Happy Birthday, Emma Grapes!

Happy Birthday, Emma Grace!!! On February 6, 2004...Lewis and I welcomed 9lbs 13oz of beautiful, squirming baby girl, and wow, did she change our world. We could not get enough of this wonderful, gorgeous, gurgling bundle of joy. When Emma woke at night, I would sit up and nurse her and marvel that she was actually ours. We still do! Emma Grace, you amaze your daddy and I every day. You are so clever, thoughtful, creative, sweet, and fun, and we love all of your discoveries, revelations, and hilarious comments. It is such a privilege to watch you grow and change and to be your mama. We had a gymnastics birthday party for our almost-four-year-old, and she had some friends come to play. We made ice cream cone-cupcakes, and everyone had lots of fun!

Kaia and princess Belle

Princesses, Lizards, & Preschool, Oh My!

Emma had a very exciting day at preschool yesterday--firstly, Mama had a class for work so Dada got to work in her classroom (a first)! That was super exciting. Secondly, a local pet store came and brought all sorts of exotic animals to see the children. They loved that! Em got to see a large cockroach (not sure of the draw, but apparantly it was interesting), a bearded dragon, and a parrot that talked, among other creatures.

Kaia also had a good time--when I went by on my lunch break to say hi, she was asleep in the front pack on Lewis, buttoned up in his jacket. It was so cute!

We finally did the girls' Christmas pictures, too, the other day...(Just in time, right?) the girls were sick and missed their Christmas appointment...so the pictures come now. Anyway, that's why there are holiday-looking pictures with this post--they're new!

Emma invented a new game today called "trick or treat" that she plays with Kaia or whoever is around. She sets Kaia sitting up outside her bedroom door and then goes inside, closes the door, and says, "I hear you out there, little one!" and she opens the door and says, "Say trick-or-treat, Kaia!" and then she gives Kaia a book and shuts the door. Kaia liked this game for a while, but I think it was a little confusing for her that Em kept closing the door with her outside!

Emma and Kaia went to a friend's birthday party last weekend and Princess Belle herself, all the way from Disneyland, showed up! She talked to the kids, and the birthday girl was so excited. Kaia got her picture taken with Belle but Emma was too nervous, she just wanted to look at her from across the room.

Ringing in the New Year, Christmas, Giving Thanks

I have been spending a lot of time lately thinking about what I am thankful for--and my wonderful husband and two precious little girls are at the top of the list!!
Lewis is such a hard worker and a good man, he is so loving with our daughters and such a good example for them.
Emma Grace is an amazing daughter and big sister--she is so gentle, loving, and genuine with Kaia, and I love to watch them play together. As Kaia is able to do more, they can interact more, and it's such a joy to see! Today they are playing My Little Pony hospital...that has been a favorite game recently. The ponies go to the dollhouse and get injured/sick in some way, and then other ponies come and take care of them and give them tea.
Kaia is such a ray of sunshine--she is such a happy, adorable bundle of fun!! She is exploding in development right now--she is blowing raspberries (and laughing), babbling, trying really hard to pull up on things...she is so interested in toys and she tries to clap her hands, which is a fun game!! For now, clapping consists of linking her hands together and bouncing them up and down and squeezing her fingers. She also loves the dog, Farley--his tail is a neverending source of entertainment, much to his chagrin, I am sure! Happy New Year!! May it be filled with blessings, joy, and time with those you cherish!

CHRISTMAS

On Christmas Eve, we all drove up to the snow for a little winter fun!! Kaia didn't love the being cold part, but she loved to look at the snow and the trees and was all bundled in a cute snowsuit that Auntie Kirstie got for Emma a few years back. We had snow ice cream and Emma and I had a snowball fight, and we tried to build a snowman, but it was all powder and didn't stick well, so we built a tiny snowman family (all about 6 inches tall!) Then we went home and lit a fire and had soup and cocoa. I think the snow ice cream was Emma's favorite part, yum!!

Christmas was a lot of fun this year. It was Kaia's first Christmas, and the twinkling lights, crinkly paper, pretty music and yummy smells all seemed to delight her. Emma Grace was so excited about Christmas this year! Santa brought her a dollhouse that she loves, and she and Kaia received many fun toys and adorable clothes, and we had Christmas dinner at our house for the first time. That was a lot of fun!! I haven't cooked a turkey before, and it was pleasantly uneventful and delicious! We visited with lots of family and friends and it was a wonderful holiday!

New Year's Eve we celebrated on East Coast time with some friends from Emma's preschool--the kids had a lot of fun running around, playing, and watching The Little Mermaid. We had make-your-own pizza with a variety of delicious toppings (raisins? who knew!) and toasted with champagne and apple juice....and everyone was in bed by 10!