As requested by a “concerned observer” I finally have a moment to post what’s been going on the past few days.

Sunday the kids and I went to my grandparents house for a cookout. All the cousins (first cousins, second cousins, first cousins once removed, etc.) were there so I got to talk with grownups my age and the kids got to play with other kids their age. Jayden and Brandon (his second cousin once removed) were instant friends. Brandon is eight months older than Jayden, but you’d never know it. Kyle (another second cousin once removed) was there also and brought some of his toy cars along. Aubrey, my sister, got a some awesome video of the kids doing relay races in the backyard and a great photo shot of Landon, her son, Kyle, Jayden and Josie investigating an ant carrying food. We stayed later than I had planned so that they would fall asleep on the car ride home. It was a peaceful evening!

Monday, Grandma and Grandpa Scarpella called last minute to set up a dinner date at Bob Evans. It all worked out great so we got to eat dinner and chat with them for awhile, which was nice. Jayden ate all of his dinner (pancakes and sausage) and Josie had the best time drinking her milk from a cool, orange, bendy straw. She was just grinning the whole time. She also showed off her signing skills by asking for “more” and saying “please.” She also signed and spoke “all done” when she was ready to go. Afterward, she gave everyone hugs in the parking lot and tried to go home with Grandma and Grandpa. She’s so cute. Grandma got a few extra hugs with big squeezes then Josie went to our car and climbed into her car seat. She’s such a good helper.