9 inches and counting

Surprise snow day with Daddy!!!

Let's make a snowman!

Ruby wanted to be outside, but she enjoyed watching through the glass.

"Zoey, don't leave me."

"Don't you turn your back on me, missy."

"I can't believe she left."

The finished product. Nan, the snowman.

A snow day from Ruby's perspective.

"Now, I'm a ballerina."

We signed Zoey up for her first ballet class. Each Saturday for 4 weeks, we took Zoey to a nearby rec center and for 30 minutes, she got to dance around in her leotard, tights, tutu and ballet slippers with several other little girls. She absolutely adored her class. She wasn't really interested in becoming friends with the other girls, which surprised me a little, but she was absolutely in love with her teacher, Miss Rachel.

The first week, Zoey seemed to enjoy class and she watched everybody very intently but she didn't really participate. She kind of floated around and stood around but she didn't allow herself to have fun and get down with her bad self. The second week, she had a fever and we had to skip class. Thankfully she doesn't know her days of the week well enough to know that she missed out on a Saturday. :) But, by the third and fourth classes, she had transformed into a precious little ballerina. Well, I take that back. I would tell her periodically during the week, "You are such a beautiful ballerina." And she would always reply, "Not, yet." I guess she thought she wasn't officially a dancer until Miss Rachel had taught her everything she needed to know.

So, here are some clips from her classes.

Here she is stretching. Favorite part?...how she looks back at me to see if I'm watching and how stinkin' flexible she is

More stretching. Favorite part?...her beautiful hair pulled back in a ponytail and her little panties poking out

This is part of a little dance routine Miss Rachel taught the girls. Favorite part?...the hug, of course, and it just seems like she is truly having a blast!

They are supposed to pretend to be mermaids jumping over a "poisonous fish". Favorite part?...not quite jumping over the fish, but definitely avoiding it.

Second try. Favorite part?...how she runs to Miss Rachel but realizes there's someone already on her lap so she finds a spot at the end and lets out a squeal!

Time for some work at the bar. Favorite part?...the whole thing :)

Doing her ballerina walk just like Miss Rachel. Favorite part?...Her cute ballerina arms and never taking her eyes off Miss Rachel.

This is some sort of ballet hop. Favorite part?...how quickly she makes her way to the other side and waits patiently for the other dancers to join her.

Even though Zoey was so quiet during class, Miss Rachel made a huge impact on her. During the week, Zoey would say so many things that Miss Rachel had taught the girls. She would show Dave and me the moves she learned and sing the little songs she remembered. She is a little sponge. This was such a great reminder for us that Zoey is constantly learning and retaining information, both good and bad. Many of the parents signed up their girls for another 4 weeks of ballet, but I think we'll try something else next time. Maybe soccer!

conversations with Zoey... second installment

I keep a pad of paper on our kitchen counter for the sole purpose of writing down the funny things Zoey says. Here are the latest and greatest...straight from Zoey's mouth.

Zoey: "Mommy, I'm a tow."
-said as she entered the room wearing a ball cap
Mama: "A cow?"
Zoey: "No! A tow, a tow, a tow."
-said with emphasis and enunciation
Mama: "A cow?"
-confused
Zoey: "No, a tow boy. I mean a tow girl. I got a hat. I'm a tow girl."
Mama: "Oh, a cow girl. Yee-haw!"


Zoey: "First we're going to Wal-Mart, then Jesus Christ our Savior, then to Target to get some food."
-good plan, Zo.


Mama: "Zo, finish your breakfast."
Zoey: "I'm full. There's no more room in my tummy. There's too many babies in my tummy."


-said out of the blue while playing with toys
Zoey: "Why did you close my door?"
Mama: "What door?"
-pause
Zoey: "I don't know. Never mind."


-Ruby was crying in booster chair at the table
Zoey: "Stop(said while doing the sign for stop), Ruby. We don't cry at the table. We only cry in bed."
-just for the record, I don't know where she got that. That's not one of our rules. :)


-Zoey was putting pieces of pear into the shape of a Christmas tree.
Zoey: "Look, Daddy, it's a Christmas Tree."
Daddy: "Oh, cool!"
Zoey: "Yeah, but this tree isn't prickly. It's juicy."


Zoey logic...
forwards...backwards...sidewards


Zoey's dictionary...
popcorn = pop-si-corn
smoochies = sushies
stethoscope = ses-sa-soap
spaghetti = sa-betty


Daddy: "I need to put water in the Christmas tree stand."
Zoey: "Can I watch you, Daddy?"
Daddy: "Sure."
Zoey: "Not, yet, but soon. Wait for me."
-puts her milk in the fridge
Zoey: "Ok, it's time. I'm ready. I'm going to go wait for you."


Daddy: "I have a headache."
Zoey: "Do you want to share my boo-boo bear (a cool pack we keep in the freezer) with me?"
Daddy: "No, but thank you. I think a smoochie will make it feel better."
-Zoey gave him a smoochie on the head
Zoey: "Is it all better?"
Daddy: "Yes, thank you. Your smoochies make me so happy."
Zoey: "I'm sad when you have a boo-boo and I'm happy when you're all better."
-yeah, that one brought tears to my eyes


-Zoey was eating around the chucks of cherries in her cup of yogurt.
Mama: "Let me help you get the last bite, Zo."
-all that was left were the cherry chunks
Zoey: "Let's leave the chair-berry in there. I don't want it."


-Zoey hit Ruby with a pillow. Ruby didn't even flinch.
Mama: "Let's not hit Ruby with the pillow."
Zoey: "She didn't cry. She's so brave."

a little bit of Ruby...part 3

"funny face"

a little bit of Ruby...part 2

"look, mom! it crunches."

a little bit of Ruby...part 1

Ruby Ellen is 10 months old today. So, I thought I would share some cute videos of our little Ruby.

"shake it!"

Zoey turns 3!