Happy Birthday: You're Two

Well Hensley, you really enjoyed your 2nd birthday party. We had pulled pork sliders with crinkle chips, pickled beets, strawberry spinach salad and iced tea. Daddy made you a strawberry baby bunny cake, since Bunny is your go-to comfort lovey. Besides us, your guests were Nana & Grandpa Jones, Grandpa Ben and Grandma Debby, Taryn, Micah and Hazel, and our neighbor friends Jon, Hilary, Jaylen and Livia. 

You got the coolest Fisher Price A-Frame house from Uncle Eric and Aunt Erica (3rd to last photo). Plus a bath time baby, new Zara outfit and coat, coloring book, and a memory game. 

Tegegne and Dad went to a 3D movie last night, since today was all about you. Sweet, thoughtful Daddy. 

Love,

Mom

Dear Hensley: You're Two Today!

Happy Birthday Hensley Ruth! You are two years old today. Two years ago we had no idea what was in store when we met your tiny 7 lb 11 oz newborn baby self. Now you are about 25 pounds and have more personality than we can handle! 

Your first complex sentence was, "Daddy, I like your g-asses (glasses)!" 
You are a real jabber box, but you're most used phrases are sending important messages to your big brother and partner in crime. Those are "Stop It!" and "Be Quiet!" and "No THANK you." Along with "Come get me!" and before bed it's "God b-ess you." and "I love you." Besides words it's giggles or squeals or whining. You two are very close. Sharing a room has been so fun, but Tegegne has recently been lobbying to move his bed to Fields's room. (Hate to break it to ya buddy, but that baby dude still cries at night. Ain't much quieter in there.)

On the days that Tegegne is in school, you are attached to my hip. You hang out with me on the counter while we bake, you often take a good morning nap, and we play with Baby Fields and sometimes Baby Hazel. You like soothing Fields with the same phrases I use. It's so cute to catch you in a motherly moment... "Mommy's comin', mommy's comin" while you pat him gently..."Shhhh, shhhh, shhhh...it's okay." Then there are your not-so-motherly moments where you take his pacifier, trying to somersault over him, or try to hold him when I'm not looking (in which case you are trying to be helpful but he's nearly your size, kid.) 

Tonight we will surprise you with a cute little cake, candles, and a balloon after dinner. Your big party is Saturday with our extended family and a few friends. We are so excited to celebrate you, sweet sweet Hensley! Thanks for hamming it up round here.

Love,

Mommy

P.S. I must say, I really love it that I had a daughter. I mean my boys are wonderful too, but you and I...well, we both love shoes. (Enough said, right?) And hats and candles and chocolate and singing.  Even though I get so annoyed when you loose my earrings while getting into my jewelry...I secretly love it. I love it that I'll pass down my favorite necklace to you. You are becoming a little girl before my eyes and I am imagining you in high school. I know there will be times you won't wanna hang out with your dear 'ol ma, but I'll cherish the times you do. 

Ladies Night: Shop and Swap!

Well, it's here! Ladies night, shop and swap, Springtime Edition! Are you coming? (If you're a friend, or a friend of a friend, look for the invite on facebook.) About 40 of you are planning to be here, and I'd say we are going to have a smashing time. How am I pulling this off without my mother's help, you ask? With the help of good friends, and a dear husband that took a personal day. We are getting set up, dusting off a few things, and looking forward to your arrival at 6.


And yes, Michael is baking chocolate chip cookies, and we will have that killer vanilla bean butter and fresh baked bread. So if you're not in it for the clothing, at least come for the food! 

Love,


Kristyn


(photo.)

The Joneses: And Keeping Up

Today I got a feeling similar to the one I had a night before a final design project deadline in college. Like, Oh Man...how am I going to get all of this done? Back then I was an "Iman" and now I'm a "Jones," so it's like I am trying to keep up with myself. Here's my sort of to-do list...


We are hosting Easter this Sunday and I cannot wait to enjoy a nice meal with the family! Cooking a ham, lamb, potatoes, deviled eggs, sautéed green beans, a fruit salad, and Michael's rolls...yum! Had two interior design meetings today...and now I must get to work on those projects! Must make the kids Easter baskets, a new tradition for us. Plus put the bunny ears on our stone lions out front! Hosting a dear friends baby shower and planning with friends to make it super sweet! Finally unpacked our bags from spring break, but haven't even started that laundry...yikes...plus the dryer isn't getting fixed until Monday! Purging wardrobe to keep summer pregnancy items that will actually fit...plus planning for my clothing swap April 26th (coming ladies?) Thinking ahead for the neighborhood Holiday Homes Tour that I agreed to even though we will have a newborn baby! Ha! Michael said tonight that'd he'd have the first floor projects done...how kick butt is that? That means a bathroom, smoothing and painting walls, lighting in kitchen, etc...plus we like have to decorate our house for Christmas. Should be fun and a lot of work. It's around Thanksgiving, so if you'll be in town stay tuned! Getting quotes for a back yard fence. Need one asap to keep my children corralled outside. Much be outside as much as possible during these nice days! (Note: If my children are crying or having afternoon fits, I try to go outside where all of there troubles blow away with the wind!) Friday night: Good Friday Service at church, 3 year old birthday party Saturday, date Saturday night with Michael, and Easter on Sunday! 


In the midst of our springtime lots-of-things-a-goin'-on may we remember that there is only one real "to do" list. Breathe, eat, sleep. And for us mothers, make sure the rest of the family is breathing too!


Good night and happy breathing!


- Kristyn


(cartoon.)

What Hensley Wore: Dress Up

"What Hensley Wore" for her birthday party...

Flower Shirt Dress

Blue Suede Ballerina Peep Toe

Checked Shirt Dress, what she wore the day before with family in town!

Thank you Zara for allowing us folk from the US of A to shop online now. So...it was a fun filled weekend. Some highlights included Uncle Eric and Aunt Erica coming to town, our 3 foot red balloon that accompanied the children in their photo shoot, and Hensley's best birthday scene...rocking in her new, but vintage rocking chair holding and patting her new baby. Was the sweetest thing. Oh and I musn't forget...the best gift she received was a song written by our dear friend, Jacob, and performed by he and his wife at the party. It was the sweetest thing ever. Surely we taped it and I will share. 


Love,


Kristyn

A Party: For Baby Judah

Got to throw a sweet baby shower for my pal, Katie today. Our house was full of beautiful ladies. I've never seen so many adorable homemade baby gifts! Each girl must have her own etsy shop! We are so excited for Baby Judah to come this April. He'll be the hippest kid on the block, with pretty amazing parents. We love you Nick and Katie, and cannot wait for you to expand to Welch party of three!

Get Ur Skate On: At Skate World

So I loved it when my boss at my old job would get on the intercom on a Friday afternoon and announce an "All Skate" in the cafeteria. He is so funny. 


This was by far the best 9 year olds birthday party we've attended yet. And we (especially the boys) go to quite a few. Why was it great? Because it was at Skate World. Why else? It's the place for parties, young and old! Tegegne used more of a skate-running technique. We had a blast.