"Spend the Night Party" in Arnold's Crib

Emma Claire desperately wanted to sleep in Arnold's bed a few nights ago, so we let her give it a try. Needless to say, it didn't work out the way Emma Claire (or we) had hoped. She knocked on his bedroom door ever few minutes "needing" something or complaining that "Arnold keeps waking me up".

After an hour or so, both were in tears and an hour past bedtime. It was, however, better than TV - watching them on the Arnold cam.

Snow Day

Winter finally arrived on the last day of February. Emma Claire, Arnold and I got out and enjoyed the snow. We made a snowman (woman) - the first one of the season. Emma Claire picked out the fancy red scarf.

She lasted a few hours before toppling over (I think I am lacking in snow-person building skills having grown up in the south). At least we got some pictures...

Sledding in the Backyard

This winter has been one of record warm days and record lack of snowfall, which has been amazing. We have enjoyed lots sunshine and outdoor time. There has been no snow on the ground for weeks now. When there was a little snow, Emma Claire and Arnold have enjoyed sledding down the little hill from the front to backyard and Emma Claire likes to pull Arnold around in the sled.

Happy 4th Birthday, Emma Claire!

Emma Claire said good bye to 3 and enthusiastically welcomed 4 this Valentine's Day. Her birthday week was one of celebrations. Her birthday at school was an extra special day, complete with a Valentine's day party and birthday snack for Emma Claire. For their birthdays, they pick a cake flavor to bake with their friends. Emma Claire chose (you guessed it) pink (strawberry).

Brad was traveling for work this week, so we had a special birthday celebration with Addie, Suzanne and Brooks. Emma Claire requested pizza and bacon for her special birthday supper and we made red velvet cake pops for the occasion.

Rowie and Opa arrived and Brad returned on Friday for the birthday weekend and the big friend party was on Saturday (more on this one in another post).

Birthdays are always emotional for me. I think back to the moment the each child was born and remember every detail. Time passes so quickly. If I had to choose one word to describe this year for Emma Claire, it would have to be "magical". It has been a year of imagination, princesses, performing, singing, learning new skills, and increasing independence. Emma Claire has done a lot of growing up in the past year. Since her 3rd birthday, some of the highlights of the year include:

• Cleaning helper
• Sledding
• Pottery making with Grandee, Papa Rick, Rowie and the cousins
• Crowning Arnold Prince, making Arnold a knight, making Arnold play the dragon
• Rocco
• Still terrified of the Easter Bunny
• Painting Easter Eggs
• Kids Club
• Riding bike around the neighborhood - even all the way to Addie's
• Climbing the tree in the front yard
• My sister, Arnold
• Feeding Arnold
• Planting vegetables with Daddy
• Camping trips
• Fishing with Daddy
• Tennis camp
• Pinkalicious with Addie
• Bird feeder and bird chart
• May trip to Alabama
• Singing "Ripple" with Daddy
• Playing dress up with Arnold
• Snappy, the caterpillar
• Twins games with Daddy
• Bathtime blizzards
• Short Haircut
• "Some things in this world are scary..." performance on the recycling bin
• To the ER with Arnold
• "Where's my parking spot?" at PAI
• Fair Hills trip
• Annie with Rowie and Opa
• Swimming at the Rec Center
• Playing in the sprinkler
• Princess pool
• Minnetonka Orchards
• Renaissance Festival with Daddy
• Sleep for the Jeep!!!
• Bowling for the first time
• Dance lessons
• Move up to the Dinosaur (preschool) room
• Curious Minds class
• Halloween: Sleeping Beauty, trick or treating with Addie
• Playing with Arnold "Arnold is my best friend"
• Trip to Oxford and the Grove
• Thanksgiving in Red Bay
• Annual American Girls outing
• First trip to the Dentist
• Christmas in Minnesota with Rowie and Opa
• Still terrified of Santa
• Marfa the Elf
• Real Christmas tree
• Princess scooter and camera
• Ice skating lessons
• "Terry-tating"
• Folding clothes
• Dancing
• Baking with Mommy
• Swimming lessons
• Friends
• Turning 4!!!!

Emma Claire Ice Skating

Emma Claire is learning to skate this winter. Brad has tried with her in past winters, but this year she is ready and starting to get the hang of it. Brad has been taking her out to the parks to practice (her new favorite thing is to "skate under the lights" - which she had originally envisioned to be "Tangled" style floating lanterns in the clouds "mommy, the lights were not in the clouds, they are on sticks", she said the first time they went at night).

Emma Claire is taking skating lessons at Parade Stadium on Saturday mornings.

The first day, they were divided into three groups based on skill level (did they march across the ice, did they try, did they do nothing). I think Emma Claire is in the middle group. She is improving and developing confidence. Yesterday, they were given a stuffed animal (hers was a mouse) and practiced tossing it a few feet in front of them, marching to it and picking it up. Emma Claire did it without falling once.

The biggest struggle for her is the ice skates themselves "they are too tight!", "they're bothering me", "my feet hurt!". Once we get through that battle, she really enjoys being on the ice.

The Bickersons: Don't try to tell Arnold this music is too hard.

The Bickersons: Don't try to tell Arnold this music is too hard.

Arnold Update

Arnold is nearing his 18 month birthday, and has transitioned from baby to little boy seemingly overnight. Words are coming along slowly. He talks a lot, however, not in many words we can understand, although Emma Claire carries on long conversations with him. She understands Arnold. He is very loud and vocal. Just in the past week, he has added a few new words... Truck, dog (up to this point, he was saying "woof-woof" for dog), re-re (for both Rudy and Sophie), nana (for any fruit), please and nose. He is good at mama, dad-dy and uh-oh. I love hearing his little voice say words.

Arnold continues exude happiness. He wakes up every morning with a smile on his face and makes us laugh all day. Arnold is a lover and gives lots of hugs, especially to Emma Claire.

Arnold just does. If it seems like fun to dive off the couch face first, Arnold will just do it (and has more than once). He is into climbing, jumping, whacking things with his golf clubs, playing with balls, running, "Terry Tate-ing" with daddy (that is for another post) and playing with (tormenting) the dogs.

Arnold loves school and, now in the toddler room, is becoming more independent. He sits at tables for meals, walks in lines to the playground, is learning to tolerate all the snow gear, and is napping on a cot. Emma Claire loves to see Arnold on the playground. She looks out for Arnold and gives him lots of attention.

Arnold makes us happy every day.