Shark Week

Last week (I think it was anyway) Paul & Zoe watched several episodes on D*scovery's Shark Week. Apparently they were both enlightened on the documentary about the first known shark attack that took place in the early 1900's.

Well yesterday as we were riding in the car Zoe started asking all kinds of questions about sharks, their eating habits, why they attack, etc. She then started talking about the first known attack which happened to be to a little boy about 12 years old. The documentary told the story of how people jumped in the water to save the little boy from the shark.

Here's the rest of the conversation that took place between the three of us:

Zoe - So, why did those people jump in the water?

Paul - To save the little boy from the shark.

Zoe - Huh. Weren't they afraid the shark would attack them?

Paul - They probably weren't even thinking about that. They were just hoping to save the little boy.

Zoe - Would you jump in the water if there were sharks attacking me?

Paul - Of course I would.

Zoe - So you mean you'd jump in the water full of sharks to save me?

Paul - Yes.

Zoe - (she's quiet now. taking it all in.)

Paul - Would you jump in & try to save me?

Zoe - Uhhhh....Daddy, you're gonna to save yourself!!!!!

So then I ask.... Zoe, would you save me?

Zoe - Uhhhh...I'm sure Daddy would jump in to save you!


Don't forget about my Back-to-School Giveaway!!!

Back to School Giveaway!!!!

We are getting down to the wire. So hard to believe that school starts in 5 days. I am still in shock that Zoe is going to kindergarten. She is very excited & counting down the days. In fact, she has her backpack all ready to go with as much as her school supplies crammed inside.

Because of all the excitement running rampant at our house I thought I would do a giveaway. What better way to celebrate the start of school?!

As most of you know, I have a care package business, Packaged with Care, that specializes in care packages for college students & military personnel. With college kids going back to school & many of them it being their first time away from home for an extended period, wouldn't it be wonderful to put a smile on their faces as they open their mailboxes at school & surprise them with a care package? I mean really, who doesn't love 'em some fun mail?!

So, here's the deal:
I am going to draw one name Saturday, August 29th for the entire prize. The winner will be able to send a total of 3 care packages. Now, the winner can either pick one person to receive all 3 care packages (one in September, one in October, & one in November) or the winner can choose to send 1 care package each to three different students (or military personnel). You decide.

Here's the scoop to be entered in the giveaway:

1 Entry - Leave me a comment suggesting a children's charity to feature on Packaged with Care in the upcoming months. (This charity would receive 15% of the profits.)

3 Entries - Put one of my Packaged with Care buttons on your blog. (See side of my blog for button.)

5 Entries – Post to your blog about my Back to School Giveaway & Packaged with Care while linking back to both.

15 Entries – Do all three.

So, what ya waiting for? Get entered to put a smile on a student or military person's face.

Remember: Drawing will take place Saturday, August 29th.

Jeston Cade

One of the "neighborhood" kids that is so dear to our hearts is trying to make a name for himself in country music. Jess (you can see him here) just finished up his junior year at Belmont University in Nashville, TN & will be starting his senior year in a few weeks. Recently he was advised that it would be a good idea to come up with a stage name. So, with the help of numerous people the name Jeston Cade was chosen.

We are so excited to be a part of Jess's journey. (Zoe says when he makes it big she is going to be in one of his videos!!!!) He has sang at various events & was even a finalist for Americ*n Id*l. There is no telling what road is ahead for him. But I can guarantee you one thing, if anyone has the heart to stick it out, it'll be Jess.

Check out Jeston Cade for yourself!

What Ever Works!

Zoe has always been so good about going with the flow. And the last two weeks since I've been sick have been no different. Never once has she complained about me not feeling well, me resting a lot, not being able to hold her for several days, not being able to play with her, etc. She's been such a trooper. I told Paul the other night that I feel so guilty. This is not how I wanted to spend the last three weeks of the summer with her; especially with her starting kindergarten. So, I've been trying to decide what fun activity could she & I do one day that she would really enjoy. Several thoughts have crossed my mind, but nothing just really jumps out.

No worries. Yesterday as I was laying down Zoe brought a note to her daddy saying this:

She informed him that she wanted to go to H**ters for hot wings & then rent a scary movie to watch. Paul was blown away. First of all, yes, that is Zoe's writing. However, we have no idea when she wrote that note & who helped her. We are thinking perhaps Abbie did when she was here last. (Who knows!) He questioned her about the two things on her list. Of course she wanted to go to H**ters. Where else would you go for hot wings?! But after some discussion, she had second thoughts about the scary movie. In fact, she ended up telling Paul that maybe some other time she would like to watch a scary movie, but not just yet!

Well, this morning I woke up feeling the best I have felt in 2 weeks. I'm still sore, but not like I had been. So, after piddling around the house for the better part of the day, I finally gave in & told Zoe that I would take her to H**ters. She wanted to take a friend so Kaidyn came along as well as neighbors Mark & Janelle. (Paul was on call & couldn't go.)

Zoe enjoyed her hot wings (911 style if you really wanna know!), tater tots, & lemonade. But, I would guess her favorite part of H**ters was getting a balloon from another neighbor of ours, Rhianna, who happens to work there. Zoe & Kaidyn loved their balloons. In fact, they were enjoying a game of "hit each other with the balloons" when Zoe hit her boo boo that she had gotten earlier in the week at Aunt Angie's house. Well, it started bleeding so Rhianna got her a band-aid.

Wouldn't you know, when Zoe took the band-aid off tonight for her bath, this is what she saw:

Does that not look like an apple? Zoe informed me that it was perfect timing. You see, tonight Zoe started her school schedule for bedtime. (more on that farther down) She told me that it was meant to be that she re-injured her boo boo. It was a reminder that school starts in only a week!

Now, about the bedtime. Let me tell ya a little secret. Zoe is a night owl for the most part. After some discussion Paul & I came up with an idea about getting her to go to sleep earlier. You see, it doesn't matter what time you put her to sleep, she will stay awake as long as she wants. She doesn't care if there's nothing to do, she will talk & sing to herself all hours of the night.

Here's what we came up with: We told Zoe that we received a letter from her principal that informed parents what time students should be in bed on school nights. We even went as far as saying that the letter stated that there should be a nightly routine in place & that the routine should start tonight which is a week before school starts. (I know, I know....we are bad....) Well, so far so good. No complaints & she was even excited to start the routine.

However, I do have to tell you something funny. Tonight when we were at H**ters Kaidyn mentioned that she would like to come back to our house & play for a little bit. I quickly told Kaidyn that by the time we got back home it would be dark & Zoe needed to take a bath & get ready for bedtime. Zoe then turns to Kaidyn & said, "Don't you have to start your school routine tonight? You know, by going to bed early & going to sleep?" Kaidyn replied (with a funny look), "No." Zoe then said, "Huh. You must not have got the letter!!!!"

I thought I was going to fall over. How funny is that?! Let's just hope she doesn't figure out how ornery her parents really are. But hey...........whatever works right?!

I'm Home & That's About All!

Yesterday's surgery was a success. Dr. Fix-it (No, that is not his name.) was able to break up my kidney boulder (2 cm stone) into millions of pieces & vacuum them out. He said there was nothing left of it except maybe a little dust. So, after a few hours in the hospital's recovery room, I was able to come home. Immediately upon arriving home, I made my way to our bed, took two pain pills, & began my sleep to recovery. Overall, I'm not doing too bad. Just very sore. The final procedure will take place next Wednesday when I go back to Dr. Fix-it to have the stent removed. Until then, you can expect I will be taking it easy & basically doing nothing!

Names Can Be Deceiving

I am a tart burner. I love candles, but Paul is not a fan of them. So, we compromise. I use an electric tart burner to smell up my house. That way no open flame - & it keeps my hubby happy! Therefore, I am always on the lookout for good smelling tarts.

Just so happened a couple of weeks ago Zoe & I were at my parents' furniture store. They had just gotten in some tarts from a new tart company. So, Zoe & I started looking through the variety they had. We smelled several ones & set them aside to purchase. However, Aunt Angie quickly pointed out two unique smells:

Butt Naked & Monkey Farts

(Sorry it's hard to read the packages in the picture.)

Zoe thought that was just too funny. We did end up buying them & burned both of them within the last week. I must say they both smell so good. Butt Naked actually smells tropical, like Malibu Rum or something. And, the aroma from Monkey Farts was kind of fruity. Needless to say, we will be getting more of both tarts when we visit Paw Paw & Nana's store again. Perhaps by then, there will be a new tart with a funky name.

EXCITING News!!!

Saturday afternoon a friend called to see if we had received our letter from the school notifying us who Zoe would have as her kindergarten teacher. We had not. (Quite honestly, since arriving home Thursday afternoon from the hospital I had not left the house. And, since our mail is delivered to our post office box, picking up the mail had been the last thing from our minds.)

So, Zoe begged her daddy to get in the car & drive to the post office to get the mail. While he was gone she started doing her cheer that she had made up earlier this summer - "I Want (clap clap) Mrs. Green (clap clap)!"

Sure enough, the letter was waiting for us. When Daddy came through the front door, he had the letter in his hands. Zoe couldn't get it fast enough!

Zoe opening the letter.

Waiting to hear who her teacher would be!

Can you guess who she got?

MRS. GREEN!!!!

Zoe was singing & dancing! She is one happy girl!!!!