Christmas with Nana & Papa

This past weekend was our Christmas weekend with Nana & Papa.  Of course, they went overboard and absolutely spoiled us rotten (as usual), but we had the best time with them.  For me?  I love watching them with Zoe because they have such a special relationship with her.  I just feel so lucky that Zoe has them and thank God every day for them.  My stepsister Heather and her family came over to see us, too!  All in all, we had the best time ever!  Enjoy the pics....

Me, Zoe & Papa (wish I hadn't taken my makeup off yet...oh well!)

Zoe & the BEST Nana in the world!

Zoe with her Snow Globe that Nana made for her!

And this was the box that the snowglobe was wrapped in!  I couldn't help it...I just had to take a picture!  Nana is a healthnut!

Nana, Papa & Zoe

(I can't believe my parents are 65 and 66...they look phenominal!)

Zoe with her new "bling bling" outfit!

Mommy & Zoe (I promised my husband more pics of me on this Blog)

The best game ever!

It's a puppy pillow pet!

What's this big gift?

Nana & Papa finally opening gifts!

Daddy & Zoe posing for the camera

Model Faces

I love the show Bones!

The Rockettes

Zoe and I have an annual tradition in our house where we go see the Rockettes at Christmas over at the Opry.  And there are no stinkin' boys allowed (sorry Daddy & Papa).  This was our third year in a row to go, too.  We've gone the past two years with the twins, but they aren't feeling it anymore.  Frankly, the Rockettes are a little too girly for the show and they wouldn't have enjoyed it at all (even though my bestie would've loved to have gone - missed you Shelley).  So, we invited Zoe's best friend Meredith and her mommy (Tracie a/k/a Reba) to go with us.  We had a wonderful time and took the girls to eat at O'Charley's following the show.  I wasn't allowed to take any pictures during the show and once we got inside and were seated.  But, I did manage to snag a pic of the girls by the Christmas tree once we got inside the doors.

S - N - O - W

We finally got some snow!  I went ahead and went into work, but not until 10:00 a.m. I admit there was a time when I would've gotten up really early and gotten to work before my normal time, but that all changed the moment I had Zoe.  To me?  It's just not worth it.  I don't trust the other people trying to drive in it.  Plus, I can work some from home and be safe here with my Zoe girl.  Why take the chance?  After I got her to school I promised we would get out in the snow once we got home.  Of course, it was dark when we got home, but a promise is a promise.  Here you go.....



Savannah & Bridget's 5th Birthday Party

Two of the girls in Zoe's class (Savannah Cherry & Bridget Byrd) had birthdays close together in December.  So, the parents were brilliant and combined the birthday parties.  I'm not trying to use sarcasm here either.  It cut down on the number of birthday parties in what is typically a crazy time of year for people.  It was a blast and I know my girl thoroughly enjoyed herself.  They had the party at a place called Bounce U (exactly like Pump it Up), which you can't beat.  Our girl got to go run off some energy!

My beautiful girl stopping to pose for a picture

Such a ham

Daddy trying to talk Zoe into going down the slide

I love goodie bags!

Tangled

Over Thanksgiving weekend we took our Zoe girl to see the Disney movie Tangled and I must say that it was worth every penny!  Zoe loved that movie, but her Daddy & I loved it too!  We could actually go see it again!  How funny is that?  Our girl is turning into a movie lover so let's hope they continue to come out with good films my girl can actually see!

Zoe's First Christmas Program at Church

Zoe has been attending Music & Missions at church this past Fall in order to be able to participate in the Christmas show the preschool and children put on for the church every year.  I wanted her to have those memories of being involved in church and felt that this was the perfect opportunity.  She has been going and practicing and has come home singing all sorts of songs.  The preschool children performed a skit about Bethlehem and Jesus and was it ever precious.  My girl was a horse and she was quite literally the best horse ever!  I had to take her to practice this past Saturday morning and I thought if she performed at all like she did for the rehearsal, she was going to do wonderfully.  Did I mention that my child might be a rock star?  She got mad when one of the other horses (Olivia) took her spot in the middle in front of the microphone and I thought Zoe was going to take her out in front of the entire church.  Yes, I know it's wrong to laugh, but it was HYSTERICAL!  And every time she was suppose to "neigh" like a horse, she leaned over right in front of Olivia (effectively blocking her I might add) to "neigh" as loudly as possible!  And when she was singing?  She was doing the exact same thing!  Now, I'll let you see for yourself....is she the cutest horses ever or what?

 Our family portrait.....

 Our little horse from the "rear" view!

 How stinkin' cute is she?

 Check out the costume....the lady who sewed it did an amazing job!

 Nana & Papa!  I'm so fortunate to have parents who strive so hard to make it to anything and everything that Zoe participates in!

Neigh!

Suessical

A little girl (Lydia) in Zoe's class had her birthday party at The Nashville Children's Theater.  I had never been there, but I've certainly wanted to take Zoe.  I found this to be the perfect opportunity to take her to see Suessical, a musical based on characters from Dr. Suess books that I thought she would love.  Boy was I was right.  It was awesome and I'm not sure who enjoyed it more...me or Zoe.  If you get the chance to see the show, I would highly recommend you go.  You won't be sorry!

Tracy & Reba

I have a confession to make here....I really can't stand Reba McEntire.  I mean, I'm sure she's a great person and all, but I can't stand her voice when she sings.  It grates on my nerves....and it grates on Mark's nerves.  The other night Mark had flipped the station on the television (gasp....it wasn't on the Outdoor Channel) and had stopped to watch Reba perform on yet another awards show.  Mark said, "Her mouth looks like a snake."  I realize that sounds tacky, but Zoe said, "No, Daddy!  She looks like Ms. Tracy!"  Ms. Tracy is Zoe's best friend Meredith's Mommy.  Mark and I cried from laughing so hard.  Now, I'll ask you to make the comparison for yourself below.

This is Reba:

This is Ms. Tracy:

Pretty observant little toot, isn't she?

Spit It Out

I have to admit that my child is pretty funny, although I'm not quite sure where she gets it from...me or her Daddy.  I think it could be a toss up!  Anyway, I picked Zoe up from school the other day and started heading home, which is usually the time when I quiz her about her day.  I said, "Zoe, how was your day?"  Zoe proceeded to tell me all the negative things like, "Lydia hit me!"  I said, "Zoe, I don't want to hear about Lydia or all the bad stuff.  I want to know if you colored, worked on your letters and numbers, played in the gym, etc."  I said, "So, Zoe, how was your day?"  She said, "Um, um, um, um, um, um, um..."  I said, "Zoe, spit it out!"  To which my four year old took me literally and proceeded to spit in the car.  Yep, apparently I have to watch everything I say now because Zoe will take my quite literally!

The CMAs

We love all types of music in The Lawrence Household, but we really love country music.  The other night we were watching the Country Music Awards (CMAs) as a family because Zoe just loves the entertainers.  So, when a certain country singer got up and sang "Mama's Song," Mark said, "Zoe, do you know who that is?"  Zoe said, "That's Barry Underwood."  Well, there you have it!

A Sign Your Husband "Talks Turkey" Too Much Around Your 4 Year Old

Those of you that read this Blog know that my husband is an avid hunter.  He's an avid hunter of deer and turkey and has been his entire life.  So much so that the television upstairs pretty much stays on the Outdoor Channel.  Yeah, it kind of drivse me batty, but if that's the worst thing he ever does, then so be it.  I did realize on Thanksgiving that my sweet hubby "talks turkey" entirely too much around our four year old.  How might you ask? Well, it happened when she called her Nana & Papa to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.  Would you like to know what she said instead of "Happy Thanksgiving?"  I thought you might....she actually said, "Happy Turkey Season!"  What?!?  I told Mark he has got to quit talking about "turkey season" all the time!

Future Singer

Zoe's First Visit with Santa

Yes, I realize that she's four and has never been to see Santa.  Kind of sad, isn't it?  To tell you the truth, our girl simply has had no interest in seeing the big guy.  I mean, she was literally terrified of him...to the point that it just wasn't worth the meltdown that would ensue if we had taken her.  This year?  She's been all about seeing Santa and telling him what she wants.  So, we took her to Bass Pro and she did wonderfully!  She marched right up and told him she wanted (1) A puppy pillow pet; (2) Rapunzel getting married; and (3) Marie Alicia from Barbie and a Fashion Fairytale.  That was pretty specific, huh?    Here are some pics I was able to take....

 Walking up the Red Carpet with Daddy

Telling Santa Her Christmas Wish List

Posing with Santa

 Zoe & Mommy

Working Hard on her Picture in the Winter Wonderland

She somehow persuaded us to get her a Rudolph...ahem...I mean Daddy!



The Cutest Dorothy Ever.....

I don't think I really need to say much else....do you?

It's Back!

Funny Things

Here are a few recent funnies from our funny girl....

"Mommy, can I have a bite of that chit chat?" 

Obviously she was referring to a Kit Kat.

"Whew, Mommy!  That's STRIPE!"

She came out with this when her Daddy instructed her to say something was "RIPE" when she smelled a stinky smell.

"Mommy, you're a conky cat."

She told me I was a "copy cat" while we were trick or treating on Halloween night.

Oh the things my girl can say.  I don't think I need to tell you just how hard I laughed at these.

A Proud Moment.....

I received the following e-mail from the director of McKendree on November 11, 2010 and I just had to share it:

"In our last safety class today, I pulled all of the safety story cards together and let children take turns teaching us the lesson from a card. Zoe about blew me away with her amazing memory. Not only did she remember the story in detail (and it was one of the earliest ones) but she remembered the children's names in the story. Luckily I have the story written on the back of the card because I can't remember the details and I've been doing this for 15 years. I double-checked to see if she was correct and she was.

Be proud of your little memory wizard!"

When I got to school to pick up Zoe, the director was waiting for me to tell me just how smart my child actually is.  She said she is amazed and that her memory retention skills and the way she can repeat facts back to you (even after months have gone by) are indicators that she would be an early reader, etc.  Now, don't you think that's a moment to be proud of?  Way to go Zoe girl!  Mommy & Daddy love you and are so proud of you!

 

Dane's Halloween Party

Zoe and Dane are big buds at McKendree and they live about four or five miles down the road from us.  Anyway, they had a big party and invited us to come.  Dane and his older sister London were dressed as the Mad Hatter and the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland.  I must say that Shannon did a wonderful job putting their costumes together!

Dane as the Mad Hatter

Kitty Kitty Zoe

London as the Red Queen

London, Dane & Zoe

All the kids

My sweet girl!

Swining in the tire swing

Still just swinging



Here Kitty Kitty.....

Zoe decided to dress up as Mermaid for Halloween, but when I put the costume on her she could barely walk in it.  I told her there was no way she was walking around trick or treating like that.  So, she then decided she wanted to be a cat, but we couldn't find a "cat suit" for her.  We finally settled on Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz; however, Mommy remembered the "cat suit" Zoe wore a few years ago and I pulled it out.  What do you know?  It actually fits her now!  I remembered that I had had to buy the costume a little large because they didn't have one in her size.  Anyway, we went to a Halloween party at Dane's house tonight and decided she could be a cat tonight and be Dorothy tomorrow night for Halloween.  Check her out....M E O W!



Halloween at School

Yesterday Zoe's class didn't have a Halloween celebration per se, but her teacher did fix a great lunch for them and I put Zoe in her Halloween shirt, etc.  Man, I wish could put on anything and look adorable in it like she does....

Her Mean Pose....

That's better..

Posing with her "My Little Pony"



Dressing Up with the Twins

Last weekend we went over to eat and visit with the Riggs.  The girls decided to dress up for us and it was hysterical.  Let's not forget to mention just how good the food was, too!

Cowboy Anna, Dr. Zoe & Darth Vader a/k/a Ashlyn

Cowboy Anna Needed a Break

Dr. Zoe

Darth Vader

Cowboy Anna & Dr. Zoe

Dr. Zoe and Vader Ashlyn

I'm thinking Zoe might be the next Doogie Houser...

Vader taking out Cowboy Anna (they were acting)

Cowboy Anna getting back at Vader Ashlyn