Congrats Dom!

Finally...a beautiful May day! Mild and not a cloud in the blue sky. Emma Claire and I started out the day at the Farmer's Market, played in the yard (Emma Claire giggles and squeals when we throw sticks to the dogs...she thought it was funny to walk around with a stick in her mouth like Sophie)
Also went for a nice walk with Suzanne and Addie, and finished the day at the Knauffs' for Dom's graduation party. Congrats to Dom for finishing his MBA!

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Golden Valley Days

Emma Claire attended her first parade. Golden Valley Days. It was COLD, COLD, COLD...and MAY. We braved the weather to watch the little parade. I am still learning the whole "prepared parent" thing. Have not quite got it together yet. Emma Claire and I loaded up the stroller and a coat and headed out the door. The friends we met there were all stocked with folding chairs, blankets, hot chocolate in a mug, bags for candy... Do I ever have a lot to learn!

Anyway, Emma Claire enjoyed the firetrucks, bands, etc. Found a new love for dum-dums, which is the perfect distraction at Target...went right out and bought a Costco size bag of 'em.

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Wild Rumpus

Emma Claire and I have ventured over to Linden Hills a couple of times recently to visit Wild Rumpus, Creative Kidstuff and Sebastian Joe's for ice cream.
Wild Rumpus must be the cutest children's bookstore there is (neck in neck with Square Books Jr in Oxford...although Square Books doesn't have animals). Emma Claire enjoys chasing the little hen, Pimento. Then there are the cats, the lizard, the pigeons, etc. And, of course, the books. Makes for a fun afternoon.

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Mothers Day Tea

I love everything about Emma Claire's school. The environment, the teachers, the activities, the christian based teaching... They do an unbelievable job and I feel very fortunate that Emma Claire has the opportunity to be there.

Emma Claire invited Marjorie and Diane to join us for a Mothers Day Tea. The children put on a little program of Mothers Day songs followed by a "formal" tea complete with white tablecloths and china. Emma Claire went crazy for the "tea" (pink lemonade) out of the teacup. Only fine china for her from now on!

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Mothers Day Art

Emma Claire (with a little help from Mommy) hand made our Mothers Day gifts this year. It was quite the project, but was fun. She is quite the little finger painter, a technique she has perfected at school.

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More Words...

"Ball", "Out", "cheese", "baby" (mostly in reference to "Yo Baby" yogurt), "bubble", "bo-bo" (in reference to, I think, her blankie). Most words still sound like "all done", but taken into context, we are getting somewhere with the words.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day #2. A great day. We made it to the 8:45 church service (for the second half, anyway, only to have to stand out in the lobby with Emma Claire...) then went to brunch at Rick and Diane's with Marjorie. I had a "nap" (I actually get the opportunity and could not sleep - typical). We all worked in the yard in the afternoon. Finally got the back flower bed cleaned out and some seeds in (with Emma Claire's help, of course). We'll see if flowers pop up in a few weeks. You know it's been a good day when you come in the house covered from head to toe in dirt.

I love being a mother more than I could have ever imagined. There is nothing in life I would rather do than be with my little family.

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