Warming Up for March Madness

I just realized this video was made about 3 weeks ago. Joshua seems to have grown an inch since then as he can reach the rim now. His shooting skills have improved greatly. But what do you expect with all the talk of bubble teams, who's in and who's out, and impact players. It's never too soon to develop the perfect shot.

Snow Day, Baby Shower and Playing

Snow Day number 4 for 2011 occurred last Thursday. This time we got a lot more snow than before. The 4 inches of very powdery snow fell Wednesday afternoon-night and was really pretty to watch.

Just in case several years pass before we get another snow day in Mississippi, we bundled Joshua up to go outside and play.

This finished product. Please note that we were better prepared this go-round and had actual gloves for Joshua to wear. He wore them about 20 seconds before taking this off and saying, "I don't want it."

The snow was so soft it was hard to make a snow ball that didn't fall apart in mid-flight.

Walking around the neighborhood. In true Southern Snowstorm fashion, we had a lovely layer of ice on the roads for a while.

The snow was mostly gone by Friday so we took off to Jackson to celebrate baby Luke who will be joining the Hunsberger family in a few short weeks. Aunt Glo had a baby shower at their church.

A cute cake that tastes good too!

The weather was so nice in Jackson that we couldn't bear to keep Joshua inside. Nana and I took him to the playground where he played off some energy he stored up this winter.

Sliding is great but jumping off the slide at the end is even more fun!

Together with the snow/ice and sickness we have had, I have worked only 1 full week in 2011. I could certainly get used to 3 and 4 day work weeks!

I Scream, You Scream...

Joshua loves ice cream!

ps...It has been snowing here for the last 7 hours. Dave is questioning whether we still live in Mississippi or have some how been transported to a small university town north of the Mason-Dixon.

We must celebrate

The flu may have kept us from celebrating Joshua's birth on his birthday weekend, but we still must celebrate. So last weekend Nana, Coach, Great Gay, Aunt Joy and GG came to Starkville to celebrate Joshua's 2nd birthday with us.

Of course, sports was the theme of the party because it is the theme of our lives right now.

"Forget the cake, give me ice cream!!!"

"Since the ice cream is gone, I guess I'll try this cake. Look mom, no hands!"

"Are you serious? There is something on my face?"

Not only did we have a sports themed party but the gifts followed suit. Aunt Joy and the Woodsmen gave Joshua some pjs and a soccer ball, GG gave Joshua a bathtub basketball goal and Coach and Nana gave Joshua a real basketball goal.

some assembly required

"Dad and Coach are taking too long to put this thing together. I'll just have to do it myself."

A test shot on the new goal.

Sunday we met Aunt B in Tuscaloosa for lunch. In usual Aunt B fashion, she came prepared for fun. Aunt B brought a small birthday cake in hopes of having another birthday celebration with us. Joshua could not have been more excited!

"Hey B, this cake is pretty good!"

"Look, I made that whole piece fit in my mouth in one bite. Impressed?"

Joshua got a lantern/flashlight from Aunt B. He loves it.

A big 2 years old. We hope to celebrate all year long.

Max-osaurus

Joshua's classmate, Maximillian, gave him a dinosaur for his birthday. The dinosaur has been named Max-osaurus in honor of the gift-giver. It is Joshua's new favorite thing.

(side note: Maximillian is from Germany and makes up the international contingent in Joshua's class. Instead of pronouncing his name like everyone else, Dave likes to call him "Max-one million.")

2.0 years of age

To celebrate Joshua's 2nd birthday we invited our out-of-town family to come for a sports party. The cake was ordered, the presents wrapped, the sports-themed plates, napkins and party hats were ready to be used and then the flu hit the Nolen home. Dave got sick first and then like dominoes in a line, Joshua and I fell ill. So the party was cancelled and the Nolen grandparents (who had already traveled half-way here) turned around and went home. We were so sad to miss celebrating with our families but are grateful that we did not get anyone else sick.

I couldn't let his 2nd birthday go by without a picture of the birthday boy. Thankfully he perked up some later in the day and was able to open a few gifts.

Great Gay and Gully's present was the first to be opened.

Joshua was quite pleased with his new corduroy pants and sweater vest. He will be the most handsome boy in the nursery wearing this outfit!

Mom and Dad got Joshua a new book, a new pair of tennis shoes and a Blue's Clues DVD. None of our gifts to him were met with as much excitement as the new clothes.

Without our permission, Joshua has decided to leave babyhood behind and become a big boy. With this new big boy phase has come many new skills as well as challenges.

Dave and I have learned a lot about Joshua over the past few months:

• Joshua loves, loves, loves sports. He loves to tackle, kick, bat, throw, shoot, dribble, swing, run, and jump as long as he has a ball of some sort involved in the action. He asks many questions about sporting events on tv. Over the weekend he learned about rebounds and free throws and at one point I overheard Dave explaining the need for a good goalie in a hockey game to him.
• Joshua loves to talk (we'll let you decide who he gets that from). While he is busy playing he is often heard singing, counting, or just talking. Most everything he says is decipherable or immediately understood now, which has decreased his and our frustration. In the past few days, we have noticed Joshua repeating a lot of what we say. So watch your mouth! Along this line, Joshua asks a lot of questions. "What's that noise?" "What's that name?" "Where did it go?" Lots and lots of questions!
• As he has become increasingly independent Joshua has also become increasingly defiant. He tries for decisions to be his way or the highway and does not like to meet resistance from his parents. We have learned a lot about effective discipline with Joshua through trial and error. Joshua does not handle choices well and seems to have fewer and shorter melt downs when he is faced with only one option. Dave and I have learned that eventually he will wear himself out and calm down. We just hope we don't wear out before he does.
• Joshua enjoys sitting in your lap and reading a book or just snuggling. He likes to pull all his bed gear (blankets, pillow, lovie and book) out of bed with him each morning and snuggle it all up into the chair with us. Dave refers to Joshua as King Baby in the mornings when he is lying in my lap under two blankets, with his head on his pillow, his lovie and book in one hand and a cup of milk in the other.
• Joshua is a fun boy. He loves to play and play hard. He loves to laugh and squeal. He loves to dance and make noise.

Snow-mageddon 2011

Freshly fallen snow is always so pretty.

Of course school was cancelled for not one but two days due to the 2.5 inches of snow we received. Joshua spent most of his time outside Monday sampling the snow flavors of the backyard.

The first attempt at a snowman.

Tasting the snowman proved too tempting and the head and torso were removed for consumption.

We never dreamed of Joshua needing gloves in Mississippi. So as we were layering him up we just put socks on his hands. He thought it was fun to wear socks as gloves for about 1 minute and then realized it was much easier to pick up the snow without them on.

Snowman attempt number 2 was more successful. Joshua squatted down to talk to the snowman several times.

Snowmen were built all over the neighborhood...even in the middle of the street.

For our 2nd outing into the snow on Monday, Joshua claimed Dave's gloves and hat.

"Mom, Dad and Joshua snowman"


We couldn't possibly spend time outside without playing some t-ball. Joshua used Dad-made snowballs for batting practice.

And is baseball practice ever over before a little throwing drill is complete?

It is really hard to come inside after enjoying the snow.

Video Memories of Christmas

Please enjoy a hodge-podge of videos taken over the Christmas holiday.

In our first video, please notice who is the most excited about the snow...it's Amelia. Joshua could not have cared less.

Next up is the excitement of Christmas Day with the extended family. Again, please consider who is more excited...the adults or the children?

It is always fun to try out your new toys. Joshua's golf swing has improved since this was shot but you have to love his determination.

The new bike is fun, but it's hard to pass up a chance to play football.

20,ooo feet does not stop Abigail and Joshua from showing some airline passengers a little love.

Christmas Festivities

Joshua has enjoyed the Christmas season. However, he isn't quite old enough to be excited about Christmas morning. It seems his favorite part of Christmas has been looking at lights and decorations. Hopefully he won't be too disappointed when the yard decorations are taken down.

Present opening began on Christmas Eve at our house. Joshua was excited to receive a Grinch and a book as one of his favorite yard inflatables is a "Grinch and dog" on our street.

Taking his time and relishing every minute of tearing the paper.

"Hey look, glow in the dark football, basketball and soccer ball!"

What could is be?

A Firetruck!

Christmas morning in Starkville started with snow!

Santa brought Joshua a broom, a Thomas the Tank Engine toothbrush, and a new blanket for a big boy bed. Joshua was excited about the broom and tooth brush but never gave the bedding a second look.

After lunch we travelled to Jackson to celebrate with many extended family members.

Joshua got to meet the newest family member...Tee, Gumby's new puppy.

Golf clubs from Great Gay and Gulley! After only one swing of a club in Nana's house, rule #1 of playing golf was firmly established: "Joshua can only play with the golf clubs outside."

It is fun to have an audience when you open presents.

"Oooo, what's in here?"

"Thanks for the help Tom Tom."

Nana and Coach's tricycle gift may have garnered the most squeals and smiles.

The next afternoon, braving the cold, Joshua had to try out his new wheels outdoors.

After a short ride on the trike it was time to practice his golf swing.

Abigail is going to miss Joshua's birthday party in a few weeks so we had a cousin party Tuesday afternoon. Joshua and Abigail decorated cookies,

played on the swing set,

rode their new trikes,

enjoyed juice from "fun bottles" and

ended the party with a big hug!