First snow of the season

First Snow...

Thanksgiving

Zoe had a week off for Thanksgiving and it seems to have gone by extra fast. Before the holiday rolled around Zoe made a list of things she wanted to do while she was out of school.

Uncle Henry (Z’s Godfather) was coming to town on Thanksgiving Day so Z & I had the early part of the week to goof off and have lots of one on one time together. We started the week off by going to our favorite thrift store and grabbing a few new items for Jill. Zoe loves going through all the infant racks looking for the perfect outfits for her baby.

-->  Moving down the list, Zoe was able to take a break from shopping and enjoy a funny holiday movie, but before we knew it Thanksgiving Day was here and we were off to pick up Uncle Henry at the airport. We didn’t make a traditional Thanksgiving meal because of the time of Henry’s flight so we decided to eat at Cracker Barrel on the way back from the airport. The wait wasn’t too bad and we were able to get caught up while enjoying all the Thanksgiving fixings, without all the trouble!

  Friday, we spent the day in Hershey. We visited the Milton Hershey museum, had a delicious tasting of chocolates from all over the world.  As we were browsing through the gift shop Zoe spotted a Hershey kiss birthstone necklace that she just HAD to have. We were in Hershey, the sweetest place on earth, how could I tell Z no?

  Last stop in Hershey was ‘Sweet Lights’, two miles of Christmas lights, a winter wonderland, and holiday drive-thru spectacular. Nearly 600 illuminated, animated displays you see as you drive through two miles of wooded trails. We even got 3D glasses that made all the lights look like snowflakes. We had Christmas music playing on the radio as we cruised and took in all the lights. It was beautiful.

The drive home was long and everyone was coming off a sugar high, so the car was nice and quite as everyone napped and slept off the sugar. It was an absolutely perfect day, one Zoe won’t forget anytime soon!

Saturday was Henry’s last day with us before heading back home and Zoe was ready for her ‘alone’ time with HER uncle. Zoe was dressed and handing Henry the car keys before he was able to get down a cup of coffee.  Z was so excited to be able to have her alone time with Henry she had just the place picked out for breakfast, her favorite diner. 

Before we knew it, it was time for Uncle Henry to head to the airport. It was a fantastic trip and everyone had a great time. It was very relaxing and just what we all needed.  We had such a fun time with Uncle Henry and can’t wait to see him again in February. 

I’m thankful for so many things in my life but the thing I’m most thankful for is being Zoe’s mom!

  *****************

**Mustache photos - Uncle Henry's idea - Many many laughs**

Check Mix

Sweet Chex Mix:

Place in large bowl:
1 (16 oz) box of corn Chex
1 can of peanuts, lightly salted

Melt 1 cup of butter or margarine in a pan.

Add:
1 1/2 cups corn syrup
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Bring to a boil. Boil for 1-2 minutes. Pour over cereal and peanuts. Stir and pour out onto wax paper. Let sit for a couple of hours and then store in an airtight container.

Mimi to the RESCUE....

This morning as we were hiking I was at my usual pace, ahead of the pack, and all the sudden, I heard something move. I didn’t see anything but I heard it again. I stopped and looked around and saw a deer lying in the tall grass field. He wasn’t moving so, I screamed for Shelli who was a little ways behind me with Zoe. Shell came over to take a look. It turns out his back left leg was completely out of the socket and dangling. He looked to be in so much pain and was terrified of us. He couldn’t get up or move and when he did finally try, he was dragging himself with his front legs. The poor guy was in bad shape.

The car was about a mile back so we went back to the car and got him some apples (in case he was hungry), and then called the local police. We wanted to make sure someone would help him – one way or another.

Zoe was upset and crying. She didn’t want to leave him. The whole perk of hiking for Zoe is seeing all the wildlife but we didn’t count on seeing it this way. We tried to explain the ‘cycle of life’ to her however, if Mimi couldn’t help the deer, Zoe wanted to hug and kiss the deer back to health.

 Thanks Mimi for trying so hard to help that poor little guy!

My Zoe

I found this video on Zoe's computer when I was cleaning up her room. It was too hysterical not to post. Enjoy!

College Football

Today we got to spend time with one of our favorite families in the whole wide world. It doesn’t get much cooler than the Johnson-McCormick family in my eyes! We bundled up and headed to Lehigh University (Where Heather is a professor) to watch the football game. They sure know how to do it up, Heather & Braydon had a tailgate ready to go, complete with Mimosas!  The adults enjoyed some tailgating, while the kids played football and ran around the parking lot.

After enjoying the tailgate party we headed into the stadium and found just the perfect spot in the grass to set up.  We threw blankets down, covered up with quilts, drank hot chocolate, got caught up, and occasionally watched the game. It was a perfect fall day! The kids played the entire time, I think the only time Zoe wasn’t playing TACKLE football with the boys was when she took a little break to watch the marching band get ready. As the band was walking from the stands to the field, all the kids lined up along the fence line and put out their hands for ‘high fives’.  Zoe wasn’t going to miss her chance to be up close for that one.

We don’t get to see the Johnson-McCormick crew as much as I would like however, we always make the most of the time we spend together always picking up right where we leave off. I love them all very much, not to mention all the love time I get with the kids!!

Thanks J-M family for an amazing day!

Halloween Party

Due to Hurricane Sandy, school was not open the whole week of Halloween so Zoe's class was unable to have their classroom Halloween party. Today was the 'make-up' day and the school was packed. The kids were not allowed to dress up, however they did enjoy lots of yummy treats. They also made a gnome craft that was absolutely adorable. Once the snacks and crafts were done, it was on to a fierce game of Halloween charades. Each student would stand up, pick a card, and then act out whatever was on the card. When it was Zoe’s turn she picked “monster” and it was the funniest thing to see her act it out.

 

I feel so blessed to be able to be a part of school activities, I love chatting with the other parents and hanging out with Z’s schoolmates! I know most of the kids from being 'Lunch Mom' but it’s always more fun to hang out with them when they are in ‘party mode’.