Clapping, Waving, Letting Go and Cute Conversations!

Kennedy is clapping and waving now. We have been working on these things for a few short weeks. She's been waving for a while, but it wasn't obvious to "outsiders," as it is now. She's very proud of herself. She was clapping at preschool this morning. The kids were doing a number activity and Jordyn's teacher had them clap. Kennedy joined in. It was awfully sweet. She's also standing occasionally without holding on to things. SCARY!!! Closer to walking. She loves to walk holding on to our fingers, too.

Jordyn has had some really funny things pop out of her mouth lately. Today, as we were driving home from preschool, she told me that mommies drink coffee and daddies drink pop. Well, I suppose that is how it works in our house, and she's quite aware of it, but I had to let her know that some daddies drink coffee and some mommies drink pop, etc.

Yesterday she asked for a snack. I gave her some choices. After each one she said, "Ummmm...no thank you." When I got to animal crackers she said, *SIGH* "Well, Mom, I suppose." When Jeremy got home from work she was coloring. A while back I told her that paper and pencils were made from wood, which comes from trees. She pointed to a tree outside and asked Jeremy to get his ladder, cut the tree down (with scissors) and let her color with it. When Jeremy said that he'd rather use a chainsaw, as the scissors would take a long time, she told him it was fine; but he needed to go out and do it for her right now. Quite bossy, this one! Then she told Jeremy if he couldn't find his ladder he could go to the store and buy one.

A few days ago, after looking at our wedding photos, she told me that I was a princess and grandpa (a picture of him walking me down the aisle) was a prince and that daddy was a prince, too. It cracked me up. She told me that she wanted to wear a beautiful dress and be a princess, too. Good thing her dad wasn't here. He's not quite ready to think about that scenario.

Almost daily she asks what her grandparents, daddy, and uncles are doing/where they are. Usually it is during the day, so they are all at work (and her uncles are at school). I told her this and she said, "why is everyone at work and we're at home?" If she only knew how much work she really is!

There have been quite a few other funny things, but at this moment I can't remember. Maybe when I do I'll edit this to include them. She's a riot.

More Messy Eating and Outdoor Play

I feel like I don't get many pictures of Jordyn posted here. I suppose it's because she's really not into doing things on my terms and she's definitely not into being photographed. Anyway, we had spaghetti one night and manicotti another night. Holy cow! I'm guessing Kennedy definitely has the Italian running through her blood (even though she only has slight fractions running through her). She inhales any Italian-type fare as if she's been starved for weeks. As you can see it makes it all over her face, due to the shoveling! She makes a little vacuum and slurping sounds, too. Goodness! I really don't know why I have such an obsession with dirty faces. I just find the whole baby meal-time thing to be so cute and funny. Just sharing the little mugs of my messy eaters.

Oh, this B-E-A-UTIFUL weather! I hope this is not a teaser and this is the actual start of spring. It's been so great to put the girls on the swings and let Jord burn off some energy. I was starting to feel trapped indoors. I think the kids were feeling the same way. I'm waiting for a few more days of this nice weather before I drag out the rest of our outdoor toys. I think if I were to do it now it would be like washing the car. We'll see! The fresh air, the beautiful sun.....it's all so wonderful. I didn't get a lot of good shots of our outdoor fun, but here are two cute ones. We had a GREAT time!!!

Spring Has Sprung...On the Right Day!!!

I kept Jordyn home from dance this week, playdates, and preschool this morning. I probably could have taken her to preschool (most likely how she contracted the plague), but I thought we'd be respectful of the other families, just in case we're still contagious. Daddy had today off. We rode to the airport with him, while he dropped off a co-worker/friend. When we we got home we spent a little time being lazy. I was really enjoying the sun from the window. I bundled up, in my winter jacket, and trekked down to the mailbox. With how the weather has been lately, I assumed it just looked nice with freezing temperatures. I was pleasantly surprised to find it very warm with little wind. I put spring jackets on the girls and we headed out to play in the yard. Santa brought Kennedy a baby swing for the swing set. She put it to good use today and was very excited about it. However, it lulled her to sleep. It was soooo cute. Of course I forgot my camera--idiot! I wish she wasn't too big for her indoor swing! Okay, she's great at putting herself to sleep, but she might enjoy it! Anyway, back to my story! As I called to Jeremy to look she woke up. I pulled the girls around in the wagon for a bit. Then I put Kennedy down for a nap. Jordyn and I got out the bubbles and chalk (her fave!). Jeremy and I had to practically drag her inside. She's reallllly excited about her swing set this year. We're hoping she'll become more excited about her new bike. It's early, I suppose. Quite a bit of outside toys and activities that she's not seen in a while. She was pretty overwhelmed with excitement. Hopefully we can head out this weekend and take some pictures!! While Jordyn had a good time, mom and dad got a look at just how much work we have to do in the yard--yay. With nice weather comes work!

I put out our Easter decorations today. Jordyn is in love!!! She loves bunnies (animals again!). She keeps carrying around an Easter Bunny pillow. It cracks me up!!!

Risotto and the Plague

Jordyn has the worst virus. She's not been this sick in a LONG time. We've had every sort of cold imaginable this season, but THIS is like the plague. Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but it's been miserable. When MY kid asks to go to bed or to take a nap, she's seriously ill. She's been like a zombie!!! The first night she showed signs of illness, she woke up EVERY half hour all night long. While Jeremy and I traded off, neither of us slept due to the constant hacking and crying. She had a ridiculously high fever, which is normal for her, but it is always a bit scary. It was so miserable for her. Well, for us too! At least Kennedy had a good night's rest. I hope Jord is better soon, and that Kennedy and I are safe (Jeremy rarely, if ever, gets sick). I must say, the one nice thing about her being sick is that she's cuddly. Usually, she only wants to be touched on her terms--rarely. Lately, she's asked to be held and such. Ahhhh...it's the little things.

I made risotto for dinner tonight. This was Kennedy's first time eating it. I'm not sure if it's the Italian in her, or just the fact that she likes good food (carbs, maybe???), but she couldn't get it in fast enough. Wow! Good thing Jordyn was sick, because Kennedy ate what I had given to her and Jordyn's portion. That was on top of the meat and green beans that accompanied it. This kid can pack it away. She's starting to fill out a bit more now, too. I wonder if this is why!?!?!? She's still pretty skinny, but she looks like she's packed on a bit of baby pudge. It's pretty darn cute. Lately she really looks like a big girl. I can't believe we're on the path to toddlerhood. Oh, my BABY girl...

St. Patty's Day Parade

It's almost impossible to get a picture of Jordyn head on!

I took the girls to the St. Patty's Day Parade. I thought Jordyn would really get a kick out of it, and Kennedy loves new sights. Jordyn really liked it and Kennedy seemed amused. While it was a bit chilly, the weather held out. We did leave a little early, but it was Kennedy's nap time (she fell asleep on me) and I thought it might be getting a bit cold. Jordyn loved the candy, of course, and the animals. I think she is going to be a vet, like Auntie Dani. The horses and dogs were the highlight of the parade!!! She came home and told her daddy all about the horses and dogs. So sad that she'll never have a dog. Oh, well...there are a lot of people with dogs. She can go and visit them! I couldn't believe the candy she brought home. Even after being blocked by people and skipped over a few times. Her dad rifled through the treat bag and picked out a few pieces for himself. Aren't dads always like that???

Cruising!

Kennedy is standing more and more these days. A few days ago, I was busy in the kitchen when I heard the gate at the top of our stairs rattling. Jordyn was having quiet time, which left Kennedy. I called Jeremy up from the basement to take some pictures. This is what we saw.


I guess she really wanted to go downstairs to play with her toys (most likely her sister's toys!) or maybe to see her daddy. She's now moving from one piece of furniture to another. As I write this she has made it to the gate again. I brought her back to the living room, where she is working on moving from the couch to the table and along my legs to the love seat. Lately, when she wakes up this is how we find her. Anytime we have her hold our fingers and try to walk she laughs. Almost a little mischievous. Maybe this is a warning!!!! This is so new and different from Jordyn. Soooo much excitement!!!!!!!!

Mobius Fun!!!

Daddy loves to play at this table. He usually creates a big dam. Too many kids today. Men really are big kids, aren't they??? :P

Serious about coloring and GLUE!

More water play!

I am the center of the universe. Or at least I'm the center of this play area!

Mastering "stairs" already!!! Greeeeeeeeeeeat!

I love this tunnel. It's quite an adventure.

Last Sunday we took the kids to Mobius. It had been been a while since we've gone as a family. Grandma and Grandpa Stuart had never been, so we asked if they wanted to join the fun. They came with us and had a blast!!! The girls love Mobius!! Kennedy, being more mobile, had a lot of fun climbing, pulling, crawling, and moving around the baby area. Jordyn LOVES the water stations and food hut. Jeremy was pretty excited this time, as they had a lot of sports-type exhibits set up for him to play!!! :)

Wordless Wednesday

Birthday Extravaganza!

Jordyn had a great birthday! I made her a special birthday breakfast. She asked for pancakes. She LOVES to cook and bake, so she asked if she could help. I must teach her that your birthday is a day off from this and other tasks! She ate her breakfast off the special birthday plate, a tradition in the Stuart house. Her birthday fell on dance night. Being that dance is one of her favorite activities it was icing on the cake. Afterward she wanted to go to Applebees, or as she calls it "The Neighborhood" (from their advertisements), for dinner. Her favorite part of the meal/day was the birthday sundae. She received a few cards and a package in the mail. She loves getting mail!!! She opened her mail as well as some small gifts we bought her. She's at the age where she wanted the gifts to keep coming!

Friday night we had her party. She chose to have it at Jump and Bounce (a bouncy castle place). What a great idea. The kids were perfectly behaved, as they were having too much fun to be anything but happy. After exhausting themselves, they sat very still and quietly while they had a snack and some cake. I didn't have to pick up a mess at my house or worry about anything else. How fabulous! As usual, the child was spoiled rotten and got so many cute and thoughtful gifts. She's been playing dress up and playing with all of her new and wonderful gifts. She had a BLAST with her friends and family. What a memorable birthday party. We went to dinner, with my parents and her 2 uncles, at Red Robin after the party. Although she just had cake and ice cream at her party, she had ANOTHER birthday dessert after dinner. They sang her a special birthday song, which she wasn't too sure about, but it was entertaining. On Saturday she tried out her new big-girl bike, which we gave to her at her party. When she was done riding it she wanted to play in the snow. What is left of the snow is not significant enough to play in. It seems like we are always ruining her great ideas. She did stand on some mounds and kick at it for a bit.
Well, she's 3 now. Wow! Where has the time gone??? We really enjoyed celebrating, and we know that she had a GREAT birthday. Especially since her birthday stretched out over the course of quite a few days. Is one day ever enough?? :)

Just a cute picture of a special party guest. :)

Pulling Up and Valentine's Stuff

Well, it didn't take long after Kennedy began crawling to begin pulling up on EVERYTHING. We are very busy keeping after her. She's so tiny (weight-wise and compared to those her age--she's smokin' everyone in height!) it just seems so odd to watch her pull up and stand. I'm not saying that she'll be walking within the week. And probably not within the next three weeks (did I just jinx myself??); however, I would venture to guess that it will be very soon. You can watch the wheels turning in her head, as she stands; she's really trying to figure out how she can get from whatever she's standing at to something else within a few inches. I can't believe how she's developing. She's really beginning to chat a lot and move. Babies, well....children, are quite fascinating.

Jordyn had a lot of fun at her preschool Valentine's party. I had a good time watching the kids, but it was quite a relief to be done with it. It was difficult planning a party for two preschool classes by myself. Add a fire in our main classroom to the mix, and you have a whole new set of problems. A young boy, who attends the church that we rent from, intentionally set fire to our main classroom the Sunday prior to the party. All the parents and our facilitator had to completely rearrange our classes and party plans for the week. We're supposed to be back to our regular set up within a month; but we are thinking it won't be back to normal 'til next fall. The fire was a major frustration. In the end, it has really put things into perspective for us, and all is well.
This same Friday we took Jordyn to Playhouse Disney Live. She was pretty excited about it. She was mostly excited about the $18.00 toy we bought her, which probably costs $1.00 to make. :) I know, I know! This is how these things work and it's part of being a kid. Wow! I never realized how a toy could change a kid's life. I guess it's big to her! Our world revolved around this cheaply made Handy Manny toy, or as she calls it, "Handy Manny Swinger Swinger" for the entire duration of the show and the following few days. This toy is also quite dangerous if within close proximity while operating for the entire duration. It's still a favorite, but not as much as it was. Especially being that her birthday and party has passed (I'm getting to those posts after this one!). Kennedy liked the bright lights and action, but mostly she was mad that this event interrupted her nap schedule.

Jeremy and I celebrated Valentine's Day and our six-year-dating anniversary the Thursday prior to Valentine's Day--yeah, it was a VERY busy week! We had a GREAT dinner at Wolf Lodge. On the ACTUAL holiday, we had fun as a family and cooked a great steak and taters dinner. I made, from scratch, molten chocolate cakes for dessert. Mmmmm, mmm, mmm!

February has been a busy and eventful month for us!!!