Gift giving. Photos. School. Holidays. L'chaim!

I just really like this photo. However, I hate the wallpaper.

The "beginning-to-condense-all-the-stuff-she-wants-down-into-a-realistic-list" blues have hit. With Zoe's birthday coming up, I have a simple Yes/No list for those who may be considering buying a gift.

NO

• Bratz anything. Period.
• V-smile or V-tech stuff.
• Dora stuff.
• Diego stuff.
• Backyardigans stuff.
• Care Bears stuff.
• Cabbage Patch dolls.
• Spongebob Squarepants stuff.
  

YES

• Barbies are okay, EXCEPT for the My Scene Barbie line, which is almost as slutty as Bratz.Toys R Us has a line of Dream Dazzlers stuff--any of that would be well-received, especially the Dream Dazzlers Stylin' Guitar (I think it's about $10.)
• Princess things for her to wear, including jewelry, shoes and tiaras.
• BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! We are big Berenstain Bears fans, and like beautifully illustrated books. We like to avoid books about the popular characters listed in the NO list, above. We also like the books that are for very beginning readers, with a few simple words on each page. Most books like that are marked as "Level 1."
• Music CD's--possible artists are: Dan Zanes, Laurie Berkner. Any kid music is good, though. Folk music is good, and world music for kids is good, too.
  Anything ballet is still a huge, guaranteed hit.
• Cat stuff. (Inexplicably, she likes cats!)
• Fairy stuff.
• Clothes! Please no pants without elastic waists because she won't wear them. That means jeans are usually out. You're safe buying a size 5. In shoes, she wears a size 10.
  
  

So now that I've gotten all the shameless begging out of the way, I'll give you photos--that's the fun part!

This is often what happens when Zoe runs into our bathroom, saying, "I'm going to put on makeup!" Usually, she only goes for lip gloss, though. This time, she found a lipstick. I think her hand is a bit heavy, and the color is all wrong for her. But I didn't say anything about it. She's very sensitive.

Many, many ponytails.

Art. If the colors and stylized rendering are all above your head (plebian!) this is a cat.

Face painting. As you can see, her abstract designs are not just limited to statuary.

There is great joy in cupcakes.

Hello Kitty. Shirt, skirt, shoes. Also, she's wearing braids.

First Barbie. Her name isn't ACTUALLY Barbie, it is Summer. And her first outfit is a wedding gown. I have taught her well, my daughter.

New bathing suit and a complete inability to NOT strike an avant garde pose when she sees a camera pointing in her direction.

Just so cute! Ack!

THIS is the lip gloss she usually wears. It has sparkles in it.

I'm thinking this will be the first photo in her modeling portfolio. Have I mentioned how cute she is? Forget about cute! GORGEOUS!

Princess.

School is going well for everybody. Zoe is now going two full days a week, and although on the mornings of school days she yells about not wanting to go because there are monsters at school, she always has a great time, and recently completed her first embroidered wall hanging there. As for me, I had to get my instructor's permission to take an advanced class that I don't have all the prerequisites for, Clinical Management. We'll be spending several hours a week at the Humane Society on the days that the veterinary students from Texas A&M come down from College Station to do surgeries on the animals. We'll be doing most of the aftercare, which will include fun things like possibly lab testing, cytocentesis, monitoring vital signs, taking blood, administering medications, checking dressings, mopping up various bodily fluids, all that. I'm very excited.

Also, on the subject of schools, we're currently considering three for Zoe's upcoming education. Check out these websites--let us know what you think:

www.sgs-austin.org

www.kirbyhallschool.org

www.thegirlsschool.org

I'm announcing here that the holidays this year are going to be spent in Austin. Everybody who reads this and is in some way related to Zach, Zoe or myself, is invited to spend time here, for as long as you may want. I'm just pretty tired of not being home for Christmas, and have not been with Mom on Christmas for two years now. Considering how things are going with her, I'd like to be here for her this year. PLEASE come visit if you are able. We're totally happy to have you--it gives me an excuse to cook more!

The only other big thing going on right now is the planning for Zoe's birthday party. We've hired Staci Gray, a local popular children's entertainer, to come play for the kids. We'll also have a lunch after, and that's about it. Much easier than thinking of games for 4-year-olds! We're thinking of doing a Monster theme, since we had to book Staci for Oct. 27 instead of the weekend before. Which reminds me, I've got to go look up good cake decorating ideas!

Hugs to all!