Belts

Zoe's latest obsession is wanting to wear a belt, and finding the perfect one to go with her outfit. We can't go to a store now without Zoe wanting to find the belts, see them, touch each one, try a few on, and having to pick the perfect one to BUY! She thinks they are the perfect accessory.

A-Day

Last year Zoe went to A day with Shelli, Luis, and Christian but I, for whatever reason didn't go. So, this year I was anxious to go and check it out. I tagged along with Dana and her mom to see what I had been missing out on in the past couple years. It was an action packed afternoon to say the least -- filled with kettle corn, bounce houses, music, and livestock. The kids were in awe over all the action.... Check it out at: http://www.delval.edu/cms/index.php/delval/departments_sn/aday/C1824

After A-Day, Shelli, Zoe, and I went to Panera to grab a bite to eat before heading to Trader Joe's where Zoe picked out all her lunch items for the week. Her school offers a few vegetarian meals but we've decided to start sending in veggie burgers, soy nuggets, soy corn dogs, and anything else Zoe picks out. She loves being able to pick out the things she wants and I have no issue with it because I want her to take things to school that she likes and enjoys eating.

By the time we got home, Zoe was SPENT! She had a long day and hasn't been feeling real well the past couple days so, she was ready to get into her pj's and hit they hay -- so was I!

Lunch Date

I had a super special surprise visitor at work today. Zoe came to have lunch with me and I couldn’t have been more thrilled. As soon as she walked in the office my face lit up. This was the first time she has come to the office, but by the way she stormed in you would have thought she was a 'regular'. I was working with one of our nurses when Zoe walked in, but it didn’t stop her from screaming “MOMMY - MOMMY!!!”. Zoe stood next to me and waited patiently while I finished my conversation and then of course she wanted to sit at my desk and go through all my ‘goodies’. She played on the computer, looked at everything on my desk, checked out my drawers, etc. All the stuff I did when I would visit my dad at work. . She happened to walk in just as I was about to fax something so I let her send the fax, am I a cool Mom or what?? Zoe thought it was the coolest thing EVER! She pulled over an office chair to stand on so she could see the paper go through; and the rest was history. She was ready to help help help! Miss Carly told her when she got a little older and could read, she could help her file and Zoe thought that was awesome.

For lunch, we went to one of my favorite place in the whole wide world – Wegmans! Zoe had the most delicious avocado spring rolls. At first Zoe was wanting sushi, then she saw the fresh avocado sliced on top of the spring rolls. Plus, who can leave Wegmans without something from the bakery? Chocolate croissant anyone?

Since coming back to work, Zoe has been asking me what I do at work ALL DAY? Where I work? Who works with me? Do they have kids? Do I eat snacks? Take naps? It’s been a little over a month that I’ve been back and I’m extremely happy with my job and the people I work with are absolutely wonderful. I’ve found my ‘nitch’ and it feels good to be back. I still struggle with the commute but, overall I am pretty lucky! I can’t think of a better way to start off the weekend then lunch with my daughter. I look forward to many more lunches with her.

Dinner - Tonight

Zoe and Mimi enjoy one of their favorites ... Veggie Subs!

Monday Night

Tonight was a Zoe and Mommy night. I ALWAYS look forward to these nights. I think about them all-day-long. Tonight, Zoe and I had pizza in front of the TV while getting caught up on one of our favorite shows, 'Dancing with the Stars'. We know Mimi wouldn’t approve of eating in front of the TV so that is why we do it when she isn’t here. It’s okay to break the rules every now and then, right?

As I fast forward through the commercials (thanks to Tivo!) Zoe always gets up and tries to reenact the whole dance. I get the biggest hoot out of her. It takes us hours to watch one show because we have to stop, dance, re-watch, dance again, rewind, fast forward, etc.

I absolutely live for these moments with Zoe. I don’t care how long or crazy my days are, as soon as I am with my baby girl, everything in my world feels so right!

BINGO

Last night I went downtown for a night of Bingo to raise money for people living with AIDS/HIV. It was a great cause and tons of fun. Not only was a lot of money raised but, we had a BLAST! None of us won any of the bingo games but, in the end it was all for th cause, and we hope to have helped out!

For a little more info, here is the website advertisement; "GayBINGO! is the fabulous, irreverent, campy, wildly popular monthly event that has been entertaining Philadelphia audiences for more than a decade! GayBINGO! raises money for people in the Delaware Valley living with HIV/AIDS. Now entering its 14th season, GayBINGO! has raised over 2 million dollars to date. Celebrating a different theme each month, hundreds of people pack the hall in Center City’s Gershman Y for a night of good old-fashioned Bingo… with a decidedly different twist! GayBINGO! is hosted by the infamous Bingo Verifying Divas (BVDs!) – a wild bunch of drag queens on roller skates who entertain the crowd with their wacky humor and always outrageous costumes."

Happy Adoption Day, Angel

Dearest Zoe, Today is your special day. I can’t believe we are celebrating another year of what was by far the best day of my life, the day we stood in front of the judge and told him how blessed we are to become YOUR parents. A day I will never forget and a day I think about often. I know you’re still a little too young to fully understand the depth of this day but, I know one day you will understand just how special this day is. It’s a day we will celebrate for the rest of our lives. Being your mom means more than I could ever verbalize. From the second I laid eyes on you, I was instantly in love with you. I am so proud to be your mommy. You’re an amazing daughter, so full of life and laughter. Not only have you touched our lives, but the lives of so many. This day several years ago, when we went to court, I was a mess. My stomach was in knots, but I was so excited. In the courtroom with Mimi and I was, Mamaw, Pop Pop, and Aunt Lala, also, our lawyer, the judge, and a few clerks. It was as if time had stopped. The judge was speaking but, I don’t remember a word he said other than, “Congratulations, you’re daughter is beautiful.” I just looked around and everything felt like a dream – a dream that came true! I know I didn’t give birth to you however, I feel as though I did. We are so much a like and have such a strong bond. You’re my world and I wouldn’t have it any other way. There are so many things I cannot wait to share with you. I always get a chuckle out of Mamaw and Nana telling me how much you and I are alike. You and I are not only independent girls but we’ve got the sass to go with it! I can’t blame the sassiness on Mimi. That is all you, and me kid! Everyday I look at you; I thank God for bringing you to me. The day I became your mom, I promised to love and care for you. Wow, that was the easy part. But the hard part is watching you grow up so fast. You’re getting so big and so independent. Every day you’re in my life is special, but today is the anniversary of the MOST special day in my life. I love with you with all my heart and soul and you will always be my baby girl! Love, Mommy

Zoe, Mimi here..I can say that Mommy is 100% right about you being the best thing that has ever happened. I am far from perfect, but I can say the most perfect thing I’ve ever done in my life was being lucky enough to have adopted you. I love you more than words could ever explain, and I hope I can always give you the best life has to offer. You are the reason I wake up in the morning. I can remember sitting by your bassinet when you were just weeks old, I would set up my computer and work right next to you so I could hear you breathing. Now, even though you’re a ‘big’ girl at 5, I still go into your room every night before I go to bed just to hear you breathing, wondering what you’re dreaming about. Mommy and I will always be there to help make your dreams come true, and help pick up and make you feel better when they don’t. Happy Adoption day Zoe, I love you so much - Mimi

Breakfast

Green Eggs and Ham

Easter Morning

The ‘Mimi Bunny’ was in full effect last night. Zoe was extremely happy this morning when she woke up to find a little basket of goodies from the Easter bunny. She went through her basket one item at a time and just couldn’t figure out how the Easter bunny knew she would like all the things he’d put in her basket. The big ticket item this year was a saxophone. Zoe loves everything that has to do with music.
For breakfast, Shelli made homemade banana walnut waffles and then we decorated bunny cookies which came out adorable.
By the time we finished playing, eating breakfast, and decorating cookies, we were all ready for a nap. We need our energy for our BIG dinner tonight!

Zoe Learns Zen

Over the past few weeks Zoe has expressed an interest in joining me during my morning meditation. At first, I was a little hesitant because I was sure she wouldn’t be able to sit still for more than two minutes; and then distract me the remainder of my coveted 15 minutes of meditation time. But surprisingly, she sat with me the entire time, and then began to ask questions afterwards. Why do I meditate, what am I thinking about, etc.

I tried to explain the concept to her in terms she could understand but I’m not sure just how much of it she understands. I told her to breath, and clear all the thoughts from her mind, and try to not think about too much of anything. Not sure that was so clear, I then told her to imagine a big glass full of nice clear water, then imagine what the water would look like if it had dirt in it and stirred it up with a spoon. Using that analogy, I went on to explain the dirt floating around in the water was like all her thoughts, and when you meditate it helps the ‘dirt’ settle down to the bottom of the glass and make the water clean and clear again.

To aid in my explanation, I found the cutest book to help explain and make it a little fun for her. The book is called ‘Peaceful Piggy Meditation’, it’s really cute and she enjoys ‘meditating like the pig’. Again, I’m not sure how much she really ‘gets’ but I can tell you she will sit with me, quiet and still the entire 15 minutes. I’m not sure, but I think she actually enjoys the experience.
PS, on another note, while watching ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’ she was excited to see that one of the child fox characters meditated like ‘Me and Mimi’. Here’s to hopefully forming a lifelong habit…..