Thunderstorms

Emma Claire told her teacher yesterday that she went to the basement [on Sunday] because the thunderstorm was upstairs.

Emma Claire-isms

"I'm getting switchuated"

Emma Claire, asking about my wedding portrait in our bedroom...

Emma Claire: "Mommy, did you get married in that picture?"

Me: "Yes, to Daddy"

Emma Claire: "Why you get married to Daddy?"

Me: "Because I love him"

Emma Claire: "And he's your prince?"

I'm Lucky

Emma Claire: "I'm lucky that I have two baby sisters (as she counts with her fingers)... Calin and Arnold".

Vegetable Garden 2011

Little Red Camping Stove

Brad and Emma Claire are excited about a few camping trips this summer. They have a 10 person tent, fishing poles (Emma Claire's is a pink Dora one - they tried them out this weekend down at Theo Wirth)

and, now, a little red camping stove. Brad ordered the components and built a box for it. Emma Claire asked him if they could paint it pink. They compromised and went with red. I think that little stove will see many happy camping memories for years to come (Brad thinks they won't exactly "blend in" at the campsites :-).

Arnold's First Bike Ride

Daddy's sure are resourceful. Brad took both kids in the Burley down to the Knaufs last night. Arnold wore Emma Claire's helmet and Emma Claire..., well, she got the hockey helmet.

Mothers Day Tea

I attended the, always fancy, Mothers Day Program and Tea at Calvary last week. It is definitely one of my favorite Calvary events. Fancy attire is encouraged (right down Emma Claire's alley) and the tables are dressed with china and pink and purple tablecloths. We had our choice of pink lemonade or tea and a variety of snacks - tea sandwiches, croissants, creme puffs - very fancy.

The kids did a little program before the tea, singing songs about mommy. This is the first time Emma Claire really got into the performance. I loved every moment. So cute - below for your viewing pleasure...

Arnold Crawled!!

He did it (well, a little). Arnold crawled a couple of feet on Sunday.

Arnold Reading

Tennis Camp

Emma Claire started tennis lessons through Golden Valley Parks and Rec last Saturday. It is every Saturday morning for 2 hours (yes - TWO hours). I really wasn't sure how it would go, but couldn't pass up the opportunity (if nothing else, it is a good photo op).

Emma Claire did great. It was a perfect spring morning. She looked super cute in her tennis shirt with her pink tennis racket. She followed directions well. She was the youngest in a group of 3-5 year olds. She was one tired little girl Saturday night after a morning on the courts.

Meadowbrook Carnival

Brad, Emma Claire, Arnold and I walked to Meadowbrook last night for the elementary school carnival. We got a little glimpse into our future - and made it out in one piece.

Emma Claire's primary motivation to go was the nail painting station. When When I told Emma Claire that Mrs. Whitney would be helping with the fingernail painting, she was worried that Mrs. Whitney "won't have my size".

We left the carnival with 10 purple sparkly fingernails, a book (from the book walk), a green frog and a bag of mini donuts for the road.

Pinkalicious Ora

Emma Claire and Addie had a good old time with the face paints one night this week. By the time we left Addie's, Emma Claire's face was covered with layers and layers of pink and red paint (including her eyelids and lips). We (I) scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed and was able to successfully remove most of it - except for what was in the eyebrows and hairline. Looked ok Wednesday night. However, Thursday morning in the daylight, Emma Claire clearly had a pink "ora" to her.

This coincided with "Hat Day" at school. Emma Claire took a cute white sun hat from last year (boarderline too small). It had an elastic band to go under her chin to keep it on. When I picked her up from school, her teachers said they wouldn't let her wear the chin strap because it seemed to be cutting off her circulation - her face looked like it was turning red...

May Basket

Emma Claire received her first "May Basket" on May day this week. This is a tradition that I am just recently becoming familiar with. We didn't do this in the South when I was little. The idea is that you fill a basket with goodies and secretly leave it at the recipient's front door. Emma Claire was thrilled. I think I recognize the handwriting on the note (could it be Hope's? - you decide) :-).

Jesus in Your Heart

Emma Claire (as she is cuddled up on my chest): "I think I feel Jesus in your heart"

Cozy

This is the scene every morning. Emma Claire shows up in our bed sometime in the night - every night - and Sophie moves into my spot as soon as I get out of bed.

Arnold: 9 Months

Arnold is well into his 9th month now. His little personality is becoming more and more apparent. He is one happy little boy. The latest and greatest:

• Two top teeth (he looks different when he smiles)

• 
• No crawling yet, but so close! He gets so frustrated when he can't do it. Arnold is able to get up on all fours, but hasn't figured out how to propel himself forward. He continues to roll everywhere.

• Still our superstar sleeper - two naps, like clockwork and sleeps through the night, most nights. He doesn't much like to be cuddled and rocked when it is bedtime. He likes to go straight to his crib. Also doesn't like to be in our bed.

• Lots of ma-ma-ma and da-da-da's and other sounds. I think it is safe to say "ma-ma" and "da-da" are his first real words.

• Lots of squeals and smiles. He loves, loves, loves Emma Claire. She can always make him giggle and squeal. Arnold thinks she is the greatest!

• He makes funny faces (ones where he does a fake looking smile, showing his teeth and his eyes all squinted). I think he likes the response it gets.

• Shaking his head side to side (like "no"). He thinks this is pretty funny.

• Arnold will eat pretty much anything we put in front of him. He loves his food and feeding himself. He is getting better at it - more in the mouth and less in the chair. He now purposefully feeds Sophie and Rudy from his high chair.

• Sophie and Rudy - Arnold loves them and they are very gentle with him.

• He loves his toys - especially ones that make a little noise.

Arnold is a content, sweet, happy little boy. He makes me laugh every day with his smiles and two big dimples. My favorite moments are first thing in the morning when I walk into his room - he is so happy to see us after a long night's sleep, and in the afternoon when I pick him up from Calvary. He is so excited when I walk in the room! He bounces up and down and squeals. Every day is happy in Arnold's world.

Arnold's 9 Month Well Child

9 Month Stats:

• 18.5 pounds (17%)
• 29 inches (41%)

It is always fun to see Dr. Hobbs for a non-sick visit. Arnold is healthy and growing, for which we are so thankful. One shot (Emma Claire: "Arnold was brave").

Magnolia

Although far from the grand Magnolia trees in the South, the "hearty" Magnolia Brad planted for Mother's Day last year in the backyard has a single flower. Makes me think of home.