Hip Hoppy Easter!

My Aunt Brenda sent this to me and I thought I'd pass it on to you all. Enjoy a little Easter Bunny Fun! http://i.flowgo.com/greetings/rapeasterbunny/rapeasterbunny.swf

Headline or Headband News!

I recently sent out a query on Facebook about hair accessory options for Emma-Caroline. I got lots of great ideas, one of which was the headband. We found the perfect first headband in Emma-Caroline's favorite color, pink complete with her favorite flower, the daisy and her name! Wow! I want one like that! She LOVES her new headband and announced that she already feels like a big Kindergartner. Amazing what the right hair accessory can do for you!

Lady and the Tramp

No pics of the girls today, but just a note on how much I love to hear them when they pretend play. One of Sophie's favorite toys is her "Tramp" dog from "Lady and the Tramp." He goes everywhere with her and she affectionately calls him "Shrimp" as I am sure this is her best attempt at pronouncing his Disney given name. The girls love to pretend play pet shop or that they themselves are dogs and cats. Today was like any other day of play until Emma-Caroline found her long lost "Lady" dog. The excitement was grand at her discovery and the girls are now happily barking around the house with their two little side kicks, "Lady" and the "Tramp." It has been announced that in honor of Lady and the Tramp we should dine on Italian food tonight. Good thing I have a lasagna in the oven. "Oh, this is the night, it's beautiful night, and we call it Bella Notte!"

Big Girl Bed

Yesterday, Sophie finally got her big girl bed! It was delivered by the furniture store and set up by the delivery men much to the amazement of both Sophie and Emma-Caroline.

Sophie is so proud of her new bed, and although I am some what sentimental about taking down the baby crib, I am happy that Sophie is so excited about her new bed.

After sleeping on it one night, Sophie declared this morning, "I sleep gwate on my new bed! I wuv it, Mommy!"

Sweet dreams little Sophie!

Big Girl Bed all made up!

Diva Days!

I have heard many friends, who have 3 year olds or have had a three year old, that the three's are much more terrible than the two's in a child's life. I am starting to fear that this may be true in our little Sophie. Although she is still two years and almost nine months old, the "terrible three's" are starting to rear their ugly heads. Our sweet, easy going, little Sophie is starting to become a Super Diva in her own right with out right demands, throw-down tantrums, and blatant stubbornness. It's, by no other words, simply exhausting to be the person on the receiving end of her Diva capades. As in all things, I am reminded of the wise words I use to hear my grandmother say, "This too shall pass." But, with that being said, I will take it all in stride and take the "Diva" stage for what it's worth, a time for my little girl to exert her independence and to learn how to be in the world with patient parental guidance.

Happy Spring!

Today was the perfect day for having a picnic at the park. We all loaded up in the van, headed to Lenny's sub shop, and then drove on to the park where we had a wonderful lunch and lots off fun playing. At one point I thought, "I can't believe I don't have my camera!" But oh well, I could take pictures in my mind for me to remember our wonderful day together. Luckily for me, and Emma-Caroline, one of Emma-Caroline's friends from preschool also happened to be at the park, and her mom did have a camera! She got a couple pics of the girls playing and so nicely e-mailed them to me. I hope you all are enjoying some nice sunny Spring weather!

Celestina and Emma-Caroline BFF's
Giddy Up Horsey!

Potty Training Blues

First I will begin by saying that anyone who can potty train a child in one day is like super human or something and all I have to say, a la Flo on "Mel's Diner" is "Kiss my grits!"

Second, whoever invented Pull Ups is probably laughing themselves all the way to the bank at how many parents unknowingly have bought these things thinking it an easy transition from diaper to big kid underwear only later to discover that your kid (being smarter than you) realizes they are still wearing a diaper and chooses the Pull Up over the potty 95.9% of the time.

With all that being said, I vowed, after the horrible go of potty training EC before age 2, that I would wait until I felt Sophie was "ready" to be potty trained, which happened to be 2 and a half. She did great, until she realized my second point stated above and then we were back to square one. So I ditched the infamous Pull Ups for thick cotton panties. She's been doing remarkably better except for going number 2 in the potty. We have had accidents and conversations about how when you feel your tummy hurting you can go to the potty.

Lately, though, Sophie has been hiding her poop in places all over the house. Yes, I said hiding. She has put it in the linen closet, her diaper cabinet, and sometimes the trash can. Now, mind you, she always changes her panties and cleans herself up, but it's the hiding part that catches me, or my nose off guard.

This morning, as I went to grab my brush out of my vanity, I found a little present. There in my drawer pasted to my bottle of hairspray was a rather large piece of poop! UGHHH! After promptly removing the poop and sanitizing my entire drawer, I asked Sophie, "Did you put poop in Mommy's drawer?" to which she replied in the most sweet innocent and Southern voice, "Yayesss!" I couldn't help but laugh on the inside as I calmly told her, "Well sweetie, poop has to go in the potty, OK?" "O-tay Mommy, I put my poop in the potty next time!" And she did, the big girl way!

I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy . . .

". . .Down in my Heart!" My birthday celebration couldn't have been better beginning on Friday with a wonderful 1 hour and a half massage at Belleza Salon that Howie had given me a gift certificate for. It was Heaven! On Saturday, the girls and Howie surprised me with birthday cupcakes and a gift certificate to my favorite place to shop, Southern Market! We had lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Don Gallo, and then had a wonderful night out with our friends Kristen and Pete at the Melting Pot in the Old City. It was a fabulous day and I certainly feel loved with all of the birthday wishes from friends and family, thoughtful gifts, and flowers from my sweet Daddy. I definitely have the joy down in my heart!

Yummy birthday cupcakes!
Making a wish before breakfast!

Birthday lunch at Don Gallo

Out with the Pearsons at The Melting Pot

Hilarious that we actually had coordinated outfits without consulting each other! We had such a great time out by ourselves!

And the Celebrations Continue . . .

We continued celebrating Emma-Caroline's Birthday last week with a visit from Nana, cupcakes for friends at preschool, dinner to EC's favorite restaurant Wasabi, a trip to see the circus, and loads of gifts. Emma-Caroline has truly celebrated turning 5! Enjoy the pics from all the festivities.

Birthday Girl!

Emma-Caroline helped make and decorate her class cupcakes.

She was so proud of her baking skills!

Birthday morning, Emma-Caroline picked out the fabric combo for her special "5" shirt.

She loves pink!

Opening birthday gifts from Mommy, Daddy, and Sophie!

A special surprise! Rebecca, her first historical American Girl Doll.

Emma-Caroline picked Rebecca out because she looks the most like her.

At school they made a special 5th Birthday crown for EC to wear.

Having Nana to help celebrate made the day even more special!

For dinner we went to Wasabi, Emma-Caroline's favorite restaurant.

The birthday girl, Sophie and their daddy

Singing happy birthday!

The circus! Emma-Caroline received this adorable tee shirt as a gift from her friend Mary Caroline. It was perfect for our night at the circus!

Nana and girls

EC in her wizard circus hat. It came with the cotton candy.

The National Anthem

The elephants were so cool!

A late night snack. We had forgotten the five candle so we had to light it and sing happy birthday before going to bed. It was a great day of celebrating our sweet Emma-Caroline!

Happy 5th Birthday Emma-Caroline!

Today is our sweet girl Emma-Caroline's 5th birthday. It's really hard for me to believe that 5 years ago at 10:45 pm my precious baby girl arrived and forever changed my life for the better
From the moment I heard Emma-Caroline's first cry, I knew she was going to be a head strong little girl, but I also knew that she was going to bring much joy to our lives.

Emma-Caroline is an amazing, curious, caring, fun-loving, and strong-willed little person. She loves all animals and cares deeply for her family and friends.

She is a budding little artist, enjoys helping me cook and watching me sew, and loves to play outside.

We are so blessed to have this precious beautiful child to call our own. I am amazed and honored daily that God chose us to give her to.

Happy 5th birthday Emma-Caroline! We love you "to the moon and back!"

Thanks to our good friend Sarah Harper for the AMAZING pics she took at Emma-Caroline's 5th birthday party. Check out her new site at http://www.picsbysarahjane.blogspot.com/