Backwards Day

Emma Claire and Arnold had a Daddy weekend while I worked. Brad was a super dad. Took them to Grandma Marjorie's for breakfast Saturday morning, Emma Claire to a birthday party Saturday afternoon and a brunch for Gigi Grodnick on Sunday morning.
For the brunch, I laid out the clothes and Brad dressed them in their cute matching sailor suits. What is wrong with this picture (mind you, this is how they looked when I got home - still pretty darn cute, if I say so myself).

Arnold's First Week at Calvary

Hard to believe, but this was Arnold's first week at Calvary. It was great. Everyone there loves him and I leave knowing he is in good, caring hands. Emma Claire is excited to have Arnold go to school with her.

His teachers are Kathy (who was also Emma Claire's infant teacher) and Nicole. Paige (high school helper) and Grandma June (Tuesdays) are there in the afternoons. We are blessed with a wonderful daycare situation.

We drop Arnold off in his room (the "Friendly Froggies" room) first and Emma Claire puts the bottles in the fridge and helps me get him situated.

Arnold has been going to sleep early and sleeping well this week. Worn out from the new routine. He is even sleeping in his crib at school. He is trying out some

new toys and making new friends. He is changing and growing so quickly.

More Friendly Froggie photos.

Jesus Lives at School

Emma Claire discovered a little silver cross necklace in her room last night. It had not been worn yet, so we took it out of the package and she has hardly taken it off since. We talked about how the cross stands for Jesus and she seemed to get it.
Today, on the way to school (she was insisted on wearing the necklace this morning) she says "Mommy, I will show Jesus my necklace when I get to school".

Roley Poley!

Arnold rolled over this morning! I was in the kitchen before work and heard him fussing on his playmat in the den. I thought he needed a diaper change and went to check in him. Sure enough he was on his belly - and not happy about it! I couldn't get him to repeat it before I left for work, but hope to catch him in the act soon.

Back to Work (the kind that I get paid for)

Maternity leave came to an end and I just finished my first week back to work. Have to say it went better than I expected. I am genuinely happy to be back. I work this weekend and just returned home to a silent - and I mean silent house. Brad took Emma Claire (and Arnold) to a birthday party for Emma Claire's friend, Ava, and the dogs are over at Peggy's. This is the first time that I have been ALONE in this house since Arnold was born. Ahhhh... what to do for my next half hour or so of peace and quiet.

Halloween

Emma Claire, despite being terrified of EVERYTHING Halloween, really got into the spirit this year. Her ability to cope with the fear improved over the weekend. Friday afternoon, she trick-or-treated at school. They go over to the seniors co-op next door to the church and visit the "grandmas and grandpas".

Friday night, we went to a Halloween party at GVCC with the Grodnicks'. As soon as we walked through the door, Emma Claire saw a guy in a warewolf mask and - no joke - dove off her skateboard (the stand up platform behind Arnold's stroller), hit the floor face down and started screaming. A grand entrance by the Kadues'. As the night went on, she clung to either Brad or myself for dear life. She spent most of the night with a hand over one eye, fingers spread just slightly to see what was going on.

Saturday, I took Arnold and Emma Claire to this huge Halloween parade in Anoka. We were invited by Ms. Becky, the director at Calvary. She lives on the parade route. Emma Claire's teachers and a few of her friends were there. She sat in Margaret's lap most of the time and they came up with the "strategy" that every time Emma Claire saw something scary, she would turn her head. This seemed to work and she applied this the rest of the weekend.

Emma Claire, again this year, went trick-or-treating with Addie. The daddies took the girls in the red wagon. Sounds like they had fun. Addie was a butterfly and Emma Claire, a purple Tinkerbell (purple, because we already had the leotard, compliments Rowie and Opa). Arnold, a pumpkin, and I stayed home and handed out candy.

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We Voted.

The family walked to Meadowbrook after supper last night to vote. Emma Claire was super excited to go to the "polls". Even ate all her broccoli in order to be able to go. On the walk over, Brad asked Emma Claire who she would vote for...

Brad: Who are you voting for, Emma Claire?

Emma Claire: Addie

Brad: What is Addie running for?

Emma Claire: House.

After we voted, we asked Emma Claire who she voted for. Again, she replied "Addie".

We were at Meadowbrook again today for ECFE and Emma Claire said "that's the polls". That's right, Emma Claire. And who did you vote for? "Addie".

At least she stands by her candidate.