Words by Jenny

Isn't it amazing how much children learn by age two? Experts say that a child's capacity for language is virtually unlimited until age six. But even with a super-smart absorbent brain, the English language can be confusing for a two-year-old, as I found out this week. Here are a couple of my favorite Jenny-isms:

On Sunday at church:
Jenny: "I want to go to Mystery!"
Amy: "Mystery? What's that?"
Jenny: "You play with toys."
Amy: "Oh, Nursery?"
Jenny: "Yes, Mystery!"

Before preschool on Wednesday. She points to her dress:
Jenny: "I have coconuts."
Amy: "Coconuts? What are those?"
Jenny: "Circles."
Amy: "Oh, polkadots. What a cute dress!"

Christmas at Mom and Dad's

It was a wonderful Christmas at Mom and Dad's house--the first time all of my brothers and sisters and I have been together for Christmas in 3 years! We had to get together on Dec. 22, but who cares about the day :).

Highlights of Christmas:

1. Jake LOVED his ipod touch. We gave it to him as a combined birthday/Christmas present.

2. Maia wanted a black men's wallet, so we found a nice leather one. She also wanted some Barbies. Maia is complex.

3. Lizzy talked about a "Magic Pie" for over a month. We got it for her, and she was ecstatic! Since then, she has maybe played with it twice.

4. Jenny wanted play-doh and paint, so she was easy to please.

5. My absolute favorite present was the digital picture frame that Jeff gave me for Christmas. I uploaded our family photos and stare at them while I'm eating breakfast. Jenny loves it almost as much as I do, and she gets really excited every time she sees herself. In fact, she usually wants to go change into the outfit she sees on the screen. "It's Jenny in the Green! Jenny in the Green!" is a typical response.

6. I got Jeff hot sauce and some new clothes.

7. We all got together and gave Mom Photoshop CS4. I think she likes it?

8. Dad got an ipad. I'm still trying to get him to play Words with Friends with me.

Conductor in Training

The annual Christmas Concert for my church was on Sunday. I'm the chair of the music department there, so I was in charge of the production.

On Saturday morning, we had a dress rehearsal. Lizzy and Jenny wanted to come, so I couldn't resist bringing them.

As I was leading the children's choir, one of the other musicians shot this video (to my surprise). Look at Lizzy standing next to me.

You never know who's watching!

Thank you

I just want to say "thank you" to the wonderful people who read my blog and leave such supportive comments! I know my life is probably not that interesting, but I really appreciate the kind comments about my family. Thank you so much!

Jake and Maia's awards

Today, Jake and Maia received awards at their school assembly. I am a terrible mother and forgot about it! (Actually, Maia told me about hers, but Jake forgot to tell me, so I didn't know about that one.)

I asked them how I could make it up to them, and Maia said "Five bucks." So now I'm ten dollars poorer and still feel like a bad mom!

"I not silly."

Labels stick, and nobody likes them--even two-year-olds. I found that out, yesterday.

It was a typical Monday morning. We were all sitting at breakfast, eating our cereal before school. Jenny did something funny (as usual), and I said, "Jenny, you're silly."



Jenny stood up on her chair to command attention. With her most solemn face, she said gravely, "I not silly. I not crazy. I not funny."

I suddenly realized that for the past two years, she had been listening to every word we had all said. Jenny, our funny, crazy, silly baby, didn't like the labels we were giving her.

"You're right, Jenny," I said. "You are good and sweet and nice."

"Yes," Jenny responded. "I am a princess."

I couldn't have said it better, myself.

Our Family Photo

After a hundred photos, we chose the very first one. Jenny simply wouldn't sit still!