The Bean, The Bean, The Magic little Bean is 5

...as Jim so affectionately likes to call her. Our little Zoe Bean turned 5 on Friday (12/10) and she's already acting like she's 15. We had a fun filled weekend planned for her. First off, her teacher let her bring the class's prized "brown bear" home for the weekend. There was a lot of anxiety during the day leading up to dinner and we realized after awhile she was very uptight of being the center of attention and didn't want anyone singing her the birthday song. Once we convinced her the b-day song was not a requirement of the night, things improved. I was able to cut out of work early and took her and Kellan to "Color Me Mine" to do some serious pottery painting, followed by meeting Tom and Jan for dinner at Red Robin.

Zoe has been wanting an American Girl doll forever. All her little friends have one (or more). I hadn't been able to come around to buying a $100 doll when her $10 dolls look like hell. G-ma Chloe & Papa Frankie went halvzies and Zoe was able to go the The American Girl store on Saturday and buy "Rufie" (Ruthie). Just because of the name I was trying to get her to purchase another one, but no go. So now all we here is "Where is my Rufie?"...OK, maybe not exactly, but that's all that goes through my head. If you haven't been to an American Girl store, that's one experience that needs to be on your bucket list. We'll make sure anyone who comes to visit, gets to go.

After we bought Rufie we went to see Disney On Ice. The kids loved it and as we wonder sometimes if Kellan is too old for things, he constantly surprises us with how into things he gets. "Surprises" may not be the word, maybe more like embarrasses (jk, really though Jim and I get a good chuckle out of his movements). He was singing and dancing with all the little kids. Zoe of course loved the princesses and Dexter was so excited to see Mickey Mouse and his favorite Buzz.

All and all we think Zoes had a pretty good birthday and we hope this is the best year for her yet.

How she measures up

Ht. 44 and 1 quarter inches - 75%

Wt. 46 lbs - 75-90%

I need to keep in mind when I am filming what's being said and done - but really what's the fun in that? I think everyone's personalities are pretty much represented here, though Jim's may surprise people. If you listen close enough I have a few moments of disgust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlFIA-ecGtw

Wearing her new "Demi Lovato" outfit from Target

Last kids quote..

Kellan commenting on Zoe's Poodle Skirt Halloween costume..

Kellan- did people really dress like that in the 50's?

Jim- well, they sometimes did

K- were you in the 50's?

Jim- no

K- wow, I didn't know you where that young...I thought you were old.

Jim- (silent)

K- is Papa Jim from the 50's?

Jim- yep, he was a kid back then.

K- Yah, I knew Papa Jim is really old.