, just a feeling.  We planned how I could keep the baby, live at her house.  I named her Dream.  My Dream.

"I didn't know how to talk to my parents about anything let alone this, so I blurted out one day, 'I think I'm pregnant.'  They set up a doctor appointment next day.  I remember waiting in the room, the doctor coming back and telling me.  I cried.  She told me to tell my folks; she brought them in from the waiting room.  When we got outside, it was the opposite of what I thought it would be, Dad tried to be understanding, Mum lost it completely. They told me that I was 14 and immature, and I would ruin the child's life, that I couldn't live at home and keep the baby.

"There was pressure coming from everywhere, support form nowhere.   I loved my child and was determined to keep her... but somehow, I agreed to do it.  I don't even remember making that decision, but I screamed it at Mum, 'O.K, O.K, I'll do what you want', and suddenly, they were all really nice to me, helping me.

"For the week before and the day of, I didn't let myself feel anything.  When it was over the nurse gave me a shot, said it was because the baby had a +blood type and I was -... it made it so real.

"I never forgave myself for not giving my child a chance.  I know at 14 I wouldn't have made a fit mother, but I could have adopted, chosen something that wouldn't leave me with the guilt and shame that I have carried for the last 8 yrs.  I miss my child, and I miss the child I was before I had to make such an adult choice.  I love you, Dream.  Please forgive that 14 year old girl who decided your fate.  She was weak and at your expense.  I'm so sorry, Little Girl. "

"He has made everything beautiful..."  Ecclesiastes 3:10

I’d like to know who invented Moon Sand, and if they ever tried it out on their kitchen table with a 1 and 4 year old…

if they noticed that it seems to reproduce as if it is a living being,

if they realized that it doesn’t vacuum up without becoming a part of the carpet,

if they found out that it sticks to skin and barely comes off after a vigorous bath,

if they had to immediately change their children’s clothing,

if they had difficulty with even wiping it off of the table,

if they put it on their “only outside in swimsuits with the sprinkler" list,

if they swore to never, ever buy it,

if they questioned why in the world they ever made it.

Just curious.

We have officially closed down our vegetable stand... a couple weeks early due to the cooler temperatures we've been experiencing.  (Today's high is forecasted to be 73, and tonight 47!)  Although we are loving the weather, our longer growing plants are not appreciating it at all.  We've only hit 90 degrees once this summer, and that has serious stunted the growth of our melons, pumpkins, and corn.  (Though yesterday, we actually sat down to our own corn-on-the-cob!)

Cassie's ritual of pounding in the "Open Today" sign.

Both the kids and I learned so much this summer with our own little business.  We had a lot of fun too!  It was great bonding to work together the way we did, and without our "Little 'Nado" to distract us.  (He spent Saturday mornings in the back with Daddy.)

It was a beautiful last day, sunny and warm. 

Zachy pretending to be a customer picking out produce.

We still do have a lot of vegetables coming out of our garden.  We plan on freezing and canning in the next few weeks and will still sell by request.  But, now, I turn my focus onto even more pressing matters... school starting in about a week! 

Relaxing at the stand.

There are more pictures in the gallery.

I came across another homeschooling mom who participates in various memes.  One of them from Internet Devotions looked especially interesting and challenging.  They pose a question each week for you to think about and answer on your website.  Below is the question, my answer, and a link to find out other people's answers too.  :)

What is one thing you were convicted about when you were younger, but now being older and wiser you have changed your mind on that belief? Why? Or on the other side, what is one thing you may have not held a conviction on that you now do? Why?

When I was young, it was the most important thing for me to be right about everything.  (My family figured I'd become an attorney when I grew up as I had an argument for everything.)  However, through time, God really softened my heart and changed my mind.   I've discovered that it is better to be a peacemaker than to be "right".  Therefore, walking away, not defending myself, or even taking the blame becomes necessary.  It can be a hard thing to do, and often I do want to defend myself, to know that I am ok.  However, I don't want to measure what I think and do by man's standards anymore but by God's.  And life is so short.  It is too easy to forget that we aren't here for ourselves.

Tomorrow is the last day of the Olympics!  I don't know what I'll miss more... trying to figure out how the participants to the things they do (and when did I get so old?!), staying up late with the kids, listening to them dream about what they will compete in when they grow up, or listening to Elijah exclaim "Incups!" (Olympics) every time he sees it on the television.  :)

Speaking of amazing people, my very own Zacheriah asked me the other day if he could vacuum the house!!!  He could hardly push the vacuum cleaner, but he worked very hard to help Mama clean.

Baby feet at 8 weeks old.

My little boy has a thing for shoes.  He is always walking around the house with Nick's, Zach's, or even Cassie's shoes on.

He really doesn't need toys.  Shoes entertain him for hours.  Whenever we have company over, he loves to try on the new shoes he sees at the door.

And does he ever know his shoes!  When Grandma, Aunt Beth, and the kids were over last, one of Beth's children was carrying around a pair of shoes.  Elijah barely looked at it and declared, "Gamma's shoes!"

Yesterday, when my friend Heidi came over, Elijah immediately spotted out her shoes and was wearing them around the whole evening.  When it was time for her to go home, the shoes were nowhere to be found.  We looked and looked, and finally recruited to whole family to help us search.  Just when we thought we'd looked everywhere, Heidi found them in our kitchen sick, compliments of Elijah, of course!

Last night, Elijah asked to use the potty for the very first time!  Of course, we ran down stairs and brought up the chair.

Lookin' good!

He was very proud to have his very own potty chair.  We moved it into the bathroom, and two times last night he tried really, really hard to go.  Nothing happened, but now I have "potty candy" on my shopping list for today.  :)

Elijah has continued to amaze us with his eating skills and taste buds.  He got into my tomato plants and happily feasted.

Raw green tomatoes.

He also seized the opportunity to chomp on an onion when I turned my back for a second.

Big bites!

"Wow!  I wasn't expecting that!"

(He did go back for more bites.)

So, yesterday, we discovered where Elijah gets it... from his auntie!  She came over for a visit yesterday and ended up being a bit destructive.

Thankfully, she didn't get hurt.  ;)

Her food ended up on the floor too, and that was after Mom told her "No throwing food!"

She did a good job cleaning up though all by herself.

(Except I had to vacuum up what she missed.)

We love you, auntie!!  :)

"Look at me!  I'm Michael Phelps!  Watch me swim to the end of the pool for the win!!"

These words are probably being spoken in thousands of backyards all across the United States... including our own by Nick!

You know, Nick does have a thing for water.  He summersaults like a maniac.  He swims underwater holding his breath for so long that it makes me light-headed just watching him!  Yesterday, he was very excited to show me how he floats now, and he says that the backstroke is his favorite.

We've also discovered that we've found a kind of chore that Nick enjoys and is good at.  Washing the trucks and watering our plants.  In fact, any chore that is water-related, he is great at.  You know, it was on the news that Michael Phelps has ADHD and that swimming was a great outlet that his mom found for him.  Maybe there is something to it.

Anyway, Nick has decided that when he grows up he wants to be "a diving astronomer".  An Olympic diver who also studies astronomy.  :)

The boys found a little bird this weekend, just sitting on our driveway.  We were able to approach her without her flying away, so we assumed that she may have been injured or sick.

She was absolutely beautiful, and the boys loved her!  Zach wanted to keep her, and Lij wanted to hold the "birdy".  When it was time for us to go inside, Curt placed her out of the way, nestled in the grass up against a tree .

The next morning, we discovered that the little bird didn't make it through the night.  The kids were sad but knew that there was nothing we could have done for her.

"Not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing about it... so don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."  Matthew 10:29,31

After church this morning, Nick came up to me and whispered in my ear, "Mom, when we get home, can I talk to you in private?"

Oh no, this usually means trouble.  He was sassy at church... he overheard something bad... he laughed at something he shouldn't have... he watched a bad movie when he was gone yesterday...  ???

As soon as we got home, I asked him what was going on.  He said, "Something bad and something good."  "Go on..." I urged.

"Well," he continued, "when I was at church, I was being really sassy.  But then, I went away from the other kids, and I prayed and asked God to help me be better.  And I was!"

Wow!  It's precious moments like this that help me slow down and refocus.  The house doesn't have to be clean.  He doesn't have to take swim lessons.  They don't have to have brand new clothes.  She doesn't have to learn how to knit.  The garden doesn't have to be weeded.  He doesn't have to be president.  She doesn't have to a doctor.  Yes, those are good things, but they are not necessities. 

I need to stay focused and remember that the only thing that I need to do is teach them to be like Jesus.

"I am sad that summer is ending.  I kinda wish it was longer, because of school, of course."  Cassie

"I’m not very happy that summer is almost done, because  I like swimming and eating ice cream. "  Nick

"It’s cool that summer’s almost done, so there’s no more lady bugs...  And there really was never lady bugs this time."  Zach

"My favorite part of this summer has been going to friends houses and having friends come over.   I can’t wait to babysit Gracie’s mice, and that’s still in the summer!"  Cassie

"Summer is great!  You can swim and you can have ice cream.  I’m not really happy that summer is going to be done, but I can’t do anything about it."  Nick

"Summer’s pretty good.  I like to swim.  I like planting!  I like to plant anything.  I’m good at diving too."  Zach

" I do like spring and fall the best.  I kinda can’t wait to start school though, 'cause I can’t wait to try out my new curriculum.  And I do like that I get soup more often in the winter, especially cream cheese chicken soup!  I’m gonna miss those popsicles though!"  Cassie

"It’s ok that school is about to start.  Math now is really pretty fun.  I like the heat when you’re cold.  And when you’re hot, I like the cold."  Nick

"I want to have winter, 'cause it’s cool.  I like school for ME.  Cool."  Zach

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I don't know what our chickens have been up to, but one of them laid an egg that looked like a ping pong ball!

The one on the right really is an egg! 

Dancing on the table while singing "Jumpa-jumpa", "dancin'", and "No, no, no!"

As Lisa well puts it, Elijah is "all fun and games".  Whether he is being silly or sassy, he thinks he is so funny, grinning and laughing at himself.  If he gets scolded or punished for misbehaving, he still thinks he's hilarious.

The other day, Curt was getting rather frustrated for taking Elijah out of the gate around my potting table, again and again and again...  Of course, Elijah just laughed at his Daddy.  Finally, Curt started telling Lij that he was "not funny".  After about three times, Elijah started to glare right back at Curt and tell him that he was "not funny"!  (I tried so hard not to laugh, because, really, it was funny!)  :)

The next morning, I was smiling and talking to Lij when he gave me a scowl and exclaimed... "Not funny, Mama!"  And from then on it has been one of his latest favorite sayings.

"Not funny!"

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We've been extra busy this week preparing for our vegetable stand.  This Saturday is our town rummage sale, and although our town is small and spread out it definitely means more people out and about in the area.  We are wondering if people will want to stop because they have money to spend or won't want to stop because they may have other expectations for spending their money.  Either way, we are preparing for more business than usual.

Our onions, some of them are huge!  Must be this fall-like weather.  :)

Cassie.  She's not thirteen.  She's thirteen and a half, and the day she turned thirteen and a half she was ready to celebrate her "birthday".  I think she feels that half way through 13 doesn't make her a new teen anymore.

Some teens slowly grow into "teenhood".  Others become a teen the second they turn 13.  That was Cassie.  As soon as she turned thirteen, the very day, she began saying "like", "awesome", and "whatever" all the time!  Her phone usage rose and so did her impatience with her family.  She became obsessed with texting and the newest movies.  Talk about a particular boy dramatically increased and so did late night silliness.  Yep, all on January 23rd.

It does have me speculating why teens are the way they are.  Are these traits we associate with teens really in everyone, or have they learned from us all their lives that this is the way a teen is so that is how they are to act.  Or maybe it is a combination of the two...

As Cassie continues to "polish her teenage skills", she also is maturing in ways that sneak up on me.  When I came down with the flu, she said to me, "Mom, I know that the laundry needs to be folded and the dishes done, but what else can I do too?"  When I looked shocked, she repsonded, "Mom, when I was sick, you took such good care of me, and I want to do the same thing for you."  (Wow!)

But she is not all grown up just yet.  When she decides that the boys are ok, she still has a blast as she plays legos or gets dirty in the sandbox or jumps on the trampoline or plays house with them.

Yes, she is a great girl, a wonderful teen, and I am so blessed to have her!

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Ps 127:3

It is so fun seeing the kids thrilled about the Olympics.  Day and night they want to watch it, talk about it, and dream!

Mealtime while watching the Games.

Although I still enjoy watching too, the memories are even better.  Beth and I were just as excited as kids to watch and dream.  I was going to be a ping pong gold medalist, and Beth was going for gymnastics.  And even though those are goals we just didn't make, the memories made were awesome.

Now seeing my own children talking about how Nick wants to dive, Cassie play volleyball, and Zach do gymnastics, I feel like the torch of dreams and goals has been passed on once again!

Zachy practising his gymnastics.  :)

Well, Elijah strikes again!  Today, he stuck his head through our brand new screen door.  Thankfully, the screen only popped out.  No rips!

Cassie and Nick are starting to count down until school begins.  (I think it has more to do with swim lessons than anything else.)  We will be starting on September 2nd.  Zachy has a full preschool curriculum this year, and he can't wait!  I am trying some awesome new curriculum for the older kids this year too, so I think that I am as excited as Zachy!

First, I'd like to preface this post with the fact that this did not happen on my shift!!!

Ok, then-- yesterday I walked inside to find Elijah in Curt's arms looking stunned, and Curt staring at the window looking mad.

It took me less than a second to zoom in to what he was focused on.

Reluctantly, Curt explained that Elijah was looking out the window watching "Bumpa".  When Grandpa went around the corner, Elijah went with him...  He strained to see him, lost his balance, and fell head-first into the window!  Lij wasn't hurt, just stunned.

And now, this is my front window view...

Lovely, isn't it?

Lisa, maybe you can take all that money you collected for the "Let's Buy Pam A Back Door" fund, and buy us a front window instead!

Or maybe we should invest it into some special traing for Elijah.  It was just last month that everyone was begging us to buy that back door that Elijah broke.  (See July 12th.)

Our laptop has taken heavy damage from this boy.

Difficult but still usable.

We've gone through three living room lamps, fixed the clock twice, and handed out many bandaides.

But, of course, I'm just glad he wasn't hurt when he broke the front window with his head!!!  :)

It was a bright and sunny morning when I found a zucchini, out of the the bowl, sitting on the edge of the counter top...

Little nibbles.  Who did it?  I tried to match up the teeth, rulling out only Cassie.

As the day progressed, the zucchini stayed in its place but continued to disappear.

And then, I finally discovered some incriminating evidence!!!

The guilty party.

Later that night, cousin Jo came over, and the zucchini completely disappeared!

Where it went is still a mystery.

One of my favorite things about having an almost two-year-old is his ever increasing vocabulary, but more specifically the way he says all those words he is learning.  They are sweeter than honey!  :)

Lora and I both worked in child care long enough to know very well that you are to encourage the child to develop and grow, but we both are helpless to resist mimicing some of those cute sayings that come from our babies!

Some of my favorites from Ejilah are...

"Mack!" when he means to say smack as he swings his little fist in anger.

"Seeping" which means sleeping, and he closes his eyes and tries for all of two seconds to go to sleep on his own.

"Moaning!" he announces loud and clear as he greats us all good morning bright and early.

"I want to go on the 'ting', sister" as he runs for the swing.

"Pinkler!"  He acts brave about wanting to run through the sprinkler with his big sibblings, but there's not a chance he'll get even close enough for a drop to spray at him.

"Unca Annie, Unca Annie..." he sings for his Uncle Andy.

"Zucchini" he says perfectly and sounds so sweet as he does.  :)

"Bumpa 'n' Gamma" are, of course, Grandpa and Grandma!

"Nuggle" I don't hear often, but when I do it is accompanied with an irresistable and quick snuggle.

"My yap!" he yells as he pushes Zachy off of MY lap.  :)

"Moonie" is the classic, runs in the family, my favorite... movie!

How sweet are your words to my taste,

Sweeter than honey..."

Psalm 119:103

Yesterday, Zach wanted to play "policeman" with me.  He was the "boy policeman" named Huckle trying to impress me, the "girl".  After about five minutes of playing, I realized maybe we need to go over the actual duties of a police officer.  Zach's motto during playtime was, in his extra deep voice, "First I beat up the bad guy, then I throw 'em in jail, then I shoot 'em!"  (Yikes!  That's why four-year-olds don't get badges!)

On Friday, Beth and Jared had a wedding to attend, so their children came over here to spend some time with us.

Zelie is so sweet, but try to get her to smile.  Silly girl closes her eyes for the flash as soon as you pull out a camera!

A couple of weeks ago, Jo got his little finger pinched in the door, a trip to the ER and stitches included.  Beth has done such a great job of keeping him all wrapped up though that I didn't need to worry about it getting dirty or hurt---  "Mom!!!  Jojo's bandage came off!"

Thankfully, Curt's other job is doctor.  After he fixed up Jo, everyone else wanted to be bandaged too.

The kids had a blast and were disappointed when the night was through.

Hugs goodbye.

Saturday night, Peter spent the night.  Lisa, Bob, and the big kids went to the Packer's Family Night.  Pete did great and is welcome back anytime!

We discovered that Petey is a cookie monster.  But, Peter, please don't tell Mommy just how many cookies you had!  ;)

They look like trouble.  They are trouble!!!

Usually it is Elijah that beats up Peter who innocently takes it all.  This time Peter showed us that he can defend himself and even instigate.  He is TWO!  :)  (Honestly though, he is an easy two.)

Monday morning bright and early, Lora and Zeek came over.  (Elijah has finally figured out "Auntie Lora's" name, no more "uncle".)  Zachy was very excited to find that Zeek too has a passion for... the trampoline!

(Yes, Lora took these pictures!)

This is the first year that Zach has really been interested in the trampoline.  He can't get enough of it.  He wears out Nick and Cassie.  He is on as often as he can with Gracie and Sophie.  He was so excited to have someone who loves it as much as he does, Zeek.

They were awesome!  :)

Zach's looking forward to next week, so get better quick, Auntie Lora!!

After Zach begged me to bring up the Play-doh, Elijah made it very clear that it was time for him to try it out for the very first time.

Of course, he tried to eat it.

But he got some direction from his brothers.

(Zachy making "ramen noodles".)

"Mama, more pay-doh, peees!"

We picked quite the day to go to the beach!  Sunny, warm, a light breeze... perfect, right?

Zachy didn't remember going to the beach.  He was too little last time.  He spent the whole way there asking me how he'd get into the water if there was no ladder and what kind of sea creatures we'd find. 

We started with a picnic near the water.

The kids dreamed of building a bridge across the water.

There is something about the beach that can turn a 13 year old back into a little kid.  :)  Cassie played and swam and laughed and ran with the rest of the kids.

At the beach!

Zachy enjoyed studying the small minnows but could never seem to catch them.

All of our kids played great together!

Nick has become a great swimmer in the water.  He's prompted us to start the two oldest in swim lessons this fall.  And at the beach he was the last one in the water... I thought I was going to have to drag him out!

What would a trip to the beach be without a sand castle?

"Mom, I saw lightening, for serious!  Let's go home!!!"

After it started to rain, we decided to head out.  Just in time too.  On our way to our traditional ice cream shop, it began to pour.  Then the tornado watch came out.  Tornado in the direction we were heading!!!

Thankfully, by the time we were done with our ice cream, the threat of the tornado was gone too.  Heavy rain intermixed with sunny skies on the way home and a vanful of sleepy kids.  Regardless of getting rained out, we did have a great day and didn't get home until evening.  And Zachy is back to asking why can't we go to the beach every day?

I was making cookies for our stand when Elijah came up to the table.  "Cookie?  Cookie?  Cookie?" he asked as he reached for one.  "No, no!  They're hot!" I said.  "Don't touch." 

He walked into the kitchen, reached into the drawer, and pulled out a potholder.  With the potholder on his hand, he went back to the table and grabbed his cookie!

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When Nick was little, I liked to take him to Andy's concerts and plays at the high school.  I hoped to help make him a little more "cultured".  I wanted him to enjoy the musical and theatrical scene.  (Hmmm, did it work?  He does love tv.)  Anyway, now that I have four kids, I don't have the frequent opportunity to culture them.  I'm more busy socializing them!  ;)

However, Zach had the opportunity last night to attend a concert with his Daddy.  The concert was put on by a family of six who all sing and play about 100 different instruments.  Curt said that Zach did great!  He sat there with his hands folded on his lap and clapped them nicely at the appropriate times.  Zach said he had a great time and that the music was very good. 

Maybe it's more about knowing expectations and proper behavior than culturizing... maybe it is personality and age.  The last musical of Andy's that I took Nick to, he was two and full of action.   Little Nicky did not clap at the right times.  He clapped whenever he felt like it.  And he did not sit nicely with his hands folded on his lap.  He ran from my seat to Beth who was a few seats down, laughing and looking for mischief as he went.  I wonder if Beth remembers the loud gas he was passing and giggling at.  (He wasn't embarrassed.  He was only two.  I sure was though!)

Then there was his stuffed Larry toy that went flying through the air, hitting a man in the head on its way down.  The man was very friendly about it... the first time it happened.  We also tried gum.  I'm still afraid of whatever happened to the gum.  It went flying as well, but I don't know where it landed.  All I know is that it landed very, very close to the man who'd also been plagued with the flying Larry.

Well, Little Nicky can sure sit quietly for a long time now!  (I'm serious!)  He'll sit for hours watching television or listening to a good book on tape.  Maybe the issue is more of interests.  Zachy sure does love music, and he definitely won't sit still long for a movie or a book on tape!