Playing At The Playground!!!

It was a beautiful day on Monday so we thought we would take advantage of the day and bring Zoe to the park. Zoe did so much better this year on the play ground . She still didn't want to go on the swings. And the slides are still not her favorite. But she loved climbing, crawling, and running. She had a blast!! The tunnels are her favorite.

There is so much to do. What to do first???

She loved the tunnels

We are working on how to get out of tunnel but this is the way she did it

 Zoe waving to daddy and saying "bye". She was ready for another turn

 Zoe quickly found little girls that she can boss around.

Zoe grabbed the girls hand and told her to "sit" and then Zoe sat on her lap and they went down the slide together

 So the girls decided to help Zoe with the whole playground

at the end of the tunnels there was a platform and for some reason Zoe thought it was for jumping 

 The girls were helping Zoe with the telescope 

 Having so much fun!!!

 Zoe did go down the bigger slide all by herself finally!!! But after she did that once that was enough

After the playground we took a walk around the park

 Zoe ran the whole way around the park. But we had to stop and roll up her sleeves and she wasn't happy that she had to stop running for a second

 She always had to be in front of us. We tried to walk next to her but she didn't like that

 She wasn't happy to  leave. She must have had too much fun!!!

Zoe's 2 year old checkup!!!

I know its been forever since I have updated this blog but the past month and a half has been a blur to me. We have been soooooooo busy and with me and Zoe's medical issues we have been at the hospital and doctors appointments too. I will post more about that later.....Back to Zoe's 2 year old checkup

I can't believe my baby is 2!!! Zoe height is 32 and 1/2 inches and she weighs 22 pounds and 12 ounces. Her Pediatrician was very encouraged with her height. We know she is still tiny but she her weight and height is going up and not strait lining like it was last year. If you know Zoe she is full of personality and her nurse and Pediatrician said that to me.    

Zoe feels so at home at the doctors office that every time someone comes in or out of the office she will say hi and bye to them. 

 Zoe telling me her arm hurt. (we had to do a lead test) The band-aid didn't last long on her arm.

 As a reward for her being so good we stopped at McDonald's and Zoe got some fries. She ate the whole medium fry. But the fries didn't get mind off of her boo boo. She was whining still when we got home so i ended up giving her Ibuprofen. 

 She is my cuddle bug when she is hurt or not feeling good

 She loves her mommy

She can be very dramatic but I still felt bad. I hate needles so I was sympathetic even though it was a small spot.

Mac and Cashew Cheese

I cant remember if I have ever posted on my blog Zoe's favorite Vegan meal. she loves mac and cashew cheese. Its pretty easy to make too. So its a win-win for the both of us. But its very expensive. I paid almost $15.00 for a pound of raw cashews. That is why I don't eat very much of it. But its very yummy.....

First I soaked 1/2 of a pound of raw cashew in water till its just covered. For two hours at least. (I have left it soaking over night and I got the same results)

Then I cook a 1/2 of a pound of pasta fully

 While the pasta is cooking I make the "cheese"

I drain the cashews and put the water that they were soaking in a side in a cup. And then I put my cashews in my food processor and add...

2 squeezes of lemon juice

1/3 of the cashew soaked water

1 teaspoons of minced garlic

1 Tablespoon of apple cider vinegar  

Salt and pepper to taste. 

I love salty cheese so if it was for me I would have added more then what I make for Zoe

 Then I puree till smooth

Then put the "cheese" in a mixing bowl

Then pour the macaroni in with the "cheese"  and fold it in

And your done!!!

 I put most of it in freezable containers but if you are going to freeze it you have to add 2 tablespoons of milk to it (I use almond milk for Zoe) and it helps it not to be so dry when you reheat it.

Zoe so excited about her mac and cashew cheese. 

This is serious....

 "Momma leave me alone I am trying to eat"

Family <3

I went out and visited my family for a couple days and here are a few pictures I have of our time together. We got to visit my Grannie who is 99 years old. I love her so much and every time I get out there I always want to see her. Zoe is usually scared (because my Grannie likes her room dark) and she usually cries and clings to me. But this time she was did great!!! 

I don't like this picture of me but I think its cute of Zoe and Grannie

Still not a good picture of me but I will always cherish this picture

My Aunt Debbie and Zoe. Zoe really warms up to Aunt Debbie very quickly. I love spending time with her.

My Mom and Grannie (Grannie is her Grandmother)

 My Mom, Zoe and My niece Jena ( Zoe and Jena match)

Zoe saying good bye to Grannie and giving her a hug

After we left Grannie's we went out to lunch and Aunt Beckie (my sister) was sharing her sprite with Zoe . Zoe's nose would crinkle up every time. It was so funny and cute!

Zoe and Grandma in their matching jackets 

Country Sweet Calzone.......Yummmmmmmmmmmm!!!

Doesn't this look so yummy????

My Sister Tracie got me addicted to Country sweet calzone's  from Avanti's years ago. And very time I came in to visit my family I always want to stop and get one. But that only happened twice. But the last time I came in for a visit. I went grocery shopping with my mom and found the sauce!!! I was so excited!!!! And my Walmart actually sells the sauce too!!! (that is amazing) So I taught I would give it a try and I did and it was amazing!!! My hubby even loved it!!! This makes two large calzones .This is what I did....

I made my calzone dough which is 

1 cup of water

3 cups of bread flour

2 tbsp of olive oil

1 tsp of salt

2 tsp of dry active yeast

And while that was stirring and rising in my bread machine. I cooked 4 chicken tenders all the way done.

When everything was done I cut the dough in half and rolled it out. And then I placed 1/4 of cup of the Country sweet sauce in the center of the dough and I spread it all around the dough 2 inches away from the edge. Then I cut up 2 chicken tenders and placed them all over in the sauce and then I put 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken tenders. And then I folded the dough over.  I also put a little olive oil on top with Italian seasonings and Parmesan cheese. And then I placed it on my cookie sheet stone and cooked in on 400 for 20 minutes. Make sure you have the sauce with you while your eating it. I love to dip my extra bread in the sauce...yummmmmmmmmm 

Thanksgiving

I know this post is long overdue. But since its not Christmas yet I thought I would post it now.

We spent Thanksgiving with the Weber family. We had a ton of fun.

Zoe eating a peppermint stick 

 Zoe with Hannah and her peppermint stick ;-)

 Zoe with Jo

 Zoe with Bekah and Bekah's phone ;-)

 Zoe kissing Victoria

 Zoe wanting to hold Victoria by herself 

 Me and my princess

 Our Princess

Dont mind the date on the photos...I am trying to fix that but I am not good with electronics 

Mommy's little helper!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Zoe is watching everything we are doing and now she wants to do everything we do. Here are a couple things she loves to do. She thinks she is helping me but even though it takes longer to get things done. I love the look on her face that she gives me while she is "helping" me.

Zoe helping mommy wash the breakfast dishes

Crazy and Having so much fun!!!

 

 

Zoe putting bubbles on her face

 

 

 She loves "helping" mommy

 

 

 She loves to help mommy feed Riley

 

 

Even though all the pieces didn't make in the bowl.

 

 

We cant believe how big she is getting and how independent she wants to be. We have so much fun watching her grow .