22 Months

I just realized I never posted Jewell's 23 month stats. So here we go. Jewell you turned 23 months in April let's see what you have been up to.

You are really becoming your own personality. You have grown out of your baby stage and into a little toddler. 

You weight right at 30 pounds. You wear a size 2t, size 5 shoe and size 5 diaper. Your still love your baths. Well you just love being in any kind of water, the pool, the ocean, the sprinkler or just pouring water on yourself, lol makes you happy.

You can get up early or sleep in late. Your bedtime is still around 8:30. Sometimes your out like a light and sometimes you stay up late. I've never really had a problem with any sleeping situations. You never cry or scream out when I tuck you in. In fact you love bedtime so much that I put you in your crib, you lay your little head on the pillow and you like when I pull the blanket up and tuck it in all around you. You like to sleep with mom and dad every now and then but you really prefer your own bed. Jolee sleeps in the big bed next to you and you like that. If you wake up early in the morning you will take a morning nap and if you sleep in late you will take a late afternoon nap and if you miss your naps all together you are screaming for the bed by 7pm. 

Your eating habits are not the best. You like every carb to man kind. Meat (besides a chicken nugget) is not your favorite and vegetables or any type, noodle or egg product, well you can forget about it. Though I try at every meal to give you what we are eating, you just flat out resist and will rather go to bed hungry then eat something you don't like. One of your favorite dinner time meals is a mashed up avocado with crackers, apple sauce or fruit and a piece of butter bread.  It's funny how the things I craved during pregnancy are the things she loves and the things I had an adversion to she won't eat. I blame it on the pregnancy hormones.

You are very adaptable. You go with the flow but Lord when you don't want to do something you definitely let us know. 

You are definitely a girl who knows what she likes. You have no problem saying, no, yuck, eww, I don't like it, or I scared. You also let me know when you like something by saying mmmm, It's good and I like it. You know you can get away with just about anything. Your the little baby sister and I think you know it! You are sweet, lovable, love to hug and cuddle but you don't like strangers and can be a bit shy when you are around someone you don't really know. You like to warm up to people otherwise you hid your face and won't talk to them. 

You can be very feisty and can put up a fight especially with your sisters. You tell them, No!, I scared, stop it, don't do that, go away, get away but are sweet and like to cuddle with them, kiss them and will say I love you.

You are very smart. You can count to ten, you know some of your colors, you know some of your shapes, you learn ALOT from your sisters and watching cartoons. I credit your sisters for teaching you everything you know. You just sit and watch them and you will learn from them. You can say just about anything, you repeat very well and you can do just about anything. 

You are such a light in all of our eyes. You light up a room and are such a joy to be around. You have made these last 2 years so fun for all of us. I can't wait to see what the future holds for you. We love watching you grow up! If only the hands of time would slow down. 

School’s Out For Summer

 I can’t believe another year has passed of school for these girls. They have officially finished six grade and second grade. Look how much they have grown up and just one little year. It blows my mind how quick these years are going by. The hands of time need to slow down just a little bit.

Jaina had a great year in school. She did a lot of awesome things. I remember how nervous she was on the first day of junior high in the new school. Now she’s like a pro she’s going to go into seventh grade with no problems at all. She made the AB honor roll, Made her first science fair project, completed her first year in band, played some volleyball, And enjoyed her first year in athletics. I would say she had a great six grade year. We are so proud of her.

Jolee had an awesome year in second grade. We are so proud of her. She made all good grades this year. She made the AB honor roll. She enjoyed I hear of fun with her friends, she enjoyed her teacher, She earned for AR tags in reading this year, buying her lunch from the school cafeteria and taking advantage of ice cream day, she enjoyed her field trips And riding on the school bus.

Wednesday was their last day of school. They got up so excited knowing it was their last day. They had some donuts for breakfast and then off on the school bus for their last day.

Each year I have wrote the girls a note on congratulating them for finishing another year of school. I also get them a little summertime gift to start the summer off. Just a way of making them feel special and excited to start the summer without having to go to school every day.

I got Jaina a nightgown, some facemasks and some summertime make up. Just a little something.

I got Jolee a night gown, some face masks and a fun little cup to drink out of this summer.

ZDT’s Trip

About a month or so ago Jolee had spring pictures.  The weather this past spring was so unpredictable cold one day hot the next day, you never knew what we would wake up to. This particular day outside it was going to be warm in the afternoon but it was chilly in the morning. Jolee always likes to take a sweater or jacket with her to class because she says her teacher keeps the classroom so cold. So I sent her in a cute little dress she had and a light sweater I told her before she took the pictures to make sure and take her sweater off. Well she definitely took the sweater off but instead of leaving it in the classroom she took it with her and wrapped it around her neck like a scarf, Ha ha ha ha ha. I had to chuckle at the picture. I I asked her what happened and she said she wanted to wear her sweater like scarf around her neck for the pictures. The picture still turned out super cute and I loved it. I would definitely say this girl has her own style! 

Jaina had her first band trip a couple of weeks ago in Seguin. Seguin is about 2 1/2 hours away. The competition was at a place called ZDT’s. ZDT is a small amusement park. She said when they got there they played two songs and then after that they had the rest of the day to play in the park and ride on all the rides. She said it was a fun day for her and her friends at school.

Nap time on the bus ride home.

These two girls are two peas in a pod. 

They sure do love each other 

❤️

Girl Scout Camp Day

 This past weekend Jolee was supposed to have her Girl Scout overnight trip at White Flint park. She was so so excited. They were going to sleep In a cabin in their sleeping bags. The leader had so many crafts and things for them to do, they were even going to go hiking. But unfortunately with all the rain we have been getting in the last couple of weeks Overnight camping got canceled. All the girls were so bummed out.

So Ariel the troop leader asked if we could have can’t stay at my house so of course I said yes.

I quickly got the house cleaned up and all the girls came over. Ariel set up the girls in the backyard and they did their craft out there because they had lots of paint and glitter that she did not want to get in the house.

The girls got to build birdhouses made windchimes identified bugs drew bug sketching’s and worked on their bug books. 

Even though we had to make do with what we had the girls had a lot of fun with each other.

Then we came inside and the girls got to make Homemade pizza and eat it on the floor like a picnic.

They were even excited about making s’mores and the chimineas 

The girls wrap things up about 8:30 in the evening.

Jaina and hailey even had a lot of fun.

Roasting those marshmallows

I’m so glad the girls had a lot of fun. They are a good group of girls and they all have fun together. We were pooped after they left and went straight to bed it was a long fun day.

Just a bunch of stuff

Jaina is starting to learn how to shop. Any time I have to run errands and it involves places other than the grocery store she wants to tag along. Only because she knows she can sneak a couple of items in my cart and I'll say yes. When we were in Houston we went to the Harwin strip. It's a road in downtown Houston that has shop after shop of jewelry, perfume, hand bags, luggage and all kinds of things. It's basically like a Sam Moon but for blocks and blocks. 

We shopped at one of my favorite mini malls. The girls both got sunglasses, jewelry and hats. Haha, Jaina glasses she picked out. She's got that Jr. High, meaning she's trying to figure what she likes. 

Jewell loves her glasses

Jewell already knows what an iphone is, ipad and computer is. I got Jolee's old Inno Tab out and let her play it the other day. She enjoyed that.

Jaina took a trip to ZDT's with the band at school a few weeks ago. Their received their band shirts and this is what they look like. 

Jolee was SO excited to show me this map and tell me all about it. She said they were learning how to read a map in class and every student received a map of Texas. My Dad would have been proud of her. He loved maps, looking at them and planning out his routes. He would have been proud of her. She got down on the floor and was trying to find were we live.

A few weeks ago I went blonde, like blonde, blonde. It's a good change. I love playing around with my hair color. I usually take the plunge and go blonde in the summer.  I'm already due for a root touch up.

Playing in the Sandbox

Like two peas in a pod.

Otis is getting old, fat and lazy. He doesn't do much these days besides sleep on the couch or sun bath. Every now and then he goes outside to bark at traffic or someone walking in the neighborhood. At our old house when he was a young pup he use to escape the back yard and front door every chance he could. I was afraid that he would here at the new house but I can't think of anytime he's try to escape the back yard. Once or twice he's darted out the front door but most of the time he knows better and knows he will get in trouble if he does. He's been a good dog for our family.

A few months back I bought Jewell a sand box.

She and Jolee like to go out the sand box and play.

I even catch Jaina going out to play with them every now and then 

Even though there is such a huge age gap they can still have alot of fun together.

Granny Pat sent Jewell a Target gift card for Christmas so it came in handy when I bought the sand box. Thanks Pops and Granny Pat!

Having fun

Jaina loves having family game night. Our favorite to play is Scrabble. I bought this Wheel of Fortune game and have been having a good old time with it. Jaina likes to be "Vanna White" and Justin and I like to compete against each other. Sometimes it can get intense!

First ever band concert

Jaina had her first band concert this past Monday. She was very excited to go. The kids usually have a winter concert and a spring concert but due to Covid all of that got canceled so they had an end of the year short spring concert.

This past year was her first year in band before her six grade year she tried out for the band and she was chosen to play the clarinet. For me and Justin band is a new thing for us neither one of us played in the band when we were in school. But we are excited that she is doing something she is really loving and is good at home.

A lot of her friends are in the band which makes it a lot of fun for her. Monday night they played three songs for all of us. I thought they sounded really good for just being in six grade. Of course I wouldn’t have known any difference if they sounded bad or not because I was not in band so regardless of how they sounded I thought they did an awesome job!

They had their concert at the high school gym. It was about a 30 minute concert. After it was over I got one picture of her. I cannot believe she will be in seventh grade already next year. My my how time flies by!

It’s a Balloon Ball

Jaina had her last dance for the Cotillion this past weekend. Doesn’t she looks so grown up for just being 12 years old! I just can’t get over how beautiful and how grown up she is getting. It’s oh so bitter sweet.

This last dance was a semi formal. Since I am head of the decorations committee I randomly came up with the idea of having a balloon ball. Rosie wanted me to come up with unique and fun ideas that have never been done before and something fun for these kids so it’s not so boring. Everybody loved the idea of a balloon ball. But after I realized how much work it was gonna be I kept kicking myself for even coming up with the idea of a balloon ball.

This whole season has been a learning experience. I have learned a lot that is for sure. One being never commit to something until you know all of the Details LOL. I learned that self bought helium tanks don’t actually have a lot of helium in them. Decorating for a dance as an all day affair. You’re pleasing the parents more than you’re pleasing the kids. And tying over to and or balloons really hurts your fingers.

After the last dance which was the roaring 20s a parent had complained that the decorations were not “done up enough” compared to years past. What that parent doesn’t know is Rosie didn’t even know if the kids would even have a Cotillion this year with Covid, our hands were tied with a lot of restrictions this year, I was thrown into a position and had no clue what I was doing and I was given zero budget to work with. After the parent had complained I asked Rosie what the budget was and I told her I was going to knockIt out of the park this time. So that’s what we’re doing.

I got the idea of a balloon ball when I was searching on Amazon for party decorations. I mapped it out in my head and decided on metallic colors for the balloons. Rosie and I collaborated together and once it all came together it looked so nice and fun for the kids.

The CAC also went through a huge renovation this year in this particular hall. They were done just in time for the last dance the hall turned out so nice compared to what it used to look like. All the parents were impressed with the new hall.

I will have to say I was very stressed about this dance I kind of just wanted to hurry up and get it over with. Now I know what to do and look for next year.

The day before the dance we went up to the hall and they let us set everything up Which was such a blessing because we We’re told that we could only decorate two hours before the dance on Friday night. But instead their event on Thursday got Done early and they gave us free range to the hall. I am so glad it worked out. God definitely answered some of our prayers and worries.

We also got a bonus of several hanging chandeliers in the room. These were actually left from a wedding that had happened over the weekend and the company hadn’t come back and pick them up yet. So we had them in the room as a added bonus for the dance!

We Put together all the decorations and blew up all the balloons with a balloon pump. I put together the boxes and printed out some letters for the boxes. We even made the balloon arches ourselves.

This huge balloon arch was the photo op for the kids. I am so thankful Allie came and helped me again this time. Rosie also helped and our friend Kristi came up to help as well. It took us five hours to put everything together.

Jewell even helped us. She was an angel the entire time and never made a peep. She watched her cartoons on my phone and ate her snacks and ran around the hall but never once cried. Another thing I was thankful for.

We were so tired after spending five hours blowing up balloons. I took Allie to go eat at Jody’s after we were done.

Friday I was not sure if I was going to be able to go up to the CAC and help out before the dance started because I had to work. But thankfully we were slow and it worked out to where I could leave Work an hour early. I was scared that the balloons were going to deflate overnight but when we got there everything was in all the right places As we left them the day before.

How beautiful and cool are these chandeliers they even lighted up purple.

We dim the lights so the chandeliers would glow we also had a couple of LED lights in the room which made it extra fun for the kids.

I loved the standing balloons

Justin brought Jaina to me at 6:30 when the dance started here she is with her friend Haley.

Look how beautiful she is at her last dance

I just can’t get over how grown-up she is getting. She wore a tan sequined dress to go with the metallic theme dance. I ordered her dress off Amazon and it fit her perfectly.

She even brought her new little purse I got her in Houston. And she wore her black flats. Flights are a must no high heels.

Jaina said she was really really nervous this last dance because she had to learn how to dance with a boy. She has never danced with the boy before besides her dad so she was nervous along with all the other girls they were nervous too. But I told her that’s part of being in the Cotillion is learning how to properly dance with a boy.

Here she is with her friend Madden and Lily

Here she is dancing she looks like she’s having a blast

Justin and I switched the girls around and Justin went and finished a lighting job. Jolee wanted to get some Chick-fil-A on the way home so that’s what we did. Justin went back and picked her up from Rosie’s house after the dance was over. When Jaina came through the door I asked her how the dance went. She said it was a lot of fun and she danced with two boys that were really nice. She said it was a little awkward the only thing she asked the boy was where he went to school and the only thing he asked her was where she went to school LOL

I’m so glad she had a great time. The other two dances for seventh and eighth graders went well too. We got nothing but praise and positive feedback this time. I’m so glad the kids had a great time and the parents were pleased. I know it’s not about the parents but I am doing this for Jaina and will sign her up again next year and help with decorations again...... Just as long as I can get other people to help out this coming up here!