Iron Chef Josie

Josie is getting harder to entertain these days. She still spends all day with Mom, but has started Tae Kwan Do classes at the gym. It's a class offered in the 'Kids Zone' and she loves it!! She goes to the gym with her Dad nearly every weeknight.

Our days are busier too. Josie has always been an excellent helper, but now she is not satified with the small stuff. This week she insisted on helping me prepare James' favorite dish, Eggplant Parmesan. I was prepared for a big mess but Josie really surprised me. She followed directions perfectly, stayed focused and refused to quit until the preparations were complete. We made homemade tomato sauce from tomatoes we bought on our way home from the shore this weekend. All the other ingredients were farm fresh - including the fresh basil we chopped for the sauce! Here's Josie doin' her best Iron Chef impression:

Josie at Two and a Half (Video)

Today, our precious Josie is two and a half years old! She has changed so much in the past 6 months! When I tell my friends about how much she talks, sings and dances - well, I don't think they quite believe it. She is initially shy with anyone outside of the family, so it's a bit hard to see.

Josie is just a complete wonder to James, Maddie and me. It seems she uses a new word each day. She speaks in complete sentences, knows her colors, shapes, numbers and some letters. When James corrects her (in his 'stern' voice) she tells him, "Dad, don't yell at me, I'm just a little girl"!! She cracks me up! She is very bossy, very funny and very loving. I can't tell you just how precious she is to us. We love and adore her beyond measure.

I tried following her around with the video camera for a few days. When it is just the two of us, I can't get her to do anything for the camera because she wants to use it herself. So, I called in Dad and big sister Maddie to help out. I think you can see in this little clip just how much fun we have with her!

A Day at the Races

This past weekend the Chevy Rock n' Roll 400 race was held at Richmond International Raceway. James, Maddie and my Dad were guests of Chevy. They spent all day Saturday at the race and were also treated to a concert by Daughtry. (Slideshow below). The race was a long and exciting one, with many stops because of collisions.

Last year, Maddie got to meet the Barenaked Ladies. This year, she did get to talk to Chris Daughtry when he and band visited the Chevy suite, but there were no photos and no autographs. According to James, the band members came in, ate, said a few hellos and then left. Chris Daughtry spent the majority of his time smoking on the balcony. This was a big change from when the BNL were there last year - they spent time in the suite talking to everyone there, shaking hands, taking photos with the guests and graciously signing autographs. Oh well, I guess some guys just aren't that social...

Anyway, Dad had a great time in the suite, being pampered by the Chevy folks. We are so grateful to everyone there for showing the gang such a wonderful time. James was able to visit with our friend, Kip, as he did last year. Maddie was so excited to see Kip and he certainly noticed how grown up Maddie is becoming!

Here is a quick slideshow of the racing events:



And here is a quick slideshow of the Daughtry concert: