Saturday, February 12, 2011

A Happy Day

We have had such a great weekend so far. On Friday we got to keep my friend's little girl, Ellison, for a couple of hours and the kids and I enjoyed her so much. She is just a few months younger than Annabeth and is like a living doll - just adorable. Jackson surprised me by assigning himself the role of her host and tour guide through the Jones family toys. My heart nearly exploded.

When he was small it always blessed me when older kids were kind to him. He and I talked a lot about this at Christmas in Missouri when he was around younger cousins. I so wanted him to be as kind to them as his friend Nathan and his cousin Gavin had been to him as a toddler. So seeing this protective, sweet, generous side come out with Ellison gave me so much joy. He is a great big brother, too. He puts up with a lot from his little sister - his constant shadow and wrecker of complex toy systems. "Bubba" is her favorite word and, I suspect, her favorite person.

Last night we had a social with the couples from our Sunday school class, complete with Lupe Tortilla Fajitas, a surprisingly physical game of Catch Phrase, and my personal favorite, silent football. It was very enjoyable.

After a late night, we were lucky to get to sleep past 8. Annabeth was still wide awake and talking to her teddy bears at 11:00 PM and that turned out in our favor. Curtis got us some donuts and kolaches and they were extra good. My dear friend Sabrina (of Noodles and Milk fame) and her little girl Emerson were in town and they came by for a playdate. The weather has been wonderful today, so we enjoyed the trampoline and play set in the backyard and a walk to the park.

This morning I opened up a drawer to look for a rubber band and a $50 gift card to Target dropped out of the back of the drawer and on to the floor. Awesomeness! Apparently I needed to go to Target today. I did go and found that our store has gotten brand new carts that are smooth and don't make a peep. I'm deeply ashamed that I got as excited as I did. I tried on a couple of cute headbands but the minute I put them on my head, they were no longer cute. I don't know what happened. I also got some treats and Valentines to take to a chocolate party that some of my girlfriends are throwing tonight. Can you think of anything better than a late night chocolate party with some really funny girls? Right now I cannot.

This afternoon Curtis was repairing some damaged fence boards and we were all outside with him. Before all was said and done, we had invited six neighborhood kids to play with us in our backyard with us. We loved it.

I'll leave you with this because I'm about to eat a big juicy hamburger. (I'm just going for it this weekend, y'all.) Here's a picture of Annabeth with her teddy bears at her new table. It makes me so happy.


39 comments:

Sarah said...

I think my favorite part of this post was seeing Annabeth sitting with pink bear at the table. Even though I don't know you personally, my mind flashed through all the baby pictures of her sitting next to pink bear...Annabeth is far too big already (I know that you are well aware of this!)! :) I am feeling extra sentimental about growing babies this month because in 8 days my youngest (and final baby!) will turn one. *sigh* Time just goes too fast (most days - haha)!

Megan said...

What exactly is silent football?

Unknown said...

Random question, but very necessary if I ever have a daughter: Do you tie Annabeth's bows in her hair? Or are they attached to a little barrette? Her hair always looks so adorable, and I hope that if we ever have a girl, she is content to leave bows in her hair and not pull them out!

Shellie Paparazzo said...

you mean there's a child somewhere in the world that is more of a doll than AB? I find that really hard to believe! The reason you can't think of anything better than chocolate with the girls is because there is nothing better!!! Except Jesus and you have that to, so there you go, you got it all, at least for one night! And we don't even want to know what our hips would look like if we got it all every night anyway :) I hope you still consider me a friend even though I occasionally have a really bad attitude. I really do want to be a blessing to you. If AB loves stuffed animals, she really ought to see my eight year old's collection! AB really does remind me a lot of Chloe at that age. I have a feeling they have very similar personalities! And my Chloe has such a big heart! She's adorable! She helps a lot when I'm depressed. It's hard to stay too sad with her around. Your pictures of your kids make me smile. You are such a blessing to me, Amanda. You have no idea!

Michelle said...

My sweet baby that used to sit at her table and serve me tea will be fifteen in a month. Yuck! Enjoy every minute of it. And every minute of your chocolate party - jealous!!!

Andrea said...

I'm with Megan; I'd like to know about silent football. And, chocolate with funny girls sounds wonderful. I hope you have fun!

Marla Taviano said...

I like this happy post. And I love the pic of Annabeth.

petrii said...

WOW Sounds like you are having a really beautiful weekend. Mine has been lovely as well, including a date lunch just me and my man. Pure.Bliss.

I love the pic of the teddy bears and your sweetie girl.

Have a Blessed weekend,
Dawn

Ashley said...

Yes, I want to know what this silent football is, too. I don't know what it is about my head, in particular, but whenever I try on a cute hat it isn't cute anymore once it's on my head - which is a problem, since I got my hair cut and ponytails are not an option.

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

Oswald Chambers wrote: "What is needed today is not a new gospel, but live men and women who can restate the Gospel of the Son of God in terms that will reach the heart of our problems." Your mom did just that this morning at Life Today. Her teachings fell like rain---I know. Just posted about it. Sat with precious Janelle. Thank you for the price you all pay to share your mom for such a time as this. You are all about Kingdom Living! Precious post!

Lina said...

Your little girl is absolutely, positively adorable! This gives me an idea for a play area at my house for my little granddaughter Amelia (she's almost 1).

Unknown said...

Oh, that is so cute!!!! We don't have a little table like that, but I know Sophie would be doing the same thing with her baby dolls if we did. Glad you are having a great weekend!

Sharen said...

Little girls and tea parties are just meant for each other! Cuteness!!

Unknown said...

Yes ... do tell ... what is silent football?!?

Amanda said...

Leah, I put a small section of her hair in a rubber band and then slide the alligator clip bow into it.

Silent football is a really fun group game. Here's a link to something about it:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6734542_play-silent-football.html

Angela said...

Loved the chocolate party! What a fun night.

Love AB's table. Where did you find it?

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

What an adorable picture...She is a doll

molly b. said...

Such a sweet post about your children and no, I cannot think of anything better than a late night chocolate party with friends!

Erica Wagner said...

Just had to comment: I have my very own Elisan (pronounced like Ellison). It warms my heart to read that there is another Elisan/Ellison (girl) out there! My girl is 9!

Missy said...

Jackson's kindness melts my heart. You should be so proud! Such a fun Saturday, too!!!

bethany said...

I thought we MADE UP silent football!!! I had no idea it was a real game-we played it all the time in college. Do you have a Mr. Commissioner and everything?

This is a crazy realization, I'm speechless. Literally.

Ashley McWhorter said...

Loved seeing you and hanging out last night! So fun!!! :)

Lauren said...

I almost bought that table in green the other day for Jane. ;)

Megan said...

She is adorable!!!

Love reading your posts- I'm a new follower!

Marc and Charity said...

A chocolate party sounds wonderful! I love her table/chairs.

Erica said...

What a fantastic weekend. The weather is gorgeous and perfect for enjoying the outdoors with neighbors. A chocolate party sounds delightful right about now!

kittyhox said...

As usual, totally on the same page.

Some of my favorite moments in life have been the times that older children (cousin's kids, etc.) have been especially kind to my now four-and-a-half year old. Why does that make me so happy? It's like the exact opposite of the few times when I've witnessed other kids being mean to him and wanted to pounce on them.

Yes, now that he is older it makes me incredibly proud to watch him treat younger kids kindly, paying special attention to them, including them, etc. The children you have around your kids are such an influence. It's great to expose them to all kinds of kids, including the occasionally less-than-nice, so that they learn how it feels to be on the receiving end of mean, how to deal, and that they never want to make anyone else feel that way. But the older kids who have been sweet to my little guy over the years have been such a blessing and it really does seem to be one of those "pay it forward" kind of things.

I can't believe what a big little girl your daughter is becoming! I loved what you wrote a few days (weeks?) ago, wondering how she knew how to act like a girl. It made me notice those little things that my own two-year-old daughter does that are so decidedly feminine and apparently innate. (Is that the right word? You know what I mean.)

Having one of each is about as good as it gets, I think. So fun to appreciate the specialness of each gender.

kittyhox said...

Sorry I always leave such long comments!

Crystal said...

I just had to google "kolaches". Never heard of them but they look wonderful.

Love hearing about your family. Great idea to keep the bow in...stick in to the rubberband! My 4yr. old's always is always falling out!

Corrie Cline said...

Ok, I promise that I am not that big of a creeper, but at the check out line at krogers today there were a basket full of cadbury eggs and I couldn't resist. I bought one and savored every bite...even though I am trying to watch myself for my wedding coming up very soon. :) Anyways, my point...I thought of you b/c one of your posts one time about them. Random, but just thought I'd let you know that you are thought of! Ha. :)

Lindsee said...

What you wrote about Jackson reminds me of my older brother when were younger. So sweet!

Also, I'm not only glad that we could both experience the new Target carts on the same day, but that I could redeem myself later that night by looking much more presentable. : )

Annika said...

I LOVE the new Target carts, too! :) They are so much better.

The Johnsons said...

Thanks for your sweet valentine note! I forgot to ask you, what is silent football? I love a good game! Except when my competetive side comes out, especially with Gregg. :)

Shannon said...

That table and food is SO cute! Are those the food items you bought at Ikea?

Kristen said...

Sad we missed silent football.
Did Annabeth put food on the plates for all her "friends"? Adorable.

Amanda said...

Shannon, the food is "Melissa and Doug." The table, 2 small chairs, cups, and plates were from Ikea.

Lindsey Grace said...

Okay- so I have been reading your blog for a while- and I have 2 children of my own- but I never got the "baby bangs phenomena"...UNTIL this morning. But my youngest one will be one this week-- and I'm just now getting them?! Or am I crazy and just now realizing that I'm getting them...I love that they're growing in blonde though...the rest of my hair has turned so dark {thankyouverymuchhormones}

Okay-- so random-- but I just thought you should know and didn't know where else to post this =)

Heather said...

I love that Jackson! He has such a sweet heart. And I love Annabeth's new table, perfect!! I hated missing the social, but am so glad that Matt went! So happy you had a great happy day!

katiegfromtennessee said...

Amanda, loving your posts as usual:) I wish I could record emotions and memories like you can, girl, you have a gift. I do think that if I could have my baby girl again, and that this time, I would have the fullness of love that I have for her now up front...Yeah, my heart probably couldn't take it either. The Lord knows what He's doing, and He's Good at it too:) Blessings to you.