Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
31 flavors
Last night we enjoyed a very nice dinner that consisted of Jimmy John's subs and fresh fruit. Then we all went on a 6 mile bike ride. There were tornado watches going on all around our area before we left and we were on the fence about whether we should even go or not but we finally decided to risk it. When we were about 1.5 mile from the house we heard the weather warning signal and announcement that the area was now under a tornado warning. We felt a few drops of rain but nothing for more than a couple of minutes, but we pedaled faster and made it home to sunny skies and puzzled expressions. Thank goodness it was nothing more than that.
I am absolultey loving the fact that Julianna has gotten stronger and built up her endurance enough to ride her bike for six miles. I am so proud of her. We go up and down some pretty big hills and she does great. She has learned how to ride on the correct side and let faster riders pass us. She doesn't complain much at all about being tired and I am so impressed with her determination to hang with the adults.
After the bike ride we headed towards home and made a quick pit stop at Baskin Robbins for their 31 cent scoop night. My mint chocolate chip was delicious and the perfect miniature size. It was such a fun night with family and I hope we can do it again soon. As for today... well, today I just realized I'm in love with an older man. Happy birthday, Jonathan!
I am absolultey loving the fact that Julianna has gotten stronger and built up her endurance enough to ride her bike for six miles. I am so proud of her. We go up and down some pretty big hills and she does great. She has learned how to ride on the correct side and let faster riders pass us. She doesn't complain much at all about being tired and I am so impressed with her determination to hang with the adults.
After the bike ride we headed towards home and made a quick pit stop at Baskin Robbins for their 31 cent scoop night. My mint chocolate chip was delicious and the perfect miniature size. It was such a fun night with family and I hope we can do it again soon. As for today... well, today I just realized I'm in love with an older man. Happy birthday, Jonathan!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
for the birds
Remember the nest at my mom's house? Last night I got a shot of her sitting on her eggs. It was taken through the window with my phone so it's not the best picture in the world, but it's so sweet. See her right in the middle of the picture?
Mama Birdie has been sitting on those eggs all day my mom said. Maybe we'll have some baby birdies one day soon.
Mama Birdie has been sitting on those eggs all day my mom said. Maybe we'll have some baby birdies one day soon.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
the Dash meets the Clydesdales
The Budweiser Clydesdale horses visited Winston-Salem last week and we had the privilege of getting to see the big beautiful creatures. I'm not really a huge horse fan; I really never have been but that one ride I took in Colorado where my horse kept straying from the path to scratch his belly on small bushes and trees just seemed to seal the deal for me. Remember, I'm a control freak and I couldn't seem to figure out how to lead that horse. Anyway, these horses were enormous and beautiful.
As is becoming typical for my five year old daughter, Julianna decided just before we were to leave that she really didn't want to go. I had to cajole her into going with me and I just knew she was going to be a pain in the you-know-what when we got there just to make a point. Fortunately, she surprised me and the promise that she could use my phone to take pictures was all she needed. All that is to say, sorry that some of them have crappy picture quality.
When we got there we got a good spot on the sidewalk right beside the wagon. The horse trailers were out there but the horses were not out yet. The Budweiser guys brought them out one by one and attached them to the harnesses on the wagon.
They were HUGE. There was this one guy who was at least 6' 3" stood beside them a couple of times and I was amazed at how far he came up beside of one of the horses.
The Clydesdales had little roses buds and ribbons on their mane and red scrunchy-type bows fitted around their tails. We even got to see the Budweiser dog which was a big hit with the crowd.
When all eight horses were attached to the harnesses and ready to begin pulling the wagon for the parade, they started playing music. I think it was a new Budweiser jingle or something like that. The horses started stamping their feet somewhat in unison, almost as if they were doing a little dnace to start it off. Then they all started walking and pulling the wagon through downtown for the parade.
It was a fun little event for our city and I'm glad I got to see it.
Edited to add: Here's a link to some much better pictures than ours.
As is becoming typical for my five year old daughter, Julianna decided just before we were to leave that she really didn't want to go. I had to cajole her into going with me and I just knew she was going to be a pain in the you-know-what when we got there just to make a point. Fortunately, she surprised me and the promise that she could use my phone to take pictures was all she needed. All that is to say, sorry that some of them have crappy picture quality.
When we got there we got a good spot on the sidewalk right beside the wagon. The horse trailers were out there but the horses were not out yet. The Budweiser guys brought them out one by one and attached them to the harnesses on the wagon.
They were HUGE. There was this one guy who was at least 6' 3" stood beside them a couple of times and I was amazed at how far he came up beside of one of the horses.
The Clydesdales had little roses buds and ribbons on their mane and red scrunchy-type bows fitted around their tails. We even got to see the Budweiser dog which was a big hit with the crowd.
When all eight horses were attached to the harnesses and ready to begin pulling the wagon for the parade, they started playing music. I think it was a new Budweiser jingle or something like that. The horses started stamping their feet somewhat in unison, almost as if they were doing a little dnace to start it off. Then they all started walking and pulling the wagon through downtown for the parade.
It was a fun little event for our city and I'm glad I got to see it.
Edited to add: Here's a link to some much better pictures than ours.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Happy Easter!
Last Sunday we had lunch at my mom's house with my cousins and their kids. It was a lot of fun having nowhere else to be and just relaxing out in the sunshine for the greater part of an afternoon. We dyed Easter Eggs and made human pyramids and just basically caught up with each other. My mom enjoys doing crafts and this is something she does with our kids every year. I think it was really nice of her to have everyone over and do it at her house. We all brought something for lunch and ate a delicious meal before we went outside to dye the eggs.
A couple of days before all this my mom had noticed a bird had built a nest just outside of her porch. There was an excellent view of the nest from the window and she watched as the mother laid an egg, and then another and then another. By the following morning there were four eggs total. Jonathan got some pretty decent pictures of the nest with the three eggs that were in it that afternoon. We made sure to warn the kids not to get near the nest and especially not to touch it for fear of the mother abandoning the eggs and I got an excited text from my mom the next day when she saw that the mother bird had indeed returned and laid a fourth egg. It has been an excellent reminder of all things Spring, rebirth, new creations, and the amazing works of our Father.
Here are some pictures from the afternoon. I hope you enjoy your Easter celebrations wherever you are today and that you feel the presence of a God who can truly bring the dead back to life again. Happy Easter!
A couple of days before all this my mom had noticed a bird had built a nest just outside of her porch. There was an excellent view of the nest from the window and she watched as the mother laid an egg, and then another and then another. By the following morning there were four eggs total. Jonathan got some pretty decent pictures of the nest with the three eggs that were in it that afternoon. We made sure to warn the kids not to get near the nest and especially not to touch it for fear of the mother abandoning the eggs and I got an excited text from my mom the next day when she saw that the mother bird had indeed returned and laid a fourth egg. It has been an excellent reminder of all things Spring, rebirth, new creations, and the amazing works of our Father.
Here are some pictures from the afternoon. I hope you enjoy your Easter celebrations wherever you are today and that you feel the presence of a God who can truly bring the dead back to life again. Happy Easter!
Friday, April 22, 2011
eighteen months
Dear Joshua,
Today you are eighteen months old. Not much longer and we'll have to start counting your birthdays in years. You're getting so big!
We've had such an eventful month this time around. We had a quick beach trip during which you said "pool" the whole time. You had your first big fall followed by a trip to the Emergency Room for a busted lip and then a couple of weeks later you fell off the playground equipment one day. You went on many bike rides and to several birthday parties with us. You're generally really happy just going with the flow.
You're still hit or miss in the eating department. Sometimes you go days without eating anything but an inch of banana and some yogurt, other days you'll eat a hot dog, cheese, lots of fruit, a few carrots and green beans and then want to dip some chips in guacamole and lick the guacamole off. Most days you're pretty picky about eating though and it's a constant battle at meal time. Definitely my least favorite time of day with you.
Joshy, you're so very different than your sister in the fact that you are very tactile and very active. You naturally know how to throw a ball and can't sit still for a minute. You still have to be restrained in all car seats, strollers, grocery carts,and high chairs. If we don't buckle you in you climb right out. Your sister was a climber at this age too and I'll never forget the day I walked into the kitchen to see her standing on top of the table for the first time. Another difference I've noticed in the two of you is that she loved to line things up in rows. She would spend many minutes sitting in one place lining up her toys or other objects. You on the other hand, walk around the kitchen and point at little piles of dirt on the floor and tell me proudly, "Mess!" You do love to sweep though, so I guess that makes up for it.
This morning I took you and your sister to the bounce place and while you've been before, this is the first time I've really gotten to see you enjoy it. You had an absolute BLAST. You climbed your heart our and you jumped without your feet coming off the floor. You raced to keep up with the big kids, never blinking an eye when one of them knocked you over and you fell flat on your back. I love that you're getting big enough to enjoy things like this, but I still relish the baby things you do too. Like when you come and back up to sit down in my lap for help putting your shoes on.
You continue to adore your sister and totally copy everything she does. At the Easter Egg hunt yesterday she would sling her basket one way and then you would do the same; she would sling it the other way and you'd quickly copy. When we go swimming at the Y you watch her with longing and you want to do what she does very badly, but you're still a little afraid.
This month your vocabulary has expanded a lot and like most 18 month old's your "uh unh" has changed to "No!" You say so many other words though that it doesn't bother me too much. Your favorite things to say are "fire truck" (which you say like "dump truck") and policeman (which you say like "mi man"). We still try to get you to say banana all the time though because it's just so hilarious. You've also finally started to say "Jules" instead of sissy and you've begun to say your own name as well. I love it. New words also include but are not limited to car, egg, back hoe, flip flop, candy, cookie, rabbit, drink, cup, chair, hair, Bella, beach, pool, broom, upstairs, church, and bar (like cereal bar). My favorite thing you say is a phrase you often say when you're excited about something. For instance, I may say to you, "Josh, do you want to go outside and see the doggie?" and you respond very enthusiastically, "Ohhhh BABY!"
You go to the doctor next week for your check up and we'll see exactly how much you've grown. You've definitely gotten a lot taller and I don't think you've lost any weight even though your belly is smaller than it was.
There are so many things about this age that I want to capture pictures of in my mind forever. Your hair is getting fluffier and your eyes are just as brown as ever. [One of them still leaks tears all the time, but doesn't seem to bother you.] Your arms swing delightfully by your side when you run and your bottom twists back and forth. You also do the most adorable penguin walk and charm anyone in your presence.
I have a feeling that last little bit won't ever change.
I love you, Buddy.
Love,
Mama
Today you are eighteen months old. Not much longer and we'll have to start counting your birthdays in years. You're getting so big!
We've had such an eventful month this time around. We had a quick beach trip during which you said "pool" the whole time. You had your first big fall followed by a trip to the Emergency Room for a busted lip and then a couple of weeks later you fell off the playground equipment one day. You went on many bike rides and to several birthday parties with us. You're generally really happy just going with the flow.
You're still hit or miss in the eating department. Sometimes you go days without eating anything but an inch of banana and some yogurt, other days you'll eat a hot dog, cheese, lots of fruit, a few carrots and green beans and then want to dip some chips in guacamole and lick the guacamole off. Most days you're pretty picky about eating though and it's a constant battle at meal time. Definitely my least favorite time of day with you.
Joshy, you're so very different than your sister in the fact that you are very tactile and very active. You naturally know how to throw a ball and can't sit still for a minute. You still have to be restrained in all car seats, strollers, grocery carts,and high chairs. If we don't buckle you in you climb right out. Your sister was a climber at this age too and I'll never forget the day I walked into the kitchen to see her standing on top of the table for the first time. Another difference I've noticed in the two of you is that she loved to line things up in rows. She would spend many minutes sitting in one place lining up her toys or other objects. You on the other hand, walk around the kitchen and point at little piles of dirt on the floor and tell me proudly, "Mess!" You do love to sweep though, so I guess that makes up for it.
This morning I took you and your sister to the bounce place and while you've been before, this is the first time I've really gotten to see you enjoy it. You had an absolute BLAST. You climbed your heart our and you jumped without your feet coming off the floor. You raced to keep up with the big kids, never blinking an eye when one of them knocked you over and you fell flat on your back. I love that you're getting big enough to enjoy things like this, but I still relish the baby things you do too. Like when you come and back up to sit down in my lap for help putting your shoes on.
You continue to adore your sister and totally copy everything she does. At the Easter Egg hunt yesterday she would sling her basket one way and then you would do the same; she would sling it the other way and you'd quickly copy. When we go swimming at the Y you watch her with longing and you want to do what she does very badly, but you're still a little afraid.
This month your vocabulary has expanded a lot and like most 18 month old's your "uh unh" has changed to "No!" You say so many other words though that it doesn't bother me too much. Your favorite things to say are "fire truck" (which you say like "dump truck") and policeman (which you say like "mi man"). We still try to get you to say banana all the time though because it's just so hilarious. You've also finally started to say "Jules" instead of sissy and you've begun to say your own name as well. I love it. New words also include but are not limited to car, egg, back hoe, flip flop, candy, cookie, rabbit, drink, cup, chair, hair, Bella, beach, pool, broom, upstairs, church, and bar (like cereal bar). My favorite thing you say is a phrase you often say when you're excited about something. For instance, I may say to you, "Josh, do you want to go outside and see the doggie?" and you respond very enthusiastically, "Ohhhh BABY!"
You go to the doctor next week for your check up and we'll see exactly how much you've grown. You've definitely gotten a lot taller and I don't think you've lost any weight even though your belly is smaller than it was.
There are so many things about this age that I want to capture pictures of in my mind forever. Your hair is getting fluffier and your eyes are just as brown as ever. [One of them still leaks tears all the time, but doesn't seem to bother you.] Your arms swing delightfully by your side when you run and your bottom twists back and forth. You also do the most adorable penguin walk and charm anyone in your presence.
I have a feeling that last little bit won't ever change.
I love you, Buddy.
Love,
Mama
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