The Shoe Print: August 2012

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Songs by Emma

I'm loving the one on one time Emma and I get while Sissy is at school. Here are a couple videos I got today of Emma singing.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Dear Emma,

I can't believe you are TWO! It seems like just yesterday you were born. I can hardly remember our family before you were here, though. You bring me so much joy it's hard to describe. You give the sweetest smiles, tightest hugs, silliest giggles, loudest screams, and over-the-top reactions, all with those gorgeous blue eyes.

You are just like Claire and nothing like Claire. I love that you love your sissy so much and, in some ways, do things just like her. In other ways, though, you have your own unique interests and personality. You love dogs, babies, bugs, swinging and sliding, swimming, jumping, Elmo, and Diego. You are a creature of habit and like to do things the same way every time. When you go to sleep, you must have your blankey, puppy, and two pacis - one in your mouth and one to hold.

You have always been a Mama's girl and hate when I leave. When you hear the garage door open around 5 pm, you run to the door and scream, 'DADDY'!!! You love music and singing. You can sing the ABCs, Happy Birthday, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Jesus Loves the Little Children, and Zippedee Do Da. You know your colors and can count to 10 (although sometimes you skip 5 and 6). You are becoming more and more independent each day and we frequently hear, 'No, self!!' when we are trying to help you with something but instead you want to do it yourself.

You recently used the potty for #1 and #2 for the first time. You sleep from about 7-7 each night and still take one nap in the afternoon. You are perfecting the tantrum. You can be a bit of a bully and hitting is usually your first line of defense (or offense).

You have starting going to a Mother's Morning Out program at a local church one morning a week from 9-1. It's the same place where Sissy goes to preschool so I think you like to wear your backpack and feel grown up like Claire. By the way, even though you can say Claire's name now, you still always call her Sissy. You weigh 30 pounds (90%) and are 36 1/2 inches long (95%). You are pickier eater than your sister but still eat most foods well. Your favorites are waffles, pizza, mixed veggies, and ham.

I love everything about you and watching you grow up is bittersweet. I want you to stay little forever but am excited to see you in each new phase. I hope and pray that Jesus captures your heart at a young age and you spend your days following after him and bringing glory to His name.

I love you, sweet Emmy Lou!!

Love,

Mommy

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Preschooler

Today was Claire's first day of three-year-old preschool! This is a day she has been looking forward to for a long time and it seems like she loved every minute of it.

She reported back that she made a new friend, loves her teacher, read a book about racoons, and loved recess. Sounds like a great start!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Birthday Weekend

We decided to do a fun family outing for Emma's birthday and ended up heading downtown to the Georgia Aquarium. We took the train, which was a huge highlight for the girls. The day was packed and tiring but it was a lot of fun.

Waiting for the train to take off!

Smile!

Checking out the fish

Whale Shark!

We also got to see a dolphin show at the aquarium! It was really fun and the girls (and I!) were mesmerized by all the tricks the dolphins could do. Now during bathtime, Claire likes to pretend she's putting on a dolphin show and I'm in the audience. ;)

After the aquarium, we did some park hopping at Centennial Park and then stopped for a quick treat at Starbucks before taking the train back to the burbs.

Birthday girl!

Birthday kisses!

After church, we headed to Waffle House (hey, don't bash it til you've tried it!) for a birthday brunch. Emma's most beloved food in the world is waffles, so what better place to go?!

After naps, Emma got to open a few gifts!

I let Claire pick something out to give Emma and she chose this Cinderella doll for her.

Emma was thrilled!

Grammy send a some fun presents in the mail. I think this puppy was Emma's favorite!

Emma loved this book and My Little Pony toy from her BFF Nora!

Every year I make the girls a photo book for their birthday with all the events from the previous year. Emma loves the book all about her and we've been reading it every night before bed.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl! You are so loved. xoxo

Playgroup Party

Emma Lou is TWO!! We had a fun few days of celebrating and in true Annie form, we stretched the birthday celebrations out as long as possible. After all, it's really birthday week, right?! ;)

Since we didn't have an official party for her (**tear** this was the first birthday out of five that I didn't put together a big, fun, themed party for one of the girls), we celebrated with a few friends at playgroup last week. That mostly meant I made cupcakes and we sang 'Happy Birthday'... but that counts as celebrating, right?