Nana and Papa came down last Wednesday so Mark and I could have a little "alone time" and they could have some "alone time" with "their baby." I honestly feel like I don't see my parents much anymore because they literally kick us out of our house once they arrive. Don't get me wrong, I greatly appreciate it! It's just funny how the times have changed! Anyway, they formed a band and here are some pics from it. I also caught it on video, which you can see below. You'll notice that Papa renamed the band "The Munchkin Band" after Nana joined! Poor Nana! It was too funny!
Every year McKendree has a parade and cookie party to celebrate its birthday. This year was McKendree's 19th birthday.....with its original director! You just don't hear of that anymore! Anyway, we had a ball and both Daddy & Mommy got to go this year! Enjoy the pics!
This past Saturday was opening day of turkey season in Tennessee. My husband is a big turkey hunter and I'm sad to say that he didn't get anything on Saturday. But, he did shoot a "big ol' gobbler" on Sunday morning. That's Zoe talk for Daddy's turkeys. Anyway, when he got home she was so excited to see the turkey. And, she insisted on getting her camo hat so she could match Daddy. Enjoy the pics......
Happy to go see the turkey! Daddy's "Big ol' Gobbler"
Cheese! She didn't want to get in the truck for some reason, but she had no problem touching the turkey!
I know I've Blogged about my daughter forming an attachment to her Tinker Bell dress. Well, it depends on the day, but our daughter certainly has her "favorite" items of clothing. Anyway, Friday after work Zoe and I went to our favorite store (Target) and I found a Disney Princess swimsuit that had been marked from $10.00 to $6.00. I immediately picked it up and bought it for Zoe because she needs one for school for water play when it starts back up. Plus, she has become a fanatic for anything with a princess on it. The week before we bought her some Disney Princess sandals, although she calls them her "Princess Crocs." She loved the swimsuit so much that she slept in it for two days. And I'm not joking. She would take a bath and then put it right back on! And she thought she was a ballerina!
So, I know I've talked on here about how OCD I am about certain things. I admit I'm bad, but I'm nowhere near as bad as my husband. He's made me worse since we've been together. I totally blame the Army for making him that way. He definitely wants everything just "so so" or he can't stand it. Anyway, I love it that he's a perfectionist and that he keeps our home in tip top shape. But, even I have my limits. A few weekends ago my husband touched up all of the paint in our house and it looks wonderful. So, as I was cooking this weekend, I turned around and couldn't believe my eyes. I said, "Are you serious?" He said, I don't want grease to get splatted on the walls I just painted. I grabbed the camera and said, "I am so going to Blog about this."
This is the picture I took.......
We were laughing so hard that my wonderful husband said, "Well if you're going to make fun of me, take that.....and he added another piece of cling wrap to the wall."
Now, I laughed until I cried. I know a few of our close friends will appreciate this, especially Uncle Steve and Aunt Patty. Wait, the Carters will DEFINITELY appreciate this, too. Hey Carters, remember Yahtzee and Chris' one paper towel? FYI, Mark did take the cling wrap down as soon as I was finished cooking!
I have a confession to make......I'm a Twilight fanatic! Yes, I've come to terms with it. Pitiful, huh? First, I had to see the movie. Then, I had to buy the first book in the series. I read it in two days. I then had to buy the second book in the series, New Moon. I read it rather quickly and then I just had to buy the third book in the series, Eclipse. Of course, any of you who have read that book knows that you JUST HAVE TO HAVE THE FOURTH AND FINAL BOOK, which is Breaking Dawn.
God help me!
I talked to my parents last night and my Dad said, "Sweetie, I know how much you like the series Twilight so I went out and bought you that new book, which is the director's cut. Make sure you don't go and buy it." Isn't that so sweet and thoughtful? My parents are ALWAYS that way.
Again, God help me that my parents know what a freak I am for the series!
Then, Saturday morning my beautiful daughter decided that she didn't want to sleep in and that we needed to get up at 5:30 a.m. Yes, you read that right.....5:30 a.m. My husband was already gone to scout turkeys for the upcoming turkey season that begins on Saturday, March 28th. So, I went ahead got up and got everything ready. I mean, I got me and Zoe ready. I got me and Zoe ready because we were going to our favorite store......TARGET! Target had the Twilight video for sale for $17.99, which includes a third disc with bonus features only available at Target. Our store opened at 8:00 a.m. Zoe and I pulled into the parking lot around 7:55 a.m. and there were already about 50 to 75 people lined up outside the store. I had told Zoe that she could have a new Dora movie since she has been such a big girl and gone both #1 and #2 in the potty. So, when we walked up and got in line I said, "Zoe, I'll bet all of these people are here for the same reason." All the people around me started laughing and saying, "Ya think?" Anyway, my precious daughter screams, "Yeah, we're here for DORA!" To which every person outside waiting in line heard and began laughing hysterically. Pretty funny, huh? She definitely has a great sense of humor!
God help me because I bought that Dora movie keeping in mind the whole time, "Zoe can watch her Dora movie when we get home so I can watch Twilight." Yes, I know it's pitiful. Wait.....it gets better!
Daddy actually got home before I got my movie started because I was on the computer downloading my free copy of the movie, which was also available through my video from Target and was only good for last Saturday. So, not only do I have the movie, I downloaded the movie free from iTunes!
God help me I have more than one copy of that movie! I'm a FANATIC!
I'm just glad I have such an understanding husband who got home early and let me go ahead and watch my movie at 9:00 a.m.! And I must confess, I'm ready to watch it again! I plan on watching it real soon.....like this weekend while my husband is becoming one with nature!
God help me!
I already know that New Moon is scheduled for release in November.......
Shelley, get ready because we're going to see this movie following our Thanksgiving shopping excursion! God help me I already have plans for November!
That is definitely the question. For my tens of readers out there.....you know I can share. Anyway, I was hesitant to share this story for one simple reason.....my WONDERFUL father. Sometimes when I share stories with him that I think are hysterical, his response will be, "Sweetie, there are just some things your father just doesn't want to know about." Well, I'm sure this will be one of those, but I just can't help myself. I knew my precious mom, Sherry, would appreciate it so she was one of my first phone calls. Of course, she laughed so hard along with me that I had to get off the phone and concentrate on driving home through rush hour traffic!
Now, for the rest of the story........
As most of you know, I'm a little OCD (that's stating it lightly)! Anyway, I wash and dry my laundry EVERY DAY. I can't stand it if it's not done EVERY DAY. I've been known to run down and swap out clothes during commercials during a favorite television show! Yes, I know I should calm down about it, but I just can't help myself! Part of my OCD with laundry involves bringing home my daughter's sheet and blanket from school every day to wash. I started doing that when she was sooooo sick all of the time during that tumultuous first year. I don't know if that has made the difference or if it is just Zoe getting older and her immunity has been built up, but I like to think that it's a combination of both. I digress. Anyway, in doing my laundry every day, I pretty much know what is in my basket. One day last week I noticed I was missing something, but didn't think too much of it. Hmmmmm.......
When I went to pick up Zoe on Thursday, one of her teachers, Ms. Misti, came up beside me and said, "I've got a little something that belongs to you." I immediately responded, "(Big sucking in of air) You found my black panties!" She about dropped to the ground in laughter. She said, "WOW, Courtney." I said, "Well, I'm anti panty line. You do realize we're tight now, right?" She said, "Oh yeah. I almost hung them up on the Parent Board." And needless to say, I don't think it would've been possible to laugh harder than I did at that moment. You see, when Misti was pulling out Zoe's sheet to put on her mat for nap time, my black pair of panties came flying out of her little pale pink sheet. And, to top it all off? They are my skimpiest pair......they pretty much look like dental floss! (Thank you, Nikki! They were a gift with some lingerie right before my honeymoon! I know you know which ones I'm talking about......think black and red lingerie!) And, the director of McKendree was so excited it had happened to me because she knew I would have a great time with it!
So, do you see why I had to share? This story is tooooo funny not to share! Now, to my WONDERFUL father........I'm sorry if your face is red right about now. I just HAD TO SHARE this laugh! Love you LOTS!
.......to describe the outfit my daughter was wearing when I picked her up from school this past Wednesday. When I had dropped her off, she was wearing her red Elmo t-shirt with little black pants, a red bow in her hair and her pink and silver tennis shoes. It was definitely a casual day, but she still looked cute (if I do say so myself). Anyway, my child had a day. We have been potty training and she pretty much NEVER has pee pee accidents. She only has problems in the poop department (I've been told that takes time) and only wears a pull up at night. Well, she had QUITE A DAY on Wednesday. She woke up in a horrible mood and decided she was going to copy one of her friends and try to start "holding herself." Anyway, needless to say, she had MANY potty accidents on Wednesday and had run out of clothes. McKendree has clothes they keep as a back up for such situations. Anyway, Zoe had run out of pants, panties and had resorted to wearing a pull up. When I went to pick her up they were playing in the gym and I had no trouble picking her out. So, without further adieu, this is what my child was wearing when I picked her up..........
Now do you understand why I have no words? Well, I guess I could say that these are the ugliest pants I've ever seen! Somebody needs to donate some clothes to McKendree that are at least from this century!
I have to take a moment and brag on my husband. There are a great many things he does wonderfully, but he is absolutely awesome at playing with Zoe, especially dress up. She LOVES it! She has an entire basket of dress up clothes and she'll pull it out and head straight for him. It's too cute. Anyway, the other night she pulled that basket over and I was able to grab the camera. I laughed until there were tears streaming down my face!
Yes, Daddy is wearing Zoe's Elmo costume from Halloween! As Zoe says, "Daddy, get your pack pack for school!"
Last weekend Mark, Zoe and I went over to the Cassidys to play the Wii. We had never played a Wii and they invited us over for pizza and bowling. Anyway, the girls just played together, watched movies and the adults had a blast bowling. Lisa had to create "MEs" for Mark and I and I laughed so hard at the process.....not to mention the finished product. I took a snapshot of each one of us she created. It was HYSTERICAL! By the way, it was the guys against the girls and we both won games. Needless to say, Mark and I have to get a Wii now!
This is Mark......
This is Courtney..... This is Lisa...... This is Rich......
This was the girls watching their movies. They actually fell asleep together in this chair. Too cute, huh?
After we finished bowling, Rich informed us he had a Playstation 3 and we could actually form a rock band. Talk about good times! Mark and I jumped at the chance to be in a rock band with the Cassidys. You know how when you laugh so hard that there's that spot behind your ears that will ache? Well, that's my face every time I'm around them. This game is AWESOME! You get judged on your performances and can actually get booed off stage and, apparently, go on tour together. Since we're amateurs, we decided not to go on tour. But, choosing our characters to represent us on stage was pretty comical, too. Anyway, here are a few snapshots of us getting reading to perform. Mark started out on the microphone, Rich played the drums, Lisa played lead guitar and I played bass. We all swapped the instruments around throughout the night, but I think I actually had the most fun singing! I was rocking to Linkin Park at 1:00 a.m.! And I think we had a great time......we didn't get home until about 3:00 a.m.! It's a good thing we took Zoe's PJ's over there, huh? Enjoy the photos........
Mark could sing like a rock star for sure! He could perform like one, too!
Rich was the best one out of all of us at playing the drums. This was the worst instrument for me to play!
Rocker Lisa on the lead guitar! She was awesome at singing, too!
And, yes, this is me as a rock star on the bass guitar!
We can't wait to go party again at the Cassidys. And I think we're going to schedule it sometime soon. Watch out! We're going to have to come up with a name for our band.......
As most of you know from my previous post, Zoe is a Tinker Bell FANATIC and her Tinker Bell dress she had gotten for Christmas was wearing out. Anyway, Zoe got a new Tinker Bell dress and we wanted to show it off.......
For Super Bowl Sunday, Mark and I decided to invite the Cassidys over for some good food and fun. Their little girl, Ava, is four years old and her and Zoe have a blast together. Ava is like a big sister to Zoe and there is definitely a certain "hero worship" there on Zoe's part. Anyway, the girls did GREAT and I've included picutures below......
This was the girls for most of the night.....a BLUR! Playing Dress Up and Putting a Glass Slipper on Ms. Lisa!
Hiding out in the Dora tent with their goldfish (compliments of Ava)!
I don't know about everyone else out there, but I think it's important you search your homes for any of the products being recalled due to the tained peanut butter scare. Anyway, I've added a widget at the bottom of this page where you can search the products through the FDA. Cool, huh? Be safe and watch what you eat!
We've had one sick little girl here in the Lawrence household. We had done really well not being on breathing treatments with the exception of the sporadic little illness here and there; however, all of that changed last weekend. Zoe ended up getting really sick and I took her to the pediatrician on Monday morning. At that point, she wasn't quite wheezing yet and they didn't want to immediately put her on steroids in case she wasn't going to progress to that point. Well, by Tuesday morning she was really beginning to wheeze just while sitting and doing nothing. So, I called the pediatrician and they went ahead and called in an oral steroid. We started her on that Tuesday night, which was the last night she had a fever, and by the time I sent her to school on Thursday she was doing better as far as wheezing, etc. However, by Friday I didn't like the amount of snot she had and decided to trust my "Mommy instincts" and take her back to the pediatrician. Of course, she had a pretty nasty ear infection. One so bad that Dr. Beveridge asked, "Zoe, do your ears hurt?" So replied, "No." Dr. Beveridge looked at me and said, "That's one tough little girl." So, now we've added an antibiotic to the mix and Zoe seems to be on the mend. Now, in telling you all of that I'm sure your wondering what the heck this title is all about. I'm getting to that part of my story....
I stayed home with Zoe on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Well, Monday morning I was on the phone with my boss, Britton Allan, who sweetly called to ask how Zoe was doing and if there was anything at all he and his wife could do for us. I was in the midst of that conversation when I thought I "smelled" something. You see, Zoe has been potty training and doing quite well. She rarely has any accidents at all at school and only wears a pull up sometimes at home, always at night, but sometimes at home because she tends to be playing and "forgets" to stop to go to the restroom. I digress. Anyway, Zoe was sitting in her Dora tent watching a movie when I "smelled" something. I pulled back the tent to check things out and found quite a nice surprise. You see, my child is just like me.....a little OCD (obsessive compulsive) about things. She was sitting on the floor with her pull up completely open (we buy the type that come apart at the sides). The front of the pull up was lying flat on the floor and she was quietly picking the poop out of her diaper and putting it in the corner of her tent. I said, "Zoe, what on earth are you doing?" She said, "I'm putting my poopies over here Mommy." You see, my child didn't like the poop touching her so she was taking it out of her diaper. You know, it would've been a lot easier just to tell her Mommy and we could've put it in the toilet. But my OCD child didn't want it touching her. Thank goodness it wasn't a messy poop hence the title of this post. I want you guys to have a visual of it.....
No, this isn't actually a picture of it. This is a picture of Chocolate Malt Balls, but this looks just like my surprise from Zoe! I then spent the rest of the time talking to Zoe about what had occurred while trying to hold a straight face and not fall into hysterics in the middle of the floor. I sincerely hope all of you have enjoyed this story. I'm sure Zoe will thank me one of these days for putting this story out there on the Internet! Paybacks, huh? You put your poop in the corner of the tent for Mommy to pick up, I tell the story on the Internet! Ha!
Mark and I have some great neighbors, Terry and Melissa. They invited us to come to their son, Mason's, fourth birthday party at Pump-it-Up this past Saturday. Now, you guys know we LOVE Pump-it-Up. It's a great way to wear your child out so they will sleep at night. Keep in mind, it will also wear you out so that you sleep at night, too! So, here are some pictures from our time Saturday......
Zoe and Daddy Run Zoe Run.....
Air Zoe
Rock Climbing
Now, the rock climbing didn't last very long. As you can imagine, she didn't go past where I couldn't hold onto her. But, I'm just proud of the fact that she wanted to do it. Let me just say I was SHOCKED!
Watch out Riggs family! We can't wait for the twins to have their party on the 31st! Yeah!
Our child has become a Tinker Bell FANATIC. Today as Zoe and I were driving home from school and work, as we had the following conversation:
Mommy: "Zoe, would you like to stop by the grocery store with Mommy so we can pick up a chicken for dinner?"
Keep in mind I was thinking of a Rotisserie Chicken.
Zoe: "No, Mommy! I don't want to go to the store. I want to go to Zoe's house."
Mommy: "Well, we're going to go home honey we just need to stop by the store so we can get a chicken for supper."
Again, I'm thinking quick and easy and that I'll just steam some vegetables to go with our supper since I neglected to take something out of the freezer.
This is where Zoe proceeds to have a total meltdown....
Zoe (Crying in her most hysterical voice): "Mommy, I don't want to go to the store! I want to go home to Zoe's house so I can wear my Tinker Bell dress!"
So, you get the idea now. We had a TOTAL meltdown OVER A TINKER BELL DRESS! I just kept thinking, "You have got to be kidding me." Anyway, this is a recent picture of Zoe's Tinker Bell dress, which has totally had it. You can see the rip in the sleeve!
Angelic, isn't she?
And for my tens of readers out there, please tell me that the age of three is better than the age of two? Any hope out there? I never knew we could have such meltdowns! HOLY COW!
And, of course, I still LOVE to visit the Riggs family because Shelley is one of my best friends. I think she needs to get a button for her Blog! Plus, I think she REALLY needs to update her Blog because I MISS HER HUMOR!!!!!
I LOVE to read Blogs. I simply can't help myself. Anyway, I have a few that are my favorites and "Kelly's Korner" is one of them. To make a long story short, she is a pastor's daughter and what I would strive to be as a Christian. After a long battle with infertility, she just had a baby who is in very critical condition. So, please say some prayers for little Harper Brown Stamps:
My girlfriend Nikki's son, Zachary, is in VERY critical condition in a hospital in East Tennessee. Please visit her website here to learn the latest. I would ask that you say some prayers for him.
Since Christmas day, our child hasn't really wanted to leave her Dora tent. Of course, we've forced her to come out and play with other stuff, but she has literally fought tooth and nail to stay in the tent and watch all of her Disney movies that Nana & Papa bought for her. She has really become obsessed with Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Anyway, here's our girl....
Santa brought Zoe an easel for Christmas and she has had such a great time playing with it. I found these giant Hello Kitty sheets for her to color and she has wanted to have art time with Mommy and Daddy quite a bit. Here's my little Picasso.....
I bought Zoe this Tinker Bell costume on clearance after Halloween. My child LOVES to play dress up and I thought this would be a great Christmas gift. Anyway, since Christmas she has had this thing on every day. While I was at work on Tuesday and Daddy and Zoe were having a fun day together, Daddy called me and asked where her costume was located. Apparently, Zoe was pitching a fit for it. I told him I had hung it on the bathroom door because I was trying to hide it so she would wear something else, especially to sleep in! Anyway, just wanted you to see Tinker Bell Zoe!
