Progress

Slowly but surely

I haven't had the time to keep the blog updated for a while now. I've been so busy with the house. By evening, if I have any time and energy left, I'm either updating the books, writing checks for services rendered, reviewing the work schedule calendar, or researching products. Most of the time, I'm only capable of stumbling into bed.

But slowly but surely, our house is coming along. The last week has been particularly trying because of some permit issue I ran into with the building department (I won't bother going into details lest my blood pressure rise again and I start to weep). It was all very vexing but, happily, it is all mostly resolved. I think the issue was simply that they didn't like dealing with homeowners and wanted me to schlep in a contractor for them to deal with. And that is exactly what I did in the end, because I have to concede that I don't understand the process enough - or even the language they speak - to deal with it efficiently. Anyhow, I can almost see the light at the end of this remodeling tunnel: the windows are in and stucco repair should probably be all done by next Monday or Tuesday. The painters come in next Monday and kitchen installation begins Wednesday. I've pushed back the flooring installation because our bathroom tile guy is behind and because I have yet to secure my bathroom cabinet. Ah well.



(Incidentally, for unknown reasons, I can't seem to post pictures anymore to blogger - a real bummer - Dennis is helping me post a picture of the house I took yesterday. It shows our new windows).

News, news and news!

Zoe is going to be a flower girl! Grace is engaged to Larry! To be married Jan 23, 2010! I guess it is true about how when you meet the right one, it goes fast! I am thrilled for Grace. It is going to be a whole new adventure for her!

I want...

This actually transpired this afternoon:

Zoe wakes up and declares that she wants a snack.

Dennis: Ok, we have this lovely banana.
Zoe: No, thank you!
Dennis and I (Delighted by her polite and super cute response): Well, how about some yogurt?
Zoe: No, I don't want yogurt.
Dennis and I: Well, what do you want?
Zoe (all the while looking towards the pantry where the cookies are kept): eh.... eh....I want... I feel like... eh....

How did she learn to speak so well? I have no idea. But she amazes us with the things she says.

More Music

City Farmers Market has an old, beat-up piano; it's out of tune, some of the keys stick, and other keys don't make a sound at all.

Zoe loves to play on it.

At the 1:32 mark of the following video, Zoe notices a cobweb above the piano keys, which prompts her to give a performance of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider."

Music

Zoe shakes the maraca, plays her pipe, and dances.


Zoe plays the harmonica. She claims, "I'm making jazz, papa!"

Birthday Party

New Zoe photos!

We went to the birthday party of our friends' son Sebastian, who turned two. Zoe had a great time. She was the smallest child there, and was a little wary of the big boys, but she watched them with great fascination. She also had a lot of fun activities to keep her occupied.

Here, she does a little arts 'n' crafts. I love her focus.


She rode a rocking horse, which was a little different for her. (At home, she has a rocking sheep.)


She played with Sebastian's toys, gravitating toward the toy piano and the trains.


Zoe's no longer a baby! She's becoming a little girl.