When they are Sick:

These tricky germs find a way into our homes and ruin all the fun. We caught some yucky bugs last week (and I've still got the tissue blister under my nose to prove it)! Little Miss did the 48 hour thing (thank goodness) while Mr. Man and I were down for the 10+ days a nasty cold requires.

In spite of the hard, I'm grateful to see how sweet Emma can be with her brother. I caught her trying to make Mr. Man smile while he was down for the count.

The Birthday Princess

Emma had her 'Golden Birthday' this month. She planned a princess party and invited a few friends. We kept it as simple as possible: decorated cookies, made paper dragons (because every princess faces a dragon at some point), danced to the disney pandora station and played with presents. We had a separate day for family presents too. She basically had a long birthday weekend-and loved every bit of it!

We love you Emma! Happy Birthday

At five years old…

You love to dance, twirl, sing, jump, hop on one foot (sort of) and have any audience watch you.

You love all things beautiful: hair bows, jewelry, headbands, shoes, and dresses are your favorites.

Your favorite song: whatever you make up in the moment.

Favorite Food: …I'm not sure you eat any food right now…is cereal food? Perhaps toast with peanut butter

Favorite Movie: anything with beautiful dresses, princess shows, fairy shows etc.

You tend to be easily embarrassed and shy at first, if somebody says hello to you, you hide your face. If that person sticks around a while you warm up easily and begin to flirt and dance and play to see this new friend's reaction.

Bossy is an attribute that just comes with the territory of being the 1st born…sorry little love.

You're old enough now that the punishment for rebellion and disobedience is first a time out in the corner but also your beloved toys and cartoons are starting to be taken away as well. This can lead to an epic tantrum or a calm sadness that you did something wrong. You seem to be very black or white when it comes to emotions.

Your Sunday School teachers have nothing but good things to say about you. You are strong willed of course and that always makes them laugh and shake their heads, but you are a joy and well behaved for the most part.

You're a smart cookie, you love to have books read to you and you are well on your way to learning how to read. Pre-school this year is online, a state funded program that helps you understand the reading concepts and boasts if done on a daily routine will help you progress to a 2nd grade reading level…we will see by the end of the school year.

You are more social than I can comprehend. Your Dad and I have very little social needs, interacting with other people does not come naturally to me…you are friends with every child in the neighborhood and long for that interaction. We've started to let you play in the neighbor's yards…this is not easy for me. I basically stop what I'm doing to watch out the windows to see where you are and who you are with. Why do you need friends?! 

Look Who's Old Enough for Time Outs

So, Parker 'earns' at least one time out a day. It's usually for getting into things. For example, unrolling the toilet paper, sneaking into Emma's room and dumping out every bead and jewel she owns, stealing crackers from the pantry etc. Oh, and playing in the trash is one of his favorites!

He thinks time out is funny…he goes into the corner on command and sticks his nose against the wall and waits for his timer. He goes in smirking and comes how smiling. I ask him why he was in the corner and without fail he says: "uh, oh" and giggles. I'm thinking he doesn't feel remorseful.

Snack Time!

 Peanut butter on crackers today with a side of copy cat:

I think they're great!

Princess and the Pea(s)

Look what chore we're doing today:

Birthday Present!

My handsome husband asked me what I'd be wanting as a birthday gift. I facetiously said I wanted the front yard landscaped: trees, grass, and the yard shaped and prepped for Spring flowers. Next thing I know he's making it happen-he always does.

   Through storms, setbacks, overtime, and back-breaking work we have our first signs of green!

The sting of turning 30 is lightened with the thought of beautiful, green, growing, plants :) Trees coming soon.

Summer:

Well school is starting here in a week which means Summer is over! Yikes, I suppose I should make a post…

Here's the pictures:

We went to The Little Mermaid show with Emma

Enjoyed a Children's Discovery Museum 

Emma found my camera, there were over 60+ pictures that were of Parker and Emma's finger.

We played at the park several times.

It's been an enjoyable summer. I'm grateful for the swamp cooler, I'm glad that Shane has had some time with us as a family, and I'm glad Parker is old enough to actually play and rough house with Emma.