What I am Learning at School July 13-17

I thought I would try to keep track of what Emma Claire has been learning in school by sharing the lesson plan on the blog (can you even read it?...maybe I should scan it in...still learning).
Thought it would be fun to look back at someday. They stay busy!

Bedtime Prayers

Bedtime routine is pretty much the same every night....bath-PJs-teeth-comb hair-books-songs-prayers and night-night. After the books and song part tonight, I told Emma Claire that it is time to go night night and we should say our prayers. She clasped her hands in prayre and then guided me to do the same.

At the end, Emma Claire will now say a-men. We were going through some words at the end of the prayer (Rowie, Opa, Auntie G, etc...) and I asked Emma Claire if she could say Jesus. She answered by clasping her hands in prayer position again. Priceless.

Up North with the Knauffs

We feel lucky to have gotten the invite to our friends cabin for a real "up North" summer cabin experience. This is what people do here in the summer...escape to their cabins/lake places "up North".

The only thing better than having your own cabin, is having friends with a cabin that are nice enough to invite you up every so often. Our friends, the Knauffs', families both have cabins in the Detroit Lakes area (near Fargo)... Dom, Suzanne and Addie. Addie and Emma Claire have quickly become best friends. They met in ECFE when only weeks old and have been friends ever since. Fun to see them play together lately. Did they ever have a good time at the lake!

It was coolish up there...70s during the day and 50s at night (I actually love that weather...what is happening to me?). Beautiful days. The girls played in the water, but never actually wore a swimsuit. Mostly only in diapers and birthday suits. Emma Claire got to touch her first real live fish (she poked it in the eye and stuck her finger in its mouth). Addie's grandfather gave the girls wagon and wheelbarrow rides. We grilled out and sat by the fire; played bean bag toss; visited the local establishment "The Hotel"; lounged on the pontoon; slept until 9am (yes, Emma Claire slept in 2 of the days); and just laughed at the girls. Couldn't have asked for a better weekend. Hope to do it again someday. Thank you to the Knauffs and their lovely families.

"Up North" Photos

Fourth of July

A recap of our Fourth of July this year... breakfast at Marjorie's, a bike ride with the Burley to Brookview for a picnic, an afternoon of working in the yard, an inpromptu gathering at the Hansons' (dogs included) followed by fireworks viewed from the top of the parking garage next to the neighborhood.

I am "borrowing" Whitney's blog post. The slideshow is outstanding!

http://thebickersonsblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/independence-day.html

More Pictures: http://eckadue.shutterfly.com/1372

Fathers Day Picnic at Calvary

Root Beer floats and some fun in Calvary Park with Daddy after school...

Fathers Day

Fathers Day at Como Zoo

Emma Claire gave her dad a set of pink and purple golf clubs (for her) for Fathers Day and a book (for her) entitled "If My Dad Were a Dog". She has been practicing with the clubs (mostly tormenting Rudy - Rudy hates Sticks). Also broke out the finger paints and made daddy a lovely card.

Be-Be

I feel like I need a camera on me 24/7. Emma Claire is changing so quickly and always doing something hilarious (to me, anyway...I think most everything she does deserves a laugh - which is no doubt going to come back to haunt me some day). She is just a different person now. Very much a little girl. Lots of high pitched squeals and giggles. She and her pal Addie like to follow each other around and giggle-squeal-giggle-squeal. Endless source of entertainment.

Emma Claire has recently taken to "Calin", her doll. It has taken some time. She was not so fond of Calin before. Now, however, Emma Claire is very into babies "be-be". Everything in a stroller or wheeled non-motorized vehicle is a be-be.

She, out of the blue, fed Calin her little bottle yesterday. Tonight, Emma Claire laid Calin on the floor in her room (as we were winding down for bed), patted her on the back, covered her up with a burp cloth, and said "night-night". This one of those moments I would give anything to have on video.

New Fun Photos from today