Oh the places you'll go

"Congratulations!  Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!  You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.  You have feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself,  any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go."

Oh the Places you'll go~ Dr. Seuss

Dear Zoe,

You have been my sunshine since the day you were born.  You are an inquisitive, beautiful, bright & funny little girl.  I am so proud of you and know that you will do great, now off to kindergarten you go.

Today is your day.

Zoe on 8/22/2011

Be kind to your classmates and seek out those who are kind to you. Help others when you can and ask for help when you need it. Don’t give up if there is something you can’t do right away. Keep trying! Respect your teachers and your classmates.  Follow the rules and always use your manners.  Pay attention.  Embrace your new friends and this new adventure.  You will do great! 

I know you worry about Mommy, Daddy and Ava, please don't.  We will miss you terribly but we will be ok.  You won't miss anything at home while you are gone, infact your day will be filled with amazingly, wonderful new things.  When you get home, be sure to tell us all about your day and we will tell you all about ours.  I may cry a little but I'm not sad.  I am so happy for you and extremly proud. 

I hope you love school and know that I love you more than you will ever know.  Embrace today, it is your day!

Love you always,

Mommy

Wordless Wednesday

5 years. 60 months. 260 weeks. 1826 days. 43829 hours. 2,629,746 minutes.

There you were and there I was
Was it fate from above?
Either way I found just what I need... ~Joy Williams

Dear Zoe,

5 years ago today, you made me a mommy.  I remember when I was your age, I would dream of being a mommy.  I would hold my babydoll and dream of the love a mother and child share.  However, I never imagined a love like this, unconditional & whole-hearted and it all happened with just one breathe, your first breathe.

Zoe, 2 days old.

 You have brought great joy to me since the day you were born.  I love your spunky attitude and sassy walk.  You are so smart and very inquisitive.  You make me LAUGH, until I hurt. I love that you love to sing, no matter what song is on the radio.  (Sometimes, you don't even need a song.)  The nights when Daddy is not home and you ask to sleep in my bed are my favorite nights.  I love when you ask to pinky promise with me.  You ROCK as a big sister.  You appreciate a good bedtime book with cuddle time and girls night complete with 'paint nails'.  You toot, and toot well. You are a great daughter. You make me soo immensely happy.  You have taught me how to love unconditionally & whole heartedly.  You have taught me how to be a mommy, your mommy. 

Thank you for being my beautiful five year old.  Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mommy

top 5 things I love

1. I love how Zoe starts to studder when she gets is excited about a story she's dying to tell me.
2. I love how Ava opens her mouth SUPER wide with excitment when she sees someone/something she loves.
3. I love how my husbands eye lashes are long enough to touch his glasses when he blinks.
4. I love having coffee dates with my 4 year and making plans for future dates.
5. I love how cupcakes/cakes smell.

My baby is 3!!

Zoe Maryn Wade was born Saturday, October 22, 2005 @ 7:26 pm. I didn't think I could love her anymore than I did that day. But my love for that 7lbs, 19.5 inch long baby has grown everyday and continues to grow but now for a 33lbs, 38inch tall preschooler. She has my heart.

All Dressed for her Royal Celebration

We had big 'Royal Celebration' for Zoe on Saturday, Oct 18th. I took the Friday before off so I could run around like a crazy mad woman without having to worry about any extra bodies with me. I baked and decorate her 'Castle' cake too! (I have to admit, it was really cute) Saturday was a good day. My MIL and SIL were in town from San Antonio and were a HUGE help! (Thanks, Lyla and Stel) We had a bounce house and a special guest appearance from Princess Belle, from Beauty and the Beast. (Thanks, Dad & Suzanne, Shane & Mom and Debbi Day from Extreme Kids) Zoe and the kids ABSOLUTELY loved the party! Zoe was tickled PINK when Belle showed up for her birthday party. She had so much fun!! She received TONS of gifts! Everything from Princess barbies, a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader uniform to a Karaoke Machine! She truly had a great day and is blessed with many friends and family that love her! Thank you to everyone that was there to share in her birthday. Here are some pictures from the party:

This is 'THE' Castle Cake

Princess Belle doing her magic show

Zoe with her butterfly face painting

Future Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader

All in all it was a great party. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. After the party we went to the fair. I think we have started a tradition. Every year, since Zoe's first b-day party we have gone to the fair the weekend of the party. Zoe loves her some sausage on a stick!! We had an action packed weekend. I will post later about Zoe's actual birthday full of events!!! Stay tuned!
Always,
Proud Momma
Stefanie

Story Time with Zoe

Everynight before Zoe goes to bed, we either read a book or tell bedtime stories. Well, last night was a bedtime story night. I tell my story and she tells me how much she liked the story then says "Ok, I tell you a stowy now." and she tells me a story quite similar to the one I told her. So here is my little reinactment of the story telling time.

My story:
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who was turing 3 in October. (Zoe buts in to say "Just Like me!! Same, Same!!") She had pretty brown hair and eyes. (Zoe said "Just Like me!! Same, Same!!") She also had two parents that love her VERY much, they are the King and the Queen of the castle. The princess was growing to be such a BIG girl! (Zoe said "I'm a Big Girl too!!") She was completely potty trained and didn't pee-pee in her panties at night. (Zoe said "Uh Oh... I pee-peed the odder night, not Same, Same.") The Princess was very smart and was learning everything she could at school. She really liked school. (Zoe said "I love school") The princess loved to read and tell stories at bedtime and never gave her mother, the queen, any trouble when it was time to go to bed. (Zoe said "B End") (my story ended there)

Zoe's story:

(during story time Zoe is holding her little hands together like a book and opening and closing them.)

Once a time, there was a witch, with a green face, and pink hair, with lots of sprinkles, and glass slippers. (I then asked "is this a witch or a princess?") Ohh, this is a princess. She loved her mommy and daddy berry much and was a big girl and she pee-peed on the potty. B End.


Hilarious. She is sooo cute!! I got most of this on camera and will post the video another day. I love story time with Zoe. I don't feel like my night is complete if I don't put her to bed and tell stories.

WARNING: This blog may be long, as I have not updated in quite a while.

I don’t know what it is about summer, but it seems that we are ALWAYS busy. Life in general with kids is busy, but throw summer in the mix, that makes for one tired mommy!

Isaiah is up from San Antonio for the summer. He is growing up so fast! He just recently graduated from the 5th grade… We are now the proud parents of a 6th grader!!!! He is going to a summer camp in GP. He likes to spend time with his dad at the tattoo shop and hanging with his friend Sammy.

Zoe is getting soo big! She is thoroughly enjoying her summer with her ‘bubba’ here. I think she is driving him crazy, but she loves him! She just recently was moved to the 3year old room! She calls it the ‘Big Girls Room’. She now gets to participate in the extra activities that the ‘Big Kids’ do. Everyday, she comes home with something NEW that she has made just for me! I’m such a proud momma!

Zoe grew this plant all by herself.

Her smile makes my heart melt!

We have been spending a lot of time playing in the pool, going to movies, blowing bubbles, playing outside and being together as a family. Zoe has become a little fish! Last summer, we couldn’t get her near a pool. This summer, we can’t get her out!!! Isaiah has mastered the handstand and headstand and is now learning how to dive (without a belly flop) and do a front flip into the pool.

Nick and I are doing good. Busy being parents. Nick is still at North Texas HD (day) and Death or Glory Tattoo Shop (some nights). He is much happier than he was at Longhorn HD in Grand Prairie. He loves having both kids here with him. He has become the ‘monster’ and everyday when he gets home from work Zoe and Isaiah run and hide from the ‘monster’ then Nick of course chases both of them around the house!!! I am still at UT Southwestern in Transplant. I was just recently promoted to ‘scheduling coordinator’ in May. I am basically doing the same thing I was, but now I’m getting paid for what I do. I love being able to get off work at a decent hour and spend time with my family without having to rush to get everything done.

It is sad though that summer is almost over. As busy as we are, I hate to see it end. I love watching the kids laugh, sing, play, swim, fight, paint and blow bubbles. I guess that’s just the mommy in me, sentimental and such.

I promise to update more frequently… ok well I will try to atleast…

Take Care. Always.

Stefanie

Hanging In the Backyardagain!

Here are some random pics from Zoe and I playing the in backyard, or as Zoe likes to say ‘backyardagain’.