I Think I Can. . .I Think I Can. . .

Well, against many odds, I made it! Today was the day for the White Bear Winter Frolic. I know what most of you are thinking, "It was 13 degrees below zero this morning! What are you crazy?" YES! And honestly, with 5 layers of clothing, the sun, and two good running buddies to keep me motivated, it was actually quite fun. I completed my very first 5K run this morning. I am very proud of myself--running is a hobby that I started with my friends (and co-workers) Laura and Betsy just this school year. We run about 3 miles at least twice a week. I get such a rush from it! My time for today was 34 minutes 45 seconds. That will be my time to beat. I am hoping to do more races in the future.

Laura, Betsy, and me--pre-race.

At the end we were frosted over.

Zoey congratulates me on running the race!

What a great day!

Zoey got a mess load of new things today--what a lucky girl! One of the generous parents at my school asked me if I wanted some of her kids' old toys--so I said why not?! Here is a picture of what she brought me today. There is a vacuum cleaner, a dust buster, a kitchen set complete with all the food and utensils, and a grill (that I believe is possessed--since it won't stop making noises and talking). It is all in great condition. Zoey will really enjoy playing with when she is a bit older.

My friend and co-worker Marianne also had a gift for Zoey--a great CD of music by Mister Jim. Zoey and I are planning on learning all the songs on our trip to Moorhead this weekend.

Then when Zoey and I got home today we had a surprise package from our friend Vanessa waiting for us in the mail. There was a neat book for Bean called Jim and the Beanstalk and a book for me call Freakonomics: A Rouge Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything. It was so nice to hear from Vanessa and we want to say THANK YOU for the books. We are excited to read them.

Lazy Sunday. . .

First off, we would like to say, "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY" to Nanna and Grandpa Livingston. Hope you are having a great day!

Secondly, I am writing to report that Zoey has cut her 7th and 8th teeth today--or at least we noticed them today. I think these two are causing a little more pain than the others. Zoey has been very cuddly today--which I absolutely adore, but also more moody than usual.

She is napping now, which will help her be in better spirits when she wakes up.

Have a great day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANNA!!!

I think for Nanna's Birthday I will draw her a lovely birthday picture.

Yummy paper!

Is this what the crayon is for?

I tried fingerpainting with my green beans.

I think we'll call it "Ode to Nanna."

But Mom said that I really should be eating them.

I guess the best way to say Happy Birthday is with a cute smile!

Cowgirl Zoey... she even tried to make it move... How'd she do that? Instinct from Tyler's previous experience being a cowboy on this very horse?

 

A Note from Daycare. . .

So this is the note that we received from Lorna, our daycare provider, on Friday:

Congratulations Zoey, you are the first of your playmates (under 2 years old) to figure out the gate into the toyroom. Alivia and Conner have been trying for months to get into that room, and you've done it without a struggle. (I hope they don'e learn from you.) Actually, I saw it coming. Way down there on the floor you have a better angle, since you're able to apply just the right upward lift, rather than pushing and pulling from above, which the toddlers keep trying. Anyway. We had a great day!

Lorna went on to write:
I was amazed to see Zoey attempting to set a puzzle this morning. She was laying the circles, squares, and rectangles onto the board of our sign puzzle, lifting them up and putting them down again--and not into her mouth. Coincidence? I don't know. . .

Zoey really seems to enjoy daycare. We feel really lucky to have found a place where we feel so comfortable leaving her during the day. A week or so ago, I went to pick Zoey up and saw through the window that Zoey was in the exersaucer and Lorna's daughter, Beth, was reading her a story. Zoey looked very happy and content.

Today, however, Zoey has decided she doesn't need to nap. She won a long 2 hour battle of going down for a nap--I think she is just too excited about being able to stand. Oh well. Life goes on.