Just What I Needed

How is that Zoe seems to know exactly when I need a good chuckle?

Yesterday I spent a good portion of the day cleaning & organizing. Because of that I was able to list several items for sale on Ebay & Craigslist (which by the way, is my new best friend!). Well, one of the items I'm getting rid of is a Pack & Play that was purchased when we adopted Zoe. So, after taking pictures of it & listing it for sale, I set it in the corner of the dining room.

Later that evening as we were setting down for dinner Zoe noticed the Pack & Play. Here's the conversation that followed:

Zoe - A crib like thing?

Me - Yes, it's called a Pack & Play. We originally bought it for you. However, it was only used once so Mommy is selling it.

Zoe - Oh, I thought maybe you & Daddy were surprising me with a baby sister!!!!!!!

Cracked me up. She has been saying for about the last two weeks that she wants a baby sister. And, not just any baby sister. She says that she wants to go to China & get a baby sister from an orphanage. (If you know anything about me at all, you know that I would travel to China again to adopt in a heart beat. However, my husband Paul has definite reservations.)

Anyway, with the last two days events (see previous post to get filled in) I needed a good laugh. Not only is Zoe a ray of sunshine each & every day, but that girl brings more joy than I could have ever imagined!

Asking for Prayers

Early Sunday morning about 12:15 AM there was a fatal two car accident that involved 9 young college students from the small area where I teach. Three were pronounced dead at the scene, 1 died at a local hospital , & the 5 others were transported to hospitals within the St. Louis area. Of the four deceased, one is a former student of mine & another one's cousin is currently in my class. I also know one of the individuals taken to the hospital who is fighting for her life while in a coma with swelling & bleeding on her brain.

The high school's graduation in this small town of 4,100 was Friday night. What should have been a weekend of celebrations and remembrance of those who have fought in the past & those fighting now for our country has turned into a sad & somber two days. Please take a moment to pray for the families of Blake, Justin, Crystal, & the other 6 kids involved in this tragic accident.

First Time at the Arch

Sunday was a beautiful day. Paul was in a golf tournament so Zoe, Brandy, Nick (Brandy's boyfriend), & I headed to the zoo. However, we never made it there. Instead, we decided to go to the Arch. Zoe was very excited since she had never been there before. We have talked numerous times about going, but had just not made it there.

Upon arrival we immediately bought our tram tickets for the ride to the top. We had about a half hour so we looked around the museum which Zoe enjoyed. She loved seeing the animals in all of the displays. But nothing could beat riding to the top & looking out the windows. Zoe was mesmerized. She could have stayed up there for hours. She loved seeing the Cardinals in action (even if they were losing!), the swimming pools on the roofs of buildings, the way automobiles looked like ants, & especially the flow of the Mississippi River.

We decided to spend some time on the riverfront watching the barges & paddle boats travel up & down the river. Zoe especially enjoyed watching the helicopter tours take off & land. Of course, she thought we needed to ride in the helicopter. Instead, we talked her into taking a horse & carriage ride along the river. And, as you can imagine, she loved it. In fact, she's still talking about Curly the horse.

We finished off the afternoon with a stop at Cold Stone Creamery on the way home! What a great ending to a great day!

L@@k Who Graduated Today!!!!

Zoe had her Pre-K graduation this morning at 10 AM. It's so hard to believe that she will be attending kindergarten this fall.

The ceremony lasted about 30 minutes & then there was a punch & cookie reception in the school's gym. Afterwards we celebrated with lunch at the new cafe here in town that opened up 5 days ago. Then it was an afternoon spent hanging around the house.

In her classroom before the ceremony....

Showing off her graduation t-shirt....

Sitting as the ceremony begins....

Singing: The Doors on the Bus Go Open & Shut....

Sydney & Zoe singing their hearts out....

Jack's not too interested in singing....

Ethan is thinking - What's the big deal?....

Using her diploma as a telescope....

Sydney & Zoe are all smiles....

Zoe & her friend Alyssa....

The Fab Five - Zoe, Gracie, Sydney, Raegan, & Kaidyn....

Avery & Zoe - Best Buddies Forever....

Hannah & Zoe eating cookies....

Where Did Those Come From?

Saturday evening was to be a night of relaxation for Paul, Zoe, & I. We had planned on getting take out & watching the Nascar race in the basement. Well, that didn't happen! Zoe was given a better offer. She was asked to "help" her Godparents with a trivia night for teenagers. So, while she was there, I took advantage of her not being home. I cleaned her room & went through all of her toys & discarded the ones that were broken, had missing pieces, etc. I ended up with 3 big garbage bags full. When she came home she was amazed. In fact, so amazed, that when she saw a bags of blocks sitting out she questioned where they had came from.

I quickly explained to her that I had found them under her bed. However, she had indeed played with them before. In fact, the blocks used to be one of her favorite toys when she first arrived home from China.

Zoe was excited to rediscover the blocks. So much so that she & Paul played with them for about an hour before calling it a night.

Spending Time with Sissy

Sissy (AKA: Brandy) arrived home for the summer Thursday evening. She wrapped up her junior year in college earlier in the day. She stopped by the house for just a minute to ask if she could pick Zoe up from pre-school & spend the day with her. Of course, Zoe was so excited. (One to see Sissy, but also very excited that she wouldn't have to stay at daycare once pre-school was over.)

So, the two of them had an enjoyable Friday afternoon. Went to Sissy's house for a while. Played Wii. Went out to lunch. Did hair & make-up. And, as always, Zoe wore some of Sissy's clothes! Check it out: