Friday, August 29, 2008

A Splash of a Summer

We have spent a ton of time in water this summer thanks to friends and family with pools!


Here we are at my Dad's new house in his pool...it was a fun day! See Anteneh bobbing around in the background? So funny!





Jocelyn and Mitchell at Mitchell's grandparents' pool! Mitchell calls his grandma Grrr!!!


In their matching floats!



Relaxing after a fun day in the sun! Okay...so we posed them just a little :)



And a few more outdoor shots...



I love her sweet little expression in this one!



Helping Daddy water the flowers



Our two blondes together again

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Backyard Makeover

Our first step in our efforts to make our backyard more of a fun place for Jocelyn to play and for us to hang out with friends is to build a deck. Thanks to our great friends... Foley, Justin, and Butch..and their HARD WORK, we were able to knock it out in one day! I say that like I helped! Hey, I did offer drinks and get lunch!
Next, we would love to get some outdoor play equipment for Jocelyn and maybe do some landscaping around the deck...one thing at a time though!


Jocelyn woke up to the sounds of power equipment. She was VERY interested in watching Daddy work through the window and sat like that for 30 minutes! She checked on their progress throughout the day too!





Here is the finished product! We didn't need railings because it is so low to the ground. We had a last minute get-together Sunday night. Now, we need some super clearanced patio furniture. I can't find a deal that is good enough yet!


Levon built some cornhole boards for the men to play...the latest favorite activity (other than fishing) for Levon. You can kind of see in the background.



Jocelyn dusting Daddy's cornhole board!

Garage Sale Finds


Saturday morning, Jocelyn was feeling much better so we hit a couple garage sales and found just what we were looking for! We got this play kitchen for only $8! We have yet to get to The Dollar Store to get play dishes and plastic food, but Jocelyn has been having fun opening and closing the doors and storing random little toys in there! I gave her a couple real kitchen items she can use in the mean time.

I found the little pink chair at another sale for $1. It is just perfect for her to sit at her table and read her new hand-me-down picture books from her cousins! She is obsessed with the big animal picture book that she is looking at in the picture above. She can identify the dog and the fish so far!



Look what else I found! A turtle sandbox (minus the eyeballs) that is just her size for $5! Grandma dropped off some sand yesterday so she got to try it out. Until I get some sand box toys, some items from the kitchen will once again have to do!


Of course, she had to taste it!


Sweet, chubby hands and feet feel good in soft sand!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Double Trouble

Well, it turns out Jocelyn has a double ear infection. She showed the first signs last night, but it became perfectly clear after an uncomfortable, sleepless night that something wasn't right. This time, we have just a 3 day dose of yummy cherry flavored medicine so I'm at least thankful for that. No, I take that back.. I'm also SO thankful at times like these that I can stay home with her and just snuggle with her an give her all the attention that she needs when she's sick and not worry about missing work and all that...

The doctor says that since this is her third case of ear infections since March, not to mention a case of fluid buildup, that we will have to see an ear specialists when she has 1 or 2 more infections. I pray that it doesn't have to come to that; I'm not sure how I feel about tubes...I will have to do my research when the time comes.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

What They Learn When You Think They Aren't Looking!



Well it all started the other day when I was watching my two 4 year old nephews for a couple hours -who were perfectly behaved, by the way! :) and Jocelyn was running around with them, stopping to give them sweet hugs and trying to do everything they do. She went over to the low drawer which holds the kids' plates and cups and took out a cup, then walked over to the fridge and stood on her tippy toes and tried to hold it up to the water dispenser! Anteneh looked at me in amazement and said, "Hey!" I too, was in amazement. I mean, I have NEVER showed her that before, she just saw all of us do it! Of course, everyone thinks their own kids are smart, but I've had several "aha" moments in the last few days when I realize just how much she is paying attention to all the things we are doing around her and how much she is learning at all times! It just blows my mind!


Jocelyn and I were on a mission to buy her some "big kid toys" recently because she is in desperate need of some things other than little hand-held baby toys. Well, I was comparing 3 different toy vacuum cleaners at Toys R Us because Jocelyn likes to sweep back and forth with the spatula and other long items on the floor (another thing she has picked up by just watching me-- although I don't know why becuase according to my husband I don't clean the floors enough :). I couldn't bring myself to spend $20 on these toys so I've decided to try garage sales instead. When we got home, I took out the real dust buster and can you believe it, she was even more excited than with the ones in the store. She cleaned the floors for a long time and was so proud to be doing such a big girl activity.






Last night, we were hanging out outside, getting as dirty as possible before bath time, when Jocelyn went over and grabbed the hose and pulled it over to the dogs' bowl to "fill it up" !!
Once again, something she picked up by watching us. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised. It is just so neat to see her try to do these things on her own. I have been giving her more big girl responsibilites, like letting her hand me the silverware while unloading the dishwasher. It is fun to let her practice these skills, encouraging her to become more independant!



"Better check the water temp"



"Better check to see if it tastes ok too!.. uh oh, is mommy watching?"


Hugs for Reo!



Hanging with the dogs in the yard! Levon and I dreamed about this when I was pregnant with her... we knew they would all love each other!
Check out all that wood in the background... Daddy is preparing for a cold winter!



2 bowls for 2 doggies



"Whatcha doing there, Reo? Save some for me."




Reo... the friendly dog



Jocelyn enjoying a wet willy from Reagan!



Kisses, Kisses, and more Kisses!!



And last, but not least... more fun with household objects...

"How long is my tongue?"






"Maybe I could wear my float for Halloween... an alien maybe?"

Monday, August 18, 2008

Second Date!


Check out these shots of Jocelyn and her future high school sweetheart Mitchell Lene! Much to our dismay, neither of their mommies had cameras for their first date... but we did for the second! Could I be any more cheesy? Mommyhood will do that to you.



Look at these sweet kids... sharing toys and playing side-by-side! They even stopped to talk to each other in their own kiddo language every once and awhile..




This may look like a bite, but it was actually a kiss!




You know he is a good catch when he lets the girl drive his truck!




The tongue seems to come out when some major concentrating is happening!



Mitchell...king of the castle!



Aren't they just SO cute together!!?
We are looking forward to many more play dates!!


In this video, you can see how Jocelyn is testing his patience... but watch how he deals with her in the end! Love it!

Chuck E Cheese


"Just chillin with my friend mouse...yeah, he needed a ride."




This child loves to climb UP slides!




Jocelyn and friend Sarah looking through the window of the toddler play area.
Who knew Chuck E Cheese would be so entertaining for such little ones!




Too Cool for School




Uh, mom...are you sure I'm big enough for this ride?





Riding the big kid horse ride. Look at that proud expression!



Too young to care about tickets... this might be the place to visit again!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Photo Shoot!

Okay, I know this post is picture overload, but I just love them all..it is too hard to choose!
Aunt Brooke was nice enough to give Jocelyn her very own photo shoot! It was hard to find the right light..but we ended up with some great shots! Thank you, Aunt Brooke!

This one and the one above it are my favorites!!










Don't you just want to kiss those cheeks?




in between takes...


She's had enough!!