The Fifth Sense

Zoe is still discovering things every day.  Nothing is safe anymore since one of her favorite things is opening doors!

I'm amazed at what she picks up.  She has phrases that I never realized I said.  What I'm most amazed at is the things that catch me by surprise. 

Zoe has discovered the sense of smell.

I won't tell you in all the details, but let's just say someone was indisposed in the bathroom.  Zoe opened the door and asked "what doin'?" 

Then she wrinkled her nose and said, "you smell." 

Four Words That Mean So Much More

Our bedtime routine consists of jammies, teeth brushing, hair brushing, the book I Love You, Good Night and a prayer.  Usually around prayer time Zoe is about done.  She is ready for the room to be dark and some cuddle action to take place. 

I told her that Jesus likes it when we thank Him for our day.  She said, "fine, I do it." 

She folded her hands, closed her eyes and said, "thank you Jesus, amen."

Brought tears to my eyes.  So simple, yet so profound.

Thank you Jesus, indeed.  Thank you.

A Little Glitter, A Little Tired and A Whole Lotta Random

After staying up until 10:45 on New Year's Eve, I feel that my whole new year sleep schedule has been thwarted.  I know we're only 6 days into this new decade and all, but I'm tired.  Granted the staying up late this week probably is the real culprit and not the Rockin' New Year's Eve N and I had.

I tend to be an overachiever.  In a big way.  Especially when it comes to being a wife and mommy.  I like to make sure the people that God has trusted me with are well taken care of and they know how important they are to me.  Like taking pictures of N playing on the worship team.  He's come to expect that I document our life.  Every second of our life since well, I'm bound to run out of blog material at some point in time, so why not throw a picture of us playing Wii up here and call it good.

That's not the point of all this random.  We're talking about why I'm tired.  Apparently I ramble when I'm tired, even when typing it out and re-reading it.  I've been up this week making a birthday card for Zoe.  Our little girl turns 3 in just a few short weeks.  I'm busy with all the party planning that's going on.  We typically do a family party.  By family party I mean all the families of her little friends can come to the party too.  It gives N a chance to chat with the guys and me a chance to have another 10 sets of hands when you've got all the children.  By all the children, there are 27 on the list.  You add their parents and we've got 55 people on the birthday list.  You can see why I plan well in advance. 

One thing got put to the sidelines.  Okay more than a couple things.  I'm sure N would appreciate some long-sleeved shirts that were clean and totally dry when he had to rush out the door to work!

The one thing I've been losing sleep over is a birthday card for Zoe.  We love watching PBS KIDS Sprout in the evenings.  Every day they post birthdays on their show.  You can submit a card and maybe it'll be on the show on your child's birthday.  The deadline is fast approaching.  I had to make a card so she could see herself on TV.  The card may or may not be picked, so I had to make it a good one.

I sat down Monday night, after Zoe went to sleep, to start.  You have to include a character from the channel on your card.  The Wiggles are Sprout now, so I knew they'd have to be on the card.  What I didn't read was the fine print.  I had to DRAW a character from the show.  I got out the colored pencils and colored in some pictures of the guys.  Then I had to use an exacto knife to get the picture off the paper.  Then I had to add some glitter and pictures of Zoe.  What turned into a couple hours project ended up being a 4.5 hour project that spanned two nights.

Last night I was so engrossed in the project that when I finally looked up it was 11:30.  On a work night.  Which, ironically, is later than I lasted on New Year's Eve.  Apparently I wasn't old, just unmotivated.  That Seacrest guy didn't hold my interest the way The Wiggles can.

I'm proud to say the card is done, in the mail and I hope to see it on the show on January 26th so Zoe can have her 30 seconds of fame at age 3.  What better present can you get a kid. 

Maybe a party for 55.

The Darndest Things

Zoe has entered the minabird stage.  If N or I say or do anything she's quick to copy.

Last night she was helping me wash potatoes for soup for me and mashed potatoes for her.  I got done peeling a potato, handed it to her and she said, "thank you princess mommy."

Two Movies Just Wipes Us Out

My mom has offered for the next 12 years to watch Zoe on New Year's Eve so N and I can have a proper date.  In the past, we've bought a new DVD, I've cooked a nice dinner and we've stayed in.  Neither of us really like to be out with the drunk people on that night, so it's worked out well for us.

This year we bucked the trend.  That's not entirely true.  I wanted to buck the trend and N played along because his motto is "if mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."

Since my mom hadn't got to see Zoe for the last two weeks since N wasn't in school, she picked her up early.  N and I ran out the door to start our marathon date.  First up was The Blind Side. 

I'm serious when I say this was one of thee best movies I've seen in a long time.  I just makes you want to be a better human.  Plus it's got humor.  Great humor.  I recommend this with every fiber of my being.  It's in my top 10.

Then we took a break for dinner at Applebees.  We needed fuel and the 55 gallon drum of movie popcorn wasn't enough.

After dinner it was our double feature of Sherlock Holmes.

Another excellent movie.  It was a different twist on the classic, but in a completely Guy Ritchie way.  If you love Lock, Stock and Two Smoking or Snatch, you'll love the way this movie was filmed.  It wasn't bloody or gross, it was suspenseful.  And brillant. 

We were two-for-two and totally stuffed from all the food.  We only made it until 11:15.  Actually I only made it until 10:45, but I fell asleep on the couch, so I don't count that.

I'm not sure when we got so old.

You May Be Confused, But We Are NOT Related to Tony Hawk

Santa brought E a new skateboard this year.  D got some sweet hi-tops and a jacket that actually has an iPod hook up in the pocket and the ties for the hood are the earbuds. 

If you judge a girl by her Christmas gifts, then we have two, future skateboarders.   If that's your future, there's not better time to practice that Christmas morning.  You've got to get the sweet riding skills in before you go back to school!

You're supposed to stand on it without it moving out from under you.

That's really hard, so we'll practice sitting down first.

Then the master has to show them how it's done.

I'm pretty sure he can't stop.

Nope, the girls had to go get him.  They tried warning him how hard it was!

The ole, "don't try that girls, it's only for the pros" talk.

Apparently now that she's seen N fly down the sidewalk, she is totally able to do the same.

D's turn!  I think she may be leaning a bit too much.

Yep.  That darn wheel caught the edge.  Good thing for helmets.

At least they look the part. 

She Got Like Three Feet of Air That Time

Christmas Day was filled with lots of wrapping paper, cool presents and play time.  The morning always seems to be hectic as we do our annual breakfast bar after all the presents are opened.  By noon things have settled down, the girls can play with their toys and we can just enjoy the day as a family.

Typically that evening my mom comes over for dinner and anyone else we know that doesn't have a home to go to and we eat. 

Because the food isn't ready the second the girls sit down, they entertain themselves.  This year that included mini skateboards.

Can you see it in the TV? 

While the older girls were trying to hit the ceiling fan with their skateboard, Zoe was practicing her princess wave.

A girl can never have too many accessories!