mammaslittlesugarbooger

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Zoe Turns 6

Today's Zoe's 6th birthday! So hard to believe that our little girl is growing up. She woke up early this morning & yelled - Today I'm 6!!!

Awaiting for her present!

Her reaction to seeing her present....

A new bike!!!

However, the new bike didn't stay around long. We had bought a training wheels kit to put on it, but quickly discovered that the new bike wasn't acceptable to training wheels. So, we took the new bike back & got a newer bike!!! But not before taking Zoe out for lunch to her restaurant of choice - H**ters!!!! (Yes, that is where she chose to go. She loves their 911 Chicken Strips!)

At H**ters!

The waitress wrote Happy Birthday in ketchup!

Paw Paw Frank telling Zoe Happy Birthday!

Smiling with her H**ters balloon!

And another pose!

Our waitress took Zoe by the hand & had her stand on a chair while all of the waitresses sang to her. Zoe loved it, even acting like a bird & shaking her tail feathers!

Zoe with all of the H**ters waitresses!

Finally at home riding her birthday present - her new new bicycle with her matching helmet!

Happy Birthday, Zoe. We love you!

A Day with the Cards

Saturday Paul, Zoe, Zoe's friend Avery, & I headed to the St. Louis Cardinals game. Paul had gotten the tickets through the funeral home. And let me tell ya, the seats were awesome - second row by the Cardinals dugout! It was a little chilly, but I was prepared with sweatshirts, jackets, & a blanket. Everyone had a great time.

(Warning: Lots of pictures to follow!)

Zoe & Avery hoping to see some players.

Instead they see two of my students. Amanda was there participating in the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk with Albert Pujols & her brother was there supporting her! How cool is that?!

Ryan Ludwick warming up.

Jason LaRue, Kyle Lohse, & Dave Duncan walking to the dugout.

Zoe getting Colby Rasmus's autograph on her ball glove.

Avery getting an autograph from Colby too.

The girls showing their Colby Rasmus autographs on the pink gloves.

Zoe holding her birthday sign. During the game, pitcher Kyle Lohse was entering the dugout & read Zoe's sign & gave a big smile!

Third base coach Jose Oquendo watching the game.

Albert Pujols & Prince Fielder at first base.

Brendan Ryan headed into the dugout.

First base coach Dave McKay talking to Julio Lugo as Prince Fielder stands by.

The Man Himself - Albert Pujols!

Mark DeRosa taking the field.

Catcher Jason LaRue

Pitcher Kyle Lohse

Possible Rookie of the Year - Colby Rasmus!

Rick Ankiel after having just struck out with the bases loaded.

Mark DeRosa yelling for someone in the dugout to get him something.

Outfielder Ryan Ludwick

Matt Holliday the beast!

Someone in the dugout said something to Mark DeRosa.

Albert Pujols warming up to bat!

The players on the bench enjoying the game.

Blake Hawksworth came in to relieve.

National League Come-Back-Player-of-the-Year: Pitcher Chris Carpenter!

Julio Lugo

Pujols up to bat....

And he flies out to center.

Zoe showing off her pink glove & pink Cardinal ball.

The Cardinal Crew girls doing their thing.

Pitcher Joel Pineiro

The Cardinals are in the post season & have their first game tomorrow night. We will be watching & rooting for our Cards!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

My Principal Praise Girl

Zoe's school is heavily involved in a character education program. Each month students are introduced to a new "pillar" word & their character lessons for that month surround the meaning of that word. For example, the "pillar" word for September was Responsibility.

Building on that character ed. program, Mr. Nail, the principal, has a club that is called Principal Praise. Each month teachers nominate students who they feel represent the school in every "pillar" of the character ed. program. The students chosen are singled out at an all-school assembly & get to have lunch with the principal. Besides that, one name is drawn from the group of winners & is treated to a limo ride around town & lunch at D*iry Queen.

So on Thursday I just happened to be picking Zoe up from school & was waiting in the school's lobby. The character education assembly was going on in the gym & from where I was sitting I could hear it. I wasn't really paying that much attention until I heard the principal say Zoe's name. I then peeked in the gym door & saw that she was standing with a small group of other students in front of their peers. Mr. Nail then pulled a name out of a hat & announced the winner of the limo ride & DQ lunch. (Zoe's name was not chosen.)

As Zoe & I are walking home from school (we only live about 2 blocks), this is the conversation that takes place:

Mom - What was that assembly about? Why were you up there in front of all the kids in your school?

Zoe - One of the teachers, maybe Mrs. Green, picked me for Principal Praise.

Mom - That's awesome, but what's Principal Praise? (Knowing full well what it was, I just wanted to get her view!)

Zoe - It's when you're picked for doing the right thing. It's for acting like you're supposed to & always being nice to others & using your manners.

Mom - Zoe, that's awesome. I am so proud of you & Daddy will be too.

Zoe - Well, I didn't win the limo & D*iry Queen lunch though. Only one name was drawn out for that.

Mom - That's okay. Besides, do you know what limo that student is going to be riding in & who is going to be driving that limo?

Zoe - No.

Mom - Your daddy. He will be taking the students in the funeral home limo.

Zoe - (With a goofy look on her face.) Oh. Well, I've ridden in that limo before when Daddy was driving. It's probably best that someone else gets to ride it in then, because I can ride in it any time & have Daddy take me to D*iry Queen. Maybe the boy that was picked has never been in a limo. That would be cool for him!

(And that my friends is my Principal Praise girl. Always thinking of someone else before herself!)