Summer Memories For Josi-Bear

Things you say that make us smile:

"Nice to MEET you!"

"Mommy, can we pray for that guy?" (when passing random people in the car)

"Do you want to join me?"

"I got a “froat” in my mouth." (instead of “frog in my throat”)

"Put your heart over your hand." (in a patriotic moment)

(in a VERY intense, quiet voice) "I'm gonna tell you secret. When we wake up from our nap, we're going to...." (various destinations)

"I have another option." (when given the choice between two things that you don't like)

Favorite songs to sing:

Itsy Bitsy Spider is still your most requested song.

Joshua fought the battle of jerichO, jerichO jerichO…(your favorite on the bible tape we listen to in the car)

Old man river, that old man river…he must know somethin’, but he don’t say nuthin…(papa sings this to you. you sing a short version, daddy gets a kick out of how hard you try to hit the high notes)

Names you've given your animals and baby dolls:

Sylvia (raggedy ann doll)
Noni bear
Lion
Bear
Grommit (this is one of your favorite names -- you've suggested it for your baby brother or sister)
Nonnit (a close second to Grommit)
T-Shawn

Summer happenings:

We had lots of fun on your 2nd birthday! Mommy and Daddy’s gift to you was a big inflatable princess castle bouncer in the backyard. You weren’t too sure about jumping in it, but you let daddy and papa hold you and jump in there with you. The kids all had fun, but the adults seemed to enjoy it even more! Grandma Jeanne made a cute baseball bat cake and you requested pizza, so that’s what we had. It was a nice 4th of July celebration with lots of family and friends.

We entertained guests from france in early august – mommy’s French teacher from college, Meg, and her family – Pierre, Jeanne (B.J.) and Ann Ducom.we took them to the Deanna Rose Farmstead and you, Gammi and Papa took them to the Royals game on a Friday night where everyone had a blast and didn’t get to bed ‘til midnight! You and the girls had so much fun playing dress-up and blowing bubbles together, too.

Other fun Royals games: We took your favorite priest, Father Tony, on a Friday night with Gammi and Papa
and we were invited to join Uncle Carl in his awesome suite on a Sunday afternoon!

You took a little vacation to Gammi and Papa’s for 3 days while mom and dad chilled out a bit. You played with your “camper” (a favorite toy that includes two little girls going camping with their sleeping bags. you named them “charli and suzie.”) You made great gram smile. You also spent hours in the swing papa hung up for you, as usual.

You had some nice visits with Grandma Jeanne and Grandpa Carl too! They're still among your favorite babysitters -- always bringing you fun socks from their travels and entertaining you for hours. We visited LV when the Haas family was here and you warmed right up to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Raleigh. They brought a Dora memory game for your birthday, which you instantly loved.

Other favorite summer activities have included hanging out with neighbor David and his mom Gerilyn, picking tomatoes from mommy’s lame tomato crop in the garden), getting to know Logan Vanecek (his family just moved to town – his mom introduced your mom and dad to each other a long time ago!), visiting the Jessups in Blue Springs to hang out with cousin charli (of course!) , playing with your “gator golf” set and playing with any kind of ball outside. You love to collect sticks and acorns and give them to people.


We're planning to go to Riverfest this weekend in Leavenworth and have a slumber party at Grandma and Grandpa's house. You're sure to have a blast with your Aunt Sue and Uncle Doug, Gma and Gpa D.


Favorite books right now:
The Princess and Fairy books Uncle Doug and Aunt Sue gave you.
Each Peach Pear Plum (from our French guests)
Dora’s Sharing Day
Blue’s Clues (something about tomato soup)
Dr. Seuss books at Gammi and Papa’s

Daddy has taken you on quite a few TCBY dates. You two are definitely ice cream buddies.

You’ve really gotten into princesses (and your mom was a tomboy!) You like to use your magic wand to turn mommy into a princess and then have me turn you into a princess. Here’s a typical conversation:

Josi (as fairy godmother with wand): Bibbity-bobbity-BOO!
I turned you into a princess!
Mommy: Can I have a purple dress?

Josi: No, I’m sorry, we’re out. We only have pink.

You love to be helpful. Offering people water bottles, tissues, or a bite of whatever you’re eating.

You are just starting to use the potty, but we have a little way to go.
Your incentive is always that you can wear a princess “pull-up” if you go.

You’re not really into swimming. We haven’t visited a pool all summer! Hopefully next year. We DID go miniature golfing for the first time. Daddy showed you a few things. You used your putter for about 3 holes and then just ran around and picked up our balls while we were playing.

You have an incredible memory and an ability to recognize things you've only seen a few times before.
You are a definite observer - often stepping away from the others in a group to just watch and soak things in.
You're quite independent and you have a sweet nature. One of my favorite things you do is to spontaneously tell us you love us. We couldn't feel more blessed.