interesting seat

 

loving perrin

 

georgetown cupcake

Did I need one more reason to hope Perrin would head to Georgetown for school? No, but glorious Georgetown Cupcake provided one! After escorting Perrin to class on campus (she was able to sit in on a college class) Deb, Hugh and I snuck over to purchase some cupcakes. I had seen the show but had never tasted one of their cupcakes. How good could they be? To DIE for!! I have never tasted something better. We got together that evening with my mom and brother so we could all sample many different flavors. Even the power being out didn't stop us from enjoying them by candlelight.

 

 

us naval academy

 

 

Our family obviously has a great connection with the academy. It was bittersweet touring the yard knowing that my dad would have loved to be there with us. But it was so awesome to have the opportunity to sneak down to the lower chapel where my parents wed. And then we topped off our visit with lunch with Oma at The Alley.

pizza dinner

 

 

 

american university

 

We enjoyed touring AU especially the beautiful new International Studies building which would be where Perrin would spend a great deal of time should she go there. Although after a tour of the dorms, we gave the school the moniker Stink U or Pee U. Gross!

valentine cookies

The Kriskos arrived in town to tour some Maryland and DC universities for Perrin's future studies. And my sister brought some decadent homemade cookies for us -- shouldn't she start a business making these?

 

georgetown university

What a way to kick off the college tours. I loved Georgetown! And lucky for me I think Perrin did too. I offered to come room with her. Who doesn't want their auntie living with them at college?

 

ring around rosy

Tyler's new favorite song.

valentine's day

 

valentine's day prep

Boy do the Campbells like to bake! Tyler is an excellent baker's assistant.

 

fro-yo

Tyler earned a trip to the fro-yo shop by getting enough stars with good behavior. And the rest of the family was along for the ride. Yummy!

 

acheww

Today was an especially frigid day with temps reaching freezing for a high. So it was just a little chillier in the house than normal and to add to it, the kids ate cold yogurt for breakfast. Tyler started saying, "I have a cold, I have a cold." I told him that he was using the expression incorrectly. I explained it and Jenna mimicked me saying, "BRRRRR!" while shaking her shoulders. So cute.

We loaded into the car on our way to leave and Tyler kept up with it, "I have a cold." Then he added the words (not the sound of sneezing mind you!), "Acheww... Acheww... Acheww." I think the second explanation finally sunk in. I think. :)

shhh!

Jenna has learned the art of the shush! First time I was saying something and she put her index finger up to her mouth and made the proper shush sound. Second time, Tyler asked that I sing to him on the way home from daycare. Jenna was fine with Twinkle, Twinkle, but as soon as I dared to try something else she broke out the shushes again!

no worries

There is an Australian phrase that I heard once and adopted into my vernacular: no worries! I heard Tyler use it today in a conversation with Jenna!

happy birthday chase

The Desjardins know how to party! A petting zoo in your basement? So much fun!

 

 

 

out of the crib, bump!

Jenna was standing in her crib and calling to get out. Just as I entered her room to take her out, Tyler urgently called to me from his room. Shortly after I went to assist him, I heard a thud and cry from Jenna's room. My girl decided to scale the crib on her own with not-so-great results. Thankfully she was more startled than injured.

Later in the day Alex mentioned it, and I realized I had forgotten all about Jenna's early morning fall. Alex said that is what happens with the second child -- you relax a little about each bump and bruise.

directions

Tyler asked to direct Alex on the drive home by telling him when he should be making turns. Without any assistance, Tyler directed them from daycare to home with no troubles!

purse

Jenna is now getting to the really important words such as PURSE! She said the word and then tried to bring my purse to me.

happy birthday oma, part II

The celebrations don't end! On this night we headed to Chevy's in Annapolis for a birthday dinner in my mom's honor. Lynnette, Brian, Fariba, Teresa and Dev made it a fun party. And balloon animals to boot?!

 

 

 

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hard head

Thankfully Jenna seems to have a hard head. In the past week she has had a string of head injuries including:

- collision with another kid's head at daycare
- the infamous silverware drawer incident
- she opened her play kitchen microwave door which clocked her forehead
- Alex didn't realize she was right behind him and opened the refrigerator door into her face
- she fell in the kitchen and skinned her top lip on the floor
- she slipped off the step in the livingroom and clocked her ear/head on the marble floor
- she sprinted toward an older kid at daycare right as he was doing a basketball move and ended up colliding her forehead with his heel

We are finished with head injuries! This is too much.

happy birthday to oma

The best birthday present my mom received was a visit from her longtime friend, Lynnette. As a Christmas present to Lynnette, her kids arranged for her time off and trip to Maryland. We were thrilled to have her join us for the celebrations and loved hearing some good stories. We also treated my mom to brunch and a dark chocolate cake. Sinful!

 

 

 

two, two, two

Jenna is counting. However, right now she is very consistent--each item is "two."

happy birthday matilda

 

 

snow storm + 1 day = snow fun

 

 

victoria's secret

Tyler is obsessed with my VS catalog. He giggles and stares with delight. Age four just seems a little young!

drawer mishap

Tyler was setting the table for dinner. He had fully extended the silverware drawer and was standing by the kitchen table with Jenna and me. Suddenly, Jenna took off like a bolt of lightning headed directly for the drawer. I screamed for her to stop which didn't slow her a bit. BAM! Her forehead collided with the side of the drawer effectively clothes lining her. She was running with such speed that her feet flew out from underneath her and she splatted on the floor hitting the back of her head on the hardwood floor. Poor baby. Luckily she ended up with only two small bumps which subsided quickly. Then while eating dinner she sought sympathy saying, "I got heeerrttt!"

dinner at damon's

 

pick up artist

Alex usually picks the kids up from daycare. He never seems to have any issues, but each time I have done it recently while he's out of town, Jenna seems to be really upset with me. So much so that she almost starts to cry when she sees me at the door. Then she whimpers, no, no, dada. Dada! So I think to myself, don't take it personally; she loves her daddy and her routines.

Then I figured out the secret! As I'm putting Jenna in her carseat, she keeps yelling Na, Na. And she is very adamant. Finally she says Sna! From that I figured out that she was asking for a snack. As soon as I ask her, do you want a snack? she stops crying and nods her head yes. Apparently Daddy brings them fruit snacks each time he comes to get the kids. So now I show up with fruit snacks and I'm welcomed with open arms. She has us wrapped around her little finger!