Julianna's First Haircut

Well yesterday I decided it was time to trim the curls. Julianna's hair had become a little more unruly than usual and last time I took Jake to Snip-It's they said wait until she is 2 and we will trim it. So the time had come.


I was so worried that she would lose those precious curls. The hairdresser assured me her curls were going no where. Thank goodness it was nothing like Jake's first haircut where I had to hold him down kicking and screaming. After talking about getting her haircut all day she jumped up in the chair and was an angel...especially after getting her lollipop. I was so happy I was able to sit and enjoy one of her "Firsts."


And have no fear the curls were back today stronger than ever!

Julianna is 2!

All the birthday celebrations are finally over. Jake is 4 and Julianna is 2. Saturday was Julianna's offical birthday and in true younger sibling fashion she wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese-its (that is what they call it) just like her brother. Luckily it was Saturday and Brian got to come along this time. She did change it up and allow us to eat at Chic-Fil-A.



I also took her for her 2 year check up last week. At 29 pounds and 35 3/4 inches she is in the 75th and 95th percentiles. Yes, she is super tall, not sure where she gets it! But, she is of course, a healthy ACTIVE little girl. She still has some super curly hair and I know I need to cut it but I am sooo afraid she will lose the curls! I just love them!


Julianna has energy like no other! She is constantly on the move. She runs around the house, up and down stairs, sprints to the swing set in the backyard and tries to play tag with Jake. She also does all of this while talking. She just babbles on and on. I understand about 80% of what she says, its so funny the way her little mind works.


The thing I love most about Julianna is that she will try anything. If I put 5 foods in front of her and she has never seen one, she will always go for the unknown first. And 9 times out of 10 she says "I wike it Mommy I wike it." She is scared of nothing! Such a daredevil...I have caught her at the top of the stairs getting in a laundry basket to sled down.


And to top it off she is happy all the time! It is so rare for her to cry or have fits. She is just loves life and has a constant smile on that sweet face. Such joy she brings to our lives!

Jake is 4...Officially

After a huge birthday party at Catch Air and a classroom celebration Jake finally turned 4 on the 23rd. He is getting used to saying "4!" when people ask how old he is. I asked what he wanted to do on his special day and he chose to go to Chuck E. Cheese, so off we went! We followed it up with his lunch pick, which of course was McDonald's.


Some of you don't get to see our kids very often so I thought I should write a little about each on their birthday. After his 4 year doctors appointment he is weighing in at 39 pounds and is 40 3/4 inches tall, roughly the 75th and 50th percentiles. Doc said he looks great! We just have to work on not being such a picky eater!


He is in his 2 year of preschool at our church Smyrna First United Methodist. He is in the Chimp class and Ms. Susan and Ms. Debbie are his teachers. He talks about his friends all the time and loves to have play dates. Many parents say how their kids talk about Jake all the time so its nice to hear he is well liked. On Wednesday's he stays for lunch and always asks me to pack extra cookies...for the girls.


He loves to run around outside, red light/green light is a favorite of his these days. In the fall he played soccer for the first time. He enjoyed it but I think will like t-ball better. His very first practice is Saturday. Should be interesting! Brian has been practicing with him in the backyard so hopefully he will get it.


Jake is such a sweet boy. He loves Julianna, even when she tortures him by pulling his hair. He has definitely gotten into coloring. He is constantly bringing home pictures from school or filling up coloring books at home. Games have also taken over the house. It used to be puzzles (but those are hard to do around Julianna) and he has moved on to games. Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land and Zingo are the evening entertainment in our house. Not that Brian gets to play anymore...Jake says its not fun because Daddy wins every time. I guess since I lose pretty consistently I am more fun!

Birthday's

I know it's been a while but we had a big weekend here. We celebrated Jake and Julianna's birthdays a little early this year. Since they are only 8 days apart on the calendar (ok 9 in a leap year) they had a joint party. Jake wanted the party at Catch Air, which is a crazy place with slides and jumpy houses. Lots of fun for kids!

All 25 (yikes!) kids ran, slid, jumped and danced their little hearts out. We had pizza and I made Spiderman and Elmo cupcakes. I know there were some tired kids leaving the party. You're welcome to those parents who got the extra long naps that day!


We followed up the party with a family lunch back at the house. My parents came from Cincinnati, Johnny and Shana from their new house in Nashville and Nana, Papa, Aunt Donna, and the entire Sewell family. We are so grateful everyone could come and celebrate with our kids!


Today I was invited to snack time at Jake's school. I walked up and he was so proudly handing out napkins to his classmates. He made sure each friend had a napkin and water. It brought a tear to my eye that he is so grown up. Everyone sang Happy Birthday and he got 4 birthday hugs from the person of his choice. He picked me! Ms. Susan gave him his 4 big Hip Hip Hooray's and then they ate rice krispie treats. Such a fun 15 minutes! Then they were all off for playground time.


I can't believe tomorrow he will be 4! How did that happen?

Dancing Fool

Cute video of Jake dancing at his party.