She's a total slave driver

In an effort to include Zoe in all our outdoor activity, we bought her a shovel, a wheelbarrow, a rake and a watering can. All smaller versions of mine. Which actually make them adorable.

I figured if I was planting, Zoe would get her shovel and help me.

I was right, she totally wants to help. The problem is that I cannot sit down in the backyard and watch her play. She brings me my tools. She insists that I work in the yard every single second that I'm out there.

My beds have never looked better.

Because I'm forced to work all the time, I have ideas about the beds now. Grand ideas. Like I want to move loads of bark out, loads of dirt in and create a play area for Zoe. That last one is in hope that I might be able to get some rest outside when the weather is seriously nice.

Zoe's cleaned out area. She has her rake. Apparently my bark moving abilities are sub-par.

The other bed. That still needs to be cleared and plants and roses need to be transplanted.

The water table that is great for cleaning off her tools. Not for actual water play.

The slave driver herself. How do you say no to that face?

Bookay

With the nicer weather, we've been able to bring out the summer fun. Not only does Zoe have a shovel, rake and a watering can, but lots of toys to play with outside.

She's been in heaven being able to get out, enjoy the fresh air and play in the dirt.

Her favorite thing in the whole world is her "bookay." In toddler-speak that means bubbles.

Lots of bubbles.

Lots of smiles, twirling and dancing thanks to the bookay.

Easter Part Deux

Easter morning was busy. After the Easter bunny came, we went to church to celebrate our Risen Lord.

Then it was home to search for the licked eggs in the backyard. Zoe needed the card from Grammie and Grandpa to get in the mood.

After all the hunting, N's sister Bev, her husband Chris and their son Micah came over to celebrate.

I think Micah gets cuter every time I see him.

Zoe thinks so too. She loves petting his bald head and kissing him.

Because N is a master at many things, he was able to get both of them to sit for approximately 5 seconds. Which is just enough time for me to snap a picture.

Then, because none of the family from N's side lives near us, we had to get the family picture. Thanks to my mom, who avoids the camera at all costs.

N hosted his famous omelet bar and the kids had a great time playing. It was a wonderful Easter!

According to N, the licked eggs taste fabulous.

That Easter Bunny is pretty cool

For Easter we dyed some eggs. Although by dyeing, I mean I dyed them while Zoe was sleeping. She has a love of sticking her hand into cups full of water. I feared that we would end up with hands more colorful than the eggs.

After her nap, we decorated them with stickers. By we, I mean I put them on and she pulled them off. Then licked the egg. Apparently you don't decorate the hard boiled eggs, you lick them.

Here's the expert sticker remover and licker in action:




On Easter morning the Easter bunny was totally not afraid to touch the non-decorated, saliva covered eggs because they ended up in the backyard.

Zoe woke up to a new wheelbarrow filled with Little Einsteins and a water table.

We haven't had a chance to try out the water table. Since we got 6 inches of snow. After Easter!

I have a feeling she's going to love all the pouring and chances to get soaked.

Or if not, she'll at least have some new squirty toys to lick.

Some heartbreak

This economy has done major things to the US. My job has been affected by the market ups and downs. N has survived 4 rounds of layoffs. Each bringing a deeper sense of sadness and loss.

Through all those rounds where N & I prayed, we knew God would guide us through it. Knew that He had a plan should N lose his job.

Thankfully His plan includes a future for N at his current company. They see a future in him. That feeds both of our souls.

Today is my turn to experience loss and sadness. My former company in Tacoma, Russell Investments, is going through layoffs today. In December they announced that 400 jobs would be cut. While it's a global company, many of those positions will be in Tacoma.

That hits the center of my heart. Those people were my family. They welcomed me to Tacoma with such sweetness that I felt like I knew them all before we even met.

They celebrated with me during my pregnancy. They encouraged me to grow in my career.

When Zoe and I were fighting for life, they circled around all of us with love, encouragement and support.

Moving back to Spokane was bittersweet. This is home and the place N & I both knew we needed to be. The hardest part about leaving Tacoma was leaving my Russell family behind. I hated that I wouldn't see them everyday.

Now, two years later, I still rejoice with them through marriages, births and the new things that life brings.

Today, some of my family will experience this economy first hand. Today I will be saddened along with them.

I know there is a bigger plan in store for them, even though today might be hard. I am sending prayers, hugs and love to all of them. It's going to be a hard one.

A date with Zoe

I took Friday off to be home with my people. Because I normally don't get Fridays off, we decided to plan a date with Zoe.

Downtown is a children's museum that has a toddler time on Friday mornings. We packed up and headed out for some fun.

They have a sports themed exhibit right now, which is right up Zoe's alley. She loves to play ball.

There was a really tough bouncing exhibit. You have to try and do a bounce pass into a hole behind the glass. Zoe was more into holding onto the ball and rolling it under the glass.

Then we found the water current table. Daddy created some white water rafting for the plastic boats. Zoe helped. She didn't like his zig-zags, so she rearranged and then watched her boats fly down the rapids.

Then we made it into the arts and crafts section. We each made paper fish. This is Zoe's "kay" pose. When you repeat what she said, she puts her hands into fists and says "kay." I think she was done with her fish and ready to watch the boats on the water again.

Because the water table had another round of rafting guides, we decided to head across the street to Red Robin for lunch. Here she is pondering what we would do next on our date.

Fortunately we were close to Riverfront Park, which is one of the largest parks in Spokane. You can feed the ducks, ride some carnival rides and in the summer play in the fountains.

Today, we decided to introduce Zoe to one of both N's and my favorite pasttimes. The carrousel. Spokane has an original Looff carrousel, built in 1909. It's gorgeous.

It's safe to say we have another generation who will count the carrousel as one of her favorite childhood memories. She said, "weeeeeeeeee" the entire time. When we got off, she was ready for round two.

There is no better way to spend Good Friday than with the two, greatest blessings in my life.

Friday Five Faves - The Gymnastic Edition

We had a bit of a scare this week. Wednesday I got a call from the YMCA. Zoe was the only one registered for the Jumpers gymnastics class. They were either going to cancel the class or switch her to a different time.

Obviously I would be heartbroken if the class were cancelled, but switching wasn't an option because Thursdays are the best day for us.

I'm not going to lie. Tears were almost shed at the fact that she wouldn't be able to wear her new leotards and be so cute in a gymnastics class.

On Thursday morning I spoke to the director at the YMCA and they decided to change her class to a private lesson. Miss Mandy was willing to work on Thursdays just for us.

Both Zoe and I are so glad she did. Here is our gymnastic in action:

During the obstacle course. She loved it so much she didn't want to quit.

Climbing up the wedge on the course. She's a natural.

Playing with the bubbles.

Posing a bit during the bubble session.

Her classic dismount pose.

After all the climbing, the bubble popping and some crying, she got a lollipop and two stamps on her hands.

It was an absolute blast. We can't wait for Thursday again.