Woozle Sleuthing

In one of the Tigger and Pooh episodes they go sleuthing for Woozles. We've seen this episode many times. Each time Zoe will bring us a net.

It wasn't until this weekend that N figured out what she was doing. Apparently our house is infested with woozles. Zoe needed help finding them all.

Here she is with daddy on the hunt.


They were successful. They caught me. Apparently I'm the oldest woozle known to man.

They were so proud.

Our little Keiki

This past week I've been cleaning out Zoe's closet to make room for all the new, summer clothes.

I found a dress I forgot we had.

Awhile ago we took a trip to O'ahu for Christmas with N's family. Aunt Mer bought a dress for Zoe because it matched the colors of her nursery.

At the time Zoe looked like this.

The dress was a size 4 and I knew it would be perfect for a summer many years down the road.

Fast forward to this past Sunday. She's big enough to wear the dress. It's just a little too cold for sleeveless.

Thank you Aunt Mer for the beautiful dress. She was a total hit with the nursery crowd.

Global Food Crisis Day

I'm one of those people that when the radio stations go into pledge drive mode, I listen to another station that week. I know that's probably really wrong to admit, but it's a whole week of "we need your money" and it gets on my nerves.

This morning you can imagine my delight when it was another pledge drive. I almost changed the channel until I heard the words "1 dies every 7 seconds." That totally got me curious as to what they were talking about. What dies and why?

Well it's Global Food Crisis Day. While I know there is hunger in many parts of the world, that statistic totally threw me. As I listened, I was totally thrown by the other statistics.

300 million children will go to bed hungry. Of those 25,000 won't wake up tomorrow because of malnutrition. Parents have to pick which of their children will eat when they have food.

I cannot even fathom looking at any of my children and saying, "I'm sorry, but you can't eat today." Then to go to bed, pray that they survive through the night and that tomorrow might bring food.

We are in an international crisis. People who used to afford food no longer can. The cost of rice has doubled in the last year. For families who spent 80% of their income on rice, just to eat, now cannot afford it at all.

Yet I can go to any number of grocery stores and buy that food without problem. I can also give up 3 lattes a month and feed a child.

If you are interested, you can go to Compassion International and feed a child for a month for $13. It can be a one-time contribution.

You can help some parent not have to pick which child will eat today.

"Help your brothers until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you" (Joshua 1:14-15, niv).

A brief introduction

Old Man Winter, meet spring.

You two really don't have anything in common. However, since you insist on visiting AGAIN, I figure you should know how it works.

When we "spring ahead" that means it's time for you to leave and spring to visit. I don't mean to be rude, but 6 inches in my yard isn't really leaving. It's more along the lines of nestling in, getting cozy, kicking your feet up and sipping hot cocoa.

You see, I'm ready to get out in the yard (which you just covered completely), do a little gardening and finally be able to see my grass.

I only have room for one of you at a time. I think after leaving about 80 inches during your stay is plenty.

Trot along. Take the fresh stuff with ya. Let the sun come out, the tulips come up and the new season start.

Because getting a certain 2 year old in all her snow gear to go help me shovel is quite time consuming. Then trying to bribe her with cookies to get her to come back in the house without alligator tears. Well, that's near impossible.

Mimi & Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaad

For months Zoe has been saying "dad." It's never quiet. No matter where she is, she yells for him. He could be sitting next to her on the couch and she'll still yell his name. It's become a running joke in our house.

She will yell for him to come look at her, play with her, to show him how cute she looks. She wants to share every moment with him.

It melts my heart and N's.

For awhile she'd say "mom" but then it totally stopped when she started yelling for dad.

Until this weekend. She can't totally say "mommy" so I'm now "mimi." Yesterday she was running through the house yelling for me.

Because she needed a diaper change.

Apparently I'm the caretaker and N's the playmate. I think they plot about the dirty diapers on Fridays while I'm at work.

Ready to worship

N and his worship team buddy are totally ready to rock the service tomorrow.

An hour early.

And with a stocking cap.

But your virtual age is only 45

Today is a special day in our family. It's my mom's birthday. Typically she hates her birthday because she's a beige person. She likes to blend in and not be noticed.

In preparation of a low-key celebration, Zoe and I decided to make grandma some yard ornaments. My mom has a major deer problem, so flowers don't really work for her. Zoe and I decided grandma still needed flowers, just wooden ones that the deer won't eat.

That means we had a painting project. With a 2 year old. I'm very proud to say Zoe is a natural. She only got paint on the box we used as a table and on the wooden flowers. My kitchen and my shirt are totally fine.

I have to share what I did because I thought it was pretty clever. I taped the wooden flowers to an upside down, paper bowl. Taped the bowl to an old box. Then taped the paper bowl with the paint inside to the same box. That way nothing would move while Zoe painted and if it did, it would just be on a box that was slated to go to the dump anyway. Clever, no?

I'm getting off subject. Here are some pictures of our very own Picasso in action.

The pre-painting. Or drumming in her very own band.

She is totally serious. Look at that attention to detail!


The finished product!

Grandma LOVED them. They were her favorite gift ever. I think Zoe might have grandma wrapped around her little finger!

My mom is one of the most amazing women I know. She raised me by herself, worked full-time, was head of the PTA, head of the Camp Fire Association, my Camp Fire leader, an AWANA leader, co-director of the singles group at our church and managed to get dinner on the table each night and spend quality time with me. She single-handedly put me through college. Even though she works two jobs, she still manages to take care of Zoe and set aside time for quilting with me.

She is my compass for so many things. She taught me how to be a mom, showed me what kind of relationship I want with my daughter, showed me in a real way what it means to be a Godly woman and how to find the blessings in each day.

Her life hasn't ever been easy, but her attitude would never let you know that some days are a struggle.

She taught me how to love and how to freely show it. I am forever grateful that God gave me her. She is not only my mother, but my friend.

Happy birthday mom. Sorry for all the gray hair, but according to a life expectancy test you're really only 45. You don't look a day over 36. Love you!