Water Fun Day

We had a super fun Mom and Tots at our house on Saturday. We broke out the baby pool and borrowed a slip-n-side and a sprinkler. It was a perfect summer play date.

The mommies are Robin, Melanie and Cary. The little bits are Jack, Anna, Josiah, Margaret and Caroline.

Jack and Anna checking out the pool.

Doing a little sunbathing. By the by, when I got Josiah up from his nap, the first thing he said was, "Pool?" When I was getting him in his swimsuit, I told him that Jack and Anna were outside. He said "Nana?", which is what he calls Aunt Anna. I had to clarify that it was a baby named Anna.

Jack stockpiling the boats.

Josiah wondering what Mama is doing.

Enjoying the "water slide"

Margaret moving up in the world

Then we broke out the sprinkler. Josiah loved it. He just stood there for 10 minutes, watching the stream go back and forth. I had to grab him and make him run through it with me a few times.

Then we did hooked up the slip-n-slide. The boys didn't fully get the gist of running and jumping, but they still thought it was really fun. And by the way, I was the one who demonstrated how to run and jump on the slide. I'm glad no one caught that on camera! It's only been 20 years or so since I've done that, but it was pretty fun and the boys were tickled watching me do it.

Daredevil Jack really got into sliding with a few pushes from his mom.

"Hi friend!"

I finally remembered to bring out the popsicles! This was Josiah's first popsicle, and he loved it.

The Cherry ladies: Cary, Margaret and Caroline

Caroline really liked her popsicle!

Living Room Makeover

Notice anything different in our living room? Mom picked up the brown sofa for a steal at the charity where she works. We were hesitant for a while because we weren't sure it would look right, but now that it's here we really love it. So we saw farewell to my grandmother's 50+ year couch. Mom and Dad also recently redid their living room furniture and brought over the yellow chair, which is so cushy and comfy. Last Christmas, Mom also got us the end table with the a two-layer cover. The top didn't look right with the navy couch and plaid chair, so we just used the plain layer. But with the new furniture, the floral cover looks perfect. Thanks, Mom, for a beautiful new remodel!
Since I know that's way more info than most of needed about our house decor, I made Josiah model with the new look. He thought his toys were a nice touch.

Josiah also got a bit of living remodel (considering that's where he normally plays). I picked up this Little People bus at a yard sale, and Josiah LOVES it. In the past few months, he's really gotten into playing with characters (dogs, people) and making them interact with his cars and trucks. It's cute to see him be creative.

For my memory bank, a good part of my day is spent watching him roll these vehicles. He's very insistent that I (or whoever is in the room) affirm what he's doing or saying. So he says "ackum", "da", "choo-choo,"ma" or "babay" about 50 times a day. That's truck, car, train, man and baby respectively, for those not familiar with Josiah's lingo. Sometimes he gets upset if he says "ackum," but I don't say specifically what kind of truck (cement, fire, semi, etc.). He does have a different word now for bulldozer and backhoe in his books. He also specifically remembers a certain set of cars were given to him by Mimi. He says Mimi each time he plays with them.

Father's Day Weekend

Pop and Nana came in town last weekend for Father's Day (I'm a little behind, huh?). They babysat Josiah for us on Saturday night, so Jonathan and I could go to an interview dinner. Jonathan was on call for his birthday and Father's Day, but we ended up bringing him a cookie cake and cookies for him and his coworkers.

Pop helping with Josiah's shoes.

Nose!

Nana's nose

Sugar attack!

Sweet picture with a wiggly boy.

On Father's Day, we went to church, ate lunch at Bogue's and hung out watching golf and Josiah.

Mayotte Baby Shower

Our small group threw a baby shower for our leaders, Steve and Daria. They're expecting a baby boy in August, and we're all so excited for them.

Rebekah was in charge of decor, and she did an awesome job.

Fun ribbons hanging from the chandelier. So simple, yet so festive and pretty.

Cute little cupcakes flags. I made the cupcakes specifically so she could make these flags!

Cute paper lanterns. If you want to see some more of Rebekah's amazing ideas, check out her blogazine, Honeysuckle Life.

The expectant couple. They've led our group so well, and we're been blessed by their passion for serving Christ and the way they love and care for each of us.

Part of our wonderful group. We are so encouraged by these guys!

Kenzie and Kevin

Our small group mascot. We don't know why he got out the earphones, but perhaps he's trying to warn Steve and Daria: "You guys are going to need these in a few months! Babies are loud!"

Having a heart to heart with Dad. Perhaps discussing how he won't be the sole center of attention at our small group gatherings anymore.

Frank and Bekah. We're savoring the time we have left with these guys as they're heading to Nicaragua soon.

Opening the gifts

The whole group, minus me taking the picture.

We normally split into guys and girls, so we had to get a picture of just the gals. The guys didn't care to take a group picture...huh.

Happy Birthday, SuperDad!

To my SuperDad,

From Josiah

With my SuperDad, I take on super-human powers. I'm able to fly - up, up and away!

We unveil important scientific discoveries.


Together, we conquer gigantic tasks, like mowing the entire lawn and defeating the evil weeds that lie within it.

Sometimes all this action requires a high speed car chase.

SuperDad also protects me from roaring, sandy monsters and holds me when I get scared.

Then he helps me soar to new heights!

After a busy day of fighting crime and helping innocent civilians, SuperDad and I take a rest.

Happy Birthday and Father's Day! I love you!

Josiah Loves Books

Everyday it surprises me how much Josiah loves to have a book read to him. If he's not rolling cars/trucks/trains/ambulances, he's reading. It's the most precious thing in the world to have the little guy come run up to and say "Bak. Cheeeese..." (He says Cheese for Please, and he says it really sweet and long. I've got to get a good one on video.) He brings you the book and either backs up and sits in your lap or parks himself on the floor next to you.

It always surprises me the length of books he'll sit still for. I have come to realize that it depends on the content of the book. For a train book, he'll sit still for a 50-page book, but for other subject matter he's not quite as patient.

We love going to the library and stocking up on books - almost too many! It's nice to have some variety. The pic below is just our library books. We even signed up for the summer reading program. Josiah goes and brings his reading list up to the librarian and pulls his puzzle pieces and finds his prize. It's really cute.

By the way, the way that Josiah learned the word "sweet" was because I shouted it very loudly when our first book arrived from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. If you haven't signed your preschooler up, you should! You have to have an affiliate sponsor in your area, and they send you a free book every month until your child turns five. I've heard some people say they weren't fans of some of the books, but hey it's free!
Our first one was The Little Engine That Could, which was one of my favorites as a kid, thus my excitement at receiving it. Plus it's about a train, so you know Josiah likes it! His other favorites are Thomas the Train books, Clifford, anything with cars/trucks/trains/contruction vehicles or anything with dogs. I definitely seek out those topics at the library. My mommy favorites are I Love You Stinky Face, No Matter What, Read Aloud Bible Stories and Jesus Storybook Bible.

Smorgasbord

Here's a collection of random pictures and videos from the past few weeks.

We had our last day watching baby Alexis before we left for vacation. Josiah will miss having all those fun toys around. He actually got upset when I'd put Alexis in the Bumbo!

We were at Wal-Mart with Erin getting free ice cream, and there were two fire trucks outside. We hit the jackpot! One of the firemen said we could look inside. Josiah was very fascinated.

Jonathan and Josiah were hanging out while I was working on the computer. I heard some serious giggling, so I had to check it out. Jonathan discovered Josiah can balance himself on the counter top.

The other night we broke out the baby pool again and positioned the slide so it went into the pool. Talk about raising the fun quotient! Afterward we ate on the back porch: hot dogs, broccoli salad and baked beans. Summer time indeed.

This video is from our lunch with Uncle Rusty and Aunt Marisa. It's a good glimpse into the hilarity of Uncle Rusty.

Here is a sweet one of Nana reading to Josiah. I love seeing his reactions; I'm normally the one reading to him, so I don't get to see his face.

Here's Josiah saying "Sweet." Random words he's learned recently: awful, axes, Google and peace. He learned "peace" after hearing part of President Obama's Cairo speech broadcast on NPR. Seriously.