I'm Allergic?!

Because Josie's brothers have allergies, it's something we talk about often. Josie often is an advocate for her brothers and makes sure foods don't have nuts before they eat something from someone at playgroups or music class.

Josie was bragging the other day. She asked her Uncle Jay (on dad's side...how many kids have 2 uncle Jays?!) "Do you know what I am allergic to?! NOTHING!" Jay told her she is allergic to something...bad boys. Josie kept asking him about this new allergy.

Fast forward 3 days, we are at Target doing some turbo shopping trying to get things checked off our list. Josie says, "Mom, did you know I am allergic to bad guys? I guess I can't be a police officer when I grow up because I won't be able to catch them..."

I look forward to reminding her of this allergy when she is asked out on a date by a bad boy. Thanks Uncle Jay!

Week 1 of 2 Week Spring Break

The great thing about kids that are in preschool is that we get an extra long spring break.

(I say this at the beginning of week 2, by the end of this week I might be whistling another tune).

We kicked off the first week with a great teacher conference for Josie. I am in love with the kids preschool. Her teacher hyperlinked her conference write up with pictures and videos to demonstrate the skills Josie has accomplished this year. How cool is that?

In order for me to attend conferences, Jill and I shared watching our kids while the other attended their conference. Below is a picture of Lane, Josie, and Ben relaxing after some football.

The boys had school last Wednesday, but Josie did not due to conferences. So she came to class and helped me be the teacher helper. Josie loved it!

A new favorite lunch, toothpick picnics! All the food on their plate can be picked up by a toothpick.

Billy took Friday off to watch basketball games. Before he went to meet up with friends he decided it'd be the perfect day to kick off with some golf with his little girl. They did 9 holes at Jester and had a blast. Josie loved it.

What better way to kick off St. Patty's Day than with green milk and mustache straws?!

These two pics crack me up... Josie's style shines through in them. Love you Josie girl....

4 and three quarters...

Josie's 5th birthday is three months away. We started making summer plans, figuring out what sports and camps she wants to try and of course Josie's favorite subject discussing her birthday! We still haven't finalized the theme, but we know what we want to do! More on that later...

Last week we started doing a sticker chart for dry pull ups in the morning and chores. Josie has always been a heavy sleeper. I know this because the boys can yell, cry, scream and she can sleep through it. It's a gift!

I told Josie that Ben had been waking up with a dry diaper and that's all it took for her to give it a try. She can't be out done by her baby brother! We are now sleeping in unders and doing great.

She woke up at 2:30am to inform me she needed to go potty. While I didn't like getting up I was proud that she didn't have an accident. We went potty (I never miss an opportunity to use the bathroom) and headed back to bed. I tucked her in then fell back to sleep instantly. When my alarm went off at 4:45am to go running I realized her bedroom light was on. I went in there to find her reading to herself. Most kids would wake you up with the mentality "if I can't sleep neither can you". Not my four and three quarters Josie. She read to herself in hopes of falling back a sleep on her own. And for that I am very thankful (among other reasons) that I have my Josie Girl.

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.