5

Today... Zoe is 5. 

5 whole years old.

I sometimes can't believe my baby can be 5 years old.  No where near 5 years old.  I mean...  I swear she was just this teeny tiny baby.  This little bundle they handed me after she was born.

But she is 5 years old.  She is every single bit of 5. 

She is sweet and sensitive.

She is attitude and trouble.

She is a performer with a talent for giving it her all.

She is a friend to everyone she meets... greeting everyone with her contagious smile.

She is oh so serious.

She is oh so silly.

She has that extreme joy and happiness that comes from being 5.  (And that extreme drama and grief that comes from being 5!)

She can do everything by herself... and is oh so proud.  But... she can also melt down at a moments notice over the smallest thing and nothing can calm her except a big full hug.

She sometimes makes me crazy... but I love this girl to pieces.  She can make me laugh until my stomach hurts.  Her silliness can give me the giggles.  She can make me weep with pride.  She can push my buttons and make me furious.  She can smile and make me melt. 

I am one lucky Mama.

Happy Birthday Zoe!  You are growing up too fast for your Mommy... but I am so proud of the big 5 year old you are!

Um... what??? Seriously? Aren't I a stranger???

I had an interesting experience yesterday at the community pool.

I took Ana and Zoe to the pool.  We were there pretty much on our own.  The cousins weren't there.  None of Zoe's school friends were there.  We saw a couple of people we knew from a coupld various Y classes.  But otherwise... Ana and Zoe were just enjoying the pool... talking and playing with random kids here and there.  Zoe spent some time in the big pool while Ana and I were stuck over in the "baby pool".

Zoe had to go to the bathroom at one point so all 3 of us took a walk to the locker room.  We came back to the "baby pool" and both girls jumped right back in the water.  I was standing at the side watching... about to step in to sit down... when a woman started walking towards me.  She walked with purpose with a smile on her face.  I smiled back and immediately started scanning my brain asking myself "oh gosh, where do I know her from? where where where?"  I was sure I didn't know her, but she walked right up to me and started talking.

Her - Hi! I'm Kelly!  (shook my hand)

Me - Hi. I'm Colleen (oh phew... she doesn't actually know me)

Her - Nice to meet you.  LOVE your bathing suit!

Me - Oh, thanks.

Her - Good, um... could you watch my daughter for a minute while I go park my car?

Me - Um, oh, ah... ok?

Her- Oh great, thanks!  This is Maya! (pointing to a little girl, maybe 3 or 4 years old, right at my feet)  I'll be right back!!

Me - Um... ok.

And off she went to the parking lot.

Where I couldn't see her.

While I wondered how long I should wait before I assumed she'd just abandoned her daughter at the pool with a stranger.

I quickly introduced Zoe to Maya and just about begged her to play with the girl.  They did pretty much stay together.  I had to keep my main focus on Ana while I worried that Maya would somehow drown while her mom was hopefully going to be quick... and was actually just parking the car.

Kelly did come back.  It seemed like it took a lot longer to park the car than it should have... but she came back.  Why she didn't park and THEN come into the pool like everyone else I just don't know.

I can tell you this... I will have a very very very hard time not running away quickly the next time I see Kelly and Maya at the pool.

Please tell me I'm not the only one that finds this VERY odd.

Jungle Adventures (in May)

This was our 2nd trip to Jungle Adventures in Christmas, Florida.  I'm beginning to think it's not possible to visit Florida without seeing alligators. 

Zoe had fed the baby alligators before... but this was Ana's first time.  She and Zoe both seem to love feeding creatures.

I personally really enjoyed seeing the Lemurs.  (They always make me think of Zaboomafoo.)

Peek-a-boo!!!  Um... you got any food for me?

Feeding the foxes.

Enjoying some shade.  It was a pretty hot day.

Turtles!!!

Florida Panthers.

Ana and Zoe and an alligator.

My big blue eyed girls.

Zoe would hold any creature you would hand too her.

And if Zoe wants it... Ana wants it too.  (Over exposed.... but Ana was like "want that!" and the man gave her the snake.)

Zoe was thrilled to hold this tarrantula.  (ICK ICK ICK)

Ana was not satisfied until that big hairy spider was in her chubby little hand.  (YUCK YUCK YUCK)

And the scorpion.  Gotta hold the scorpion. (This type didn't have a stinger.... just a "fake" poker on their tail)  Ana held the scorpion too... but I missed that photo.

Laurie Berkner's song "I'm gonna get you, you better run" comes to mind for some reason.

I believe this man was slightly crazy.

Zoe LOVES her orange juice.  It was a pretty nice way to end the day.

Ana seemed to enjoy every part of the day.  I think I might be in trouble with my creature friendly girls.

A Day at Ron Jon Resort (in May)

While we were on our last Florida trip in May we took a day and went to the Ron Jon Resort in Cocoa Beach. We all had a great time... and the girls especially enjoyed the swimming and sand!

Ana was all smiles in the shallow "baby pool".

Zoe had a pretty good time in the "baby pool" too. 

After getting soaked in the fountains Zoe took a little break in the lazy river.

Nick seemed to enjoy the lazy river too.  (I took my turn later.)

We took a break for lunch at the pool side bar.

Hi PopPop!

Sparkly eyes.

Smiley Zoe.

Zoe looked like she was ready to take on the ocean.

Ana thought she might splash the waves away.

Hi Grammy!  We see you over there!

Look!  Proof of me enjoying the sun and sand.  (Well.... not so much the sand.  I don't love sand.)

A couple o' tushies.

My sunshine girl.

Ana really becomes one with the sand.

Off in their own little world.  Chatting away about things only they know about.

We had a really great time.  The weather was gorgeous.  Perfect beach weather.  And then... at the end of the day... we were really happy to get back home to crash.  We'll definitely be trying to do that again on another trip.