April Celebrations

 Every April our family has many reasons to celebrate.

Half of us have birthdays (the two littlest J's and the biggest J), and this April the calendar also included Easter!

Easter morning began with cinnamon rolls and orange juice.

And was immediately followed by more sugar from Easter baskets from church and friends..

In addition to candy, there were also puzzles and other activities that we enjoyed prior to church

Carolyn surprised with even more treats.

And we were able to attend worship with Aunt Hazel, Jay and Alannah.

After church, Susan joined us.

We enjoyed  a mid-day meal together,

and Sophia served the big kid table.

The final festivity was a backyard Easter egg hunt.

J and J turning two this year was enriched by a visit from their cousin Grace who was completing a college visit with her parents Eric and Jennifer. 

We also got to visit with Aunt Aimee, Uncle Roger, cousin Ella, Aunt Becca and Uncle Mark.

Jay and Alannah, Kathy, Glen and Carolyn joined us for the evening celebration.

J-Jane's Second Birthday Letter

Dear J-Jane:

You are a born leader and lover of life. You are one of the happiest toddlers I have ever met. 

I am often impressed with how big your smile is with all your little white teeth on full display. This smile emerges often while going down a slide, playing at the beach, bouncing on our couch, being chased around the house, or running toward one of us for a hug.

You are a phenomenal eater, who shovels food when you are really enjoying something—which is often. You eat lots and a wide variety.

We can already tell you will look out for your little brother, even if that comes out at times as putting him in his place now and again with a good shove. But you also have started to ask him if he is ok when he is crying, to check in with him, or share toys and food with him.

You often wander around the house singing "twinkle, twinkle", while grabbing everything that you can reach. This has resulted in us finding you in the living with an open jar of peanut butter, and all sorts of other things.  

You love to dance, clap, run, and read. You often will finish breakfast or dinner, and when put down, grab a book and climb onto the couch and look at it silently by yourself. Your words are amazing, with full sentences emerging regularly.

My prayer for you this year is that your infectious smile can be shared with more people as the world starts to open up more.

We are thankful for the time we have gotten to spend with you during your second year on earth.

Love,

Dada

Little J-man's second birthday letter

Dear Little J-man,

You joined our family at just a few pounds. You may still be on the smaller side, but your smile and personality command the room. You have charmed every doctor and nurse you have encountered during your many medical appointments over your short life. We have been very impressed with how well you have weathered all the poking and prodding, and speak up for yourself.

You love to snuggle on my shoulder, be carried around, read books, and play with trains. While you often watch your sister attempt something first, you are enthusiastic when you decide to try something, whether it be going down a slide, or standing on top of the coffee table and singing at the top of your lungs. One of my favorite things you do is run into a room when you hear music and start to flap your little arms dancing and twirling around. You give the best reassuring hand pats on our back or arm, often when we pick you up or snuggle into a hug.

It has been so fun to start to hear your words emerge. Your favorite word has to be puppy as you have treasured all of the opportunities we have had with friends that have dogs that let you lay on top of them in a full-body bear hug—which is a good illustration of how you love the people in your life as well.

Kathy is a favorite friend of yours, and you love when she arrives with Carolyn each week to play with you and your sister.

You have great curly hair that seems to endlessly have food in it at mealtimes. You are always up for wrestling, climbing in and out of boxes, and occasionally scaling the counter or table.

You and your sister have been dream sleepers, and we are very grateful. It may help that since you sleep in the same room we often hear the two of you deep in toddler conversation before falling asleep. 

My prayer for you this year is that your language grows enough so we can hear all of the thoughts you are thinking, and your voice continues to carve out a distinct place in this family.

We are thankful for the time we have gotten to spend with you during your second year on earth.

Love,

Daddy