Take Your Kid to Work Day

Last week Zoe attended school with me in honor of Take Your Kid to Work Day. She had a very enjoyable day as several of my classes were working on their recycling projects.

Zoe checking out a project.

This group actually had Zoe help them with their project.

Just a side note: Paul tried very hard to convince her to go to work with him. She wanted no part of that. She's been there before & always says it's not that fun. Paul says that's because the people at his work don't talk back!

2 Homeruns + a Put Out + Flips = a Win!

Last night Zoe & I attended the high school baseball game of my two nephews'. The game was held near our house at a minor league baseball team's stadium. The evening started out kind of overcast, but by the end of the middle of the fourth inning, it was raining & cold. We stuck it out until the end & boy, are we glad we did!

Zack, a sophomore, ended up with a single during the game, along with a walk, & also threw a runner out at home plate after catching a fly ball in center field!

Zack getting ready to bat.

Looking for the right pitch.

He ended up with a single to center field.

Zoe, kept herself busy by hanging out with Zack's girlfriend Emily (I forgot to take a picture of her & Zoe together. Yes, Zoe let me hear about it once we were home!) & doing gymnastics. Every time I turned around she was doing handstands, back walkovers, or round-offs. For some reason, one of her shoes kept falling off.

Re-tying her "Twinkle Toes" for the umpteenth time.

Steven, a senior, had a great game. He hit two home runs. Here is his first one:

Waiting for his pitch.

And rounding the bases with a smile from ear to ear!

The score ended up being 8 to 2. It was a fun game to watch & even better that we won! Even Zoe was thrilled for the win!

Got Debt?

This is what I was welcomed to when I arrived at work this morning:

The concept of the sign is correct. However, a decimal is missing. It should read $629,714.39 When I asked about the decimal missing, I was told that we didn't have the money to buy an extra decimal. Perhaps if the state would pay its bills, that decimal would soon appear. The sad thing is, its not just my school the state owes money to - it's every school, college, university, etc. in the state.

Huh....I thought I had money problems!!

That's a Winner!

In January the nurse at Zoe's school sent home a coloring sheet with an explanation letter attached. The Dental Society was having a state wide coloring contest open to kindergartners to promote healthy habits of brushing & flossing. With a little encouragement, Zoe decided to give it a try. She took her time & finished the coloring page over a period of three nights. We sent it back to school & actually forgot about it.

Fast forward to this past week. Zoe received a letter in the mail from the Dental Society informing her that she was a winner. In fact, her coloring page was chosen out of 9,000 entries.

The school nurse also received a letter & presented Zoe with a congratulatory certificate & a gift card. Plus, a small article along with a picture of the presentation was in our local paper.

A few days after the appearance in the paper, Zoe received a congratulatory card in the mail with a laminated copy of the blurb & picture from the paper from our State Representative. When Zoe saw it, she asked - "Do you think Miss Melinda (the school nurse) also got one of these congratulations cards with a laminated thingy in it?.....I bet she did, Mom. Don't you? I mean she is in the picture with me!"

Zoe with the letter from the Dental Society & gift card received!

One Week Ago

Last Monday, Zoe & I headed out to an indoor inflatable play land to meet some of my co-workers & their kids for a day of fun & excitement. Zoe had a ball playing with Morgan & also taking some of the littler kids down the slides.

Morgan & Zoe

Kellen driving the car.

Carson - Kellen's twin - trying to get in the car!

Zoe coming down the slide.

(I know it's not a very good shot, but I love it!)

Morgan & sister Madison enjoying a slushy.

And Claire loving her some crackers & cheese!

Coloring Easter Eggs

Zoe & her daddy have a tradition of dying Easter eggs every year. (I think Paul enjoys it more than she does!) Because Daddy has been so busy with work, it was last minute for their project. This year, however, they added the option of applying silly faces to their eggs.

Daddy reading the directions & Zoe putting her two cents in!

Dipping the pink egg into the green. Wondering how it will turn out!

Kissing her yellow silly egg!

And...Zoe's favorite!!!!

Birthday Parties a Plenty

Zoe has been busy attending birthday parties for her friends. First up was gymnastic friend Rayna's party which was held at the YMCA skating rink. Zoe had never been skating before & actually did quite well.

Getting ready to take her first trip around the rink.

Completing the first lap...

And the second...(Zoe did a total of 14 laps!)

Gymnastic buddies: Makenna, Belle, Emma, Zoe, & Lily

Makenna & Belle with crazy hair!

Zoe, Rayna the birthday girl, & Lily

Up next was Gracie's birthday at a pottery shop. Zoe was so excited about going because as you all know, she loves anything to do with crafts. She really enjoyed making a heart shaped jewelry box & is already talking about going back this summer to make other things.

Makenzie coloring the bottom of her heart.

Birthday Girl Gracie is too.

Sydney checks out everyone's work.

Zoe concentrating.

Avery chooses yellow also.

Raegen - always smiling!

Hippie Chicks: Avery, Gracie, Raegen, Makenzie, Zoe, & Sydney

Short & to the Point

This post is going to be short & to the point. (Once again we are headed out the door. It's the story of our life. I'm looking so forward to a quiet relaxing day at home. Not sure when that will be, but I can wish, right?!)

It's been gorgeous here in small town Midwest that Zoe has been doing a lot of this:

We've got a busy weekend planned. Hope to do a post tomorrow night - if not before!