closing doors, opening new ones

This day was a very difficult one. My mom and I paid our respects to the Dawson family at the memorial service for Mr. Bill Dawson. He had sailed many times with my father and the service surfaced much pain of missing my own father. But it was nice to see so many old faces and I am very thankful that my mom was able to attend as well.

On our way to and from the service in Georgetown, we saw so many beautiful homes and especially doors.

 

 

 

got my eye on you

side by side

affirmative

Jenna says: yay, sure (excitedly), and now okay! Tyler was so impressed when she added the last one.

what is that sticking out of your body mommy?

This could have gone in many different directions, but thankfully Tyler was only pointing to my... collarbone. He was satisfied once I showed him that my collarbone let's me shrug my shoulders and then I showed him that he could do it too.

all dressed

Tyler fully dressed himself before leaving his room this morning. He was so proud of himself!

hamming it up with daddy

The kids stayed home with Daddy today while daycare was closed. No end to the fun.

 

 

superhero run

I LOVE the way Jenna runs. She mostly stays on her tiptoes and she puts her arms back behind her almost as though they were a cape. It is just so precious to watch.

sharing four

I'm sure that I have blogged about this before, but Tyler has two favorite blankets. His "green ones," which he dubbed "Four" and "Five" are a staple accessory for him and one of his worst punishments is to be separated from them. This setup explains the magnitude of his generosity when his baby sister was upset and he offered her Four for comfort. I'm not sure I have ever been more proud of him.

sharing his green one

Can you believe it? This was the first time that I can recall Tyler sharing his prized green one with his sister!

suave v. clown

 

just chill

showers

Tyler decided that he wanted to take a shower rather than a bath! He was a bit timid of the water at first but now he's a showering fool.

kisses and hugs

Jenna carefully doles out her hugs and kisses. This day she gave me a kiss on the lips (usually she offers her cheek to you). Her hugs are now big squeezes which always feel so good.

director in the making

I love when kids use words that you wouldn't expect. (So long as they are nice words.) Tyler was telling me about something he told Jenna to do, but his exact words were, "I directed Jenna to..."

best friends

Tyler asked Jenna if she would be his best friend. Her response: Sure! Later they danced in a circle and sang Ring Around the Rosie.

trike

Tyler didn't quite master his tricycle moves before the cold settled in last fall. This spring we have made a point of really working on the technique only trouble is that he's nearly too big for the tricycle already! But he's agile enough to make due and can now whiz around with few troubles.

poopy?

"Jenna are you poopy?" Jenna: "No thank you."

soccer man

 

 

 

uncle dylan time

 

 

visiting mommy's office

jenna's numbers

Jenna loves to count. She has now branched out to most numbers under ten, but not necessarily in the right order.

When I count to three as most parents do when they want something done, I'll say, "ONE!" and then I hear a little voice, "twoooo!" I still haven't made up my mind if it is an educational practice of just Jenna mocking me.

i love you!

Jenna said that wonderful phrase this morning: I love you! Actually is sounded more like "i ooove you" since Ls are still a bit troublesome for her, but it was still crystal clear to all of us.

tyter or tiger

Jenna says Tyler's name much more clearly now but she has troubles with Ls so her two versions of his name come out, Ty-ter or Tiger. So cute!

no, no, no

Jenna is full of fresh attitude. I have no idea where she gets it! :) Recently I told her something that she didn't agree with and she wagged her pointer finger at me and said "no, no, no!" Don't you hate when they learn too well from you?

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.