Feburary 2011

Last weekend we went to the Mall of America. Zoey hated it--she said she nevers wants to go back again. So don't dare take her there. She does not like it!!!! She also told us that she never ever wants to go to Florida or to Disneyland. That would be the pits! (Zoey is reading this over my shoulder. . .it is so annoying to have a kid that reads!)

But truly, we had a good time. Zoey went on her first roller-coaster ride. The whole family went on the Log Chute. Tyler and I had a bet on whether or not Zander would freak out. Turns out the break down came from Zoey. We figured out that it was the fact that there were no seat belts on the ride that really caused the melt down. She is a rule follower--especially when it comes to wearing her seat belt. (Yeah!)

Zoey was proud to show us her ribbon at school.

Zoey's Kindergarten Program

On Feb. 10th, Zoey performed with her kindergarten class at Richardson. They sang many songs and all looked so proud of themselves. The clip above is the kids singing "Skinnamarink." Zoey is somewhat in the center and told me before the concert that she was going to point to me and daddy as she sang the song.

Abracadabra

Love this boy!

Zander is my adorable little music man. He loves to play and listen to music. One of my favorite things about him is how he likes to make our family into a band. He assigns us each an instrument to play. He is usually the drummer and he counts us in. "A one, a two, a one, two, free, four. . ."

What's new. . .

The kids are growing like crazy! Everyday there seems like they are able to do something new. Zoey is reading almost everything, which is making it hard to read to her. She knows when I am making things up and keeps pointing out random words on the pages that she knows!

Zoey has lost another tooth. One of the top teeth and now the one next to it is loose too! She will have the cutest smile in a little over a week!

Last weekend we went to a celebration at the Roseville Library. Zoey got her very own library card. I am positive she will put it to good use.
Zoey also became a first degree yellow belt in Karate. (We didn't buy the belt--because she decided not to continue with karate.)


Zander is kind of working on the whole potty training thing. It is a slow go, but I am sure he will eventually "get it." He seems a little torn (as am I) of becoming a big boy and leaving behind the diapers and sippy cups and stuff.

He has started showing a lot of interest in his letters and reading. He likes to make books. Today he scribbled on about 4 pages and asked me to staple them together. I asked him what his book was called and he said, "Where Can We Find a Spaceship?" It is a page-turner. At the end of February, Zander goes in for his preschool screening--it seems too soon.

Merry Christmas!

December Happenings

December flew by as always and I can't believe all that we snuck in. Above is a picture of Zoey's letter to Santa. Here is the translation: Dear Santa, I want a Tangled Castle. I be good diss year. I already have lots of toys. I help my family on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Love, Zoey. Below is a gift tag that she made at a girl scout function. I'll let you try to figure it out. (The answer is at the end of this post.)

Speaking of Girl Scouts. Zoey is enjoying being a Daisy. We went with the girls in her troop to see Disney on Ice. Her expression is a good clue--if you are wondering if she likes it or not.

Zoey sang at church a few Sundays ago and Nana and Auntie Tammy came to watch her sing. She had a lot of fun sitting with them after she was done.
We attended the annual Cookie Party at Mary's house. All the daycare kids gathered around Santa when he stopped by for a visit.
Zander had no fear and went up and asked Santa for a Buzz Lightyear.
Zoey, believe it or not, was speechless when she sat on Santa's lap. She asked for nothing.
Here is a happy Zander sitting on Mary's lap after opening his gift from Santa and Mary.
We also found some time to go outside and sit in a fort.
(Answer to Zoey's gift tag: Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle All the Way.)

Our Karate Kid/Daisy Girl

The countdown to Christmas has begun in our house this year. We are decorated and ready to get the holiday season started. As is tradition for the past 2 years, I have an elaborate advent calendar that consists of a bag for each night counting down to Christmas Day. Each bag has a very small toy/game or craft inside for me and the kids to do. This year, my idea is to teach them about appreciating the people in our lives that do so much for us. So tonight's activity was making a list of all the people that are special to us so that we can think about them this season and make a small gift for them during our craft times. Simple enough, right?

Zoey was all over this idea. . .she had no problem filling up her page with all fantastic people and then another page after this. Once again Mrs. Kostuch tops her list and the last one is Mr. M the principal at her school. "I can't forget the principal!" Zoey said.
Zander was a little less into it. . .

Our little Zoey is filling up her social calendar with lots of neat events. She is now an official Daisy in the River Valley Girl Scout Group. She has enjoyed the her meetings and events so far. She went to the annual Sock Hop dance--which consisted of 2 hours of girl scouts running around and occasionally finding the beat to a song. It was fun to watch Zoey hang out with friends. Our next scouting event is going to Disney on Ice next weekend. She and I are both very excited about that one.

Zoey has also started her second session of Karate. We bought her the outfit so now she really feels like she has some moves. Watch out!

Zoey's Shopping List

Had to take a picture of the list that Zoey made me for our shopping trip the other day. She wrote down everything that I told her too and didn't ask for help on the spelling at all! I am so proud of her! My personal favorites on the list are in no particular order--the toofbrushes, the chicken in a can, and the Mountain Dew 4 mom.

You may notice where it says fre Zoey and fre Zander. When my kids go shopping with me they like to stand in the aisle or on a bottom shelf and yell "Free Zoeys! Get your free Zoeys!" Then of course Zander gets in on the game and says, "Free Zandas! Get your free Zandas!" So I go over and inspect them (when I am in the mood for this game) and say, "Oh this one is too dirty." To which Zoey replies, "They're washable AND free!" My only fear is that someday someone else is going to realize what a great deal that really is and take these two joys home with them.

Thank you Zoey and Zander for making us laugh each day!

Zander and Nana's first theatre outing:

The weather was rainy and threatening to freeze up everything, but we carefully took a window of opportunity for a 2 p.m. show of "A Christmas Story." Zander was happy to go with no hesitation. Judy got him hooked into the car seat and I drove the big SUV very carefully taking many side roads away from freeways. Zander was very quiet. I was expecting the Zoey chatter of earlier days. Not so with Zander. He fell asleep on the way to the theatre. I asked him to sing a song before he fell asleep and he said, "I don't know any songs." His eyes glazed over and the next thing I knew he slept. As we exited the downtown area he was wide awake. We had to look for parking - there was nothing available in the free ramp but I found a free outside lot just across the street. It only took me 5-6 minutes to get him out of the car seat... whew! I was willing to break a nail if I had to.

Again, I have to make a distinction between Zoey and Zander. Zander took my hand and we walked together to get to the door, to get the tickets, hang up the coats, stand in line to give the ticket to the lady and walk to our seats. I had to chase Zoey on her first trip. Zander was always near and never wandered or ran away. We sat in great seats. Just perfect for the little guy to see everything. He kept saying, "what movie are we going to see?" I explained he would see real people acting as different characters. This would be a story about a boy who wanted a "Red Rider BB Rifle" for Christmas and his adventures leading up to Christmas. This is called a play. He said, "Oh."

I read a book to him as we waiting for the light to go out and the play to start. This play was done very well but wasn't as slapstick as "Cinderella" and "Mulan." He didn't belly laugh real loud like Zoey - he'd smile as the story went along. He was fascinated by the kids in the show. One kid pretended to be a pig for his mother. This way she got him to eat his oatmeal and he got oatmeal all over his face. So, if Zander tries that at home you know where it came from. We spent the intermission eating a rice crispy bar and some juice. He wasn't interested in any of the toys for sale...

He sat in my lap a couple of times but mostly he paid full attention to the play. He applauded at the right times. Very little conversation because I think he was taking it all in. As we walked back to the car he held my hand with one hand and held his program with the other. All buckled up again, we drove past the theatre he said, "Can we go to this play again, Nana?" Wow, I think he liked this.

How can two children be so very unique. I'm looking forward to more fun times individually so I can experience the extremes the Z's are capable of. They are so fun! Next time I hope to pick a more raucous show for Zander.