Summer Girls...

For weeks Z and J have been wanting to make s’mores in the back yard but every time we planned to do it, the weather wouldn’t work in our favor. Tonight, in true summer fashion I made the girls the cutest peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that looked like a slices of watermelon. … I got major ‘cool’ points for this!!!


2 pieces of bread, peanut butter, strawberry jelly, raisins, and green grapes.

Cut the corners off of the bread to make it look like a slice of watermelon. Spread peanut butter on the inside and the jelly on the outside. Put some raisins on the top to look like seeds. Cut the green grapes in half and stack them up on the top edge. Simple and adorable.

After dinner the girls splashed around  in the pool for a little while, then FINALLY, we had s’mores for dessert.  This was a pretty fun evening considering it was a 'school night'.

Special Visit

  A couple weeks ago, Uncle Pete called saying he was going to be in town working about an hour and a half away from the house and wanted to come visit when he was done. I jumped at the chance to see him so, I said, “YES! YES! YES!” I didn’t say anything to Zoe because she would ask every ten seconds, “How much longer till Uncle Pete is here?” I got a text on Tuesday saying they were finished and he could leave Wednesday.  Zoe went to school that morning and when it was time to hit the road, I checked Zoe out of school a few hours early so she could make the road trip too. What’s an hour and a half drive when you love someone as much as we love Uncle Pete? When we pulled into the hotel Zoe jumped out of the car and into Pete’s arms for a HUGE hug.

Zoe had school the rest of the week but she made the most of her time with Pete when she got home from school. They would walk the dog together, ride bikes, sword fight, and Pete even helped with homework. It was perfect, while Zoe was in school I got to get my quality time with Pete so it worked out nicely. Pete was leaving Sunday so we had to do something extra fun before he left. We decided to go tubing on the Delaware River. We chose the longest float trip they had (4 hours) and it was a blast. The water was a little cold but that didn’t stop us. We all held on to each others tubes and had the best time ever. Of course it wouldn’t be normal if Pete weren’t trying to flip me or splash me with cold water, it’s just the way it goes even after all these years. Gotta have a tough skin when you hang out with the boys!

We sure missed Jose and talked about him the whole time. We still talk about the same stories over and over and they never get old. After the hectic couple of months we’ve had, it was a welcomed relief to have him here and we were all sad to see him go!

Hair

Zoe has been getting her hair done with Miss Barb for the past two years. I can’t take credit for Zoe’s hair journey because that is something her and Mimi have done from the beginning. I’ve taken her a few times but overall Shelli is the one who partakes in all the beauty shop talk with the girls. The times I have taken Zoe the first thing I hear is, “Where is Shelli?” Don’t get me wrong; I like them just as much as Shelli, but she is the one who has a relationship with them.  It may be because she is always talking to everyone, but most likely because she is there for hours while Zoe is getting her hair done.

Zoe has had extensions put in her hair for two years now.  The extensions are wonderful because they allow her to be active (i.e. swimming, sweating and general kid stuff) and it’s easy for her to put up in a ponytail and just keep on rolling. Now however, she wants to have long hair. Every time her hair gets blown out, she loves touching it and looking at herself in the mirror. My concern is that she isn’t anywhere ready for hair that she has to put too much thought into. Zoe is a get up and go kind of girl and with all her activities, braids just seem the way to go. Miss Barb told Zoe after she gets past the summer, she had an idea we could try to see if we could give the braids a rest for a bit.

Either way, I think she’s beautiful no matter how she wants to wear her hair. Today it’s her natural hair braided with colorful rubber bands and I think she’s simply beautiful!

Photo of the day....

Pure bliss....

BFF's

Since Shelli has been out of work, Zoe and her have been inseparable. Shelli isn’t scheduled back to work until June and Zoe has enjoyed each and every second of the non-stop attention from her Mimi. Poor Mimi is usually traveling for work so this one on one time for Zoe has been priceless.

Shelli is recovering nicely, and has come a long way since she’s been home. We have to draw blood once a week and have had doctor appointments (bi weekly) to make sure all is ok and she is doing great. Last week Shelli got cleared to drive locally which was a huge thing to her (& me). She was getting a little stir crazy not being able to do all the things she is used to doing.

 We only have one more procedure that has to be done and then Shelli will be ‘back to normal’. While she was in the hospital two blood clots developed in her lungs so a filter was put in; now it’s time for it to come out. We had a consult with the surgeon today and he went over the whole procedure. It should only take a few hours and then although she will be on Coumadin for at least another six months, she should be well on her way to being as active as she was and enjoying all the things she’s missed in the last couple months. It’s been a long recovery for her, but she’s a tough cookie and I’m proud of her for pushing through.

Thank you for all the kind emails, cards, and check in’s. This is a time none of us will ever forget but we sure are glad it’s all coming to an end.

Beth

Today was a big day for Zoe in the horse world. When we went to riding lessons this morning, she found out she wasn’t riding a pony but in fact she was going to be riding a horse named Beth. Zoe went to the pasture to get Beth and when she came back; her eyes were the size of quarters. She was so excited and ready to go- go- go! Because Beth was so tall, she couldn’t reach to put the saddle on. Zoe and Miss Bridgette had to tag team brushing the horse and putting on the tack. Zoe had the lower half of the horse and Bridgette had the top. (Team work makes the dream work!)

When Zoe mounted the horse, I heard her giggle. Before I could say anything she says, “Mommy, I feel like I can touch the sky!” Zoe looked like such a big girl on that horse. I was so proud of her for not being scared and getting out there and showing Beth who was boss. After all, this wasn’t just any horse; Beth is Ms. Bridgette’s horse and that made it all the more special.

When the lesson was over, Ms. Bridgette asked Zoe to stay to watch her ride so she could demonstrate some of the techniques she is working on with Zoe.  Zoe’s eyes were glued to Bridgette as she rode around the ring.  Bridgette even did a few jumps, which prompted Zoe to ask when she could do that too!  After Bridgette was done, Zoe led the horse back to the barn and helped wash her down, clean her hooves, and get all the tack put away. It was a pretty special day at the farm for Zoe, and it looks like it was an inspiring day for Mommy too.  Mommy will be getting back in the saddle soon.  I figure I better get a refresher course.  I’m sure Zoe is going to want her own horse one day, and after all I haven’t been on a horse since I was Zoe’s age.  I’m anxious to get back out there and see what I remember, or more likely, how much I’ve forgotten! 

Kyle & Owen turn 8!

Good times had by ALL!

Then AND Now

Then...

AND

Now....

Where does the time go?????



Luis & Christian

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about Luis and Christian. I know it was only a year of my life I spent with the boys however it was a time that impacted my life so much. I knew they needed more help emotionally than I (or Shelli) could give them but, even after all the time has passed I can’t help to think that maybe I could have done more.  It was one of the most challenging times of my life with three kids but, one of the most rewarding times of my life. I miss them so much!