Weekend Fun!

Last weekend was the Justin Robert's Pajama-Rama! This is an annual tradition for us. We've gone every year since Josie was 8months old. We are sort of Justin's groupies. We've seen him at least 8 times in concert! Usually Josie just takes it all in. Really absorbs all the details then pretends to be Justin and sing her heart out. This time she actually got out of her seat a few times and sang a bit at the concert. We've been listening to Justin more this week thanks to the concert.

Josie also started her acting class at the Playhouse last week. They read a book and act it out. This week they read Peter Pan (Josie's fav, last year we had a Peter Pan birthday party!). She got the part of John....a dream role in her eyes!

Today Josie had a big date with Dad. They went to Clifford the Big Red Dog at the Civic Center. She LOVED it. While we didn't act this out (yet), she did had Billy retell the story in great detail at dinner.

Testing out the violin at the JR concert.

Justin signing Josie and brother's shirts.

Grandshe and Josie at her first acting class last week.

Waiting for Clifford the Big Red Dog to start!

Dinner with Clifford...

Fashion Show...

Last week we went to the mall to get Josie some new clothes. After hitting up the boy's section, I said we should try to get some nice outfits for church, Easter, etc... I was met with the usual firm "No. No way, I'm NOT going to wear girl clothes." I was at the check out trying to convince her to just look at girl clothes at our next stop when she came up to me and said, "Mom I found a dress I'll wear..." I am pretty sure I threw everything that was in my arms on the counter faster than you could blink. I ran over to see the dress and was so shocked to see it was a PINK little number. After asking her if she'd wear it a few times I casually asked if she'd wear another dress and she said Yes! I was thrilled. Don't get me wrong, I love that Josie has her own style. I love that I don't need to spend time getting her dolled up, but when we need a nice outfit I don't want to pull teeth to get it on.

When we came home Josie and brothers put on a fashion show for dad. She was so thrilled to show off her new dresses. The next day she put them on again for another fashion show for Grandshe and Gigi (aka Gail). Again she couldn't wait to show them her new outfits. The true test will be tomorrow when we go to church... If she puts one of them on, I'll say we were a success!

Josie and Will modeling. Josie said she was the Beast and Will was Beauty. When Billy complimented her shirt I asked her what she should say....thinking a thanks Dad would be good. Instead she twirled closer to Will and said "Dance with me princess!" The kid cracks me up.

Will modeling the layered look and second dress.

Josie's cool look...

The moment you've been waiting for... Josie in the dress!

4 1/2 years old

I love Fridays. On Fridays Jill takes Josie and picks Josie up for preschool. The boys don't have preschool, so we've been making them PJ days. Not having to get two kids ready plus myself, Friday mornings run pretty smooth. We had some extra time this morning before Josie needed to go. We decided to practice handwriting. Below are Josie's alphabet, numbers, and self portrait done today.

It's hard to believe that Josie is already 4 1/2. Every day I am impressed with my Josie girl. She is always there to help me when I'm juggling two boys on my hips. When the boys first wake up they just want to be held. So whether it is grabbing a kleenex or more books for us to read, Josie is my helper. They seem like little things, but to this mama it's not just the task at hand, it's her attitude about it. Everything I ask her to do is greeted with a "Ok Mom! No problem mom! I can do it mom!" I'm sure during the teenage years I won't be greeted the same way....

This afternoon I needed to change Will's diaper. We were already behind schedule for nap, so I gave Josie a book for the boys nap time story and asked her to start reading while I helped Will. While it was mostly from memory versus reading, she was so excited to be my big helper. Afterwards she asked if she can read brother's bed time story tonight too.

Josie' reading to her brothers this afternoon.

Josie's alphabet!
The 5 is backwards, but pretty good!

Josie's self portrait. I like her tiny little nose and belly button the best. She told me she is wearing earrings in her drawing :)

Kid Convos

I love carpooling to preschool. I like starting conversations with Lane and Josie or listening to the two of them hold a conversation without be contributing at all.

On Monday these are the conversations I heard between Josie and Lane while waiting in the drop off line:
J: I've decided I really want to marry Lucy.
L: She's mean to me, she might be mean to you.
J: No not your sister Lucy, I want to marry Lucy in our class. I think she'll make a good wife.
L: Hey I thought you wanted to marry me?! (this is a known fact. Josie will often tell Lane she is going to marry him)

J: Do you want me to marry you? (she was looking him square in the eyes. Typical girl trying to get the boy to open up)

L: Well I thought you were going to marry me. (typical boy, not willing to admit his feelings)

J: Well I changed my mind. (I could see her just saying, fine if you won't fess up that you like me, I'm moving on. oh the preschool drama).

Convo two: (two seconds later)

J: I'm smarter than the world! (I need to work on her self-esteem)

L: No, my dad is super smart.

J: Let's compromise. I'm smarter than the world...but your dad is smarter than me.

Convo three: (really it's a statement)

J: I can't wait to grow up! When I grow up, I'm gonna be famous! (again, self esteem issue)

Josie on her scooter from Santa...yes this January has been that warm (until tonight).

After her last Basketball game, so proud of that ribbon! She slept with it under her pillow for awhile.

Yoko OhhhhhNoooooo!

Tonight in the tub (where all of our good convos start) Josie said "Mom do you know that Paul McCartney who sings Dad's favorite Christmas song, is the Paul from The Beatles?!"

After she threw out that tid-bit, I couldn't resist giving her a little more information on the band that she loves. I told Josie that Paul got married this year. I also told her that John was married to Yoko Ono. After they got married, Yoko wanted John all to herself, so he stopped playing and broke up the band. After this big revelation, Josie was in shock. "Yoko OhhhhhNoooo broke up The Beatles. If I was in the band I would just keep playing and not tell Yoko NooooNoooo!" She kept passionately rambling about the above and each time she'd say her name either "OhhhNooo or NoooNooo".

I agree with Josie. It's a big oh-no and no-no that The Beatles broke up.

Happy Holidays!

Look at our happy girl on Christmas night!

Showered at Grandshe's and ready for round 2 of Christmas for the day.

Playing with her Bat Cave.

This month has been a big month for Josie.

• She attended her first all girl birthday party AND it was also the first time we dropped her off and picked her up when it was done. Josie was adamant that she would go to the door by herself. Billy stood a little bit in the distance and let her walk up the stairs with the gift in hand... good thing I wasn't there. Pretty sure I would have cried!
• Josie also had a play date for the first time that I dropped her off. Oy!
• She decided that my birthday needed to have a home beauty spa day. While she may not be a girly girl herself, I was very impressed she was intuitive enough to know that is right up my alley!
• When she had a cold earlier this month, she told Billy "Dad...even though I am sick, it's a good thing I can still rap!" And followed it up with a little beat box.
• On the way to school she informed Lane, "I gotta tell you something Lane. Jaime is my boyfriend. But... are you gonna marry me or what?!"
• Josie was pumped (and so impressed) that Santa knew she preferred boy stuff...So when she got matching unders to her brothers in her stocking it was a huge hit. One of the first things she rattles off that she got from Santa is underwear.
• Josie continues to be an awesome older sister. She is constantly looking out for her brothers. And for the most part sharing her toys. She tends to have the attitude of "geez, if it means that much to you, you can have it". And then Josie picks up another toy to play...until someone wants that one too. What a trooper.

Ties and Thanksgiving

We had a fun time in Omaha on Thanksgiving break. We were fortunate to spend time with so many family members and friends.

Josie, Will, and Ben were beyond thrilled to see big cousin Maeve. All three just adore her to the point of Maeve being tackled in group hugs for most of the weekend.

Seeing her best friend Marlee was definitely a high light too. We had a pizza party with our friends and Josie was so pumped to spend time with her BFF. She even insisted on dressing up for Marlee. She wore her new white button down shirt. Josie wanted to wear her blue tie, but we couldn't find it. We all were searching the house and finally decided we needed to leave. Dad was kind enough to let Josie borrow one of his ties, but it just wasn't the same.

We have people in our lives that we may not see often, but they are always in our hearts. That's our Gramma Penny. It's like she knew we couldn't find Josie's special tie for the big holiday weekend. Because when we got home there was a package for Josie and her brothers. Gramma Penny knows Josie likes her ties and custom made (yes, MADE) her 2 ties and a tie for each of her brothers to match. A elegant red striped tie and classic green tie just for us! The ties were such a hit that each kid insisted on sleeping with their tie next to their bed. Josie spent a few moments after putting on the tie trying to catch the kisses that were in the package. Then she announced "we need to make Gramma Penny a dress!" Hmmmm.... maybe we'll just buy one :)

While back in Omaha, we spent time at Aunt Terri and Uncle Scott's house. They let us play Beatles Rock Band on their wii. Since we had so much fun we decided to let the kids play ours. Last night was a riot watching them in their ties rock out. See for your self!