Do nothing sort of day...

James is still not quite feeling himself, although he did really enjoy playing outside today. Jemma still has an achy tummy and diarrhea. And I seem to have the yicky tummy too. So, we dared not venture out and basically did nothing today but play and lounge. (I did make a trip to the recycling center, so there was one productive thing accomplished!)

WARNING: Too much information and pretty gross, but I have to share this story...

Jemma went upstairs to get dressed while I finished with James and breakfast. She started yelling for me to come upstairs. I sent James up the stairs and followed behind him. He picked up Jemma's pj's off the floor and is happily holding them while walking around the room. Jemma says, "Mommy I had gas and the poop just flew out." I sighed, shook my head, and explained that sometimes when our tummies don't feel so good, it just happens. Then I ask where her underwear are... she replies that she wasn't wearing any... she was just wearing her pjs... the ones that James is holding/waving around... I had such fun cleaning the carpet, James, Jemma... one day when she is much older, I will have to share this story with her!

Here are the kids playing out front this morning. Jemma is explaining to me that this is where the gas goes:

James can't reach the pedals yet, so Jemma is being a very good big sister and pushing him:

Jemma is tracing me with chalk, while James is looking for rocks and dirt:

Jemma waiting for me to trace her... we have several outlines on our driveway today! :)

Jemma and James playing in the sandbox:

Such a beautiful, wonderful day!!! Our neighbor, Kara, went strawberry picking and shared some wonderful berries with us. About 3:00, I took Jemas upstairs to try to get him to take an afternoon nap (didn't happen) and while I was rocking him, I heard chairs moving in the kitchen. I came downstairs to find Jemma washing the strawberries. (You can see the Rice Krispy treats that we made earlier, too.)

As I put Jemma to bed tonight, I told her that Granny and Papa would be here in the morning. She asked if she could wake them and I said Yes... then she asked if she could tickle them awake... I gave them warning and we'll just have to see what happens! :)

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One of Jemma's new favorite games is to take all the pillows from the couch and pretend play. Her first and favorite pretend was that she made a cacoon and she went in as a catapillar and came out as a beautiful butterfly. Her next pretend was that she is a ladybug and this is her ladybug house. Her third pretend was that it was raining and she had to build a shelter to get out of the rain. She has a pretty good imigination... and I try to encourage it!

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This afternoon, Jemma climbed into my lap and said, "Jennifer Bates, I love you." I laughed and said "I love you, too." That is the first time that she has used my real/full name! Too cute... but I still prefer "Mommy" from my little girl...

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Tuesday night, Jemma and I were snuggling after reading books and talking about everything... I don't remember the whole conversation, but it ended with her talking about doing Aunt Karen & Aunt Suzanne's makeup the previous weekend. I said, "Aunt Karen and Aunt Suzanne are very pretty." To which my little angel replied, "Mommy, you are very pretty, too." I just melted... how absolutely sweet...

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I have gotten no email from my husband today... I miss contact with him... I miss his voice... I did get an 8 minute and 33 second phone call last Sunday, but that seems like too long ago... I'm off to bed now... I need sleep!