Zoe's First Hair Cut

Yesterday we took Zoe to get her first haircut.  We didn't want to cut too much hair, but we knew we wanted to get it more even and cleaned up just a little.  So Dylan, Zoe and I headed to the salon where I go to see my stylist, Angela.  Daddy took off work a bit early so he could meet us there.

Another view of Zoe before entering the salon.

She was so good!

Look at all that long hair.

All done!  Look at those smooth, even locks.

 Zoe was too occupied by her lollipop to take a picture.

Dylan leading the way out of the salon.

Daddy and Zoe with her new hair cut.

Where O Where has My Baby Girl Gone?

Wow!  I remember when I was young my dad telling me that the years fly by much faster the older you get so I should enjoy each day and not rush life .  I also remember him telling me how fast the time would fly by with my kids and they'd be grown up before I knew it.  Unfortunately, he was right on both fronts. 

I can't believe that two years ago this week I gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl.  It seems like it could have been only a month ago.  I no longer have a baby in the house.  I have a walking, talking, very interactive girl who has a little mind and personality all of her very own. 

Not only has Zoe grown so much emotionally and mentally, but her physical appearance keeps changing drastically as well.  She's growing out of any baby pudginess and getting slimmer and taller.  Those baby features are diminishing each day before my eyes. 

I took Zoe to have her 2 year old pictures made this week.  I'm quite thrilled with the results, but at first glance I was thinking "Who is this little girl? Where has my baby girl gone?"  She really looks like a toddler now and no longer looks like a baby. 

Here are some of my favorites from her photo session. 

This is her birthday party dress for her "sundae" party.

I had "Zoe" embroidered on the dress.

I had her monogram put on this outfit.

This is my favorite outfit. 

Lions and Tigers and Bears...Oh My!

Ok, well skip the lions and tigers, but we had bears, Uncle Ivan, Dylan and Zoe on this trip to the zoo.  We packed up for a day and headed out about 100 miles or so to our state's zoo.  This was the kids first trip to this particular zoo so it was exciting to see their reactions. 

Unfortunately for D&Z, the animals all have very nice and very large habitats which is a bit hard for toddlers.  These wonderful settings for the animals can make it hard to even view the animals and also creates a good bit of distance between exhibits which means "boring" for toddlers.  While the kids enjoyed seeing the animals we were able to visit, I think some of their favorite things were the attractions between exhibits. 

Mommy and Dylan at the Elephant Exhibit - Mommy loves elephants! And since Mommy is usually behind the camera, it's nice to be in front of it for a change.  (Thanks, Daddy for taking this shot!)

Wait!  Is Dylan hugging Zoe or holding her to keep her safe?  What a great big brother!

Dylan is taking him and Zoe for a ride on the Elephant Tracking Helicopter

Do we have a future pilot on our hands? 

D&Z loved climbing all the animal statues, but for some reason these beetles were Dylan's favorite. 

Zoe cooling down in the mist.  I didn't think we'd ever be able to get her away from the mist spray.

The Crocodile Hunter Dylan

Check out this handsome dude on the carousel!

Dylan rode on a gorilla.  That was his favorite animal at the zoo.

Zoe picked a cheetah to ride on.

The biggest hit of the day was the chalkboard wall in the Kid Zone.  They had barrels of water with paint brushes and tons of side walk chalk.  Dylan painted that wall a dozen or more times.  Zoe drew on the wall with chalk and then painted over it.  As soon as parts of the wall were getting dry, they'd paint those parts again.  What a great entertainment idea.  I know the kids spent at least half an hour doing this.  We were the ones who told them it was time to move on. I'm need to find out how to recreate something like this at home.

Oh my, what a great and wonderful trip!

Earth Day

Uncle Ivan came to visit us for several days and we were looking for some fun outdoor activities to do with the kids.  Some of David's team from work put on an exhibit booth at a local museum's outdoor trail for Earth Day.  David wanted to go show support for his employees and we thought it'd be a fun day for the kids.  Well Earth Day at the museum ended up surpassing all of our expectations.

There were all kinds of exhibits, crafts, food and more lined up all over a beautiful walking trail through the woods.  Dylan really enjoyed all the craft exhibits.  I can't tell you how many crafts we brought home.  The kids learned how to drink like a butterfly.  Zoe enjoyed exploring all the nature around here such as the sticks, bugs, and leaves.  Dylan's favorite activity was definitely the bounce house while Zoe's favorite activity was learning to play the bongo drums. 

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll skip the words and share these pictures instead.

Our little monkey climbers!

Zoe looking all innocent after I had told her "no."

Zoe playing the bongo drums.  This was her absolute favorite thing of the day.

Now she's ready to teach Dylan.

Such a natural musician and dancer.

Now everyone come join in to play including Daddy.

Dylan the Explorer

D&Z couldn't resist a picture with a big doggy.  Well Dylan couldn't.  I think Zoe was trying to escape.

Dylan coming down the huge inflatable bounce house slide head first.  This boy has no fear!

Hey Mommy!

Dylan would get airborne being so little coming down this giant slide.

Dressing Ourselves

Getting Dylan dressed has become such an ordeal and a feat that I've been trying to figure out how to survive such a simple task. So I decided that it is time to start working with Dylan on helping him learn how to dress himself.  He still needs a lot of help and guidance, but I feel that is expected.  He's learning that the tag in his clothes go in the back and that one leg goes through each side of the pants or else you can't walk right.  And most importantly his involvement in the process has helped us both survive this morning and night ritual much more peacefully.  Of course I must admit I have found that offering a "reward" of a peppermint for his cooperation and "trying" to dress himself helps dramatically along with words of praise and affirmation. 

The other morning Dylan was all set to earn his accolades and peppermint by dressing himself.  I usually have him get started and then I help out.  (This is what ideally happens as long as we are not in a time crunch.)  So we were both sitting on the floor in the kitchen.  As usual Dylan did a fantastic job of taking his PJs off.  Then the first thing we do after undressing is put our clean underwear on our bottom.  Dylan thought it would be "hysterical" to put his underwear on his head and then run around and dance and sing.  I had to just let this moment be and let go and so I watched him enjoying making himself laugh.  I was laughing too at him which he found delightful.  Dylan asked "Mommy, is this funny?"  I told him it was.  Then he looked at me and said "I am hysterical!"  That's my Dylan!  Always the entertainer and always looking to get a laugh out of you.

Dylan is so proud of his own "silliness." 

Dancing around and making Mommy laugh.

How can you not love this face?

Bon Jovi

It is no wonder that my kids love to sing and dance.  I have loved music for as long as I can remember living.  Even though God didn't bless me with the gift of a great voice, he did bless me with a deep rooted appreciation for music, rhythm, and a keen ear.  I love music of any kind and just about any genre.

There is just something about a song, the combination of the music and lyrics, that can just touch a place in your heart, light a spark deep within, or can change your mood. 

I'm going to the Bon Jovi concert and have been playing all things Bon Jovi on the ipod for the last several days.  (Note to Dylan and Zoe:  When you read this blog entry years from now, you'll know that your mom was hip.)  But as I listened to some of the same old favorites, the lyrics stood out in a different way this time as they made me think of things I'd like to say to Dylan and Zoe if only I had those words. 

Dylan and Zoe, here are some lyrics I want to share with you from my heart to yours that are from Mommy's favorite band of all time. 

"Believe that the sun will shine tomorrow

And that your saints and sinners bleed.

We weren't born to follow.

You gotta stand up for what you believe."

From "We Weren't Born to Follow"

"I'll be there till the stars don't shine.

Till the heavens burst and words don't rhyme.

And I know when I die you'll be on my mind

And I'll love you always"

From "Always"

"When everybody's in, and you're left out,

And you feel your drowning in a shadow of doubt

Everyone's a miracle in their own way

Just listen to yourself, not to what other people say...

When you wanna give up, and your hearts about to break

Remember that you're perfect, God makes no mistakes."

From "Welcome to Wherever You Are"

When you think that no one needs you, sees you or believes you

No one's there to understand

I am

I'll be there to be that someone

When you think that on one is there to hold your hand

I am

From "I Am" 

Spring Break

The other week was spring break and we had a blast!  Dylan was out of preschool for the week and I kept us busy, busy, busy!  Dylan and I both love living busy lives so we love to be on the go.  Zoe is more like her daddy in that she is just as content being at home or out and about.  So sorry, Zoe, if Dylan and I dragged you on a world tour!

Easter Monday David took off from work and we headed for Carowinds again!  We are certainly getting our moneys worth out of these passes.  The weather was beautiful and we had a lot of fun.  Dylan said he was going to ride the roller coaster, but once there he decided it was too scary.  That's ok, we'll try again another day.  Next time I am thinking of what I can do to negotiate with him to get him to try it out.  I think he'd love the coaster once he gets on it. 

Daddy and his little girl.  Look closely as Daddy is really wrapped around Zoe's little finger ;-)

Zoe on her favorite ride - the carousel

D&Z enjoying their ride

Daddy and Dylan on the boats.

Tuesday we spent the day with our great friends, Greta, Judson and Joyner.  We hit the park as it was another gorgeous day!  We played for several hours and had a picnic lunch as well.  I love every moment we get to spend with Greta and her Js!  Thankfully they live right in our neighborhood and we get to see them each week.  What a blessing! 

And thanks to Greta for capturing many great moments on her camera from our day together.

 Joyner loves Zoe and watches out for her.  You can just say Joyner's name and Zoe's face lights up!

This picture of our little guys just makes me smile. 

Friends for Life!

Thursday we headed to Dylan's buddy's David's house which also happens to be the home of my dear friend, Lanie.  David and Dylan are only a few weeks apart in age and can be thick as theives and partners in crime at times.  David loves playing with little Zoe bug too so it's so nice the dynamics work well.  Who said three's a crowd?  It's not when it is these three!  I love getting to hang out with them any chance we get.  Unfortunately neither Lanie nor I took any pictures...next time!

Friday we ventured down south of the border a bit and visited with my dear friend Wendy and her daughter Burnley.  We played in B's play room and then headed to the park to play and picnic.  I was feeling quite daring so we went back to their home and skipped naps.  The kids enjoyed a little down time watching Olivia on TV.  Burnley performed a fashion show for us which Dylan and Zoe enjoyed.  We ended the day back outside playing in the yard and of course blowing some bubbles!  We all had a great day and it was a nice treat skipping naps and spending the day together with some great friends.

Beautiful girls!  B and Z just love each other!

The kids played hide n seek.  This is the girls looking for Dylan.  Or are they???

Burnley was hiding in the bushes. She had to say something to help D&Z find her.

This week made me once again reflect at how blessed I am to have such a happy, healthy family and such warm, fun and loving friends!