We Are Ready

Tomorrow is our preschool orientation.  The child and one parent go for an hour, do a couple crafts, meet the teacher and get familiar with the room.  To say that I'm excited wouldn't be accurate.  I'm elated that Zoe is ready to start this next stage of her life. 

I've read many things my friends have written over the years about missing the baby stage or not being ready for the next stage.  Maybe it is because I know this is my only chance to soak up every moment in Zoe's life or maybe some other reason, but I never mourn the passing of one chapter or the start of the next.

I loved the baby stage.  All the cuddles and the naps.  The naps were my favorite part!  I loved seeing how much she grew each month.  By the time the toddler stage came, I was so ready for it.  I loved that she could communicate with me and started to show her sweet personality.  I loved that I didn't have to carry her everywhere and she could eat what we ate.  No more mixing formula or making sure we had some.

Now that we are out of the toddler stage and into the pre-school stage, I'm beyond ready.  Zoe now tells me her stories.  We do pretend play all the time.  I actually think this is my favorite stage so far.  She likes to play practical jokes and to tell jokes.  She loves to sing and dance.  She wants me to read to her and to tell her stories.  I love hearing what's going through her mind.  It's rarely what I think it is and usually incredibly funny.

With preschool a week away, I'm excited to see what this next stage will bring.  I know it will include a whole new group of friends, new adventures, some tears and much laughter.  Even though I loved the baby Zoe, over the last three years I've become completely smitten with this Zoe.  She's the kid I always prayed she would be.  While there may be tears at the first day of preschool, they will be tears of joy at just how far she's come. 

We Are Now a Family of Six

For the last 10 days Zoe has been on a ruthless campaign to get a puppy.  She knows she wants a black puppy, she just doesn't know where to get one.  Every night, after we've failed to get a black puppy, she says, "mommy, we totally forgot to get a puppy today.  Maybe tomorrow?"  Usually I say something like, "so you want a black puppy still?  What would you name him?"  I have to change the subject before I crush all her hopes and dreams.

Now, when we're driving places, she's totally checking out stores to see if "that one sells puppies!"  I have to find routes that avoid pet stores.  I may have even lied saying, "they don't sell puppies, just leashes and puppy food." 

All the while N is just beaming with pride.  I saw my future flash before my eyes.  These two are going to "run to the store to get milk" and come home with a puppy or three. 

While out running errands we happened to go to a store that has a fish department.  It's Zoe's very favorite place in the whole store to go.  I made the foolish mistake of telling N and Zoe that I'd be right back while they looked at fish.  I came back to see them staring at the beta fish and then batting their big eyes at me.  They know my kryptonite.  We got a beta.  Zoe carried him through the store like he was precious gold. 

When we got home, N was totally in his element.  They washed the tank and put it together.  Then they washed the rocks.

Then Zoe washed the red plant that she thought her new fish would LOVE.

As she was helping daddy, we asked what she wanted to name her new fish.  It came as no surprise she wanted to name him Coco.  About a year ago she saw a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode that has a monkey named Coco on it.  Ever since then, everything is Coco.  Her bear is Coco.  Her stuffed puppy is Coco.  If she gets a black puppy, she'll be Coco.  It comes to reason that her fish will also be named Coco.

She helped daddy dump Coco into his new home.

It was that face right there that made my future of cleaning the tank and taking care of Coco totally worth it.

Now this is where I find Zoe all the time.  Next to Coco, talking to him, asking him if everything is good and giving me a play-by-play of Coco's every move. 

We are pleased to introduce Coco.  He will be loved to pieces by a little girl who has finally stopped asking about her black puppy.  Welcome to the family Coco.  You have saved me another 10 days of dodging the ball.  I never knew I could love a fish so much!

I Hear Wedding Bells

Yesterday Grandma Kathy found a microphone with a stand and a guitar for Zoe.  The best part is the microphone amplifies through the guitar, so it's like she's really giving a concert.  She LOVES!  ADORES!  CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF! it.  She's completely in her element.

I will admit she got the love of being on stage and hammin' it up from me.  One of Grandma Kathy's favorite things to do is interview a child with a microphone.  I can remember my mom interviewing me as a child and I LOVED!  ADORED! it.  There are several cassette tapes of my interviews.  Apparently I was going to marry my cousin Cory because he would lay on the floor and pretend he was a seal.  I would laugh.  We all know true love is based on seals and laughter.

One thing it has done for Zoe is that she wants to be interviewed all the time.  With or without the microphone.  Last night on the way home she asked a question about a husband and how you get one.  Instead of getting into the whole routine of dating many guys, crying your eyes out and then finding the man you can see yourself with for the rest of your life, I told her to get a husband, you have to marry a boy.  This was our conversation:
Zoe:  Can I wear a big dress?
Me:  Sure you can.
N:  Can I walk you down the aisle?
Zoe:  Yeah Daddy, you can walk me a mile.
Me:  Can I cry in the front row?
Zoe:  NO!  There is no crying mommy.  You can talk to the boy at front while daddy walks me a mile.
Me:  Are you going to say "with this ring I thee wed"?
Zoe:  NO!  Daddy will be walking me a mile.
Me:  Are you going to kiss the boy?
Zoe:  (letting out an exasperated sigh) EWE NO!

At this point N was totally proud.  He gets to walk her a mile and she won't be kissing any boys.  It's his own personal fairy tale.

Mom's Lunch

Yesterday my mom and Lily offered to watch the kids so our small group moms could go to lunch.  There are 6 of us in the small group and we never get to chat all together without the kiddos.  The thought of having lunch with 5 of my favorite people, without kids was totally intoxicating.

I can safely say it was equally intoxicating for the other ladies because we've been looking forward to this day for a month.  Anytime we chat, the excitement of this day is mentioned.

You have to understand, to coordinate this kind of event, two crazy people have to offer to watch all our kids.  That's 15 kids, 2nd grade and younger.  Most of them are kindergarten and younger.  My mom has just enough crazy in her to think she and Lily could do it.  She had lunch, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, water games, water balloons, a birthday party for one of the girls who actually turned 3 yesterday, painting and I'm not sure what else because my brain started to hurt and I got really tired all of a sudden.

The kids had a blast.  They were wet, tired and all smiling when we showed up.

Thank you ladies for meeting for lunch.  It was nice to to catch up, talk without being interrupted and just fellowship with you.  Each of you have blessed my life and I'm so grateful that God brought our family into this small group.

Jorene, Lindi, Erin, Amanda, me and Becky

I wonder if next week is too soon for my mom!

She's Her Father's Daughter

Yesterday Grandma and Zoe were playing after quiet time.  According to Grandma, this was their conversation.

Zoe:  Grandma, can we go outside and play in the sand?
Grandma:  Sure sweetie.
Zoe:  To build sand castles?
Greandma:  That sounds like fun.  We'll need to get shoes on first.
Zoe (with a sly look in her eye):  Naked?

It took my mom 10 minutes to regain her composure. 

When I told N the story, he responded with "that's my girl." 

Our house is never dull.

A Saturday At the Park(s)

Eighteen months ago we went to our old stomping grounds outside Seattle and visited Ami and A.  We used to live blocks from their house.  We went to check on our never-selling house and to visit.  A showed us around his town.  His favorite thing is the zoo. 

Zoe wanted to show him her favorite things:  parks, swings, splash pads and a carrousel.  First up was the splash pad and playground.  While Zoe did much swinging, A ran through the splash pad.

He's not too keen on getting water in his eyes.  Who can blame him?  Isn't that the cutest expression?  While he was running and squinting, Zoe was doing this:

She's not keen on getting water in her eyes either.  In her mouth a different story!

Pretty soon we had enough water and wanted to do something drier.  We headed to another park to ride the carrousel.

I warned Ami that we'd need to get two rides since once is just not enough.  After our two rides, we played on a big slide, watched the ducks and then ate some shaved ice.  Zoe certainly planned a fun day with her friend.

As we were ending our day on Sunday Zoe said, "I miss my best friend A." 

I think it's safe to say we'll have to do this again soon!

At least once I catch up on sleep.

We Heart Friends

This weekend my friend Ami and her son A came to visit.  Ami and I met years ago while we worked for a company that shall remain nameless.  I knew her before she got married.  She knew me when I was single and wondering where HE was, but not knowing who HE was.

It's been a friendship that has only been in the making for 9 years, but it feels like we've known each other a lifetime.  She's a friend I can confide in, laugh with and be myself around.  To say she's a blessing would be an understatement.

She had A three weeks before I had Zoe.  I've always used A as my measuring stick for Zoe's development.  They haven't been together for over two years, so we were excited to see how close they would be developmentally.

It's funny because they have the same interests, the same meltdown triggers and are the same size.  After being in a car for 5 hours, A wanted to feel the ground under his feet and wind in his hair, so Zoe thought they should scooter.

Honestly, I'm not sure I've ever seen anything cuter.

In preschooler world, kids that scooter together are friends forever.

It also means that you can only scooter for so long before you have to find something more fun to do.  It does get hot under that helmet.  We got out the sidewalk chalk.

Here's where the boy vs. girl thing comes in.  Zoe wanted to draw pictures and shapes and then play games with those pictures.  A wanted to draw lines all over the place and be in several places at one time.  It was fun to see their differences.  I suggested maybe playing hopscotch.  Apparently that's a HUGE hit with the 3 year old crowd.  I drew up the hopscotch and they jumped.

That night during prayer time Zoe wanted to pray for Ami and A.  You know she enjoyed having them visit as much as I did.  That also meant she had plans for them.  I'm pretty sure she had our whole Saturday booked.  I'm still trying to recover from it, so I'll post those pictures tomorrow.

The Crayola Pot of Gold

For Zoe's second birthday she got a trike.  She was all excited and used to sit on it to watch TV or read a book.  She never really got the pedaling concept down until just recently.  It's never been one of her favorite things.  Mainly because as she's sitting on the sidewalk, she randomly just falls off the bike.  I've never been able to understand if that's because of bad coordination or her way of getting me to realize she's not into the trike.  Either way it usually sits in the garage while she wears her helmet to pick weeds or use the sidewalk chalk.

Then her sisters got scooters for their birthdays and pretty soon everyone we know is getting scooters.  Her friend Katie at church has one and her friend Cohen has one.  Every time we go to Cohen's house to play she wants him to get off his scooter and give her a turn.  Since they are both only children, that has caused some hard lessons in sharing and learning that just because you want something doesn't mean you get it.

Yesterday Grandma and Zoe went to Target to look for a 10-pack of washable Crayola markers in Classic Colors.  Which is my arch enemy right now.  They are on the preschool supply list and I've yet to find them.  I actually think they are like the pot at the end of the Crayola rainbow.  They make a 10-pack, but it's not washable.  They make an 8-pack that is washable.  I'm a bit at a loss as to what to do.  I'll probably end up buying both!

The Crayola trip to Target was a total bust, but Grandma did find a scooter that is perfect for Zoe.  It has an extra wide base for her feet and grows with her.  Plus it's a Disney Princess scooter which matches her helmet.  And, if that's not awesome enough, it has a little purse on the front of it for things like crackers and bandages.  Which, with some lip gloss, are the three essentials in every preschooler's arsenal.

Zoe practiced all day at Grandma's house.  I'm proud to report, she's mastered scootering.

The first thing she wanted to do was go to Cohen's house so they could scooter together.  Cohen and his parents came outside to play.  Zoe created a track.  She'd go up the street, turn into Cohen's driveway, down the sidewalk and out the neighbor's driveway.  It was the perfect track.

Until Cohen was sitting in the neighbor's driveway.

And Zoe couldn't complete her lap.

This was the conversation:

Zoe:  Excuse me Cohen.
Cohen:  You can't scooter.
YES I CAN!  (screaming at the top of her lungs)
NO YOU CAN'T!
(Zoe goes over to sit in the grass and pout):  Cohen, can I ride my scooter now?
NO!
YES!
NO!  I'm going in the house.

If you've never seen two, small children argue over something so ridiculous, you're totally missing out.  It was absolutely the funniest thing I've seen.  When we got home Zoe put her scooter in the kitchen and just sat on it.  When I asked her what's wrong, she said, "Cohen said I couldn't ride it."

I told her that she absolutely could since we were at our house.  It would be our secret. 

Just like sneaking in 10-count non-washable markers into her backpack will be mine!

Future Class Clown

My friend Becky and I were talking about how our kids go through stages.  Zoe is going through the trying three-and-a-halfs.  There are tantrums, crying and testing.  I'm not always successful, but I try to remind myself that it's just the stage.  In six months we'll be in a new stage.

All throughout Zoe's life, I love the stage we're in, but always ready for the next one when it comes.  I think this crying stage is the first one I really am not fond of.

However, it does come with some hilarious sides too.  She's starting to show her imagination.  She's telling jokes she's made up now.  Here's a sample:

How does the photos get to Costco?
With your fingers!

That leads to much laughter from Zoe herself.

She's also starting to play practical jokes on people.  She has a whoopie cushion that she'll squeeze and they blame someone.  This weekend she was in the backseat and N was driving. This was her conversation:

You need a tissue daddy.
I do baby?
Yep, all the boogies are running out.

Which led N to look directly at me and go, "is there a bat in the cave?"  He was totally paranoid.  There were no bats, but a big smile on Zoe's face as she whispered "April Fools!" 

I think it's safe to say there will be much fake laughter and some paranoid parents in the next phase.

She Headlines at the Nursery

If 18 months ago you would've told me that I would have no problems dropping off Zoe at the nursery at church and that I'd have a problem getting her to leave, I would've laughed in your face.  That is exactly how it works now.  She trots into the nursery ready to see all her friends.  It's much tears and sadness when I pick her up.

I think I know why.  She's the star of the nursery. 

Yesterday she organized a concert.  She put all the chairs out for her friends and stood on a makeshift stage while she wowed the crowd with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Apparently it was a benefit concert because several other kids got to sing too.

10 Days of Sheer Exhaustion

I'm going to warn you now, I'm whiny and all around exhausted.  A certain three year old is wearing me out.  I actually long for the days of all evening Wii playing.  That kind of exhaustion sounds heavenly.  We're onto the mental exhaustion.

Maybe she didn't hit her stride early enough, but I get the feeling this is what the terrible twos are all about:  crying, whining, stomping of feet.  That's just me!

It seems like every night for the last 10 days we've had a meltdown over something.  She can't have ice cream for dinner.  She can't live at Grandma's house.  She can't make her small, play cooking pot any bigger so it's a pool.  It's always something that sends the entire night into a meltdown of epic proportions.  If this is a preview to the teenage years, I best take out stock in Kleenex because we're both going to need them.

Last night took it to a place that broke my resolve.  She was crying in the backseat on the way home.  She wanted Grandma and she didn't want to go home.  When I asked her why, she said "because I don't want you and I don't like you." 

Crush my heart.

With 9 days of build up, I cried.  She yelled at me for crying because she is the only one who can cry.

I'm not going to lie.  For a brief moment the hurt spoke in me and I thought I could give her something to cry about.  I just continued to cry, which ticked her off more. 

I'm actually at a loss as to how to get through this phase.  Whatever this phase is.  This girl is wearing me down.  Bedtime cannot come fast enough.

It's in that moment where my sweet girl comes back to me.  She asks for cuddles and I as I sing her a song, she tells me she loves me.

This girl is going to be the death of me. 

There's no better way to go.

He's Stuck With Me Forever

Over the years I've made no secret that our marriage has gone through some rough times.  Next month N and I celebrate 5 years of marriage.  We both say without reservation that our marriage feels stronger than it ever has.  While we both realize it takes God and much work to keep our marriage at this place, we're confident that these last 5 years have been the foundation we needed for the long haul. 

I'm not sure what has done it other than God working in us that has brought us both to this place at the same time, but I love it.  N and I both have certain habits that aren't healthy for our marriage.  As we both work through those issues and hold each other accountable, we thought we each needed a reminder.

N's first thought was to get his tongue pierced.  His belief was that he'd always be aware to deal with his issue because every time he ate or talked, he'd have that reminder.  While I want to encourage him to take whatever steps he feels necessary, the thought of kissing a guy with a tongue ring really didn't excite me.  It totally freaked me out.  I wanted to find something that would serve as a reminder for him that didn't freak me out.  That's when I came across the Japanese calligraphy symbol for soul mates (tamashii no tomo).  I thought it would be cool if we both got tattoos of this symbol. 

N was all for it, thank the Lord.  That means new ink, not new tongue ring.  I actually shutter thinking about it.  We went to the local All American tattoo parlor and the awesome Jeremy Youngman drew up some ideas.  N wanted a phoenix to go along with his symbol because a phoenix means eternal.  Plus he just really likes them and is basically a walking wikipedia when it comes to things like mythical creatures and comic characters.

The design for N was MUCH bigger than we thought, but he loved it and I loved it, so he got it.  On his forearm.  His entire forearm.

Within the symbol are our names in Japanese.

Mine without the huge, mythical bird.  Not just because I'm a pain wuss.  Okay, totally because I'm a pain wuss.  I honestly didn't think I would have this excitement over it that I do.  It was a fun bonding experience to get a permanent reminder of N put on my body.  I realize it's not for everyone, but it really meant something to us. 

When we got home and Zoe saw daddy's arm, she wanted a picture too.  I got out my Sharpie marker and put an ichthus on her foot just like I have on mine.

She loves it!  She takes off her shoe to show everyone her new Jesus fish.

Tonight we're going to play tattoo shop.  I'll get out the paints and do my best to drawn a princess on her arm.  I may just stop and pick up some temporary tattoos on my way home!

The Whoopie

Last night I had a meeting at church and I called my sister to see if one of my nephews would be able to be in the nursery with Zoe for an hour.  I bribed them by saying this was a paying gig. 

Apparently my nephews have a social calendar that rivals Zoe because they were all busy.  However my sister offered to come to church and play with her for a bit.  We went out to dinner beforehand to have some time to catch-up.  That's when my sister showed Zoe her plan.  She pulled out a pink, round balloon looking thing that everyone instantly recognizes as a Whoopie Cushion.

Nicole made some comment that her youngest son Connor had put that in there, but I know Nicole better than that.

That's exactly what they did.  She taught Zoe how to blow it up and how to make it toot.  It was at that moment an unbreakable bond between aunt and niece developed.  My meeting was often interrupted by loud laughter from Zoe as she let another one rip!

As we were leaving church Zoe ran up to her Aunt Nicole with a big hug and a kiss.  I couldn't be more excited to see a bond between them grow.  My sister has been a role model and friend to me throughout my life and Zoe would be very blessed to have the same with her.

Actually I think it's safe to say that Aunt Nicole has made herself a place in Zoe's heart as this was her prayer last night:
Dear Jesus, thank you for today.  Thank you for the time with the tooting thing and my Aunt Nicole.  I love her so much with my whole heart.  Amen.

My prayer was exactly the same.

Christmas Came Early

When we bought our very first house, we bought it new.  The carpet wasn't at great quality.  Every time I vacuumed balls of carpet with appear and eventually it killed our vacuum.  You still have to vacuum and it started to clog up a second one.  We only lived in the house for 6 months.

When we moved into our current house, we still had vacuum #2 from the carpet balling days.  It sucks up things that are on the floor, but I never felt it was really sucking up the things I couldn't see.  To my sheer delight the vacuum went to vacuum heaven last night.  I'd like to think all the little gigantic carpet balls in its system are gone and it is now able to perform like I'd always hoped it would.

I don't think I even had the old vacuum totally put away when I announced to Zoe we were going to buy a new vacuum.  Since she's always up for shopping, she had a list of stores she was willing to go to in search of the perfect vacuum.

When she learned that we also had to put it together with tools and screws, I think her night was the best night ever!

As you can tell she's totally excited about our new vacuum and all it's cleaning power.

My favorite thing is it's bagless and has the name Turbo Power.  I could vacuum all night with that kind of machine!

That is until I empty the container. 

We are a houes of filth no more! 

A Little Splashing

This weekend Zoe's social calendar kept us busy.  She had a birthday party for her friend Lincoln.  He's 6 and one of the cutest boys I've ever known.  He and Zoe share a love for pretend play and dressing up like super heroes. 

He had his party at a local park with a splash pad.  This is how we spent most of our time.

We stayed dry despite the serious amounts of water coming down.  A girl can't get her hair wet when cute boys are around!