quick update

Josie: is really enjoying school. It was my day to stay and help on Thursday, and she really seems to be comfortable, fit in, and know what she's doing. She plays so nicely with everyone, and feels free enough to talk to any of them or say what she's thinking to the teacher. She just seems happy there, and that makes me so happy!
We went to the big (really nice) park in Golden together on Thursday afternoon, after a long day where neither kid would nap for long, and Josie rode her bike on the path along the creek. It's a little kid bike that I found at the thrift store (although it's a quite nice bike), and the training wheels keep her upright. When she falls over she says cute things like "Good thing I was wearing my helmet!" then gets up and rides on. We later went to the library where she insisted on wearing the helmet.
Jasper: is really loving the park. He is so happy to follow Josie (and her friends, whenever available) around and do what they do. Usually after school we stay for 45 minutes to play with Josie and her buddies. I think he thinks he's also three, and they really treat him nicely and try to let him join in a bit...and he does his best to keep up. He's quite proficient at sliding now, although it's usually feet-first on his belly (the safest way, no doubt), and can climb the ladder up to the second level on the play structure. I just can't get over it! Josie was an early slider, compared to her friends, but she was 16-17 months rather than 12 when she started. Okay, so he gets injured frequently, but he bounces back really quickly, and is just so generally happy and fun to be around (even when he's teething, his reflux is acting up, and he hasn't slept!). He's also really enjoying books right now, especially if they include large pictures of animals, preferably photographs, that he can point at and say "dog", "duck", or "that" or make the signs for "elephant", "butterfly" or "fish". We also think he says "right there", but that one's not so clear... I've also discovered that he understands everything I say, like "let's go in the kitchen!" or "can you put this in the basket over there?". I think he understands when I say "No!" too, but that one gets a less pronounced response...
favorite books: Anything fall-related, with leaves, pumpkins, or apples (Josie) "My Big Animal Book" and "Peek a Who" (Jasper)
favorite music: Soundtrack to Curious George the Movie (haven't seen it!) by Jack Johnson (Josie); anything danceable (Jasper)