The Zoe and Silas Show

8/1/14: This morning we headed down to a Minneapolis icon, the Mall of America! Dad & Mary took the kids on the Sea Life tour (unfortunately no pictures because I stayed behind to do some shopping with Stephanie). Afterwards we headed to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch. Silas is obsessed with all things mechanical, so I finally gave in to let him make a "souvenir" coin out of a penny. Of course we had to hit Lego Land and the amusement park, formerly known as Camp Snoopy! It was a super fun afternoon!  We got back to Sue & Bob's house from the MoA just in time for one last boat ride. It has been such a fun and memorable week with my family. I am so grateful to spend this time with everyone in one of my favorite places on earth! Already dreaming of next year...

4/15/14: Having fun with the jumping eggs they got from Gramma & Papa!

2/20/14: S&Z were very happy to see Grandma & Papa for the first time since New Year's Day. Zoe was excited to show me her new Valentine bear when I got home from work.

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

1/5/14: Silas seems to have croup that turned into bronchitis because now he's got a fever. I am having total flashblacks to last January when they collectively missed over 3 weeks of school. But bless Silas' heart, he really perks up with a little ibuprofen. An apple a day... a little too late. Auntie Rachel and Uncle Keith got the kids walkie talkies for Christmas. Best twin gift ever!!! At the bedtime temp check Zoe registered 100.2 and Silas 100.5. You have never seen a child SO HAPPY to have a fever. She gleefully got medicine along with Silas, and then made a BIG production when we got in the bedroom about how she shouldn't have chosen footed pajamas and she needed to change (we have a "no footed pajamas when you have a fever" rule). Apparently no school for either of them tomorrow... This is where our crappy work schedules really pay off - I've covered all weekend while Derek worked and now he'll pick up tomorrow when my work week s...

1/4/14: Derek's cousins hit the nail on the head with giving S&Z three different Spider-Man vehicles for Christmas! Thank you Joyce & Darlene!!!

12/25/13: S&Z were very excited on Christmas morning when they saw the gifts and candy canes that Santa left for them! They didn't want to open any presents until they each ate an entire candy cane. And a couple of hershey's kisses! Finally they started unwrapping the stocking gifts- Santa brought the kids a new craft table and chairs, a bunch of new art supplies, and a fort building kit. After the excitement of the Santa gifts died down we set up the craft table and they started working on some projects. Later in the afternoon Derek's family came over the 2nd annual Christmas Mexican Fiesta. This is a tradition we started last year , and one we will definitely continue in the future! The kids were spoiled with gifts as usual. It was a very merry Christmas indeed!

12/9/13: The first snowfall of the season fell on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Monday was more of a "wintry mix", but it was enough to get S&Z very excited first thing in the morning! The first snow of the season calls for one thing: hot chocolate! And marshmallows! Mmm mmm mmm!! ***** I took the day off from work on Monday in order to do some Christmas shopping. While the kids were at school Derek and I ended up getting ourselves a Christmas present. Behold the Technivorm Moccamaster ! Derek did a bunch of research until he found this, the Cadillac of all coffee makers. It brews the best cup of coffee either of us has ever tasted! In < 8 minutes! ***** Cook's Notes: The issue for me with cooking during the week is that because I'm a single parent most nights I can't really start making dinner until the kids go to bed. By the time dinner is ready it's between 8:30 and 9:00 and I'm absolutely starvin...

10/9/13: Zoe checking out the new Good Nite Lite. Since getting the light they have managed to stay in bed each morning until 7:00 when the "sun comes out"!

Zoe & Silas were so excited to wake up this morning to streamers, balloons, and party hats! Zoe is definitely her mother's daughter, excitedly saying "these are our BIRTHDAY decorations! ooh, it's so BEAUTIFUL here with our decorations! this is our BIRTHDAY breakfast!  it's not your birthday today, it's OUR birthday!!" Little did they know what surprises I had up my sleeve for the morning. My parents arrived late last night, and the kids had no idea they were coming. They got a big surprise when Grandma and Grandpa Dave came out of the guest room singing happy birthday during breakfast! They had a fun morning playing with Grandma and Grandpa, and then it was time to open presents! We gave them a few books, some footed pajamas, and a good nite lite for their bedroom. The best gift, however, was definitely the superhero capes and masks! They ran, and rode bikes to wherever there was someone in need! T...