No School

Zoe didn't have school today so we hit the mall...

Build-A-Bear

Followed by lunch at one of Zoe's favorite places - Habachi

Somehow Zoe always makes out like a champ!

Last night....

One of my favorite things in the whole wide world to do is hang out with Zoe. I’ve had laryngitis the past week so, I’ve been slow moving. Shelli is out of town again so, of course what better time to get sick! Nevertheless, I always try to make the best of it so, in between work calls last night, Zoe and I had a ‘date night’. We made homemade Pumpkin Pie Cocoa and snuggled on the couch and watched Dancing with the Stars. I can’t think of anything I would have rather been doing. Zoe has been so sweet and has been taking great care of her sick mommy!

Pumpkin Pie Cocoa
2 ¼ cups milk
½ cup hot coca mix
3 tbsp. canned pumpkin
1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
In a saucepan, whisk milk, cocoa mix, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice mix; heat until steaming. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream.

Keurig

From the second I got my Keurig coffee machine, I’ve been head over heals in love. (Not like my love-hate with the juicer!) I tend to be a little behind when it comes to buying the ‘newest’ things. I have to hear what my friends think about theirs, test them out, try the different coffees, etc.

Now, I’ve had this coffee maker for a while and I am always looking for the newest flavors that come out. Well, while grocery shopping last week, I came across PUMPKIN SPICE. Yes, PUMPKIN SPICE! I couldn’t get home fast enough to try it. What can make it feel more like fall then crisp cool weather and pumpkin spice coffee?

Zoe loves the hot apple cider and the hot cocoa. It’s a win-win for everyone. Zoe and I have shared quite a few cups of hot cocoa filled to the top with marshmallows.

Glasses

By no means does Zoe need prescription eyeglasses however, she now owns a pair of play/fake glasses. While we were perusing the dollar store she happened to see them in the toy section and the rest is history. You will find Zoe wearing them in the house or when we go out to run errands. I’ve asked her several times why she finds the need to wear them and her answer is, “I want to be like Mimi!”

My Artist

Mommy Hike

It seems at times life just doesn’t slow down no matter how hard I try. I get lost in the chaos of it all so when I get ME time, I chose to be outdoors, hiking, inhaling the fall air, and enjoying the time with my thoughts. Anyone who knows me knows one of my very favorite things to do is HIKE! It’s my own personal detox and way to unplug from the world, my time to be at one with my thoughts and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. We’ve had lots of rain the past couple weeks and the trails are still very muddy however; I decided to embrace the mud and make the best of my peaceful hikes.

Today, I branched out and tried a new place that I had never been before. It’s always super exciting to set foot on new territory. I never know what I will stumble across.

Cole

There is a new ‘man’ in Zoe’s life. His name is Cole. He lives across the street from us and since the second day of school Zoe and Cole have been tight! Every morning I hear “ZOEEEEEEEEE!” Cole is running to catch up with Zoe so they can walk together. Cole has an older brother, Gavin, who is in 4th grade. What’s really cool is that both boys are adopted as well. Zoe sits with Cole on the bus daily and as if that isn’t cute enough, over the weekend he bought Zoe and Angry birds bracelet. They now have matching bracelets. Zoe’s is pink and Cole’s is blue. ADORABLE!

Sick

I started feeling yucky late last week, wanting so badly to believe it was ‘allergies’. But no, I was coming down with a nasty cold and I was miserable. I despise being sick, I'm not a good 'patient', and just cannot function when I’m sick. I spent two days just sleeping, hoping to get myself better and in the right frame of mind to work the LONG weekend.

Sure enough, Saturday, Zoe woke up saying her throat hurt and she wasn't feeling good. Now, both of us are down and out, not good! We laid around, watched TV, took lots of naps ....NOT FUN!

I started to get some energy over the weekend but, would get exhausted after moving around for a little while. Monday was the first day I felt semi back to normal and willing to venture out. We went out for a few errands, stopped by the local Borders (sadly which is going out of business) to check the latest 'percentage off' and then off to grab some lunch at Panera, all of which are in the same strip mall as the Toys R Us. Of course we had to stop in so Zoe could browse too. I’m not sure if it was the meds or what but, I caved in and got Zoe a Baby Alive “Get Well Baby”. I’m not going to justify it. I just did it, nothing wrong with a little 'retail therapy'...right??

Here’s looking forward to a new week and feeling better!

Lunch

Zoe takes her lunch to school and to be honest, I look forward to making her lunch everyday. Last year I thought she was too young to keep up with a lunch box plus they fed her at the daycare. This year, we decided to get her a bento box style lunchbox from http://gogreenlunchbox.com/
I hate using baggies, and those foil water-juice packs so we thought this was the best way to go. When I first saw it I thought it was a little big, but as it turns out it's just right. I'm really happy with it thus far, and I LOVE the dry erase note board, how cool??

This week she had….

Brown rice balls with sesame seeds and soy sauce
Veggie sticks (from Sensible Snacks, REALLY good)
Edemame
Fresh blueberries/blackberries

Soy ham wrap with Swiss cheese and pea shoots
Carrots with hummus
Fresh Strawberries

Hummus sandwich on whole wheat 'Goldfish' bread
Tomato and cheese sticks
Dried fruit
Pretzels

Bean Burrito
Tortilla Chips
Asian pear
Celery sticks with ranch dressing

The best part of the lunch box is leaving love notes for the person I love most in this whole wide world!