Packing!

We are going to Arizona for a few days to visit family, enjoy the sunshine and maybe catch a pre-season baseball game. This morning the kids helped me pack!

Mitch made sure I wouldn't forget one of the most important packages - him!

Shannon loves her feet right now.

Mitch is very excited about our trip and asks every day if we're going to "Zo-ona" yet. He told his sister all about the impending flight. Wish us luck - and perhaps the fellow passengers. Here's hoping the diaper changes coincide with layovers and don't knock us out mid-flight!

Budding Imagination

This afternoon Mitch and Shannon played in the crib with all of Shannon's stuffed animals. Mitch thought she needed them surrounding her - and occasionally covering her - and he happily obliged.

There was a time when I worried that Mitch wasn't going to love his stuffed animals, but that time has long since passed. Oh, the silly things we choose to worry about . . . He is old enough now that he has conversations with some of his critters and he helps them in and out of his cars, praising them, "Good job, Buzz, just put your arm in". In fact, as I write, he has loaded all of them in his giant box (which is now a car) and is taking them for a drive to Papa Johnson's house, complete with narration. I love watching his imagination develop!

We've had a tough couple weeks getting used to nights without Dad (who is working late with baseball). However, these two continue to love each other and make most days delightful. Mitchell has some fun talking points lately: When asked who his sister is, Mitch responds, "Baby Shannon Leah Johnson Sister". Also, I lost my voice. Yesterday in the car I asked him a question and he responded, "I don't hear you with a frog in your mouth." What a gem!

Season Opener

Ah, baseball season!
We are underway as the defending state champions.

All dressed in his SHS gear, MBJ is ready for the home opener!

Our VIP seating has a bench this year. Here is Mitch applauding a run scored. He seems to understand when to clap. It doesn't hurt that the rest of the crowd is doing it. While he seems calm and involved in the game in this photo, do not be fooled into thinking that we sit to watch the game. Not a snowball's chance.

He was all grins! And why not? We notched a victory under blue skies and 65 degree weather.

Afterward, Mitch was a big help with field maintenance.
His hard work, and his dad's tolerance, set the stage for game two of the doubleheader.
Unfortunately, it didn't end as well.
Still, the season is off to a good start!

Spring to Perfection!

Today's weather is unreal - 70 degrees and windless. Ah, spring!

Jill and Paige came over for a picnic lunch.

Paige is 1 tomorrow and she's all motion right now. Shannon was interested and in another year, they will be romping together. Mitch loves "Baby Paige" but he refused to kiss her. I'm sure he'll regret that in a few years . . .

Shannon went to the doctor this morning and has some new stats: 14lbs 7oz and 24.25 inches long. That puts her in the 50th percentile for both height and weight. To put that in perspective, at this very same age, her brother weighed 3 and a half pounds more! Yowza!

4 Months Already!

Shannon is one happy little girl!
In the past couple days, she has started to squeal with intensity and is trying to talk to us much of the time. She certainly has a lot to say!

He loves her!

Mitchell really loves to hold Shannon and asks multiple times each day. Shannon, is a fan of being held when he's sitting down, but, as you can see, isn't too fond of the hug-hold. The two of them continue to get along well. This morning he was making her laugh - a charming little giggle punctuated by spraying drool!