Horse Sunday

My favorite part of the weekend.... Watching Zoe ride!

Award

Last week, Zoe’s teacher sent an email inviting us to see Zoe receive her Boomerang award. I was so excited to hear about Zoe getting this award and we wouldn’t have missed it for the world. (See below emails between Zoe’s teacher and myself)

Dear Lori & Shelli, - I have nominated Zoe for our Forty Assets Boomerang focus on Asset #37, “Equality and Social Justice.” Her nomination will be announced at a Butler Student Spirit Assembly on Friday, January 27, at 2:45. You are welcome to join us in the Butler multi-purpose room for this assembly. If you have any questions, please email or give me a call. We are very proud of her!

Congratulations!
Mrs. Cathy Gardner-Eisgrau

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Mrs. GE, - Wow! That is exciting! What do the kids have to do to earn a nomination? We are so proud of her and of course we will be there. I'm lunch mom that day too so that works out.

Lori Petsch

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Hello Lori, - The Boomerang award that Zoe will be receiving is for Equality and Social Justice: Young person places a high value on assisting those who may need a helping hand. Zoe is always there to help someone if they get hurt out in the recess yard or if they need any assistance in the classroom. She also brought food in for those in need back in November during our food drive so I thought she was deserving of this award.

Cathy GE
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Needless to say, I was beside myself. I couldn’t wait to be there front and center to watch my 1st grader accept her award.

Friday was an extremely hectic day. I’m still not feeling 100% from being sick last week but, I had lunch room duty and a very important awards ceremony to attend that day, so I had to push through. Once I got through lunch, I rushed home to shower and get all the ketchup and chocolate milk off my skin. Once Mimi got there we headed back to school for the assembly. There were a few benches set up in the back for the parents in the back. We took our seats and before we knew it, the whole school was filing into the cafeteria. K-6 grades all in the same room. It was nuts..and LOUD! Every time a class would walk through the door, I would perk up and look for Zoe. It seemed like she was one of the last classes to get there and she looked so excited. She spotted us right away and was waving to us. I was under strict rules not to carry on or hoot and holler. I usually can’t walk down the hall without hearing, “Zoe’s mom!”, “Hi Zoe’s mom!” I absolutely love it!!! Yep, I’m that mom who is high fiving Cole, and helping Gianna unzip her coat in the hallway before entering the classroom. It’s just what I do!

The assembly lasted about an hour and when the principal called Zoe’s name to get her certificate, she walked up with such grace, and a smile about a mile wide. We were so proud of her. Later Zoe was telling us how she was nervous going up in front of the WHOLE school. I thought that was so cute!

I always have Zoe out helping the less fortunate, or anyone for that matter. The truth is, I never had to push her very hard, it comes very natural to her. Zoe is always up for anything from feeding the homeless to helping the elderly. Her compassion is so endearing, and thankfully she does it naturally. I’m just so proud of my daughter.

After the big ceremony, we went to grab a bite to eat at Cheesecake Factory, or as Zoe would say, a ‘Fancy Restaurant’.

Sick

I have had a cold for the past week and it’s been nothing short of awful! I’m not a good sick person and do much better suffering alone. I look for trouble when I’m sick, just ask any of the people in my life. I’m just miserable when I’m sick!

Luckily Zoe didn’t have school Monday or Tuesday of this week so she was got to spend all her off time in NJ with Mimi and Aunt Wendy. I slept, slept, and slept some more.

Today I’m on the mend and feeling better. I finally feel human again. Besides, who couldn’t smile when they see Jackson in his basketball outfit? Zoe has asked to be signed up for basketball this season so with that said Jackson is ready to show his support!

Snow

First 'real' snow of the season and Zoe couldn't of been more excited!

Photo of the day....

Kyle, Zoe, Owen, and Miss Meera

xoxo

Horse -- Brrrrr!

Today was the first day back to horse lessons for Zoe since the holidays. She was so excited to get back on Duchess. When we got up this morning, the temp was 18 degrees. I thought to myself, this is absolutely crazy! They are working on an indoor riding area at the farm however, it isn’t ready yet. Needless to say, it was brutal. So much so, Zoe couldn’t finish her lesson, it was just too cold. Zoe was a champ; she tacked up and still went out and rode for about 25 minutes. I was bundled up from head to toe with a hot coffee and still, couldn’t manage to make it. I had to run to the car to warm up. Zoe was determined to stay out as long as she could. Next week, the indoor arena should be done – fingers crossed!

I think J & Z had the right idea last night…. Playing with horses indoors is a much better idea in the winter, even Jackson got a ride!

Date Night

It’s been a while since Zoe and I have had dinner out together. Throughout the holidays there was always something going on. Since I didn’t have to work tonight, after picking up Zoe up from school, I decided to run a few errands while we were out, and then grab dinner out.

Zoe went through a phase where shopping was out of the question however, lately now that she earns her own money, she is always up for a shopping trip. I remember being her age and having my own money. I would always want to buy stuff but, like Zoe, I never wanted to use MY OWN money. I would look at my parents with the sweet puppy dog eyes and ask them to buy it for me. (Don’t all kids do that?) I also remember asking my dad, “How much is 30% off of so and so?” or “If I buy this, how much money will I have left?” So, now when Zoe does it to me, I think it’s funny!

After dinner, we had the most amazing sundaes. I thought I was going to have to roll us out of the restaurant. We were beyond stuffed. Of course now that Zoe's in school, we can’t go anywhere without Zoe knowing someone. We went to the mall and saw one of her classmates, then at dinner we were in a booth next to some other kids she knew. Zoe has to stop and talks to everyone (just like her Pop Pop!)

On our way home, Zoe wanted to call her Mimi who is in SC for work. Zoe always seems to miss Shelli more at night, right about the time for bed. Zoe always calls and to say goodnight to Meems. Then Zoe looks at me with her puppy eyes and says, “Since you’re not working, can I sleep with you tonight?” We washed our faces, brushed our teeth, got our books, and laid in bed and read until Z couldn’t keep her eyes open another second. Of course, once she is asleep, mommy then gets up, makes school lunch, washes dishes, and makes sure Zoe's book bag is all packed up and ready to go.

All in a days work but, oh so worth it!