Could There be a Seamstress in our House?

Last week Zoe talked me into buying her a kid's teddy bear sewing kit. As you all know, Zoe is all about anything that has to do with art. As I stood in the store reading about the kit, I promised Zoe that she could work on it after dinner that evening. So, as soon as the table was cleared & the dishwasher started, I helped her piece the pre-fab pattern together & showed her how to start a stitch. Before too long, she was well on her way to sewing her first ever item. After a little help & some extremely good patience, Zoe introduced Snowflake to her daddy. What do you think? Pretty good, huh? (Perhaps, she'll learn how to use a sewing machine - something this Mama never had any interest in!!! And still doesn't!!!!)

PS - As you all have guessed by now, Zoe made it home safe & sound yesterday from her field-trip with her friend. I told her that I missed her & thought about her all day. Her reply - "Sorry Mom, but I was too busy having fun to even think about you!!!"

A Nervous Nelly!!!!

Those of you that know me or have been around long enough, know that I am, for the most part, calm, cool, & collective. Not too much bothers me. I pretty well let things roll off my shoulders & not worry too much. Well, the time has come & I must admit that I am a Nervous Nelly. You see, today Zoe is on her first "official" out-of-town outing with a friend. She was asked by Kylie to go to the Science Center with her family. As you can imagine, Zoe was very excited & has talked about it for days. I'm excited for her too, but yet, very nervous on the inside. Paul & I both gave Zoe the talk about staying with Kylie's parents, not running off, no talking to strangers, etc. (As we did, Zoe just rolled her eyes & stated over & over - I know! I know!) Deep down I know that she will be fine & have a blast. Until she gets home, I'll keep myself busy - cleaning, laundry, grading papers, etc. (Believe me, I have plenty to do to keep my mind off it it!)

Christmas Memories

Christmas Eve we always go to Paw Paw Frank's & Grandma Donna's house. We enjoy visiting with family, eating, & watching the kids open their presents.

Alex, Zoe, Tiffany, & Tristan

Zoe snuggling up to Daddy in her new cheerleading outfit!

Zoe showing off the butterfly she created with her Bendaroos from Aunt Leeshe!

Before going to bed, Zoe wrote a note to Santa, left the reindeer food, sat out milk & cookies for Santa, & put the "Magic Key" in our door so Santa could get in the house.

Santa's note...

Putting reindeer food on the porch.

Milk, cookies, note, & napkins... All for Santa!

Hanging the "Magic Key" on the doorknob.

Christmas morning Zoe found the presents Santa left her & then she opened the ones we had bought her.

Looking through her stocking!

A new book...

Around mid-morning we headed to Paul's cousin's house to celebrate with the other side of the family.

Zoe & Maw

Zoe & baby Gabby!

Then it was on to Paw Paw & Nana's. We had a light supper & visited with my side of the family. It's always so fun seeing all of the cousins & hanging out with them. Zoe had someone follow her around all night - cousin Gracie! (Hard to believe that she'll be 2 in a few weeks!)

Zoe & Gracie!!!

Cookies for Santa

Every year Paul & Zoe make No-bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies for Santa. It's an old family recipe on Paul's mom's side. I'm not really sure who enjoys making them more - Paul or Zoe!

Measuring the peanut butter out.

Watching it boil while Daddy stirs it on the stove.

Smiling for the camera!

Scooping out the cookie mixture on the wax paper.

A BIG scoop!

Loving everything about cookies!

From the looks of the cookies this morning, they are going to be delicious for Santa! After we get home from Paw Paw Frank's & Grandma Donna's Zoe will sit out a plate of cookies & a glass of milk for Santa. I'm sure he'll only leave a few crumbs, just like every year!

Christmas Card & Cookies

Zoe & I plan to enjoy our first day of holiday break away from school - sleeping in, helping Dad at the funeral home, running errands, etc. Tonight though Christmas cookies must be made. This is a tradition of Zoe & her daddy. No-bake chocolate oat cookies. Just happens to be Santa's favorite around our house! For some reason he only leaves crumbs on the plate left out for him! Doesn't seem to matter how many are put on the plate - 2, 4, 5, etc. - he eats them ALL!

Hope you have a Merry Christmas & enjoy some cookies yourself!

We made it home from North Carolina Monday evening just in time for Paul & I both to get back in the car & head to meetings. Overall, our "little vacation" (as Zoe called it) was uneventful, but wonderful too. It was nice to get away & enjoy each other's company. Here are some highlights of the trip:

Casey graduating!

Zoe writing on the graduation program during the ceremony.

Fog coming over the mountains in North Carolina.

Zoe doing a bow-n-arrow (a cheerleading move) in the hotel pool in West Virginia on the way home. (Notice: without floaties!!!!)

And yet, another cheerleading move! Zoe is ALL about cheerleading!

On a Little Trip

Hello from North Carolina!!! We made a mad dash here for a college graduation. We left our house this morning at 5 AM & arrived at our hotel about 12 hours later. Zoe was a trooper in the car, never complaining once. However, as soon as we checked in we headed to eat & then came back to the hotel so Zoe could swim. (Ignore the mismatched floaties, Paul was in charge of finding them & loading them in the car!)

It's been a long day so we are headed to bed! Have a great weekend. Will check in tomorrow night!

Melton the Warm Hearted Snowman

Last night was Zoe's school's Christmas concert. The kindergarten & first & second grades sang a couple of songs & put on a little skit about Melton the Warm Hearted Snowman. Zoe wasn't too thrilled about going because she did NOT want to wear the dress I had picked out for her. Well, after a little tough love, she finally went back to being her old self - bubbly sweet Zoe. So, we did what this Mama loves to do & took a few pictures.

Posing by the Christmas tree in the living room.

And now by the Christmas tree in her newly re-decorated bedroom.

Then it was off to the concert. Zoe was the "bottom row riser leader". (And let me tell ya, she was proud of her title!!!!)

Sneaking a peek at mom & dad!

Singing about Melton...

All the kiddos....

And then we see this face. (Come to find out, her panty hose had ripped!)

A smile for the camera...

Flipping her hair as she sings...

And one last concert smile!

Afterwards we took Zoe's friend Avery & her brother Brendan with us to eat pizza & then to our house to wait for their parents. Soon after getting home, Zoe & Avery decide to put pajamas on. (My kind of girls!)

All dolled up & no where to go!!!!

Art Show

Zoe's school's Christmas program is later this week. Along with it, there is an art show featuring the students' work. Zoe's kindergarten class got to pick out two items each to display. Zoe's told us a little about one of the projects she selected, but tells us the other one is a surprise. If either one of them is anything like the other art projects she brought home yesterday, we are gonna be impressed. (I think the girl's got talent!!!!) Check 'em out for yourself:

Zoe's leaf collection she did with chalk.

Fish & seaweed by sponge painting.

Her self-portrait from paint & crayons.

A fish (her footprint) made from Acrylic Ink.

A raccoon from construction paper & a paper plate.

Zoe's hand monster using colored pencils.