Beach Adventure

This week, Emi and I snuck off for a quickie beach adventure. She has been telling me since the cruise (which yes, I still need to really blog about) that she "looooobs sand, mama". So, thinking the crowds would be gone and the water too cold for her to demand that I put on a bathing suit (shudder) and get into the ocean (bigger shudder), I pulled together a quick couple of days.

Silly me. The ocean would be too cold?

The good news, I only got wet up to my calves wading in now and then to join my girl. The better news - she had the TIME of her life. Worth everything to see that smile. Sadly, none of you will see that smile because she was playing SO hard and fast I could not keep up with her with the camera. But, at least I did get the camera out, and use it!

We ended up at beautiful Hunting Beach Island State Park. Lovely setting, just enough people (so they could ooh and awe at my girl), perfect weather.

Thinking we were just going to dig in the sand, I put Emi into a t-shirt and shorts. That lasted oh, about 13 seconds:

So, we trekked back to the car to get her suit. I told her she could sit in the shallow area and walk out to the little sand bar (a few feet). The rule was, if I called her name she had to stop, look and come back. And really, for the most part she did. Amazing, considering the pull of sand and water.

It seems we are raising a water girl. While she loved (beyond measure) splashing and dancing in the surf, digging and playing in the sand ... she also spent time just watching the water. She loved watching the gulls soar and dive for fish, laughed in delight at the seagulls and sand pipers when they were brave enough to get close to her. But really what entranced her, the waves. She just couldn't get enough of the waves.

Yes, I know there are a lot of pictures. I just couldn't pick a few. While I am not a great photographer, I just can't get enough pictures of our sweet girl. I did finally find my favorite. Okay, so there's more than one favorite!

Oh, and I lied. I did manage to get a few of those radiant smiles with the camera. While there aren't many smiles that made it to the camera, the day was filled with them.

As Emi grows, other trips will probably stick in her mind more. She may not remember this trip all. But that's okay, it is one that will always be held close to my heart. It wasn't the biggest or most elaborate of trips. Just a few days, doing nothing at all. Watching my girl run around having a blast.

Does it get any better than that? Not for me.

Emi says ...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Three Years

How is it even possible that it's already been three years? Our lives are so full, so fun, so crazy with this sweet girl in our lives. We are so very lucky.

I finally found all the links to our trip, they are now over on the left side-bar. I had a sniffly trip down memory lane just now, reading them. It seems like yesterday, it seems a lifetime ago.

We had some photos of Emi taken for the occasion. They sum up our sweet girl as no words could ever do. Her sparkling personality just shouts out. Enjoy!

Play-Doh Day

When it's too hot to be outside!

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The Time Has Come

No, not to close down the blog. Although, as often as I do, one would think. But no, this is my spot to record (as often as I can these days) Emi's life. I am hoping it will help me remember all the 'little' things in her life so that if I can ever get off my duff and make her a scrapbook, all the details (or at least some of them) will be written down somewhere. 'Cause we all know my memory chips aren't what they used to be.

So, this weekend. We had a whole slew of things we wanted to get done. We got some knocked out on Saturday. Not as much as we had wanted, but some. Had a long list for Sunday, but that's okay. However, we forgot to check in with Emi (always a mistake). She rearranged our priorities. As usual.

I went to bed before Jeff, he followed about an hour later. We have a monitor to help Jeff hear Emi if she cries/calls out (IF??) in the night. I can't hear anything on it, as it's too far for me. {When he's gone we move it to my bedside table and turn it up full blast - then I can hear. But when he's home the static, etc. keeps him from sleeping, so he's on Emi duty for night time. Not a bad deal, for me. :) }

He checked on her before coming to bed, went to brush teeth and ... she must have called out. Needless to say, I never heard her and with the door closed, neither did he. All of a sudden I wake to her crying hysterically ... walking through our bedroom door! Now, some may wonder why that's a problem. Here's why:


Yes, the poor child, still in her crib. But she's never shown any interest in climbing out. We think moving and being without her crib for 2-3 months and then having it show up in her new house just thrilled her. She was SO excited to see it, so set it up we did (hey, we are no fools ... containment is a good thing!). This great and wonderful thing came to a screeching halt Saturday night.

To finish the story, we have no idea what happened. She couldn't tell us, still can't. When I asked her to try and crawl out of her crib the next day (I was standing right there), she couldn't. We are just thankful she didn't get hurt. Scared me to my bones! She's not a tall gal, the bed is pretty far off the ground.

So, Daddy (with "help" from Emi) took the foot board off the crib and turned it into a day bed. For now, it's what we are going to use. Seems silly to buy a toddler bed when we have this (although, the temptation - oh my!). When she's ready we will probably go with a twin but this should last her a good long while.

And now, the unveiling:

Emi in Virginia

Right outside Grandma's.

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Virginia and North Carolina

We are planning a trip next week to see Grandma (Jeff's mom), Aunt Mary (his sister) and Drew (his son and more importantly to Emi ... big brother!). We are going to drive all day Tuesday, spend Wednesday, Thursday and half of Friday in Virginia. Then we are going to drive to Kanopolis (about 30 miles north of Charlotte, NC). Home on Sunday.

So, here's the question - anyone in the Orange, VA area that would like to get together for a play date on either Wednesday or Thursday for a couple of hours. I know there is no way (from past experience) that Emi will be able to stay (sit) 2.5 days in a nursing home room without going stir crazy. If no one is available (I realize it's during the week AND during work hours that I am looking for) ... any suggestions for things to do that would interest a 3 year old? Any playgrounds, etc? I don't really know the area well as we haven't usually spent a lot of time in 'greater' Orange. Previously when we visited we were out at the homesite - more like Louisa County than Orange (on/near Lake Anna - if anyone is familiar with the area).

Also, anyone in the greater Charlotte area that would like to get together on Saturday for a couple of hours. Same idea, play date - park? playground? I am thinking that a little bit of Emi following her idol (Drew) goes a long way. That maybe dad and son would like some talk time without the three year old butting in and crawling all over big brother. Also, same thing - ideas welcome for things to do if no one is available for a play date.

Feel free to email me if that's easier: kiy @ inbox (dot) com

Lots of adult and car time on this trip and looking for Emi things to do.

Saturday's . . .

are for painting.

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Hard at Work

Happy to be home.

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Emi's Fortune

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Pool Fun

Never coming home. Stop. Send rest of toys. Stop. Mom's sunburned. Stop. I'm not. Stop. I love Florida. Stop.
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Little Miss Cool

On the way to Florida!

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School Pictures

Emi started a Mother's Morning Out program this past February. To say that our little social butterfly is loving is, would be an understatement. I rarely get a kiss goodbye. She runs into the room, drops her backpack and immediately starts in with whatever is going on in the room. I am so happy for her that she is loving this experience, but the mama in me would like at least a kiss. Sniff.

I know I've talked about her school in other posts. We were SO lucky to find them. I can't believe, after experiencing this school, that they don't have a waiting list out the door. I tell anyone I come in contact about them, I love them so much. Warm, nurturing, safe - with the added bonus of messy crafts that I haven't been able to make myself do! Play-doh (that we do a bit, but not a lot), painting, glue (glue? are they nuts? ha - not me!), playground time, etc. They also have music on Wednesdays that I know Emi just eats up. She's learning to share and not hit (heh, seems she spent a fair amount of time in the time out chair today) - but really, that's why she's there. Social time with her peers. I can't give her that, and that's exactly what she needs right now. Did I mention how much she loves it? :)

School pictures were taken a few weeks ago and they arrived this week. I love the setting that they took them in, and of course our ham loved the experience. I do wish someone had flipped back that piece of hair hanging over her face, but that's not the end of the world. Especially as my favorite one is SO darned Emi ... check this out:

This is so my girl. Love her!

These are the other poses. I got one of each, just to have but the Grand's
and special folks in our lives ... will be getting the top one!
(And possibly that second one - how to make the decisions?!)

Yes, she's spolied ... your point?

After months of researching, looking and looking some more ... we bought the first one we looked at. Figures, sigh. But, this is a big investment for us and we wanted to do it right (and get the best price, heh). Finally, after all the waiting, Emi's new swing set/play equipment thing was delivered and set up this weekend. Oh the joy, oh the excitement, oh the ... "wait? I can't HELP??"

But, in the end, it was worth it.

Disney will have to wait a year or two, as will a couple of other things we were toying with (and yes, grass seed instead of sod for most of the back yard - that sweet face, is worth it!). This is right now. This is exercise (even though she doesn't know it). This is fun ... for longer than a four-day trip to see the Mouse ... that she probably wouldn't go near anyway. Oh, the Mouse trip is high on my wish list of things to do with Emi. Oh Jeff's, not so much. On Emi's - not even on her radar. So, it can wait. She is loving this thing, constant. She wakes up wanting to go out, she's dragged into the house at night wanting more. I am already getting a (mild) sunburn from sitting outside with her (next investment is an umbrella thing for mama!).

I sat out there this morning watching her run around, climb her rock wall (took her less than three tries to "do it Emi, Mama" - yeah, no helping this gal!), and just having the time of her life. It makes my heart smile to see her so happy.

Maybe she's not spoiled. Maybe we are. The love and joy she brings to Jeff and I - we are just so darned lucky.

Spoiled rotten lucky.

I Spy Something New

Details coming soon . . .
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Lunch

Chowing on spring rolls at PFChangs (she picked the cabbage out of the roll - and that's what she ate!). More pic's to come from our park outing, they are stuck on the big camera until Jeff gets home from work. We had a great time, and found a new (to us) park!

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Ice Cream!

Emi and I made 'ice cream' today. A few sprinkles in the bottom of an ice cube tray, some strawberry yogurt, plastic wrap and 2" skewers. She had such fun, but had a hard time waiting. She loved her ice cream and I loved knowing it was yogurt!
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Happy Easter!

First, a real quick catch-up to last week's sad picture. Emi is doing MUCH better. In fact, by Tuesday afternoon she was pretty much back to her old self - terrorizing me (and the dog), running wild and a happy girl. I didn't take her to school as I thought she needed that extra day, but by Wednesday this gal was ready to roll! We dressed her up and off she went. There was no stopping her as it was her Easter Party. I have to say, if anyone is in the greater Aiken (SC) area and is looking for an awesome Mother's Morning Out program, this is THE place. Trinity UMC Preschool. Warming, loving, nurturing - exactly the perfect first experience for school anyone wants for their child. Emi loved it from the very first moment, but they are so wonderful (and SO gentle) with the ones that aren't so sure ... I am amazed at what I see there. GREAT school!

After the egg hunt at school (Wednesday), rehiding the eggs and finding them. We played this for well over an hour! I'm thinking Emi might get more of a kick from eggs than Santa gifts. Maybe instead of under the tree, he should hide the presents. EB is a hard act to follow in our house!

More pictures! I just can't resist these - look how much older she looks with her hair up in a 'pony' (sob, sniffle!) - with most of it falling down, haha! Plus, the fact that the grand's and a special aunt/uncle combo had to miss Easter this year, so they need *extra* pictures!

My fav's from this series:

(This is Friday ... no sleeves! yes shorts! Oh, and Jeff checked the weather back in Washington ... highs in the low 50's, lows in the LOW 30's and extreme winds all day long ... 20-30 mph. Gosh, I sure don't miss all that. Especially with the simply gorgeous weather we are having right now!)

With no family within a reasonable drive for a short weekend, we are home - hanging out, just the three of us (and Max - who doesn't get the whole egg thing at all). But, Jeff and I spent so many years waiting for this ... that's just fine. We did the egg and goodie hunt this morning, and OH! THE! FUN! Emi had a blast, and enjoyed every moment. We didn't do 'real' eggs. We were going to, as I broke down yesterday and decided to boil some eggs (but, that's fodder for another post ... coming soon!). Let's just leave it right now with what worked: stuffing plastic eggs with chocolate, pennies and trinkets. Here's a few from this morning. We have plans to hide some this afternoon outside and get more pictures (yeah, imagine that!).

Feeding the pig ~ That's a whole lotta eggs!
(EB brought a stuffed bunny and a piggy bank!)

Finding more ~ Another one found!

Easter Menu: So, what is everyone doing? On our menu this year, Jaden Hair's Easter Ham with Mango-Ginger Glaze. Well, except I can't leave any recipe alone. We aren't huge mango fans (I know! odd!) so we are using apricot (I know! we like apricots and not mangos? odd!). But, you can't ask for an easier recipe (6 ingredients), love that! We are also going simple for the rest of the meal. Rice in the steamer, acorn squash (in the microwave), rolls, and pumpkin cake (yeah, odd - what can I tell you, we really really like pumpkin!). That's it food-wise, I am determined to spend the day (woooohooo, outside!) with Emi and Jeff.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day, spending it just the way that's perfect for you and your family.