Biscuit

Biscuit gets a SNUGGIE!

**They didn't have one in Daisy's size or we would of grabbed her one too**

Easter Prep

What a fun filled day Zoe had today in preparation for Easter. Zoe is in total Easter mode and cannot wait for the Easter Bunny to come next weekend. The day started out by making the famous Easter bunny cake. This cake has been tradition in my family since I was little. I grew up making/eating this cake for as long as I can remember. We sure missed Mamaw and talked about her the whole time we were getting the cake ready. I’m just doing my part in trying to keep the tradition ALIVE! Dana and Jaylyn also came over to join in on the festivities.

After the cake was done, we headed over to Cadences house to dye Easter eggs and have a pre-Easter egg hunt. The eggs came out very pretty and the girls did a fantastic job decorating them. Some how Zoe managed to stay clean, I’m still not sure how she pulled it off but, I’m very happy about it.

The countdown has started… COME ON EASTER BUNNY!!!

Saturday

This morning was all about French toast. It’s Zoe latest obsession. Shelli, Zoe, and I went to Perkins for breakfast. Mind you, French toast isn’t complete in Zoe's eyes unless it has powered sugar on it and NO syrup. Yep, that is the way it has to be --- Plain! She didn’t leave one thing on her plate. She savored every bite. I love watching her eat because she eats with such gusto.

Saturday night, Zoe met up with one of her girlfriends, Cadence to watch “Finding Nemo” at the play place we meet at all the time. When we got there, they had the movie projector all set up. As soon as the sun went down, the movie began. All the kids were in their pj’s and brought sleeping bags to lie on the floor. They also gave out popcorn and of course we brought snacks too. The girls climbed into their sleeping bags and watched the movie while enjoying their snacks. At one point they even switched sleeping bags. It was packed but lots of fun!!!

By the time we left, it was close to 9pm. Both of the girls were exhausted and ready for bed.

Rock Climbing

This afternoon, Shelli and I took Zoe (indoor) rock climbing. She had never done it before and we were excited to get in there and check the place out. Zoe didn’t skip a beat; as soon as we walked in she was looking around taking it all in. I could tell she was a little nervous but, READY!

The guys got her harnessed up and she spent about 20 minutes or so ‘free climbing’ to kind of get used to the whole thing. Once she got comfortable with that, they hooked her up and let her climb all the way to the top while the instructor held her safety rope at the bottom. Each person gets two climbs with the safety ropes, so on Zoe's first try she got almost to the top, but made the mistake of looking down. Once she looked down, she was in complete panic mode and starting crying. The instructor was telling her how to rappel down the wall but, she was in total cry mode and couldn’t hear a word he was saying. After she finally made it down the wall, she decided to give the rope climb a rest, and she went back to the ‘free climbing’. We asked her if she was going to do the big wall again but she wasn’t having any part of it. She kept practicing on the smaller walls and then all the sudden she said, “I’m ready for the big wall -AGAIN!”. I was so proud of her. She went back over and was determined to make it all the way to the top!!! She started to get a little scared and even slipped a little, but she remained calm, pulled herself together and went all-the-way!

I was so much fun watching her scale the walls. She kept telling Shelli she was like Spiderman!

St. Patty's Day

Tonight was one of the best nights I’ve had since starting back to work. Most nights, by the time I pick Zoe up from school and get home, it’s after 6pm. Dinner has not yet been anything of substance. By that I mean, I haven’t cooked anything “wow” in a long time. I just don’t have the energy. I’m sure it’ll come back to me but for now I’m in easy–quick fix-mode. Before we are done with dinner, Zoe is about falling asleep in her plate because she is so tired. I don’t get much quality time with her and it’s been hard for me to digest. I think about her all day long and count the seconds until I get to pick her up.

This morning when I dropped her off at school, I told her I would leave work ON TIME so we could enjoy a little time outside before bed. Zoe has been dying to get outside and ride her bike! As soon as I walked in to the school, Zoe was leaping out of her chair ready to get home and ride her bike. We stopped at Subway for a sub and came home and played outside until the sun went down. The weather was perfect and I enjoyed every second.

I think Zoe just might be ready for Mimi to teach her how to ride her bike without training wheels. Stay tuned!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Week ONE update

I made it through my first week of work! It’s all a blur to me but, I couldn’t be happier to be back. I’m not quite in the swing of things yet and my schedule is still kind of crazy however, each day gets a little easier. The commute is the only thing that isn’t too fun but, I’m making the best of it and that is that! On my first day of work, Zoe gave me a Princess and the Frog pen to put on my desk – I used it all week!

Every morning, (a preview of the future, I'm sure) I wake Zoe up and like a teenager; she says “five- more- minuets!!!” I have to go in her room a few times and stir her out of bed so we don’t run late. Once she’s up, dressed, and does her morning routine, you can bet she is in the bathroom with me watching me put on my make-up. It’s the sweetest thing in the whole world. She sits on the toilet and looks at me through the mirror telling me how beautiful I look in my ‘fancy clothes’. We'll chat about various things, she'll ask what I packed for lunch, what I’m going to do today, she'll tell me about the dreams she had that night, etc. That is my favorite time of the day, and a memory I will always treasure. It’s our girl time in the morning and it gets me through the day.

Zoe has done really well adjusting to being in school ‘full-time’ for three days a week. She loves her new school and is making lots of new friends. I’m very proud of her! It’s not easy dropping her off so early and then not seeing her for 8 hours. By the time its 5pm, I’m running out of the office to go get my baby!

Overall, I’m exhausted but I'm extremely happy to be back to work – on so many levels! It’s going to take some time to get readjusted but we are all hanging in there and everything will work itself out.

The Piano Lesson

When I asked Zoe if she would like to try a piano lesson, I thought she was going to explode with excitement before she could answer YES. We’re hoping this will not only be the start of a wonderful music career, but also help her with learning and remembering what’s she has learned. Kind of a ‘two-fer’ if you will. Zoe seems to have a block when learning unless it has to do with something she likes. Music is something she LOVES.

Zoe has always been interested in music and any musical instrument she could get her hands on. Every Christmas she asks Santa for some sort of instrument. She’s had keyboards, guitars, recorders, harmonicas, and yes…drums. She loves to sing and dance and pretty much anything that has to do with music in general. One of her personal favorites is marching bands, and she also has an affinity for string quartets.

Today Zoe had her first piano lesson. She was so excited last night, she could hardly sleep. The first thing she asked me when she woke up was; “Isn’t Ms Geneva coming today for piano??” I had to chuckle at her excitement. Zoe did really well, listened intently, followed directions, and Ms Geneva was so wonderfully patient. By the end of the lesson, she was able to play her first song, ‘The Balloon Man’. So I’m sure we’ll be hearing Balloon Man for the rest of the week until next week when she learns another.

First Day/Hike

By the time I got up this morning, Zoe was up, dressed for school, face washed, teeth brushed, and lotion on from head to toe. She was ready to get to school! I wasn’t sure how she was going to act this morning considering she was a little out of sorts Friday when she had her trial day. However, she was cheerful and positive, and I was so proud of her. Let’s hope everything runs as smoothly tomorrow for my first day of work – YIKES!!

Last night we got Zoe’s things ready to take to school with her. She asked for a blanket and wanted to take her baby for nap time. We thought we had it all under control, but as soon as we walked in the door at school she looked at me and said, “Mommmmmy, a pillow, I HAVE to have a pillow!”. I told her I would get her one today and make sure we brought it tomorrow. That answer seemed to suffice for the moment. So while I was running errands, I picked her up a cute High School Musical pillow. I’m sure it will be a huge hit!

After dropping Zoe, and running a few errands, it was mommy hike time. I’ve been longing to get outside and hike for what seems like an eternity. This winter has been so long and we've had so much snow it's been hard being all cooped up in the house. Besides, I need my hikes to stay sane –ha! I grabbed my hiking shoes, water bottle, and my ipod and hit the trails full speed ahead. 3 miles later, I was refreshed and energized. The air was so crisp and there was still snow on some of the trails. It was picturesque, what a perfect way to start my week!

Yummy!

Rice Crispy Treats

Trial Run

This morning Zoe went to her NEW school for a full-time trial run. Last week, we went to the new school to check it out and meet the teachers. Today was the actual first day and Zoe was a little uneasy. This school is much bigger than the one she was at before so, naturally she was a little anxious when Shelli and I got ready to walk out the door. Zoe grabbed on to my leg and told me not to leave, and then started crying hysterically. I told her that she was just a little scared because it’s a new school and she had to learn and meet new people. Kind of like how mommy is going to feel next week, on my first day at work. The teacher took her to one of the play stations and Shelli and I snuck out the door. My heart was heavy but, I knew she would be okay. I waited until noon to call the school to find out how she was doing and they said she was doing great! I don’t want to be one of those parents but, I just wanted to make sure my baby was okay.

By the time we got there to pick her up, she had a smile from ear to ear. She couldn’t wait to get in the car and tell us all about everything she did her 1st day of school. As soon as Shelli and I walked in, several of the teachers came up to us to tell us how delightful Zoe was.

We celebrated a successful school transition by having dinner and a milkshake...it was a LONG day for everyone.

My Baby

A stroll down "Blissful Lane"....

Zoe, Looking at these pictures brought back so many wonderful memories. Being your mommy is the greatest joy in the whole wide world. A day doesn't go by that I don't thank God for bringing you to us. Life was complete the day I held you in my arms. Mimi and I love you with every once of our being.