Don't feed Johnders

Jacqueline is a conduit of human food to Johnders. All toddlers feed dogs, right? Well what happens when Jacqueline has a snack. 

She hands part of it to Johnders. You catch her and you tell her to stop, "Don't feed Johnders." She looks at you and says "Alright." You emphasize "It's your food, not his." She looks you in the eye and very directly says "Okay."

Modern Family 11/20/13

Lily: "She's a mess." (she's talking about Cam)
Mitchell: "Gurl!"

Later witness a conversation between Cam & Mitchell while they're visiting Cam's family farm in country.
Lily: "Y'all fighting?" (picked up local language quickly!)

It is the little things!

It is the little things that the kids do that make me smile.

It's when Jacqueline goes to the table to get her napkin while she's eating or when she turns her plate so that the food is closer to her. 

It is when Julia goes to a book that has the word she's trying to spell in the title or when Julia puts her socks in her shoes and puts her shoes in the pantry next to each other when you realize that you're doing something right as a parent. 

It is these little things that you can enjoy when no one else is around.

Jumping Jacqueline

Jacqueline has learned the pleasures of jumping. It's that toddler jump where they usually don't leave the ground but every once and awhile they do. She loves doing it. She does it all the time and in all locations. She laughs through the whole process making it absolutely adorable.

Today I saw her brain click in another way. She jumped in an effort to reach something. She has been climbing up on things for awhile so I knew she understands that sometimes you need help to reach up high.  To see her jump showed me that there's a whole other thing going on in her head.

Chocolate for sale!

PTO Fundraising time ...  chocolate candy bars on sale for InglewoodES PTO

Quick synopsis

$1 per candy bar

5 flavors - milk chocolate, milk chocolate almond, dark chocolate almond, crispy rice, caramel

They'll make great stocking stuffers (if they last another 4-5 weeks in your house!).

Each bar has a coupon for Pizza Hut. What a deal!

If we sell a box of 60 bars, Julia gets prize - popcorn & movie party.

We're not aiming for Top Seller prizes.

You can email Tara (djtj81@comcast.net) or Jai (bmitd67@gmail.com) if you're interested. 

Thanks! Have a great day!

Update: we sold 3 boxes - 180 bars of chocolate!!! Unbelievable!
Most sold to people at church & Tara's school. Thanks for the support!

White Bunny White & latest funny Julia moments

This is the name of 1 of Julia's animal friends (or children as she calls them!).
First, middle, last names ...
Yep, got to love the mind of an almost 5 year old. Hilarious!

She was just telling me about how her older children don't get in trouble ... with her & her husband, Andy.
Actually I learned this morning that Andy died, not sure of cause of death.

"Where did my purse go? I've been searching all over for it?"
I just heard that comment.

This purse was in package sent by Susie from when I helped clean & organize S's closet in Phoenix during Fall Break. There were 2 black purses, 1 we thought was for Julia, cute little one with broken zipper so perfect for her, 1 for me possibly. Not to be the case! The 1 for Julia is now Jacqueline's & Julia likes the one earmarked for me. It's OK, I don't need another purse.

Another funny comment we've heard lately.
"I'm her second mother." She's referring to Jacqueline.
Luckily I'm considered first mother.
I guess this is good that I'm still #1.

She's playing the piano spontaneously (she's pretty good!) and sings "I really miss Trenton ... he chases me until he gets tired. I wish I could see Trenton ... I love to learn ... every single day, all my life!"

Trenton is 10 year old friend from church. She played with him & bunch of other boys at Montgomery Bell State Park camping trip in early October.

Richard Stands

Julia is becoming indoctrinated to the ways of American citizenship and is memorizing a new version of the "Pledge of Allegiance".

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

And to the Republic for RICHARD STANDS...

I explained that is should be "for which it stands" but she said she was gonna say Richard Stands anyway.

NYC's new First Lady ... Go Wellesley!

Chirlane McCray is married to new mayor of NYC. She also is a graduate of Wellesley College.

After reading this article (link below), she sounds like an incredible person.

Link: http://www.billdeblasio.com/meet-the-de-blasios/about-chirlane

Aesop's Fables Puppet Show at Main NPL

Ugh, I really dislike it when I find an old post with nothing written yet, not even a few words to tease my memory of what I thought I might write. This one was dated in June, it is now November. Come on, Tara!
I'm I was going to write something about us attending this program. It was great! I am continually impressed with the quality of storytelling performances at NPL. They are entertaining for children AND adults!

I found myself chuckling at parts that most kids didn't understand. We also participated in Summer Reading Program and attending a program counts just as reading a whole book does. Fun activity to do, especially if it's too hot for outside activity or you're tired of going to pool another day (yeah, I know, not really my problem as my kids & I love water!).

Summer seems like a far away memory, but the great part is that puppet show performances happen fairly often. Unfortunately I'm not able to attend once school is in session, but Jai has taken Jacqueline a few times this semester. If you've never gone, GO!! : )