As some of you know Jo got a little tired of her bangs hanging in her eyes so she got some scissors and took care of them. Mom just was not trimming them short enough and has now learned how short Jo wants them. haha She was very proud that she took care of her own hair and Oma did a great job of not making her feel bad. Heck, Oma was stilllaughing about the hair when I got home from an evening out.
Happy 5th Birthday Jo & Cole!
We changed it up a bit this year for their birthday. Cole and Jo got to invite one friend over for their actual birthday (Kenna and Noah) and those friends were asked not to bring a gift. The gift was being with their friend on their actual birthday, playing, and eating dinner and then pie and ice-cream cake. With all the BIG BASH birthdays these days and tons and tons of gifts we just wanted to take it back to simple pleasures and we think this worked. Oh, we did hear once or twice from the kids that they were sad they didn’t get lots and lots of presents or that their other friends might be sad that they didn’t have a big party. But in the long run Jo and Cole had a good time and played very hard with their friends and then had no problems going to sleep that night.
Jo has asked over a year now for a Princess Pegasus present. With her tricycle getting to small and her not showing any interest in riding her bike we bought her the Princess Big Wheel. After assembly Mom created a couple more stickers with the Princess Pegasus theme and added them to the Big Wheel. Jo was/is very happy with this gift. She is actually out peddling Cole now on the other Big Wheel rides around the block! Fast Pegasus Princess she is!
Cole has been having a good time with his new batting-T and bases. We no longer have to spray paint bases on the grass while he plays ball with the neighbor kids or us. He starts T-ball soon so we thought this would be a very good gift for him. Not only can he practice hitting but also he gets to use a real ball in the yard now. (Real ball onlyon a shock cord though, he hits too hard other wise) We know he enjoyed wrestling and probably will again but the baseball in him is strong and he smiles on every hit, catch and then laughs the whole time he runs the bases.
Might not be your typical Birthday Cake but the kids were told earlier this year that they didn’t have to have “cake” for their birthday, they could have anything they wanted. Cole chose an ice-cream cake and Jo wanted strawberry-rhubarb pie, so on Monday night the pie was baked with the help of Oma, Jo & Alexis and the ice-cream cake was ordered. Some of you are probably wrinkling your nose up at the pie but Jo LOVES it and they both enjoyed their desert this year!Good Day!
Try and try as I may I struggle coming up with good hair do’s for Jo. Braiding is actually difficult but I practice and she is patient with me as she sits and sits. The other day while walking I saw this little girl about 2years old who had her hair pulled up into a bun. I walked by at first, thought about her hair, then turned around and said to her mother “excuse me, you might find this a silly question but I’m wondering how you did this to your daughter’s hair?” She was so kind as we stood in their front yard as she tried to explain it, she finally took her daughters hair down and redid the hair as I watched.
Cole had his buddy from wrestling (Noah) spend the night, then hung out and played most of Saturday. They are about the same height, weight and love the same stuff. They were darn funny while playing football. This was a serous game people! Full tackle don’tcha know! Not one tear ran down a cheek but I think each wanted to at least once because there were a couple hard hits. Mostly they laughed and just wore each other out!
This little gal has turned out to be a great friend for Jo. Alexis, plays hard, loves to dress up and “pretty” up but will turn around and dig for bugs and make mud pies with lots of pretty flowers and rocks. All of these are Jo’s likes and loves! Both girls come in filthy each day they are out playing together…almost looking like they have tans on their faces. The laughter that comes out of them each day is sure fun to listen too!
Some times we just say “What were you thinking?”
Like last year, we headed out to the Young Belmont’s home to decorate eggs for Easter. It was speed for the twins…how fast can I get all my eggs colored! Derian took her time drawing on most of her eggs before they were dipped in color to become beautifull Easter Eggs.
We have worked with Jo quite a bit to become more independent and just thinking for herself. She has been doing a very good job of it lately and in many different settings. One in particular is playing with friends what she wants to play, not just what her friends want to play. One friend has gotten very upset with Jo the past couple weeks because Jo is not following, saying and doing what her friend has told her to do. We have explained to both girls that taking turns playing each others games is good but her friend will have nothing to do with it and so has left for home on many an occasions. We are very happy with Jo and her new found independence! 
