Loving the Upset

I know many of you are morning the loss of Kansas last night in the NCAA Tournament. I'm sure the majority of bracket-filler-outers had Kansas making the final four if not winning the whole thing. Well, here in small town Midwest, we are celebrating Kansas's lost. You see, a local boy plays for the University of Northern Iowa. Even though he doesn't start, he is one of the most popular players with his unending side burns. In fact, when he comes off the bench to provide a much needed spark, the UNI fans yell his name with extra enunciation.

How cool it was watching last night's game with butterflies in our stomachs! We were so nervous for "small town boy" that at times we had to change the channel. (We can only imagine how his dad Mike felt watching it in the stands.)

So, if you're looking for a team to root for now that your beloved Jayhawks are out of the big dance, jump on the UNI bandwagon. We'll let ya! Yell it with us : U - N - I! U - N - I! U - N - I! (Sounds good, huh?!)

Riding the Bike

Today ended up being a gorgeous day. Once we were home from school & work, Zoe had a great time riding her bike. If only these warm days would stick around!

Picture Perfect

Zoe was busy doing a craft the other night & this is what she came up with - a picture frame. Pretty creative, huh?!

Blankie

So Friday night we ordered take-out from our favorite Chinese restaurant. Zoe had gymnastics so she & I picked it up on the way home. Well, when Zoe got out of the car, she took her blankie in with her. Unknown to me, she must have set it down & realized she left it there when we got inside our house. Since the restaurant is about 15 minutes away, I told Zoe that I would call to make sure "Blankie" was there & ask them if I could just pick it up the next day.

When I called the restaurant, the sweet Chinese girl answered the phone. I explained to her that I had just been in there with my daughter & was wondering if Zoe had left her blanket there. She quickly asked if my little girl was the Chinese girl. I told her yes & then she told me that yes, the blanket was indeed there & that I could pick it up anytime.

I got off the phone & told Zoe that "Blankie" was there & that I would pick it up the next day. I also told her that the girl who answered the phone asked if my daughter was the little Chinese girl that was just in there.

Zoe's reply - "Huh? I wonder how she knew I was Chinese......probably my skin!"

Stylin' & Profiln'

So for the last week or so, I have been going through Zoe's closest & pulling out clothes that could possibly be too little. She's been a good sport about trying everything on & letting me know how they fit & if she is definitely going to wear them.



Along with the trying on, I have to admit that I told several white lies. You see, Zoe has some really cute outfits that I picked out & bought her last year that she snarled her nose up at & refused to wear. I didn't get rid of them thinking that she could possible wear them this year & might hopefully have a different attitude toward them (& would forget they even existed!). Well, whatda know? (Here's where the little white lies come in!!! Hee hee!) As soon as I pulled them out of her closest this week, I immediately said - "Oh, isn't this cute! Abigail picked these out for you!" Let me tell ya, those were the magic words! Once she knew Abigail had something to do with them, she was sold! Now, she can't wait for warmer weather to get here so she can wear her "Abigail outfits"! I know, I know, cruel trick. However, we both win. I don't have to buy as many summer clothes for her & Zoe thinks the "coolest girl in the world" (otherwise known as Abbie) had something to do with her clothes. No harm!



Well, we did find a mini-skirt that was a size 4. Zoe insisted on trying it on. She even had me go in the other room so she could put together an outfit using the mini-skirt. Well, here's what she came up with:

Just to let you know, the mini-skirt is not staying around. It's a little short. Much to Zoe's pleas, it will be finding another home. Yes, it was cute when it fit, but now it pretty much screams out - Hoochie Mama!

PS - Check out the boots in the picture. She put on her D**dle Bop dress up boots. Too funny!

Finally - Gettin' To Play Outside

It' been gorgeous the last two days here in small town Illinois. We actually got several projects finished around the house - mainly cleaning out the garage. Zoe enjoyed her days by attending a friend's birthday party, riding her bike, & playing outside.

(Gotta enjoy the weather now. There's rain headed our way!)

Gymnastics 101

Zoe has been going to gymnastics now for about 3 years. What started out as a fun kiddie class has escalated into full blown gymnastics two nights a week for two hours each night. Recently we were approached by Zoe's coach that Zoe will be moving up to Level 4 within a few months. Now Level 4 is a competitive team which means that Zoe will be competing in meets throughout the midwest. Plus, it is a bigger commitment (which also means more money) with more time spent in the gym practicing.

So, this past weekend Zoe & I attended her first gymnastics meet as a spectator. We were there basically to watch & see what Zoe would be doing & get a feel of whether or not Zoe would be interested in even being a member of Level 4.

Once arriving at the venue, Zoe was so excited to see all of the girls (28 teams) in their leotards & warm up uniforms. She became even more enthralled when the warm-ups for the competition started. In fact, as soon as the announcer came over the loud speaker to let the coaches know that warm-ups were starting, Zoe very quickly told me that we needed to get to our seats so we could watch. (We were coming back from the restroom.)

Anyway, it was a great day. Zoe enjoyed the meet & has decided that she would like to compete. I got a good laugh on the way home. I asked her what she thought & she replied - "I don't know if I could do it, Mom. I don't know the routines." I quickly explained to her that she would have months of training before her first meet. Once she understood that, she was all gung-ho.

Not sure when they will move her up, but I will keep you posted. For now, enjoy some (not-so-good) pictures of her in the gym doing what she loves best - gymnastics!

Practicing a back handspring with Miss Emily...

Flipping over...

Round-offs...

(I'd like to know what Lily is telling the girls. They are all very into it - except for Belle!)

Now Zoe is conducting story time!

Miss Manacurist

Yesterday Zoe & I had the day off from school to celebrate Casimir Pulaski Day. (Yep, here in Illinois, it's a state holiday. I know, many of you are asking, who in the heck is Casimir Pulaski? He was a Polish general in the Revolutionary War who is known for training his soldiers & calvary.) Anyway, so Zoe & I hung around the house all day. Once the supper mess was cleaned up, Zoe wanted to paint fingernails. She got a reluctant volunteer. But never the less, she got right to work.

The thumbnail - purple!

Concentrating so hard.

A smile to boot!

Daddy couldn't believe his fingernails - purple & shimmery pink with sparkles!

Ladybugs While it Lasted

As we were waiting for Zoe's referral, we completed her bedroom. Originally I wanted it decorated in Raggedy Ann & Andy. In fact, Paul & I had picked out a coloring book page & the art teacher that I work with was going to paint it on one of her walls. However, after realizing her walls were textured & it would take more work than planned, we went with a ladybug theme. (For those of you not familiar with Chinese adoptions, it is said that every time a ladybug is spotted, a family receives the referral of their new child.) A little bit of paint & a whole collection of bedding & accessories made for one very cute room.

Unfortunately, the ladybug bedroom is no longer. Zoe is getting older & wanted a more grown up theme. So, for now, the Ladybug garb is on Craigslist awaiting the next little girl who will fall in love with her bedroom the way our Zoe did!