2014 Hot Air Balloon

We told Zoe were were going to go see balloons.  She was hardly able to hold her excitement. (Even though she really didn't understand what she was about to see.)

When we pulled up and parked, as we got her out, she just started jumping up and down in my arms! She was so excited, she grabbed hold of me and gave me a big (unsolicited) kiss.  It was precious!

She was so curious when she started seeing the big balloons being blown up.  You could just see the amazement in her eyes.

Zoe also got to sit up in a real, live firetruck. Her smile and happiness was contagious! We literally had to drag her from the firetruck.  :)  

Such a special day.  Such a special feeling.  I'll never ever forget it.

Zoe's Potty Party

Well, since it's such a HUGE deal. we decided to throw Zoe a Potty Party for all her efforts in getting rid of her diapers.

And boy, did she love it.  I think this is the most excited I've ever seen my little girl.  And she was so excited to be around her cousins, too.  

So, so, so proud of our ZoZo.

 She was excited when we told her what we were doing, and where we were going!

 She was happy to get her hair done!

 She was REALLY excited about picking out her cupcake!

 I've never seen her smile SO much!!!

First BIG movie

Just catching up on all the happenings. Last week, Zoe and I had a great Daddy/Daughter date. Dinner and movie. She wanted KFC (blah), them we headed to the theater.

Mr. Peabody was fantastic. Zoe's eyes were huge as shestated at the ginormous screen! Whoa! She tried and tried to sit back in her seat. But her little frame was no match for the heavy folding chair. It collapsed on her like a Venus Flytrap on a mosquito! Daddy rescued her from the jaws of defeat more than once! But she was determined to sit by herself as any big girl would. So my little Princess slid her bottom to the front edge of her seat to counterbalance the evilness! (Somehow she understands physics.) And daddy kept his hand firmly there also during the entire movie. Success!

So we ate popcorn and nachos, laughed and stared. Our happy eyes would meet for quick moments to confirm our  enjoyment. Yes, indeed. Success!

It was a time she may forget; but Daddy never will. A movie I may forget; but she never will. And a feeling we'll forever share.

Reading Rascal

This girl LOVES books. She loves to "read". Just about anytime we notice that's she's quiet, when we sneak up on her, we find her face buried in a book.

Just hoping we can nurture this love for many, many years.

Service buddies

Zoe is fully two and a half years old. But she's such a little lady. When I tell her that, of course, she corrects me: "No I'm not! I'm Zoe Alexis Grayson," she affirms!

But she is quite the little lady. A perfect little child in field service. Always wanting to help out by ringing doorbells or whatever she can do. She does really well not straying away; not running, not yelling or jumping.

Life is beautiful. And so is my little girl.

Potty Training

Easily the most frustrating of times.  And the most rewarding of times! Zoe's got it!!!  What's amazing is to see the look of absolute PRIDE in her eyes, the sense of true accomplishment.  She is just beaming within herself that "She did it." Pride wells up into my eyes as I watch her break through her insecurities.

She's known what to do for some time.  But she just lacked the self-confidence that it takes to go out there and try.  She doesn't lack that anymore.  And Mommy and me are super excited.  Not just for us.  But especially for little ZoZo.  That healthy self-confidence will surely carry through in other aspects of her life; her personality.  I love it.  Growth!

It also has provided some riddles.  Such as: how is it that one has a potty trained toddler and two potty trained doggies, and yet, the couch in the living room has a cushion full of pee?  Hmmm . . .

Yep, as it turns out, our little Mess decided to try to put her potty on the couch for safe keeping after she used it.  (She's always looking for ways to help.) But unfortunately, we were summoned in the other room with, "I spilled pee." Words you not really prepared for. But, hey, it's sterile, right? Don't cry over spilled pee! Is that how the saying goes? Cleaned right up, though.  And now what did Zoe have to say afterward? "I won't do that again."  Classic!