Jocelyn’s last few minutes each night before bed are spent in “chit-chat” mode with one parent, talking about whatever comes up. It was my turn tonight, and somehow we got to talking about her favorite TV show (“Maya & Miguel“), and Jocelyn was saying some of her newly-learned Spanish phrases.
And, I quote: “Daddy and I are dos amigas“Â …
First I reveled in the moment … then we ended up talking about feminine/masculine Spanish words … 
We ate leftover birthday cake for dessert tonight.
The sisters are apparently developing complementary eating habits. You may recall that Jocelyn does not like cake, or chocolate, or ice cream, or anything very sweet. Felicia has no trouble with these things.
With this particular cake, Jocelyn eats the official cake part, carefully avoiding the frosting and the raspberry filling. Felicia scrapes off the frosting, not bothering with anything that isn’t filled with sugar. Then, they switch plates and finish off the other’s remaining food.
  These are the words her sister used to greet her in the morning, and the rest of the day was a fun-filled celebration of twoness.
Our small party with relatives (in order of appearance … Grandee, Grandpa, GrandMaMa, GrandPaPA, Aunt Jenni, Kiana, and Ange) produced lots of fun. Felicia enjoyed her new things, including clothes, toys, and shoes. Lots of relatives felt the “kitchen” vibe, so we are now fully stocked with food play toys and we have a new pretend kitchen. We had a banana cake with raspberry filling. She loved it! … and don’t tell anyone, but Jocelyn did too. |
  Nope … but two very cute sisters, each captured near their second birthdays (Jocelyn on the left in 2000 and Felicia on the right in 2006). We love comparing the progress of our two girls. |
I gave her two books that celebrate the awesome relationship I have with her. The third book will always remind us of her effort to do everything her sister does, and to never be excluded from anything. Daddy Kisses and Daddy Cuddles are both by the same author/illustrator and show daddy and baby animals hugging and kissing. Both books are fun to read together, and she really enjoyed acting out the kisses book, complete with the all over Daddy – Baby kisses at the conclusion.
What Do I Do” book is a beautiful collection of watercolor paintings depicting children doing simple activities. I think she made me read this book at least eight times total, with two or three readings during each sitting. She seems to like it!I think Felicia has figured out this birthday thing, sort of. She may not know exactly why, but she definitely understands that it’s her day. From the traditional “birthday curtain” this morning, to lots of extra smiles from friends and neighbors, to a few special phone calls from relatives, she’s been enjoying it all.
She got extra special attention from Elva at Elva’s Coffee Stop this morning, including two cookies! She talked to Grandee & Grandpa and then Papa on the phone, and was very polite, if brief. She loved hearing the Tennessee Martins sing over and over again on our voicemail.
Jocelyn was also on her best behavior today, including inspiring Felicia to act like a “big girl” now. Jocelyn praised her sister for doing big girl things, and tried to redirect innappropriate behavior by appealing to her maturing sister.
| And she’s certainly not terrible. Yet.
We’re still amazed to be celebrating the birthday of our second child! She’s really become her own person recently, with a growing vocabulary and a blossoming personality. She loves to do whatever her sister is doing, and has already learned to kick a soccer ball and do a proper ballet warm-up stretch, all by watching Jocelyn. She also really loves music and enjoys singing songs, especially around the dinner table. She’s very strong and climbs on everything … including chairs, stairs, ladders, tables, and her new bike (and her sister’s if we’d let her). She is fascinated with interlocking parts, wooden train tracks, small game pieces, and playing cards. |
 Jocelyn & Felicia came for a visit this weekend. They arrived late Thursday night after a long drive. Before going to bed, they spent some warm and cozy time in Grandee’s chair. We love their visits! We had some great moments.
On Friday Jocelyn lost another tooth and Felicia clearly said Grandee & Grandpa (at least it was a good interpretation). Felicia played “Boo” (aka Peek-a-boo) on the computer over and over while Jocelyn played a Freddi the Fish computer game (we will find that last sea urchin next time). On Saturday, Jocelyn went snowboarding with her parents while Felicia kept us entertained with trips to the pantry for “ish peace” (she loves those little cheese snack fish) and games of computer “Boo.” Did I tell you we love their visits? We are usually tired when they go, but always greatful for the warm & cozy feelings they leave behind. |
 No, actually it’s Jocelyn’s Ballet Class, but don’t tell Felicia.
She regularly participates in the stretching and warm-up exercises and does an impressive job of mimicking the older girls. There are more pictures in Flickr … just click this one and scroll through the rest. |
