Christmas Eve

Zoe & Nate

I love Nate's different expressions in these photos.

Christmas Trees

Hart Christmas

Belle

Snow Day

Today was a snow much fun day. Zoe & Daddy both stayed home because we got over 9 inches of snow quickly in the early morning hours. Zoe had a great time *helping* shovel the snow while Nate watched on from indoors.

I've got your back...

This is what Zoe says right before hitting me in the back with a snowball!

Too Cute!

You Know You Have Too Much Time on Your Hands When...

...you stop your car in your driveway, get out & brush the snow off of the tires before driving in the garage.

Tony & I both watched our neighbor actually do this just now...

"Damage!"

While eating her breakfast this morning, Zoe looked out the window to our snow covered patio and exclaimed:

"Damage! I still have lots of snow to shovel."

Me: "What was the first word you said?"

Zoe: "Damage."

Using my 4-year old speak translator, I quickly deduced that this was not a word she should be saying. For those you not fluent in 4-year old, she was trying to say "dammit". But, it was still funny!

Princess Infestation

It's official. Princesses have take over our entire house - they are even in the canned goods section of the lazy susan...

Lift, Loft & Dropper

Zoe had a "joke" for me that Daddy taught her.

She said: "Lift, Loft & Dropper."

Daddy translated, "Live, Long & Prosper."

Santa

A Request for Santa

While on the way to visit Santa, we asked Zoe what she thought Nate would like for Christmas, she replied:

"A Dinosaur."

She paused & corrected herself:

"A Not Real Dinosaur."

Tony & I laughed and agreed that a *not real* dinosaur would be best, but if Santa only had real ones, then we would prefer a herbivore weighing less than two tons. I mean, you couldn't trust a carnivore around two cats & two small children. That just has disaster written all over it.

High Five Award

Nate's 1st *Solid* Food

Last Monday night, we gave Nate his first solid food (rice cereal). He really wasn't very interested. We put the cereal in, he pushed it out & let it sit there on his lips. Then cried.

After a couple of days of playing with it, Nate realized that he could swallow this stuff. He does a pretty job now, opening his mouth for more & eating twice a day.

Shh...don't tell

Yep, Nate's in a walker, with wheels. Please don't report me.

Nate is a little undecided about the walker. He doesn't really make it go yet, but Zoe loves to zoom him around (maybe a little too much actually.)

Operation Good Cheer

This year, Tony's department contributed $$ for two children for Operation Good Cheer which provides Christmas gifts for children in foster & group homes who normally wouldn't get gifts. I did most of the shopping on Black Friday, so I got lots of good deals. We bought gifts for a five year old girl & a one year old little boy. The girl apparently loves Dora, so if it had Dora on it, I bought it.

Happy Thanksgiving

Here I Come, Top Thrill Dragster

While we were eating supper tonight, we put Nate in his high chair (or if you ask Zoe, HER high chair) for the first time. He immediately grabbed the straps, just like you grab the harness on a roller coaster. Apparently, he's a natural.

Wii Fun!!

After many months of debate, Tony & I finally decided to buy a Wii this year as our Christmas gifts to each other. Of course, I couldn't wait until Christmas, so we had some fun playing tonight. (If you need more gift ideas, see new Wii gift giving opportunities in our Christmas lists...)

Link pulling his sword off his back...

Zoe, playing her princess game that she loves!!

Go Bucks! Beat Michigan!

We had fun today watching the OSU - Michigan game, especially since we won so easily. We had a yummy lunch of chips & buffalo cheese dip, potato skins & pizza rolls.

Chips, please!!

Me: Zoe, what do you want for supper?

Zoe: Salami, Cheese, Crackers, Chips & Dip

Me: We don't have any dip.

Zoe: Okay, actually, I don't want the crackers...

Zoe: Or the salami...

Zoe: Or the cheese.

Zoe: I really just want chips.

At least she was being honest.

Healthy Eating

This week at preschool, Zoe was learning about good habits, like eating healthy, hand washing, etc...

This was a conversation we had one night.

Zoe: I am eating healthy foods for supper - like carrots, macaroni & milk.

Me: What are some unhealthy foods?

Zoe: Sneezing & Coughing

Me: Well, those aren't really foods? Can you think of anything else unhealthy?

Zoe: Onions.

Apparently, Daddy's extremely strong dislike of onions has rubbed off a little on Zoe.

The Candy Corn What?

When Zoe showed us this picture she drew, Tony & I were a little worried that she was seeing too much violence on TV. Then, she explained it's a house (NOT a candy corn hand grenade - shame on you for thinking such a thing.)

The "handle" is a driveway & the "pin" is the door in case you still can't see the house...

Cowgirl Zoe & Catboy Nate

Today, was "H" day at preschool & the kids were allowed to wear their favorite hat. Zoe chose her cowgirl hat that Daddy got her in Texas. Mommy paired it with her cowgirl shirt.

Nate decided to get in the fun & take a ride on Alex.

High Five!

Zoe got a HIGH FIVE AWARD from school today for helping her friends.

Trick or Treat

For trick or treat this year, Zoe said she wanted to be a princess. What a huge surprise this was to us!! Then, she said she wanted to be Jasmine, which actually was a surprise. I am pretty sure this was just a ploy to get another costume since we don't have Jasmine. Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty & Ariel we have, but no Jasmine. Anyway, the costume was really cute & she insisted that she needed Jasmine hair, thus the wig.

Nate didn't really have much to say about his costume. He went as Abu, Aladdin's monkey & was pretty cute himself.

Zoe had a great time getting candy from strangers with her friends Mary & Emma. Later, she did some more begging with Foster from across the street.

All in al,l trick or treat was great fun. The weather was terrific & Zoe got lots of good candy (lots of chocolate - Mommy's favorite). Yum!!

Pumpkins

Tonight, we trekked to the pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins & then carve them. Nate was all snug in his car seat & was probably wondering once again, what the heck we were doing.

I felt horrible, so Nate & I napped on the couch while Daddy & Zoe carved the pumpkins. They brought mine to me, so I could draw the face which Daddy then carved. Surprisingly, they then declared my pumpkin the best of the three.

Snow!!!

Yes, there was snow in the air today - no wonder I can't get warm. I may have to sleep with Nate.

Halloween Ballet

Today, at ballet & tap, the dancers dressed in their Halloween costumes.

We also got to see a dance from their tap class today. Sorry for the not so great camera work; I was holding Nathan at the same time. Also, the 2nd performance is cut off because a girl stood in front of me.

Creative Spanish Names

This afternoon, while playing with Play-Doh, Zoe had some creative "Spanish" names for the bunnies, she created using a mold.

They were Oranga, Greena, Purpla, Yellowa & Blua (which she told me were the Spanish colors).

I guess maybe she needs to watch some more Dora afterall.