While I was getting JJ ready for bed tonight he flexed for me. I asked him where he got those muscles and his response was, "I got them at the store mom." I need to go to that store and buy myself some muscles.

Telling Time

JJ just looked down at his left arm, pulled back his sleeve and pointed to his wrist. He then said, " it's one on the clock, time for Octonauts!" He then walked over to glance at the clock on the wall and looked back at his wrist. "No that's on the clock, no no no. Momma, Octonauts is in one hour."

Painted nails

We painted Reese's fingernails for the first time tonight. She was so good. She even let me do her toes too.

The Sweetest Things

Tonight after we were done saying our prayers, JJ wanted to make sure that he prayed for Mimi, Papa, and Grandma Abbott.  I told him that he could pray, so he began, "Dear God.......Mimi, Papa, Grandma Abbott Amen."  I told him that he did a great job.  He immediately stopped me and said, "Dear God; Daddy, Mommy, Reese, Slyder, My House, My School, Zach, Amen!"  He was then ready to go to bed.  I guess he said all he needed to say.

He Did It

Well for the first time JJ went number 1 in the toilet. After a few times with him trying to go number 2 he only had to be told once to go number 1 and he did it. We were all so proud of him. He did it all on his own.

First Teacher Letter

Today JJ got his first teacher letter in the mail. Mrs. Bethany VandenBrand will be his teacher for 2012-2013. He was so excited.

Tough run...great memories

Extremely difficult run today with the kids. Part way through as I was struggling JJ kept shouting, "faster momma!". I said I can't and his reply was "why" TO EVERYTHING I said. At the end I told them that was a tough run. Again JJ asked why and I responded, "I think you guys gained some weight." JJ... "sorry momma.". Too cute.

Harbor Days

We're up at the cottage for a family vacation to enjoy Harbor Dats in Elk Rapids. We have done so many fun things together already. JJ has fished, both kids drove the boat, we've gone swimming a few times, ate at Boones, and went on some carnival rides. Tomorrow is diaper derby so I will update the blog tomorrow with results.

Going Fishing

JJ and Reese decided to take a little break and go fishing in the pool. They wanted to try out their new fishing poles. We later enjoyed their catch and cooked it for dinner.

Meijer Garden

Today JJ, Reese, and I met up with Mimi at the meijer gardens. We braved the tsunami and it paid off. We had a lot of fun and didn't have a lot of people there which worked out well. JJ kept wondering where the butterflies were. Every time he saw something that may have resembled a butterfly he got all excited until it didn't move. He was able to see "Mad Mom," and on our nature walk he saw many woodland animals. JJ also volunteered to be in a play that they were putting on. He first got to transport the eggs and then dressed like Fred Meijer's Lamb. It was so cute, it was his first performance and he did a great job. We wrapped up our trip by playing in the Great Lakes and the little water fountains by the entrance to the children's garden. By the time we were done the sun had come out. It turned out to be a great day.

Pool Time

We set up the pool in the backyard this week. The kids had a blast going up and down the slide. They kids even tried running through the sprinkler for the first time. This is what makes summer great!

JJ has his first tube ride!

The family spent the day with the Coates family at their cottage on Lincoln Lake. We went for a pontoon ride and JJ decided that he wanted to ride in the tube with Tana. He had fun for a bit. It was so cute to see the two of them tubing together.

Summer 2012

We have had a great start to summer. So far I have gotten a lot accomplished at home. I've had fun playing with the kids on the deck. We have added a sand box to our oasis this year and it has proved to be everything I thought it would be. :-). The kids have really enjoyed it though. Reese is very efficient at going in and out of the house. Both kids have been doing a great job at closing the door too. However, this seems to be all Reese wants to do. We have gone to toddler time at the library also. Its amazing to see how JJ remember's his songs and so easily gets back into the swing of things. Reese was a but mir apprehensive, but I'm sure next time will be a different story. Tonight we went to go get ice cream in downtown Caledonia. We had fun although we found out that Reese doesn't like soft serve ice cream. JJ managed to eat all of hers anyway. What a great start to summer.

Story Time

Tonight as I was reading JJ books before he went to bed we began our prayers. After we prayed he said, "stop mommy, JJ read books." He then grabbed panda bear, panda bear and began to read it to me. He held the book up so I could see it and told me the animal on every page. He then grabbed 2 more books. He finished with Goodnight I love You. As he read the book he studied every page told me some things that were on it, then turned it around so I could see. He is a professional book reader. I was very impressed.

Thoughtful

I went to check on JJ tonight before going to bed and found that he put his beanbag in his bed up by his pillow. I noticed a blanket laying on it and when I removed the blanket I found Moose and Mickey laying safely on the beanbag. JJ had made a cozy spot for them to sleep and then covered them up so they wouldn't get cold. He is so thoughtful.

Round Two

Tonight during dinner JJ said, "uh oh mommy, poopy!!" I asked him if he wanted to sit on the potty? He enthusiastically said yes as he was holding on to his backside. We ran to the bathroom all excited. I pushed Reese in her high chair to the bathroom as well. As JJ got ready to sit down we took his diaper off and noticed that he already went, but he still wanted to try. He sat so proud on the toilet. He then noticed the books and asked for one. Reese was watching and decided that she wanted to get out of her high chair. The moment I set her down she decided that if JJ was going to poop, she was going to poop too. At least somebody went in the bathroom.

Dinner Time

I can't believe the way she eats. Reese sure loves food!!! She tries to lick the bowl and take the leftover food that drops in her bib.

Craft night

We had craft night tonight. Everybody colored their own bird house. JJ was picking out the colors that he wanted Reese to use, but she wasn't complaining.

He Tried It!

Tonight during our bath time JJ said that he had to go poop. I asked him if he wanted to sit on the toilet, he thought a moment and then said Yes! He sat on the toilet and tried, but no result. Oh well, it was still monumental.

School Time

Reese is really enjoying going to school with her big brother. Not to mention that they were playing in the gym where mommy learned to play volleyball.

What a Performer

Jim said that JJ what's hilarious at school today. He stood up in the middle of the entire group and was singing that alligator song as loud as he possibly could. Better yet he was singing it word by word. After that he then began singing the hats song as the entire audience was dying laughing. Jim, Reese, and all the other kids were enjoying the performance. JJ is such a little performer.

Today we went to the library. JJ and Reese had picked out new library bags so we wanted to try them out. JJ was trying to put books in his bag while Reese left hers on the floor as she chased older girls around the library.

Amazing

Both kids amaze me more and more everyday. Reese has started to get in and off the bike by herself without being shown, she continues to say more and more things each week, she has 3 molars, and her constant smile brightens up my day. JJ has been talking up a storm. Everyday I've been hearing new words and he's continuing to surprise me with how smart he is as he puts these new words into sentences. Today he asked me to turn on Einstein's. I turned it on and chose one that we watched this past weekend. As it came on and he heard the music he shouted out, "soup, soup, soup" all to the beat of the music. He knew just by hearing the music that this episode was about bringing soup to Rocket's grandma. Not ti mention that he new the words to music along with the beat. Amazing!!!!

Party at our Place

Reese and JJ got their cell phones out today to text their friends, "mom's leaving for Florida, party at our house!" TTYL

On our way to the musical we were driving past JJ's school and all of a sudden he shouted out, "mom JJ's school!"

I told JJ that we are going to my class musical tonight his response was, "dance!?" I told him, "yes the little kids will dance."

It must be a record

For the dirt time that I can remember Jim had to mow the lawn in March. JJ and Reese were looking on I'm wonderment.

Stinky

Tonight I took off JJ socks and he said, "no mom I want socks." I told him that they were dirty an we had to get clean ones on. He then grabbed them and said, "dirty?" He put them up to his nose and took a big whiff and said yeah. Then he went to the slider door and threw them outside. I guess they were really stinky.

My Little Professional Landscaper

Today, the 22nd of March we all went outside where Reese and JJ were being big helpers. JJ especially LOVED picking all of the weeds out of the landscaping. After I showed him once he couldn't get enough of it. He did such a great job too. Reese was into the replacement of rocks. She has such a keen eye for that.

Bath time No No

Tonight's bath night was going well. JJ was once again sitting in the bathtub and loving it. I had decided to give JJ a bath a little bit later ringing after Reese went to bed. Good thing I did!! I was beginning to set the timer (beep beep as JJ calls it) to give him a warning that bath time was almost over. As JJ was playing I noticed bubbles in the water. I asked him, "JJ, did you fart?". His response, "yeah.....da da no poopy.". At the mention of poop I immediately began asking question like, are you going poopy, so you have to poopy, do you want to go on the toilet? All responses turned back to NO. Ok I said, thinking everything was ok. JJ didn't seem too worried so why should I be worried? WRONG. I told him that we need to start picking up our toys. As he was saying beep beep I noticed that once he moved there was a pile of poop in the tub. It then seemed to miraculously expand. I said JJ you poopied! "Yeah," was his response. Unfortunately this was not the kind that floated in a clump and easy to clean up. The poor kid stood in the bathtub until I had everything cleaned up. I then cleaned him again. I tried not to make a big deal out of it so that he wasn't worried about it and would continue to take baths. This worked until the next night when both JJ and Reese were in the bath together. JJ was talking all about poopy. I took Reese out of the tub to dry her off and get her ready for bed when I heard Jim shouting from the bathroom. "I think Reese pooped." sure enough she did. Although this time was just a little one JJ has reverted back to kneeling in the tub. Constantly saying, "no poopy?".

She knows her stuff

Yesterday I said to Reese, "let's go change your diaper." I was amazed when she proudly walked down the hallway to her room. Of course she kept looking back at me to make sure I was following her. Tonight I said to her, "Reese, let's go take a bath and off she went to the bathroom and started knocking in the door." She's growing up so fast.

Kisses

Reese is now frequently giving kisses. Although most of them are open mouth she did give Jim a kiss yesterday with her mouth closed and said mmmm.

Our Sunday Outing

We left early this Sunday morning ( due to paint fumes) and went out to breakfast. The kids did amazingly well and it was so crazy to think that the last time we ate at Fortune Chef that Reese wasn't even born yet. The Abbott family ate all of their food and headed off to our first stop to see Nana on our Sunday tour. Nana was great and she was amazed how well Reese could walk. JJ sang her a song and we hung out. Then we traveled on to grandma Fodor's. She was doing well and had some cookies for JJ and Reese. As James was looking around the room he noticed a cross with baby (Jesus), Mary and Joseph. He pointed to it and said, "mom, mom, look baby mama, and baby, and boy (Joseph)." I told him you're right JJ that is baby Jesus and his mommy and daddy. He replied,"yeah.". What a great day.

Our Little Picasso

We decided to paint today to make decorations for Reese's first birthday party. James was really enjoying himself and was doing a great job. He even wanted to get out the glitter pens. I especially love his new paint shirt that we found today.