Beatles Brunch Sunday!

The first Sunday of each month Cafe Di Scala serves brunch with Beatles music playing in the background. The menu is Beatles themed too.

Billy was in Arizona for work, so Grandshe and I took Josie to her first Beatles Brunch. Josie was in heaven. She loved her brunch, loved being the center of attention, and loved singing and dancing to all her favorite songs. The food was delicious and the entertainment it provided was priceless!

Super Star

Josie loves music and instruments. Here are a few examples of this love from last week:

Josie's first drum lesson!

Playing the drum at music class with Will

Dancing with the Jos.

Singing solo and duet with Dad.

From the mouth of Jos

Here are a few Josie quotes from this weekend:

Josie was singing a song in the back of the car on the way home from Red Rossa Friday night. She ended her first song with "Oh Damn!" We thought we must have heard her wrong, but she sings it again and says "Oh Damn!" So I asked her if maybe she said "Oh Dan?" hoping we heard her wrong. She then said, no mom. I said "OHHHH DAMMMMN" She really emphasized it this time to make sure we heard her clearly. That's when we broke it her that it wasn't a good word to use and added it to the naughty word list. She said sorry, then said Damn again to tell us when she says Damn we need to remind her not to say it. "OK Dad? Don't forget, the next time I say Damn, you need to tell me not to say it. Because I might forget and say Damn on accident". She said it about 4 times reminding us that she can't say it till we put the kibosh on that!

Last night before bed, Billy showed Josie a star so she could make a wish. Her wish went like this: "I wish I could eat a lot of candy, every every day!" She had the biggest smirk on her face and twinkle in her eye as she said this.

This morning after eating breakfast I asked Josie to wash her hands to which she said, "I'll wash my hands IF you tell me WHY brother has to toot so loud!"

I'm a huge fan of Hy-Vee. I prefer it over Dahl's. Josie likes Dahl's because they have green carts (to each their own). So last time we went grocery shopping I said we could go to Dahl's, but I'm not a fan because the produce isn't as good (my exact words to her). As we drove by Dahl's this morning on the way to church Josie yells to Billy, "Daddy! That's the grocery store that mom DOES NOT like. She thinks they have BAD bananas".

At the end of mass, I asked Josie if she wanted to tell Father Vince have a nice day. She walked right up to him and said, "Have a great day! Ummm... Hey God?" To which I reminded her, he is not in fact God, just his helper named Father Vince. Then she said, "I always forget that mom".

Spring Break 2011

At the park, doing her cool pose.

Science Center rocket launcher 3...2...1... blast off!

Josie was on Spring Break last week. (Yes, preschoolers have spring break!) The break started with an excellent parent teacher conference with her teachers. (Yes, preschoolers have conferences too!) I literally felt my face turn red as her teachers went over all the great things she is doing. It was cool to see pictures from the beginning of the school year and now. I was in awe by how much she has changed over the past few months. They also shared her handwriting samples from September and current. Josie has really grown up a lot this year!

Besides conferences, we also....

-Went to the zoo for the first time this year.

-Walked to the park 3 times!

-Played on our swing set.

-Per Josie's request, we had to have a pajama day!

-Made lots of arts and crafts - shaving cream art, shamrock cut outs, play-doh x 3

-Entertained mom's friends with her amazing magic!

-Ventured over to the Science Center for our weekly dose of Sunday fun.

All in all it was a fun break. I'm happy to get back to our normal routine. Josie starts dance and drums this week...stay tuned!

Little Clover

When Grandshe got into the clown biz, Billy and I gave Jos her clown name. It went something like, "We shall call her Little Clover".

Josie was a bit intimidated by clowns at first. She had no interest in meeting Shamrock when she was younger. But then my mom (aka Grandshe, Shamrock, etc) told Jos that she dresses up as Shamrock to help the sick kids. Once Josie heard this, she decided she was ready to meet Shamrock. So when my mom had a charity event to attend the last time we were in Omaha, she stopped over at Grandpa and Grandma Bemis' house decked out as Shamrock the clown.

Josie was thrilled. She even put on a clown bow tie and recited all the jokes my mom taught her. "Do you want a brownie?" (as she holds a letter "E" that is brown). "Hey look I've got my father's eyes!" (as she holds out two plastic eyeballs). I'd tell you the rest, but I don't want to give-a-way all of Shamrock's jokes. The point is, the kid loves to preform. As Grandshe drove away to make it to her gig, Josie said "Mom, do you think I can help the sick kids with Shamrock some time?" Ahhh the Jos. How I love you.

A tie dream come true

Josie has been wanting a neck tie for a few months now. Every time Dad dresses up for work or a holiday she says in the sweetest voice, "I just really wish I had a tie". So yesterday we all ventured out to the mall to get Billy some clothes. Josie found all the men's ties and said, "maybe today I'll get my tie!" That's when I figured what the heck, we've got nothing else to do. So while Billy tried on clothes the kids and I went on a quest to find the perfect tie. Just when we were giving up hope, I saw them. They had quite the selection too. Dinosaur ties, red power ties, holiday ties, but when Josie laid her eyes on this blue striped tie it was love at first sight.

Josie walked down to the men's section, with the tie on. She greeted everyone that came within 10 feet of us. "Aloha! Excuse me! Have a great day!" She spoke loud and clear so they all could see the shiny new tie around her neck. As we walked thru the department store and around the mall, I beamed. I was beaming to the point of watery eyes. Josie was so proud of her new tie she wanted to burst. Seeing that on your kid's face is priceless.

Josie at Dillards... TA-DAH! I've got a tie!

This calls for a tie celebration dance.

You say Hawaii, I say Hawadii

We just got back from a week long vacation in Hawaii or as Josie says, Hawadii. While pictures say a 1,000 words, the words out of Josie's mouth crack me up. Here are some of her best quotes on the trip.

• "I figured out why my poops stopped, because there is no snow in Hawadii. Snow makes me poop."
• After day two..."I love it in Hawadii, I'm never going back to Des Moines."
• "Mommy your tummy is so cute. I like it when you keep brothers in your tummy so we can have peanuts."
• Upon hearing a commercial for Cougar Town... "Dad, do you like Cooter Town?!"
• After receiving her ukelele as a souvenir... "My mom and dad love me so much, that's why they bought me a ukelele. Some kid's parents don't love them."
• When she was waiting for Richard to show up to give her a temporary tattoo, "I'm NEVER gonna get a TATTOO!"
• 5 minutes later..."Raise your hand if you have a tattoo!!!!"
• When a bird pooped on Douglas the balloon artist, "I know why that bird pooped on Douglas. Birds think people are toilets."

Here are a few pictures too...just incase Josie didn't do Hawadii justice.

Waikiki Beach
Flying Jos

Sunset on Waikiki Beach