Lesson #2

Zoe had her second horse back riding lesson today with Miss Bridget and is officially 100% hooked. She will now be attending weekly classes and couldn’t be more excited. The farm where she takes the lessons is so peaceful and quiet. Miss Bridget (who is a college student) is so patient and wonderful with Zoe. We all love her to pieces. At one point, I looked up to find Z hanging off the side of the horse giving Miss Bridget a high five!

Going forward Z will start learning all about tack and how to saddle up her horse. Last week, it was all about the basics (see study guide below). After Z’s lesson she gave her horse, Dutches and apple and ate one herself!

I cannot wait to watch my little equestrian rider every week! Like mother, like daughter!

Friday Night Lights....

Tonight Zoe was invited to Cole’s football game. This was HUGE for her, not only is Cole her 'walk to the bus' buddy every morning but, they also sit next to each other on the bus everyday. Cole and Zoe are in the same class as well. They have become pretty tight since school has started. Zoe goes over to Cole's after school, he comes over to our house, they ride bikes together, and they just have the best time together. Needless to say, when she got the invite to go watch Cole play football, she was beside herself with excitement!

I, who doesn’t know ONE thing about football, had a blast watching the little 6 year olds run around. They were adorable. The only thing that wasn’t adorable was the 50 degree weather – Brrrrrr! I froze to death but that didn't stop me from cheering for our little football player!

By the end of the game, the kids were pooped.
I’d have to say Zoe is one of Cole’s biggest fans!

Pumpkin Sunday

Today was our pumpkin carving 'ceremony', and we started out the morning with a slice of pumpkin bread for breakfast, Zoe had hers on a pumpkin plate. Next, it was time to prepare for the ceremonious carving of the pumpkin. I cut the top of the chosen pumpkin, and then Zoe dug out all the seeds (her favorite part). Zoe all the while waiting patiently in her pumpkin attire (Side note: Lori is well aware this is probably the last year she will be able to pull off Zoe wearing a 'theme' shirt, but she thought the shirt was pretty cool so maybe, just maybe, she will have one more year.) As I was carving, Lori was at the sink cleaning off all the pumpkin seeds to prep them for salt, butter, and roasting later. For dessert after dinner, Mommy had made her little pumpkin, a pumpkin cake. To cap off the perfect pumpkin day, a pumpkin bedtime story….

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Lunch Room

A couple weeks ago, I signed up for lunch room duty at Zoe’s school. Today was my first day. Myself and three other mothers took over the 1st grade lunch room. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was told to sign in at the front office and head to the cafeteria. I signed in, got my ‘visitor’ badge and headed to the lunch room. When I got to the cafeteria, there was a woman in there who was the BOSS of the lunchroom. She directed me where my station would be and from there, the fun/chaos began.

My assignment -"Lunch Line", I helped the 1st graders get through the lunch line making sure they didn’t forget plastic wear, napkins, and helping them get out their lunch money. Once my job was done there, I went back into the lunch room to help poke straws into sip-ups, open pudding snacks, cut up food, peel open string cheeses, walk around with the trash can, and just basically go where I was needed.

Zoe was so excited to have me there. She introduced me to all her little friends. It was so sweet seeing her in the middle of the day. I might complain about working nights but then, when I’m standing in the cafeteria watching my daughter have lunch with her friends, It’s all worth it.

I signed up for bi-weekly lunch duty. I also will be working monthly in Zoe’s classroom helping with whatever needs to be done. I’m so thrilled to be able to be a part of Zoe's school day. It is totally worth the sacrifice of working nights. I can’t wait to chaperone school dances, I'll finally get a chance to show the kids all my sweet moves – HA!!!!

Horse Lesson

Today was a huge flashback moment for me. Zoe had her 1st horse back riding lesson, what a joy to watch.

A little history on me….. When I was 10, my parents bought me a horse. I was completely and utterly in love with anything to do with horses. It was my life, my world, and my favorite thing to do in the whole wide world. I lived for weekends to ride my horse! Watching Zoe today reminded me of all the fun I had growing up with my horse. Miami isn’t the typical place to own a horse but about 10 miles from my parents house, behind a silver gate with a small padlock, were acres and acres of open land where I spent every free second I had. Sure, I had to muck stalls, clean my tack, and all the other things that came along with owning a horse but, it was worth it all. Of course, my dad did a whole lot to help me too. Okay, he probably did most of it but, I still had my share of ‘chores’ I had to do.

Watching Zoe climb on that horse today gave me goose bumps. She was a natural, got right up on that horse (yes, a horse, not a pony) without any fear and took total control. We could hear the instructor telling her all the essential items, and Zoe did really well directing the horse, her posture, and even her '2-point'. All the way home, I was testing her making sure that by her next lesson, she will know the answers. “What do you put your feet in? Stirrups!” “What do you hold in your hands to control where the horse goes? Reins!” What is it you sit on? Saddle!” "What do you call the hair on the horses neck? Mane!”

She had a blast and can't wait to go back, and I can’t wait to go back either. It sure makes me want to re-live my horse days all over. The farm where she is taking the lessons is beautiful. They have roosters and chickens running around, pigs, ducks, cats, goats, and of course horse everywhere. I am so proud of Zoe. She was fantastic.

Per Zoe's request.... Halloween Fun

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

"Style"

Zoe has never been the little girl who wanted to wear a tutu to school, or Barbie high heals to the grocery store, or play dress up with princess dresses. She has always had her own sense of style, don’t get me wrong Zoe has worn dresses, just against her will! She just isn’t into it. As she’s gotten older, I’ve come to terms with this is who she is. For the past year or so she’s been crazy about Converse sneakers. Shell has always worn them – me, never! Zoe has several pairs; high tops, low tops, and all different colors and designs. She absolutely loves her Mimi’s 'style'. If it’s not the glasses, it’s the shorts, if it’s not the shorts, it’s the shoes. It’s all about “Mimi’s fashion”.

Zoe looks up to Shelli and me in so many ways. It’s amazing to see the different bond she has with Shelli to the one she has with me. Both relationships are equally fantastic- just different! The year in a half that I went back to work full-time was the best thing that could have happened for Shelli and Zoe. It was great for them to depend on each other and in the process the bond is stronger than ever. It's great that Shelli works from home, but there is always the hectic travel schedule and all that comes with it. Shelli is always getting on a plane somewhere, be it on time, delayed, or cancelled. For me, it’s a way of life, but for Zoe it takes its toll on her sometimes.

In life we go through so many changes but, at the end of the day, dress or no dress, home or away, Zoe is what makes our world complete.

Go Birds!