Phone Videos

I took these videos as we were walking home from getting the mail back on Jan. 25th. We just had too much fun not to share. The camera work is not great... phone camera... decent at best. If you are looking to waste a few minutes this is your post. :)

Contrary

When deciding whether or not I was going to take the plunge and potty train Emily, I looked at the "are they ready" lists online. Most lists mentioned that you should not do it while your child is in a "contrary phase." Well, I decided to ignore that because I fear I would have to wait a VERY long time. :)

Luckily, things have gone quite well. Emily is doing a FABULOUS job and is even waking me in the middle of the night for bathroom runs. (This does, of course, have it's drawbacks but overall it's a good thing.)

Anyway, back to the contrary discussion. The other day, just after waking from a nap, I suggested to a grumpy Emily that she might want to use the potty. She didn't agree with me and argued for a minute. In the end, she did do as I asked - she just made sure I knew that she was doing it under protest.

Not Done Yet...

Daddy's birthday wasn't complete until the updated birthday sign was hung,

his wrapping paper was made,

and his presents were wrapped!
Everything was ready for him when he got home from his business trip last night and Emily was happy to wait up to wish him happy birthday one more time - on his actual birthday!

First Day of School

Today was Emily's first day of school! She and I will go every Tuesday to a three hour Mommy and Me class. Today she was asked to bring valentines for all of her new friends - she was pretty excited about going in general but was really happy to give out cards too! I tried to get a picture of her on the way out the door but never did get a great one.

When we pulled up Emily exclaimed, "we made it!" and took off down the street.
Before long her walk turned into a jog...

and then a full run.
Right off the bat we met a friend who was also on his way to class. Emily said hello, asked him his name, and talked to him the entire way.
We were the first two in the classroom and they both went straight for the cars!

From 9-10 is "play time" when the kids can play with all of the toys, go to the playdough table, and also the craft table. Today's craft was a valentine card for Mama and Daddy.

From 10 to 10:30 we have circle time during which we greet everyone, sing some songs, and today we passed out our valentines. Not every kid wanted to pass out their own cards but Emily was all about it - I just walked behind with the stickers.

When Emily was finished we waited a couple of minutes...
before circle time ended with a "Jumping Jack" song.
At 10:30 the kids all sit down for snack and when they are finished there are some books out for us to read. One little girl brought valentine cookies for everyone today and Emily had already finished her snack but ran right back to the table to get one! It was HUGE. You know the ones I speak of, at least as much icing as there is cookie and covered in sprinkles. Emily adored it, of course.

At 11:00 a few of the parents (we will rotate through) and the aide go outside to the playground for the last hour while everyone else stays in for the "parent education" part. Today, all of the new parents went outside with the kids. Emily wasn't so keen on the whole "holding the rope" idea...
but realized it was the only way she could get to the playground so she fell in line.


At the end of the morning we circle up one last time to say good bye. This morning a little girl was looking for her mommy (not really concerned at all, she was there last semester) and Emily stood there telling her that it was okay, her mommy would be coming.
Emily seemed to think that she herself would be a little worried so she took it upon herself to "comfort" the little girl.
Emily was very happy to see them reunited and I took that moment to let Emily know that next week she will have to be waiting for me to come out too.

All in all it was a good morning... I think this will be a good thing for us.

As we drove away I asked Emily if she had fun at school and she excitedly said, "YEAH!" I asked her what part she liked the most and she replied... "cookie!" Is anyone surprised?

Super Bowl Birthday

Yesterday, as we all know, was Super Bowl Sunday - but it also happened to be the Sunday before Daddy's birthday! So I decided that since Daddy's birthday is on a Tuesday we would celebrate him and the Super Bowl together. When Emily woke up and I reminded her that we had some things to do to get ready for Daddy's party she was pretty excited. She said, "I gonna hold this balloon up and sing, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you..."

Yes, that is a part of her circus hat. :)

First thing on the agenda... Daddy's cake! An ice cream cake! Emily was a little excited.
Okay, she was VERY excited!!
She helped me put the cookies in to be "crumbed"...

and had a very strategic plan of placement.
Which, in the end, worked just fine.
As I was spreading the crumbs along the bottom of the pan Emily said to me, "Mama, I could level it. Can I help you?" I was a little surprised that she had a good enough understanding of "leveling" from other projects (leveling ingredients in a dry measuring cup) that she was able to recognize that that is just what I was doing. Of course I let her help.
She also helped taste test the ice cream...
but since I wanted it to soften some more we moved on to the seven layer dip complete with guacamole - which means we needed avocado...
and lemon.

During the smashing Emily decided that she would help with her own fork.
Once the whole dip was complete it was time to go back to the cake and put in the ice cream.
Emily threatened to grab a cookie out of the cookies 'n cream layer...
and was allowed a taste of the mint chocolate chip layer.
But she did threaten an extra spoonful when it was all finished...
so I quickly wrapped up the cake, threw it in the freezer and moved on to something a little less tempting... jalapeno poppers!
Emily would, of course, never eat them but she was a good helper.

Throughout our work in the morning Daddy was at the office and just as promised, he was home when Emily woke up from nap. She was happy to show him the balloons she picked out for him - our favorite colors.
Then she sat down with him to drink some "Bongo" and watch the pre-game.
She seemed to really be enjoying hanging out and watching with Daddy...
just like in 2009.
Daddy wondered aloud how long it would last.
Fifteen minutes later (game JUST beginning) she was ready to play...

also, just like in 2009.
That's when I got out the supplies to make her Valentine cards for her new class. She helped me trace,
write,
glue, glitter, and lend me support in general.

When those were finished it was time for the dance portion of the party! (Emily had some pretty interesting dance requests.)
During the second half, while I made enchiladas for dinner, Emily "watched" the game with Daddy and practiced her balance. Who knows why she dreamed this up... maybe because she was a tightrope walker the day before?
Luckily we are on the west coast, so when the game ended it was late for Emily but not too late. We were able to save the best part of the party - cake!
Emily was a little excited.
Okay, Emily was VERY excited!!!
But she was still willing to share some with her favorite birthday guy.
At bed time Emily declared it "the best birthday party ever!" Happy birthday celebration day, Daddy!