True Life: I'm the sister.

When your brothers think they're SO COOL and don't let you cruise in their police car. Girl, I hear you. I know. The feelings are real. Fast forward about 8 years and I'll be like, "Jos, get your flip flops, we're going to get pedicures."

What's Been Going On?

Since my blogging has been slacking a bit lately...I thought I share what's been going on in the Becker House lately...

Josie is obsessed with tutus (her addiction is currently being filled by BOTH of her grandmas). She also received a "princess" nightgown from Greta and it must be worn EVERY night. Above you can see her reaction to learning it was in the wash. She wasn't happy.

Question: How did someone so ANTI-pink, ANTI-princess end up with a daughter who loves both?? Funny joke, Universe.

We've been playing outside...unless I'm on the brink of a pregnant-woman-meltdown (Tyson knows all about these) and then we stay in the A/C. On this day - Jack was hitching a ride with Josie - who is a terrible driver, I should add.

Tucker is tired. He dreams of living at the lake...where someone is 100% dedicated to throwing his ball for him.

Nancy and Denny came up for a Jack & Josie fix. Josie accompanied Grandpa to buy a new car, while Jack went to Flint with Grandma to pick up some of Aunt Kristin's art.

I was told - about 6 months ago - about a local grocery store that allows customers to shop online and then pick up their groceries curbside at a set time. I held off...until Monday. I decided on our menu for the week, placed my order Sunday night, and arrived at the store at my set time. I called the number and told them I was there for a pick-up. The man came out to check my ID - because I bought beer for Tyson. Then returned a few minutes later to load my order in my car. This is a $7 service...and worth every single penny. I spent less (because I wasn't tempted to throw stuff in the cart) and I left with my sanity (because I wasn't forced to grocery shop with two children). Win - Win. Also - dangerous and borderline lazy.

Finally - I'm pretty excited that one of my wine cup designs has hit the shelves in Winona Lake! My "sales rep" (aka: Jerry) took a cup into Eagle Creek Farms Market and she decided to sell them in her store! She is the woman who sells Rise n' Roll donuts...and I've considered getting paid in donuts. However, my CFO (aka: Tyson) thinks that's a bad idea.

Baby Update:
- Braxton Hicks contractions are still strong & often.
- I have my hospital bag 50% packed
- Baby Boy has some clean clothes & diapers all set
- He is still un-named
- I still haven't put clean towels in the car

Wardrobe Wars

Yesterday Josie and I had an all-out War over Wardrobe. It was a defining moment for me, as a mom and a daughter.

Here is what happened: I picked out Josie's outfit...striped shirt & red tutu. At the sight of the red tutu, Josie said "NO" and requested the pink tutu. But knowing we were getting in the car...and the pink tutu doesn't fit in the carseat, I said NO and redirected her to the red. Thus began the all out tantrum. I stood there completely dumbfounded.

I've been dressing/picking out clothes for Jack for four and a half years and we have NEVER, NOT ONE TIME - had a fight about clothes.

Finally, compromised and settled on the purple tutu. But - like a typical girl - she was still mad at me. There was still crying and she even ran to her room...slamming the door behind her. WHHHHHAAAT?!?! My mind flashed forward 12 years and I wanted to assume the fetal position in the corner. I'm dreading it. 

Now I understand why my parents spent so much money on my clothes in middle school & high school. My mom took me shopping...actually, quite a bit. But because she was present and paying - she basically controlled my wardrobe. While it may have been expensive, they avoided watching me walk out the door in daisy dukes and a crop top!

I tucked that piece of information away after yesterday's Wardrobe War.

Luckily, I had support at dinner...in the form of Mikkel (working in DET from Iowa). He confirmed that Molly is also very particular about what she wears. Joe also confirmed that Amelia voices her opinions...even on PJs. I feel better about the whole thing.

From the iPhone

We've had rain ALL week. Grrr. I'm just done. My kids need fresh air. I need my kids outside. Everyone is happier outside. The other day - despite the fresh rain - I sent them out to play. Come in wet & covered in mud...I really don't care, just GO PLAY! {is that mean?} They had fun. But then I saw them taking me seriously & rolling in mud...so I called them inside.

I stripped them both down and told them to run upstairs and put on dry clothes. I knew Jack could do this...but wasn't sure about Josie. She came down looking like this:

She was SO proud of herself. Special thanks to Aunt Kim for the tie-dye "Peace" shirt, Aunt Becky for the frilly skirt, and Grandma Nancy for the shoes. Josie paraded around the house, twirling her skirt, and flipping her hair. And I honestly had to question how we were related. Just ask Shirlee - I was never a "frilly skirt" girl...much to my mother's dismay.

I did convince Josie to let me paint her toenails for the first time ever! She agreed but under one condition - only BLUE or as she said, "Boo." If you see her toesies, make sure you compliment her "pedicure."

Tyson was traveling a bit this week...and, again, with all the rain we've had I just needed to get the kids out to play. So Wednesday night I loaded them in the car and set off to Jungle Java. They played - HARD! And ate a SUPER healthy dinner {sarcasm}...then played some more. I lured them out of there at 7:30....and by 8:15 my house was silent. I'll be doing that again.

This picture was taken at 11:00 at night. You'd never know because Josie looks WIDE AWAKE. She was having some belly issues and needed a Miralax cocktail...and some books. She was back in bed by 11:45.

We have friends coming to visit this weekend! Should be LOTS of fun! Happy Friday!

More (Bad Word that Begins with "S")...Snow

Josie and I had some time to kill while Jack was at school on Tuesday. I had some books on hold at the library, so we spent some time in the Children's section. The difference between Jack & Josie at this age is pretty remarkable.

Jack was always running full speed through the library, trying to jump off furniture...you would have thought he was a caged animal, set free.  Josie, on the other hand, is calm & easily engaged. She does puzzles, plays computer games, and works on fine motor skills.

Sometimes I catch myself thinking - "How are my children from the same parents?" But then I remember that Jack is a VERY active boy and Josie is just a typical girl.

Since we got more SNOW yesterday - we did some indoor activities. First up was a "pool party" in the tub. It's the one place they can be within a foot of each other - yet not fight. For obvious reasons, this was a much needed activity. Jack cleaned his boats and Josie played with toys.

After the pool, we had a picnic lunch in our living room (also known as the Christmas Tree room).  Jack has been begging to have a "real picnic" and this was the closest we could get to that. We watched more snow fall and decided it was time for a nap.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Grandpa Denny today! Hope you have a great day! XOXO J & J

Bart meets Josie

The other day I caught Josie really giving it to Bart. Well, when I say "giving it to him" - I mean she was slapping at him around with the force of a small winged bird. And she was smiling. Not intimidating in the least.

She also talked to him the whole time and helped him up (without adding the extra "ha! take that!" that's he's used to).

The gentle push over was also very brutal. I think it's safe to say Josie isn't cut out for hand-to-hand combat - which is actually a good thing.

Josie the Flirt

Saturday night we spent some time with our friends, The Festas. They live just up the road from us and we like to get together for dinner every now & then.  It's also a great time for the kiddos to play. And PLAY they do...

Jack, Christian (almost 5), Josie, and Landon (2)

Josie was getting cozy with Christian...and who can blame her? He's cute! But Tyson wasn't having any of it! Josie also showed off her flirting skills a few weeks ago when the Carsten boys were here. Well, the Festas will be adding their 3rd boy in April... Josie thinks she will enjoy being the center of attention for years to come.

Miss Prima Donna

This is how Josie walked down the street today.  She thinks she is pretty cool - wearing her mommy's sunglasses. Good News: It's Friday! And we have beer in the fridge. Cheers!