Stinks McGee

We went over to my Mom's today to celebrate Uncle Chris and Auntie Becca's Birthday's. It is about 87 and 87% humidity = awesome. We have decided that Emma has inherited all of the most "endearing" traits from by both her mother and father - poor girl. I finally asked her if she just wanted to take her shirt off; her forehead and bangs were soaking wet just from sitting outside, her body all sweaty and clammy.... Just like her dad! While the rest of us were warm, no one was feeling anywhere near the way that they were! They are two peas-in-a-pod:)

As soon as we got to my mom's I noticed the geese and their goslings across the street at the pond, so Elliott ran in to get some bread.

Elliott has had to travel a lot lately, and if we are home when he leaves we always "see him off" as she likes to say. He often raises his hand out the sun roof to wave goodbye. One such morning Emma waved goodbye to me too!

I just couldn't resist this face! How cute is she???

Love to all...

Happy Mother's Day!

I had a lovely Mother's Day! Emma, my mom, and I all went to the Minneapolis Farmer's Market... We had so much fun, but I was exhausted after watching after Emma for 3 hours! She enjoyed getting in and out of her stroller, and eating cheese curds, cheese popcorn, cinnamon roasted almonds, and.... Maybe that was it! She loved to see the clown who twists balloons, however she informed me that I needed to ask him if he could NOT squeak his loud horn, when he was finished! Our little fearless leader has many fears - not the least of which is loud noises - thanks to the train incident a year ago!

We had my mom and Denny over for dinner... Emma had made me a necklace at Carol's (how lucky are we all that she is in Emma's life?!) - so this was the kiss of thanks that I got!
Three very happy generations, you can see!

Me and Em and the necklace!

On a side note, I heard her telling Cooper tonight, "If you do that one more time Cooper, you are going to have a time out!"

And, there was a lady at the Farmer's Market who was watching me, as I watched Emma investigating how something worked. She said "That's what all 4 year olds are supposed to do." I replied that she had just turned three, and she said, "Oh! I have one just like that, who is now 23 and works for NASA!" So I guess we have good things to look forward to:) Really, whatever she wants... As long as it involves her beautifully pointed feet!!!!!

Daddy is gone again this week, but we went to the Science Museum of Minnesota over the weekend. I have some great pictures and video that I will try and upload from my phone.

Gotta get to bed... Love to all...

Finally!!!

Good Lord.... It has been a month! I can't believe it has taken me this long to get a blog up, but it seems that my weekends have gotten away from me! First Easter, then the best-est girl in the world - Natosha - came to visit, them my students had their big spring concert, then I was sick for two entire weekends in a row!!!! First a major fever and stomach flu, then a cold, then a sinus infection (which was one of the most terrible things ever!). Thankfully Elliott stepped up to the Saint-ly plate and engulfed Emma in play and love and dinner making! Emma is growing and SO MUCH FUN! Tonight she told me, "Here's the deal..." and then went on to explain what it was that she expected me to do. She often will sit down and say, "So, how was your week?" or, "How was your day?" She also wants to do just about everything herself, especially when it has to do with sitting on mommy and daddy's lap to drive in our development! She is obsessed with playing outside, and especially with digging for worms and Grandma and Papa Loerch's house. She has no problem with holding a whole gob-ful in her bare hands!!!

Emma with her God Momma Tosha... They were like two peas in a pod (and Cooper was not far behind!). Emma would even lay on the floor outside of the bathroom while she waited to Tosh! Needless to say, Tosh and I had a grand old time, and she was able to guest teach at my school too. I miss her GREATLY! But, am so thankful she was able to come and visit...
Notice the Triangle Emma made?

I can't remember what she had eaten, but it was purple and we thought she looked like a vampire!

Grandma came with us to the zoo (thank god, because it was the day after I went to urgent care for my sinus infection and I would not have made it through without her!) some weekend in the middle of April.

Not the best picture of me, but isn't Emma the picture of sweetness?

I wanted to go for the sole purpose that it was supposed to be baby animals every where at the petting zoo... Well, kind of, but really she was just in to the goats! She ran around with her food, just giving one piece to each goat. She hugged them and brushed them and scratched their chins... She was in heaven!

Happy Spring!

Love to all...

Easter 2010

We had a lovely relaxing Easter, shared with Grandma and Papa Loerch. Emma got to open her Easter basket at our house before we headed off to church. She was so fascinated with her singing and music, and especially the hand bells. She enjoyed little time with Daddy in the lobby, but not too long! As the pastor was announcing communion she mentioned there was grape juice available for those who would rather that, than wine. Emma asks, "they have grape juice? I want some grape juice..." It always amazes me the things that she picks up on when there is so much going on around here! And she was amply disappointed that she did not get a wafer!

Opening her basket at home

Emma got a new toddler camera from the Easter Bunny!!!! Elliott decided she better not carry our the pricey SLR camera anymore:) She did ask/tell me earlier in the week, "Hey, I thought the Easter Bunny was going to bring me a camera" I replied that the Easter bunny had not come yet!

Her "FAST" tennis shoes from the Easter Bunny at Grandma's house. Elliott warned her to be careful because they were SO fast, so she walked around the house so carefully - then took off running!

On the hunt for Easter Eggs. She was amazed EVERY time when she shook it and could hear candy inside!

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter as well! Love to all...

Spring Break

Emma and I had such a great spring break together!!! Minus leaving Target kicking and screaming (we are working on a few tantrums:)) we had SO MUCH FUN together, and really got to explore and play and just enjoy being together! We went to the Zoo, celebrated her birthday at the water park, then we went to the Mall of America and went on rides ALL DAY with Daddy. She even went on the big roller coaster and LOVED it, and the Log Chute ride! Emma also had her very first Dentist appointment. I took her to a pediatric dentist right down the street from us and they were just wonderful, I would suggest them to anyone! They totally won Emma over and she was really the perfect patient (I was a little nervous after the Target incident!). She got her teeth cleaned, and I asked the dentist about her underbite and she said they wouldn't do anything until she was 7 or 8, and that would be just the beginning - great:)

Emma also had her 3 year Dr. appointment! She was so excited to go "get checked", just like we do at home with her Dr Kit! She is 39.4 pounds and 40 inches tall - perfectly aligned for height and weight, although big all the way around:) The Dr. did hear a little heart murmur this time so we will have to go in to the specialist next week to get that checked out during an Echo-cardiogram. We will keep everyone posted on that for certain!

Below are just some pictures from the week, although I still need to post the Easter pictures!!!!

Guinea Pig escaped from Elliott while he was cleaning out the cage. When I got home from the grocery store her was hiding under the hutch. I suggested Elliott use the fishing pole to push him out. Elliott took it one step further and said he would lasso him out - of course I chastised him for the idea:) And sure enough after about 45 minutes Elliott pulled a choking and squawking Guinea Pig out... I think he will be changed for life, but we got him:) Good job Daddy!!!

Emma opening one of her gifts from Papa and Nana Hinrichs

Love to all

Emma and Daddy's Birthday (mostly Emma's!)

We had the BEST brithday extravaganza for Emma!!! We went Tuesday nght the the WAterpark of America and checked in to a hotel room - WOW! It had a balcony overlooking the aterpark, bunkbeds, and a little sitting area. We were very impressed and loved it. Of course we were right off to the waterpark (after Emm anad Daddy put on the their birthday presents!). Sorry, I uploaded the pictures backwards here from end to beginning, so I'll go through and explain. Most of all, Elliot and I are just so impressed at what a little person she is becoming! I LOVE this age! I have liked every age as she gets older. It is so fun just to be with her and listed to what she has to say, and hear all that she has to inquire about things (Everything really!)

Emma in her new roller skates from Grandma and Papa Loerch, who were lucky enough to come for the evening.
Emma in "her" bunk bed.. She slept in the bottom about half the night, then joined El and I in bed, sideways!

Emma's birthday cake made by Grandma Loerch. Emma asked for weeks for a purple bunny!

New raincoat from Grandma Loerch

Emma, Grandma, and Papa

Em's favorite thing this time was learning to swim!

Proud Mama - Emma was SURE she could do it all by herself (of course she could not yet), but she really did good with the doggie paddle and turning herself around with her life-vest on. And she was starting to understand kicking the wter. We will certainly be taking lessons this summer!

The view from our balcony...

Just what EVERY child needs for their 3rd birthday - a guinea pig!!!! What is his name? Guinea Pig, of course:)

Love to all...

Photo Shoot With Grandma Loerch

Yes, this is Emma... I almost can't believe that is her, in the picture above! She looks about 5 years old, and SO proud of her belt.

Emma stayed with Grandma and Papa Loerch last week, as all the other kids at Carol's daycare were off for spring break. My mom took advantage and did a 3 year photo shoot with Emma:)

Here she is in a dress that I wore when I was 4, however my mom said it was still pretty big on her. Whew!

This is a classic Emma picture! This is a preview of her Easter dress, which she is in love with!

And our most favorite picture of all...

Emma and I enjoyed our first day of spring break, even though it was quite cold out! We met Grandma Loerch for rolls at a Local bakery (where Emma almost fell in their little pond!), we went to get puppy and kitty food at the local grain elevator, we bought a hyacinth, we picked up dog poop, we took Cooper for a walk down to the bus "barn", we took her bike out for a ride, her stroller out, and last but not least her wagon:) THEN we headed to McDonald's for lunch - I was feeling like celebrating:) And she went down for her nap so well - praise God because bed-time has been a NIGHTMARE!!!!!! I even got to read for a bit while she napped!!! Then we got groceries this evening - nothing hugely special today,just a real nice day together!

Love to all...