The Zook Family

I cannot believe that my little girl is already 3 years old!!!

yes, I realize that she's growing up but she still seems so little. then again, some days she acts like she's Natalie's age so go figure. Today was fun. Fran got in yesterday so she could be here for both of the girl's birthdays. We went to Naples to the children's museum (always lots of fun) and then came home for a movie and swimming, pizza, presents, cupcakes and more movies. Both girls are pleasantly passed out and Matt and I will be shortly.

So what can I say about my sweet Rachel? Well here are some things I can think of that she's doing at the moment:
- she REALLY loves Tinkerbell. we are watching a tinkerbell movie or reading a tinkerbell book EVERY single day and the girls joint birthday party theme is tinkerbell.
- when she gets mad she puts makes a growl and pushes both fist down....it is so hard not to laugh!
- her favorite things to eat: rice, yogurt sticks (the squeezable kind). mac n cheese, propel to drink and if she can get it out of the frig or pantry herself she will.
- with Rachel, when there's a will there's a way. no.matter.what.
- she has been full potty trained for at least 2-3 months which is WONDERFUL
- she is very good with Natalie and they have quite an affectionate relationship. they are always so happy to see each other at the end of the school day. hugs and kisses....makes a momma's heart proud
- Rachel is getting so much better at swimming every day. today, she had me push back about 15' from the steps so she could swim to me. we've pretty much stopped wearing floaties in our pool.
- she wants to do so many things by herself these days....putting her clothes on, opening things up (she loves her safety scissors and uses them whenever she can), washing her hands, etc...
- Rachel loves to paint. we had a Rapunzel color book that came with the water paints and she can spend literally an hour just working on drawings. she's filled up the entire book so we've bought her a tinkerbell book for her birthday
- she also loves to play with Natalie's leap pad (this is the present Santa brought last year). shhhh - we're getting her one of her very own for her birthday
- she likes wearing skirts like Natalie but pretty much only wears tennis shoes, no sandals. also, she does not like to wear anything in her hair (boo!) like bows, etc...
- she is wearing mostly 2t and 3t clothes. she fits the 2t better but most of her stuff is hand-me-downs from Natalie's closet and is 3t. shoe is size 7/8.
- weight (28ish) and height...no clue. her 3 year checkup is not scheduled up yet since we have to get records transferred from tx but once that happens, I'll post stats.
- she still sleeps with her dolly and a blanket. actually the stuffed animals (which I've never been a big fan of) have multiplied in both girl's rooms so she actually sleeps with dolly, blanket, airplane, teddy bear, and Pocahontas. sometimes she adds in a pillow pet to the mix when Natalie's feeling generous and shares hers.
- she's more of a momma's girl but will occasionally get wrapped in matt for a day or so which makes him so happy (and me too). she plays really well with Natalie and they are just not showing a bit of jealousy between them. we try to nip that in the bid real quick in our house.
- she is kind of our night owl and she's also our early riser. not sure how she manages that....probably because during the school day she still takes naps. at home on the weekends, no naps. oh how I miss naptime :-(
- Rachel loves cuddles like no other. she also demands back scratches and arm rubs.
- one thing that we like is that Rachel does not hold back...if she needs something, she'll ask you. she's not shy.
- she is also the jokester and the one laughing the most in our house. she's got the most infectious smile and like matt she wears her feelings on her sleeves.
- she does not like messes and immediately gives you trash when she's done with something and she enjoys organizing things.
- her personality is very much matt but her looks are very Cadden but with matt's coloring.

For those of you who still venture out to our blog to look at old pictures and for the sake of my failing memory, I've decided to start posting again after about an 18 month hiatus. Little has changed in our life.......JUST KIDDING!! We left Texas (boo) and moved to Florida (ok) and started new jobs (yeah!) and new school and new church and new house/neighborhood, etc....... Just about everything is different except for our kids. Right?
Well we still only have two and the last time I checked, they were both the original ones we started out with but my goodness have they grown/changed. Rachel is turning 3 on Saturday and is just the cutest yet emotional little thing ever and Natalie will be 5 soon and is turning into quite the beautiful young lady.