March 2014

Here are some of those pics that don't fit a post but need to be shared.  :)  March was a month whose weather was up and down (and some would argue that kept Spring away too long).  It was a month we enjoyed, though!

March 8th

Riding her bike at Fort Ward

 Picnic at Fort Ward

 March 10th

On the wall at the big playground

 Kickin' back in the swing at the big playground

 Sand

 March 12th

A new favorite thing to do is have picnics everywhere!  So, sometimes we take snacks and sit at the bench at the little playground and have a "picnic".

 March 14th

Looking cute and heading to the playground- again.

 March 15th

Playing with friends at Oronoco Bay park after a picnic

 March 17th

8-9 inches of snow

 March 28th

Playing at the big park again, in between rain storms

 Clinging to a shovel she discovered at the park

 Running on that wall

 Bounce, bounce!

 Getting good at pumping her legs on the big girl swing

March 29th

Exercising with Mommy 

 March 29th

Yummy dinner Mike made

 March 31st

This evening I found 28 pictures from a budding photographer on my phone.  Subjects included: the floor; the living room; her feet; and a few selfies like this one.

 March 31st

Helping Mommy carry the goods in for s'mores

 That evening was lovely, and we had a packed weekend with yucky weather, so on a Monday evening we had an outside picnic of quesadillas and had a marshmallow roast with s'mores.  Fun!

Grandma Susie and Grandpa Chick come to town

On March 21st, Grandma Susie and Grandpa Chick came to town- and Jovie was so excited and had a blast!

March 21, 2014

Walking/riding to the playground

 March 22

Wearing Grandpa's hat

 At Fort Ward

 Opening the Easter basket from Grandma and Grandpa

 Reading a story and snuggling

 Picnic at Bellehaven 

 March 23, 2014

Shenanigans

A Natural

Today at dinner, Jovie looked at me and said "Mama, you're a natural."  This made me giggle, because I had no idea where she heard that, and I've never heard her say that before.  I asked, "A natural what?"  She grinned and said "A natural Tristy (Kristy)!"
 

Face-to-face chat

After church today, Jovie told me she had pulled her friend's hair. (Despite having a few areas to work on, she is very honest and tells on herself.  I am hoping - maybe foolishly- that this remains the case through the teenage years.) I put her on my lap and started talking to her very seriously about how we should be nice to our friends, and our hands aren't for hitting, pushing, pulling, etc. In the middle of my speech, she put her hands on my eyebrows and shoved them up toward my forehead. She said "Your eyebrows are mad, Mama. Don't be mad." It took everything I had to remain serious and finish our chat, especially because she furrowed her eyebrows back at me for the rest of the conversation.

Happy Birthday, Ruthie!

Ruthie's third birthday was at the end of February, and on March 7th she had a friend birthday party at her house.  The girls all played with her new doll house, then the whole crew made and ate their own pizzas, ate yummy cake, broke open the pinata, watched Ruth open her presents, and just had a generally great time together.  Here are some sweet pictures to commemorate the time.

 Say, "Pizza!"

 Going for the pinata loop

Yay for birthday parties!

Aww, Jovie.

So, if you are following this blog, you'll see that I am posting more and more of the funny things that Jovie says or does.  She makes us laugh all the time, and I want to capture the things that she says.  While some of them are funnier because of her tone or facial expressions, and this blog doesn't capture those, I do want to record them to remember how funny she is.

Yesterday, Jovie was making a card for Mike's birthday today, and as she was coloring she put her blue (still her favorite color!) crayon up to her mouth.  I said "Don't put that crayon in your mouth, Jovie!"  She looked at me, rested the crayon against her bottom lip, then rolled her eyes up to the sky and said, "Hmmm.  Mama, I'm just thinking.  I have to think." 

Then today, for Mike's birthday, she did something that was super sweet.  He was lying on the couch after dinner, and she grabbed her play cupcakes from her little kitchen, brought them over to him and started singing Happy Birthday.  It was really sweet.

Why Jovie Cries

Today, Jovie spent the afternoon with the Smith's while we were at work.  She was a little weepy during the afternoon.  This evening, I was asking her about her day, and I asked if she had fun at the Smiths.  She said yes, but then she said, "I cried."  I asked her why she cried, and she said "You weren't there.  I was worried."  I said "What were you worried about?"  She answered, "I thought you were lost."

 

Weekend with the Rozelles

We spent the weekend in NJ with the Rozelles.  Although it's a much more reasonable car ride than the rest of our family (about three hours), Jovie really doesn't like any extended time in the car.  Which I assume is how most toddlers feel.

We drove around the time of her nap, hoping she would crash.  Instead, she was so excited that she didn't sleep but was very tired and cranky.  I was giving her snacks, and soon she began demanding one after another, and at a pretty unreasonable pace.  So, I started to slow down/cut her off.  Soon, she was in the backseat demanding "I want sumpin' else!  I want sumpin' else!"  The demands became louder and more frequent, and soon she was on the edge of a temper tantrum.  So, I told her if she didn't stop shouting that, I would turn off her music and we would sit quietly.  She quieted down.

A couple minutes later, I hear this soft little sing-song voice in the backseat, talking to herself saying, "I wish I had sumpin' else..."

Once we arrived, it was all fun and games, playing with cousins, eating really yummy meals, and hanging out. A great, low-key weekend hanging out with people we love!  Here are some pictures.  (Not pictured is the fact that my sister treated me to a facial!  A couple hours at a spa, working out without any interruptions, a nice shower, lovely relaxation room, amazing facial- what an afternoon!)

February 28, 2014

Just hanging out- we love it

March 1, 2014

Watching Annie's basketball game

We're pretty sure this made an impression.  About a week later, I was getting Jovie after she woke up from a nap at home.  Periodically, I ask her what she dreamed about.  I often get pretty vague answers, or she tells me what she wants to do next.  but this time, she told me she dreamed that she was playing basketball like Anna, blowing the whistle and that she will "play basketball in five years".

 Snuggles after the game 

 Chic-fil-a celebration, because Anna made a basket!  And in the last game of the season- way to go!

 Jovie also loves Chic-fil-a.  Let's be honest- we were all a little psyched that Anna earned a Chic-fil-a lunch

 Snuggles on the couch later with Molly

 A DELICIOUS grilled salmon meal

 March 2, 2014

Being silly with Uncle Jeff

 La Vita's dollar slice for lunch

After lunch, knowing Jovie's intense love for candy, Uncle Jeff suggested we walk down the street to the local candy store.  When we arrived, they were leaving for the day, even though they were technically open another hour.  The impending weather (a snowstorm destined to come that night) was keeping everyone away.  They quite sweetly re-opened for us.  While we were making and eating our selections, at least two other families came to purchase some sweets, so I felt a little better.  And a little vindicated.

 Say, "Candy!"

 Shortly after, we drove home.  Jovie (and Howie) pooped out almost immediately.  What a fun weekend.