Sunday

There are many days I wake up and wonder how I’m going to make it through the day. Shelli’s hectic travel schedule can put me over the edge most weeks BUT, it’s just the way it is and I do the best I can.

This is the first weekend I’ve had to work that I’ve not had help with Zoe so, between no help and no sleep, it’s all I can do to hold my eyes open nonetheless entertain my 6 year old. This morning, I said to myself, “You can do this!” I washed my face and put my best foot forward.

Sure, I needed sleep but, right now it’s not an option. Not to mention, Zoe & I wanted to make the best of our last day together before she goes back at school after being off for the holiday break.

Zoe and I took a nice long walk this morning before coming back to make ginger snap cookies – FROM SCRATCH! We put on Christmas music, sang carols, and made a huge mess! We had flour and molasses all over us. I even had it in my hair!! We talked about all the things she wants from Santa over a glass of egg nog and our homemade cookies. These are some of the yummiest ginger cookies, I’ve ever had!!

Regardless of being tired, feeling broken down, hair appointments or working, baking cookies is just what was in the cards for us this weekend. We enjoyed ourselves and made the best of it. Zoe and I are a team! My guess is we can make it through anything!

Hair/Work/TIRED

I’m on the clock this weekend, Shelli is out of town till what seems like until 2012, and well, things still need to get done. I don’t work every weekend so on the weekends I do work, I’m a little slow moving. This morning Zoe had a hair appointment and was in desperate need to get in there so there was no way I could cancel it.

Shelli usually takes Zoe for her appointments and has a great relationship with all the girls that work there. I’ve only taken Zoe a few times, and I don't especially like waiting around. It’s just something Zoe and Mimi usually do together and I’m okay with that. This morning when I walked in the salon, all the girls were nice, saying hi, giving Zoe and I hugs, and just being as friendly as usual. I, (who probably had bags under my eyes from working last night), quietly tell Miss Barb that I’m ‘working’ so, if she hears me on the phone or looking busy, she would know why. I set myself up in the corner of the salon and worked for almost 2 hours while Zoe got her hair done. The salon is always packed on the weekends and well, I have to admit, I enjoyed listening to all the gossip!

Everyone always makes such a fuss over Zoe and she eats it up. She walks around the salon like she owns it. As soon as she was done, I asked Ms. Barb how Z’s hair was looking and of course if there was anything I needed to be doing better or different?

The past several visits, she says Zoe has great hair and tells me how proud she is of me and how far I’ve come in doing Zoe’s hair. I always try to make sure we are up to par when it comes to products and stuff for Zoe’s hair. It always makes me feel good to hear that we are on track.When we left, Zoe and I stopped for lunch.

Ahhh, All in a day’s work! I might complain or be cranky but, I wouldn’t change any of it

Mother/Daughter Day

Today Zoe and I spent the entire day together shopping! Zoe picked out several cute outfits and for the first time, my daughter, yes, the one who likes NOTHING to do with ‘girly’ things, picked out a few dresses (on her own). Not only did she pick them out but, she wanted to TRY THEM ON! I had to make her repeat herself because I couldn’t believe my ears. When we got to the fitting rooms, she gathered all her items and told the lady how many things she had to try on so she could get her number card (this is a BIG deal to Zoe). We picked dressing rooms across from each other so we could just open the curtain to see how each other looked. I hear Zoe from across the way saying things like, “Ummm, I don’t think this will be my match!” I of course scream, “Wait, don’t take it off, I want to see it!” Zoe walks out and walks up and down the hall like a diva looking at herself in the mirror. As she nears the end of the 'runway' and approaches my door she says, “Soooooo Mommy, do you have a ‘keep’ pile yet?” Hysterical! This child is completely ME! I said to her laughing, ‘yes, I do! How about you?” Zoe says, “Yep, I have two, and the hard part is going to be to choose one!” I liked both of them too so the choice was completely up to her.

While I tried on my stuff, Zoe waited, giving me her ‘input’ on what to buy and what looked good on me and what didn’t. She always makes it a point to tell me how pretty I am and I find it so endearing.

By the time we left, we were starving. We worked up quite an appetite trying on clothes. Zoe opted for Habachi. We had the table to ourselves and the chef keep tossing raw veggies in the air for Zoe to catch with her mouth. Most of them landing on the floor but, she did finally get one and was super excited about it.

Today I am grateful for Mother/Daughter days. They are the most special thing in the whole wide world. I love everything about it.

Ice Ice Baby....

A few months back, Zoe and I came across some ice skates at the thrift store. She just had to have them and for a few bucks, I couldn’t refuse. Zoe hasn’t been able to use them because we’ve been so busy, but now since she is on Thanksgiving break this week we had the day free to hit the ice. Zoe hasn’t been on the ice for a while now so it took her some time to get readjusted. She fell about a million times but, would get back up with a big smile on her face.

Either way, I think she did a great job and think she is the cutest ice skater I’ve ever seen!

It's offical...

Zoe is officially on Thanksgiving break starting ... NOW!
I cannot wait to spend all next week with her.
We've got lots of fun things planned.
Stay tuned....

Priceless....

The 'ruff' life.....

BIG Mail Day....

It was a HUGE mail day for Zoe! When we got home from school, there was a package at the front door from Amazon with her new book, “Chocolate Me”. A book about a boy teased for looking different than the other kids. His skin is darker, his hair curlier. He tells his mother he wishes he could be more like everyone else. His Mom helps him to see how beautiful he really, truly is. We sat down and read it right away. Who can wait until after dinner when a new book arrives at the door? The book was adorable and one I’m sure we will read over and over.

Then, we went to walk the dog and on the way back, we checked the mail. Low and behold, Zoe got one of her Christmas gifts early. Mamaw & Pop Pop ordered her a subscription of Horse Illustrated now that she is all about horses and her first issue was sitting in the mailbox waiting on her. She looked at me and said, “What are the chances of getting TWO things in one day?” We didn’t get a chance to get through that one yet but Mommy might read it tonight before bed. After all, the last time I was around horses, I was 10. I have lots of catching up to do! (Thanks Mamaw & Pop Pop – WE love it!)

Trotter

Zoe is getting progressively better with each lesson, and today was no exception. Zoe did excellent today at her riding lesson. She spent the whole lesson trotting and learning to post on Dutchess. Zoe’s instructor has also been teaching her how to tack up and lead the horse out to the ring. Although I was ‘on the clock’ this weekend I wasn’t about to let that stop me from watching my baby ride. I snuck over and watched her ride around the ring. Plus, I wanted to see how she looked in her new helmet.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a HUGE thrift store person. I love everything about thrift stores. Well, on one of my recent trips, I came across this (almost new) riding helmet for $4.00. Yes, FOUR DOLLARS! It’s the ultimate high for me when I find stuff like that. When Zoe got home from school that day and saw it, she thought it was super cool. She now has her own riding helmet!

Today during her lesson, I happened to glance over at one of the other girls riding in the ring and noticed she had on the exact same helmet (just different color). I just chuckled to myself and thought… I bet she didn’t pay $4 for that helmet!

The lesson was great and it’s the one thing I look forward to each week. Zoe is improving weekly and I couldn’t be more proud of her.

Mommy & Zoe

Tonight Zoe and I went out to dinner, just the two of us. It was pure bliss! When I asked her where she wanted to go, there was no hesitation, she yelled... SUSHI!! By far Sushi is one of her favorite things to eat and well, I’m pretty fond of it too, so I was definitely in! (Even though I had sushi yesterday- it’s never too often!)

Shelli is in and out of town for the next several months for business. I know it’s hard on Zoe at times because she misses her so much but we always try to make the best of every situation. Zoe has a spelling test every Friday and we practice daily. Tonight wasn’t going to be any different. We took the words with us and practiced them during dinner. What better way to kill two birds with one stone? Zoe was getting all her words correct as she munched on the several rolls we had ordered … California roll (her fav), cucumber roll with cream cheese (mommy’s fav), and sweet potato roll (always a crowd pleaser!)

Zoe considers the sushi place, OOKA a ‘fancy’ restaurant. She says its ‘fancy’ because the lights are dim and there are candles on the table. It’s probably one of the best sushi places around us. She thinks it’s a HUGE deal to eat there. I, on the other hand just take in each and every second of these times together. I couldn’t think of any other place I would have rather been then sitting across from my daughter, eating sushi, and going over Unit 10 spelling words (in candlelight!)

Life is good!

Sunday

Horses & Hot Chocolate......

Life is good!

Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Zoe and I ran over to Cole & Gavin's house last night for a little trick-or-treating. It was cold but, we had a good time. Zoe got lots of candy!!

(Princess Pirate Zoe & Army Man Gavin)