Green Thumb Zoe

Zoe and I were both eager for Zack to be done with school today - so after a visit to the Rec Center, we got out all the planting supplies and got to work. We had some seeds from Hagan Ace and set to work...





We planted a few different orange and blue flowers in the flat and some cacti in the plastic dishes. We'll see what grows!

Last day of Kindergarten...Woop Woop!!

Zack and Zoe usually have waffles and whipped cream for Friday breakfasts...so I knew that I had to up the ante. So this morning, the last morning of Kindergarten, they woke to waffle sundaes...waffles with ice cream and whipped cream and sprinkles. Yum, yum, extra yum!







Zack, Zoe and I are all so excited about all the fun stuff we have planned this summer, that it's hard to get sad about Kindergarten being over. That being said, we're all going to really miss Ms. Bishop and Zack's classmates...Here's hoping everyone has a wonderful break!

What a difference a year makes (notice the different house behind him too!)...

Boys will be Boys...

Zack and Jack spent some quality couch time together the other day...and I'm so glad I grabbed my camera...Priceless!!

Bring on the HEAT!

Zack's basketball season has begun...the U7 Heat has two wins thus far this season and is looking pretty darn strong!





As always, Zack's gang of cheerleaders is also strong...





Go Heat! We'll keep you updated on the win!

Daddy Daughter Dance....and a Mom/Son Date!

This past weekend was our church's Daddy Daughter Dance. The evening included dinner, a great DJ, lots of dancing and even a crazy dad contest (which Chris did not win). They had a BLAST!



...all dressed up and ready to go! Zoe picked out Chris' tie and even got to wear her shoes from Cousin Ashley's wedding!



...the cake was obviously her favorite part of dinner!



...she got to dance with lots of her middle school cheerleader friends...



...and all by herself on the stage! It was a super fun experience and both are excited to do it again next year. Z & I had a little time to ourselves and went out to dinner and a movie - what a GREAT night!

Rollin', Rollin'...

This morning, Zoe decided Chris should "LET GO" - and she rode her bike by herself!


It was obviously done in true Zoe fashion - my favorite part of the video is that you can actually see and hear her say "let go". Zack is doing amazing on his ripstick as well - going uphill, making turns and going all the way down the street!!



Watch out neighbors, Z & Z are on the move!!

Memorial Day weekend at the lake

We headed to B's lake for Memorial Day weekend and had the most fabulous time - on the water and enjoying being with the whole crew!



Z & Z were happy - as long as they were wet, and Chris and I were able to do a lot of kneeboarding, skiing and tubing - with and without the kids!







Zack even tried water skiing this visit - and got up on his VERY FIRST ATTEMPT! It was so very cool to watch!



What a great age Z & Z are for family fun...





Happy Memorial Day from the Lake!!

Teddy Bear Picnic...aka Zack's year-end celebration!

We had a fabulous time at Zack's end-of-the-year celebration - a patriotic themed Teddy Bear Picnic! The kids sang some great songs (including one that was supposed to make all the parents cry...he warned me!)





and then we all headed back to the classroom for snacks and presents for Ms. B. It's hard to believe that we only have one more week left of Kindergarten! How fast a year flies when you're having a blast! JCE is truly amazing and we feel so blessed to be part of the school-family!

Zack & Fonzi's Fabulous Adventures!

Zack's Kindergarten class has a special friend that comes home with them if they've had a particularly good week - Fonzi the dog! Fonzi came home with Zack once in the Fall (went to a soccer game and ran a race with us!) - and came home this past weekend for his second visit. Fonzi got to join us at Relay...



...enjoyed watching Zack and the rest of the "Heat" at basketball practice...





...and then spent some quality time with a (cleanly shaven) Zack and Zoe on Zack's new addition in his room - the old living room couch - reading our current book, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.



What FUN! Here's hoping that first grade is this much fun!

Relay For Life 2010 & Zoe's Dance Recital

This past weekend was Relay For Life of Mandarin - and the whole family was involved in the fun.




Our team, the Zurvivors raised just under $5K - and there is still time to donate - feel free to visit our webpage at www.relayforlife.org/mandarinfl/zurvivors if you're interested! The event has raised over $100,000 and had over 100 survivors in attendance. The kids had a blast (like always) - as did Chris and I - but we're ready for things to slow down just a bit! Totally worth all the work...but ready for a break!

In the middle of Relay was Zoe's dance recital...go figure! Although we arrived a bit after we were supposed to - and Zoe was sweaty and laffy-taffy covered, she did GREAT! She sat and had her hair french-braided (best $5 I ever spent!), did a great job with her tap and ballet routines and loved receiving her trophy at the end.





After the recital it was back to Relay. The kids actually made it until 10PM this year...and got to see the Luminary ceremony for the first time. Kudos to Chris for getting them home afterwards and into bed...rumor has it that while Chris was letting Rhody out, Zack laid down on the kitchen floor and wanted to sleep there...bedtime included carrying, bathing and soothing two exhausted kids. Thank goodness I'm married to the World's Best Dad - who will never get the compliment, because he doesn't read my blog :)

Hey Now, Zack's an All-Star...

Zack was lucky enough to be one of his 6U baseball team's representatives in the regular season all-star game.



It was a ton of fun - the boys all got introduced at the beginning and got medals at the end.



To top it all off, Zack got to play pitcher and first base!

He actually got to play on the same team as one of his best friends from school, and with two other awesome Pirates.





It's been a fabulous baseball season - special thanks to Zack's loyal cheerleaders!



...we start basketball the day after tomorrow :)

Sunday Funday

After an insanely busy weekend, we took things down a notch on Sunday and hung around the house - preparing for another insanely busy week and weekend (RELAY IS HERE!!). Zack and Zoe were too cute for words...Zack read "HoneyBunny FunnyBunny" to Zoe and there was actually family harmony...for at least 10 minutes!



After the reading was over, Z&Z helped Chris wash cars...I'm pretty sure that they hindered more than helped...but I got some great pictures :)

Best Mother's Day EVER!

We had such an amazing Mother's Day in the Benderz household :) Zack and Zoe woke me up (twice) and gave me some really fun handmade presents...Chris took me to the Tim McGraw concert the Thursday before...



Anywho...after church we headed straight to Neptune Beach for our maiden beach trip of 2010. The kids (and Chris) were so excited to have all the gear out and be on the sand...



...and although it was chilly by Florida standards, everyone had a blast being back near the surf...



...and then heading to Rita's for our obligitory Gelato :) Yum, Yum, extra Yum!



Happy Mother's Day to everyone. Hope your day was as grand as ours!