In Jenna's World

Jenna and I have some of the best talks while she is delaying bedtime. Tonight, we rehashed the gender of all bodies in our household:

Jenna: "JoJo is not a boy. JoJo is a girl."
Me: "Yes"
Jenna: "Wrigley is a girl, too."
Me: "Yes"
Jenna: "And you are girl. Only Jacob is a boy."
Me: "And Daddy."
Jenna: "Grandpa Kelley is Grandpa Kelley."
Me: "Yes, he is boy."
Jenna: "He wears black shoes."
Jenna: "And a white coat."
Jenna: "And a floppy hat. He loves floppy hats."


Then silence.

Wickiup Hill

Scott recently went with Jacob's class on a field trip to the Wickiup Hill Learning and Nature Center. They had so much fun that we decided to make a family outing there. The area is quiet and peaceful. There is a modern building that houses some neat exhibits about wildlife and native life in the Midwest.

We were also lucky enough to visit on a day when a conservation group was netting and banding birds. They were finishing up when we stumbled upon them. We were the only ones there so they let Jacob release the birds. He got to hold and release a chickadee and 3 downy woodpeckers. It was an awesome experience.

I just can't believe that this place is practically in our backyard and this was our first trip...First of many!!

Below are some pictures of our adventures through the exhibits and also with the birds:

Jacob in a turtle shell

Turtle Peek-a-boo

Catching critters

 

Got one!!

Like ants on a log

Giant buck shot by Scott's friend and donated to Wickiup Hill. Really cool!

In a "bald eagle nest"

Making dinner like a Native American and incorporating a pattern

Learning about watershed and pollution

Busy saving the flooded houses

Running the dam

Learning how to hold the first woodpecker

 

Jenna wanted to touch and hold one so badly but she just didn't have the courage

Little chickadee

There it goes!

Last woodpecker...He's a pro now!

What a fun day!!

Love These Faces

Just because...

 

 

 

Jenna Strums

Below is a medley of clips of Jenna playing the guitar that Jacob got for Christmas. The first clip is her rendition of some favorites, including "Jenny Come Home" (also one of Aunt Megan's favorites). The second video is an original spin-off of "Jenny Come Home" called the "Ladybug Song". She is so cute (and loud) that I could just squeeze her!!

For context, here is the original of James Taylor singing "Jenny Come Home" on Sesame Street....You're welcome, May-May.

We Need Spring

I am sure you all feel this way, but I believe anyone with small children have the greatest desire for warmer weather. I know that we have exhausted all indoor games and activities.

We have resorted to...(and even this cannot be done without fighting)

Field Trip Fun

I had the opportunity to accompany Jacob's class on their latest field trip - Bowling. While we all admit it wasn't necessarily educational, it was necessary to break-up the long January.

All of the kids did very well and I am very proud of Jacob. He got a 77 which was the second highest score out of his class of 17 (highest was an 83). He also got a spare in the 10th frame and was the only one that got to throw the coveted third ball!!

Most importantly, all of the kids were well behaved and had a lot of fun!

Jenna in Public

When Jacob was Jenna's age (and even to this day), he was so shy that we never had to worry about him saying things in public. Instead, he would lean over to one of us and whisper what he was thinking which gave us an opportunity to squash anything inappropriate.

Jenna, on the other hand, blurts whatever she is thinking as soon as it comes into her cute little head. So far, her comments have been fairly tame, but she always manages to catch me off guard.

Last night, we all went to Subway for dinner and to just get out of the house. As Scott and I were having a conversation, he happened to let a curse word slip. Without missing a beat, Jenna yells "Don't say 'sh&t'! That's a dumb word!!"

Shortly after that, a little girl came in with her Dad and she was wearing a winter hat that looked like a chicken. Promptly Jenna exclaims "that girl has a chicken head!". Again, harmless, but very loud!

This could get interesting. At least she is cute...see...

Weekend Fun

Jacob decided that we would go bowling on Saturday. There was only one alley with open lanes. It happened to be the alley where Scott and I met. It was a great feeling to be back with our little family.

It didn't take long for Jacob to get in his rhythm. Jenna even tried, but since we had the lane for an hour, we had to give her a little "help" getting it down the lane. Her attention only lasted about 6 frames but she spent the rest of the time cheering for all of us.

 

 

 

 

Then Sunday was a low-key stay at home day. Jenna took the opportunity to "gate" Josie. Josie is a very good sport.

She told me those were her handcuffs

Christmas Card

Now that our Christmas card has been sent, I would like to share the progress of pictures that resulted in the perfect combination.

As a note, I did not prompt either child to pose or make "faces". They are just that cute and creative.

P.S. I love digital cameras.