The Zoe and Silas Show

1/31/14: Zoe was the VIP at school this week, so I got to come after lunch on Friday and read a book. When I arrived it was nothing less than controlled chaos. The 3 (amazing!) teachers were getting the (22!) kids bundled up, because the school day ends after story time. Zoe picked the book "Snowstorm Surprise" for me to read. It was so fun to share this book with Zoe and Silas' "school mates" (that is how Zoe generally refers to the kids in her class)! Derek had the day off so we went out for a VIP dinner at Bukhara. Our cute little VIP even wore her crown once we got home and snuggled in our pj's!

1/30/14: Post-bath jammies jam-out to Gnarls Barkley, "Crazy".

1/29/14: Although it doesn't look like it here, Zoe has made a full recovery from her bout with Fifth Disease and happily brought her poster board to school today! We were cuddling after work tonight and she wanted to try on my blinders :) Silly goose!

1/28/14: Somebody got up early on Tuesday morning and wanted to help Mommy get ready for work!

1/27/14: Zoe was home sick from school today, but she is ready for her VIP week to start on Wednesday! Silas is the VIP the week of Valentine's Day and we're already working on his board!

1/26/14: We had a pj day today, as Zoe is still sick and has now developed a weird rash that we're thinking is Fifth Disease . Mr. No Napper didn't, of course, nap- so he worked on the letters for his VIP poster board while Zoe slept.

1/25/14: Silas spent most of Saturday afternoon "doing research" at my desk. I think he was inspired by all of the hard-working students he saw in lab on Friday! Zoe spiked a crazy high fever (105+!) after nap. We had a sitter lined up for Saturday night so that we could go out to dinner and see some live music. We went back and forth about whether to cancel, and we ended up deciding to keep our plans after we got the fever down with a bath and some ibuprofen. She had no other signs of illness and was perfectly happy to have Sarah babysit - and we were so happy to be able to go out! After dinner we saw a cover band show - I danced and danced, even logging almost 1000 steps between midnight (when the Fitbit step counter resets) and 12:15 when we headed home.

1/24/14: Taking a break in Mommy's office after helping out with one of the research projects.

1/23/14: S&Z are having a BLAST at the swimming lessons they recently started!  Daddy treated them to a pancake lunch after swimming this week. They were as hungry as a bear!

1/22/14: Now that I have lost 25+ pounds I'm working on strength training. Who needs free weights when you have a (not-so-small) child?! Both kids are really into trying whatever exercises I'm doing at home. And sometimes they just make up their own! I love involving them in the process!

1/21/14: Silly gooses getting ready for baths.

1/20/14: S&Z are very interested in music these days. I caught them contemplating some song lyrics on Monday.

1/19/14: Silas the sous chef helping us cook for the week. This week's menu included Lal Dal, Roasted Spaghetti Squash, Turkey Sloppy Joes with Lentils, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Baked Lavash Crackers, and Moroccan Chickpea Soup.

1/18/14: S&Z were very excited to help their friend Jack celebrate his 6th birthday last weekend. His party was at a candlepin bowling alley- There was lots of pizza, cake and fun with friends.  Happy Birthday, Jack!!!

1/17/14: We took a chilly walk at Hale after nap/quiet time on Friday. It was warm and sunny earlier in the day, but as sunset approached it was pretty darn chilly! The kids were so happy to show Auntie Kristin our special place!

1/16/14: Auntie Kristin's fan club.

1/15/14: Reading bedtime books with Auntie Kristin.

1/14/14: Both kids have been working on writing their letters for awhile now. When I got home from work tonight Zoe & Ta-ta had been writing numbers . Zoe was very excited to show me the numbers she had written in her notebook- The kids made a " rocket ship " out of an Amazon box a few days ago. Tonight they were blasting off into outer space before bath time. There is something so magical about the imaginations of 4-year-olds!

1/13/14: Ta-ta's back, Ta-ta's back, Ta-ta's back!!!

1/12/14: Silas was continuing to feel much better on Sunday after a couple of doses of antibiotics. The sun was shining bright so I got out for a 3.5 mile walk to catch a dose of some much-needed Vitamin D. After quiet time the kids (and Derek) needed to get out of the house as well. We headed over to Legacy Place where everyone got some fresh air and I made a couple of returns. I cooked for most of the day otherwise:  Crockpot Chicken Verde , a big batch of brown rice, lavash crackers for the week,  Lal Dal ,  Roasted Spaghetti Squash  to eat with  leftover marinara  (recipe below), and  Mushroom Barley Stew . What a great way to start the week! Marinara Sauce CATEGORIES   sauce INGREDIENTS 1  onion, chopped 2  cloves garlic, minced 1  28 oz. crushed tomatoes or tomato puree 1  14 1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes 1  T. tomato paste Salt and freshly ground pepper, italian seasoning, sugar & red pepper flakes to taste INSTRUCTIONS