Emma

Things I love that she says:

Bal-a-lay = ballet

Pad-a-wan = pattern

I need a reset = when she's having a meltdown, she presses her heart against mine to reset her heart.

Kidlets

Julia is playing lots of softball, she's become quite the pitcher and really enjoys the positive attention she's getting for it. She had her LL evaluations last week, and we're just waiting to find out if they are moving her to the majors this year.

Julia and Emma have been added to the family members that wear glasses. Both will need them for just school work for now. Julia was so excited about the possibility of glasses until they became a reality. Gotta love these little life lessons.

Anna continues to blow us away with her improvements at school. She went from a struggling level 1-2 reader at the beginning of the year to reaching level 15 (the top level before chapter books) this month. She's very proud of herself, and can read just about whatever we put in front of her. She's definitely ready for 2nd grade now!

Emma just had her 5th birthday - which means that she's heading of to the big K in the Fall. I'm excited for her, as I know she will adore it - but oh my. This momma's not ready to send her off on that big yellow bus yet. I'm glad I have 5 months to prepare.

First day of school... Part III

Here are the results of Emma's first day of school! She had a blast. She will be going two mornings a week for a couple of hours. She LOVED it and did great so far!

It ended with this....

Hmmmm.....

"I would have stayed forever within the garden of his childhood but time is a mother’s enemy. My baby was gone before I new it and then the hand-holding toddler was replaced by a running boy." Anita Diamant

Julia started 3rd grade on Monday and is loving it so far. I'm so relieved. It's nice to see her come home with a huge smile!

Tomorrow Anna begins Kindergarten and I'm so happy for her. She's going to have a wonderful time. I know that they will love her as much as everyone always does. I just hope... pray... that someone doesn't come along and extinguish that little light she has inside of her.

Emma starts preschool in two weeks and she is more than excited. She is having a hard time adjusting to the fact that her sisters are going off on the bus each morning. We just keep reminding her that she has a special day coming up too.

Here's the big thing. I will have 5 hours a week with NO kids. Can you believe it??? I'll be working - but that's 5 hours every week without any kids. ANY!

So... it's time for change in our house. Time truly can be a mother's enemy... and I understand the meaning of bittersweet all of a sudden. Missing the early baby days and the fun toddler stage, sad to see them step out on their own, proud to see how strong they are and excited to see what's to come...

Kiss the Girl

Emma unfortunately isn't going to be able to make her performance since we're previously engaged... but she had a blast in her class too. Here is a picture of her too!

The fix

I couple of you emailed me to post pictures of the fix...

There wasn't much I could do because the bangs are just gone - but I tried to trim up the rest - I can't believe how curly it is! The top layer is pretty straight but the layers underneath are SUPER curly.

The Jonas Brothers

So, this is a post I didn't think I'd actually write. Considering how much of my life know revolves around them I suppose it was inevitable, but I was hesitant to share this.

My three girls have fallen head over heals in "crush" with the Jonas Brothers.

It started almost three years ago.... when Julia was in Kindergarten her favorite songs were Year 3000 and Sexyback. Only one of which being appropriate for a 5 year old we supported her interest. She had no idea who the Jonas Brothers were - only that she liked the song.

Fast forward a year. In first grade she acknowledges the band - primarily because of the Disney Channel snippets into their life. She loves a few of their songs (SOS, Hold On)... and then Camp Rock. This is where the real "crushing" begins. I think she likes Joe the best at this time, but finds Kevin hilarious in this movie. We start hearing more and more about the JoBros, but it's all pretty harmless.

Now - February 2009. Julia asks to go see the 3D Concert Movie. After saving enough money to buy a ticket, I agree to take her and a friend along to see the movie.

I wish someone would have warned me what would follow... but even having been an 8 year old (hell, even having been a teenager) girl didn't prepare me. I thought their music was peppy - and there is no denying these guys are cute as hell. I was surprised to learn however that they write their own music - and play instruments. You could say I was impressed for the most part by the guys. It wasn't until I watched my 8 year old daughter with tears streaming down her face that I realized what was happening. My daughter LOVED music - and adored these guys.

Here is where the story deviates a bit and becomes less about Julia's fascination with the Jonas Brothers and more about mine. I have always loved music. I'm also a musical crier. Singing along with a song that touches me makes me cry. Live music? oh hell... I bawl. Concerts, marching bands... even being around people singing can bring me to tears (just ask my mom about my Happy Birthday song crying!), and someone playing an instrument? geez. I've fallen for guys that I would have had NO interest in because of listening to them play the guitar and sing. Schmuck!

How does this relate to the Jonas Brothers? Well, first of all, they helped me realize just how much my daughter really loves music. Yet, it's so much more than that.

They amaze me. These three kids (and yes even Kevin at 21 qualifies as a kid) are literally living the dream. What would your life have been like if you were able to really live out your dreams? I mean the crazy far fetched one? The one that you may have never even realized you dreamed about? It's awesome in the true sense of the word.

The more I learn about them the more impressed I am with them. I'm not thrilled about the whole celebrity role model thing for my daughters (but that's another story) but these guys couldn't be closer to what a mom would want to have her daughters interested in. Hard working, kind, family-oriented (oh boy do these guys love their mom), talented, respectful and virtuous (I think I already mentioned cute, right?). Will they someday make a huge mistake and make millions of mothers simultaneously cringe? Of course. I hope that when that day comes, if one of my girls still idolizes whichever one that makes that mistake (Joe!), we're able to use it as an example, and show her that people make mistakes and what is important is how they handle them. I have little doubt that whichever Jonas it is (Joe!), will most likely handle the situation with grace and humility.

Now that my days are filled with little girls singing their lyrics (including Emma who knows just about all the lyrics to their songs), begging to watch their new show, and the blasphemous WWJD (what would Jonas do?)... I'm learning a lot about my girls.

Julia is whole-heartedly infatuated with them, but embarrassed by her crush. She has a Jonas t-shirt but she won't wear it to school. Her ipod is full of Jonas Brothers songs and her reasoning behind which songs she likes the best is fascinating to me. She is also learning how to play the guitar - and I'm pretty sure they have something to do with her impressive commitment to that. She is serious about her affections for them and in typical Julia fashion she is the first to bring us all back to reality when the Jonas obsession shifts into high gear.

Anna also likes them, but only as an after thought, and primarily because Julia does. She doesn't always remember which one is which, and unlike her sisters, doesn't harass us pleading for Jonas Brothers concert tickets. She does love their music, which isn't much of a surprise since their peppy, bouncy music is right up her little peppy, bouncy alley.

Emma on the other hand takes this obsession to the extreme. From the time she wakes up until the time she goes to bed she is talking about them, singing their songs, quoting their TV show or begging to watch/listen to them. Her favorite brother changes daily - but more often than not it's Joe. She's only 3 and so this whole thing scares me a bit -but even her obsession is very Em. Em isn't about the middle ground or the so called gray area - she's an all or nothing (or Black Keys ;) ) kind of girl.

So my life is about their music, award shows, web chats, music videos, their TV show, interviews... it's pretty much all Jonas... all the time.

I'm impressed with these kids - and think Denise Jonas has it going on to have raised such terrific young men. Unfortunately one of the things I have also realized about my own Jonas obsession is that I have that little tug at my heart strings... instead of a NKOTB style crush on these young (only Nick is underage though!!) guys I'm a little sad I don't have any curly haired sons of my own. (Because OMJ I'm OLD!)

Their new album comes out next week... and their crazy huge concert tour comes to Boston in July... so I don't think this JoBrobesession is going to end anytime soon. Trust me - Emma will not allow that to happen!

2 Peas in a Pod

Emma isn't feeling great, so last night she came into bed to cuddle with me. I let her lay down for a while so she could keep her head elevated a bit.

She was super cuddly and being sweet. She says, "Daddy will make me go back in my bed."

I responded, "He'll let you lay in here for a while since you aren't feeling well."

"Oh so Daddy knows we're supposed to be together?"

"Yep. We're like two peas in a pod."

She thinks for a minute, "oh, so we're 'poddies'?" and then giggles hysterically...

I can't believe it's already MAY!

So far we've been busy. Dan is having a great week and we just got word that he will have a branch open this year!

The girls are busy - Julia is playing softball - they had their first game Monday night and she has a "real" coach this year and learned more in 1 hour of practice than last season. She misses her other coach but I think she's in good hands this year! She is also in an acting class that she really likes. She has been begging us for guitar lessons for well over a year so we're looking into that for her.

Anna and Emma are in a little dance class and are having a good time. Anna loves preschool and is excited about her upcoming birthday party. Emma had her preschool open house and she can't wait to start in the fall.

Nothing much else going on here. Sorry to not have much to post about.... but it's MAY!

Is it really April already?

Not only am I surprised that it is already April but it's the MIDDLE of April. Wha? Where is the time going?

My kids are pretty darn smart. I know this. I'm their mother. OF course I know this. Lately though they are waaaay smarter than I even give them credit for.

On Easter I was going through the Easter baskets with the girls. Anna was very excited about a Littlest Pet Shop toy. I was telling her I was surprised her little hat for the toy was so bendable. Anna says, "yes, it's malleable"

I just about choked. MALLEABLE? She's 4... MALLEABLE?? So I asked her twice to repeat what she said, Dan also asked her. So I finally asked her if she knew what it meant. Are you ready??? "Mom, it means, FLEXIBLE!"

Holy shite! Can you believe it??? I couldn't - I still can't. Dan and I both just sat there amazed. She doesn't remember where she heard it - she seems to think she made it up. Scary.

Next smart kid - Dan was tucking Emma in tonight and told her it was lights out. Her response? "Actually, I'm going to read for a while." Dan said, "Emma, what little girls use words like actually?" Her response, "Julia daddy. Julia uses those words."

Gotta love these kids... whose kids are they??

Oh yeah - Happy Birthday!

Don't think that because it didn't end up here it wasn't important... My little surprise... Emma turned 3 last month. We were in the process of moving (did I not mention that???) and had a quiet little family part for her (she still is hoping for an Elmo birthday party... )

So - here are some pictures of the beautiful 3 year old..

Sisterly love...

This morning all three girls had dentist appointments. Emma was first - and it was her first appointment. She did great. Se was a little hesitant at first but warmed up and was awesome. We took the kids to a pediatric dentist and I can't recommend that enough. They really know about kids teeth - and the TVs on the ceiling were pretty cool too. Emma watched Sponge Bob, Anna watched Dora and Julia watched Wall-E.

So - Julia goes next and she is amazing ... even with all the bad news about yadda yadda cramped mouth blah blah pull teeth blah blah lots of money blah blah tiny mouth blah blah money money money blah blah money.....

Then Dan takes Julia to school and Emma and I go back to see Anna who is just getting settled into the chair. Anna's been to the dentist a couple of times so she knows what to expect but I tell Emma "Oh, why don't tell Anna what's going to happen?"

Anna, being sweet and playing along says, "Yeah Emmy tell me what they are going to do?"

Emma says, not missing a beat, "They are going to pull all your teeth out"

The Potty Monkey

So, our pediatrician (OK the NP) reminded me today of what a bad mother I am for making my now 3 year old daughter NOT be potty trained.

Ummm - okaaaaaaaaaay? She spent about 20 minutes giving me advice on how to potty train... like have you heard of this new fangled thing called a STICKER CHART? I know - revolutionary stuff here.

On and on went the suggestions. I did point out at one time that both of her older sisters were potty trained. This point is of no matter to the 24 year old NP - with no children of her own.

Then she starts going on about the monkey. MONKEY. She says she just saw it online and it looked good and it had a timer to remind the kids when to pee and all that fun stuff. It sounded interesting - but I had to listen to another 20 minute lesson on why this was the BEST thing ever.

BEST THING EVER.

So - tonight while watching the Drake and Josh Christmas Special (don't look at the calendar - I'm aware of the fact it's March.. not exactly sure what calendar Nick is using but I digress...) and there is a monkey ... and so I think "ooooh lets look up this potty monkey thing."

Turns out it's actually kind of interesting. I don't think I'll be dropping $25-30 for it anytime soon, but it seems to be pretty sound reasoning. It arrives in a diaper and you do this whole ceremonious throwing away of the diaper... and put little monkey undies on the thing. Now apparently it is ready for the big show. The monkey talks and sings while it's on the potty, and then you can set a timer for 30 or 90 minutes and then at every time interval the monkey starts talking about having to go to the bathroom and how maybe the child could please take them to the potty? and OH why you are in here - you may as well sit those cute cheeks down and try and pee too... K?

Anyway - without further ado... I present... The Potty Monkey!

Another Emma story....

Last week Emma Leigh was sitting on my lap and she farted.

I asked her if she farted on me and she says, "Yes, I farted on you in Spanish"


Oh my... and yes, she's 3 next week!

Another Emma story

I took Julia and her friend last Friday (opening day) to see the Jonas Brothers 3d Concert experience movie. (I admit I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it - and have some respect for the fact that although a pop/boy band machine - they write their own music and they can and do actually play instruments.) All of my girls have gone from liking the Jonas Brothers to being outright fans. Julia in particular has the beginnings of a real crush on them (she likes Joe the best, Anna likes Nick (me too) and Emma likes Joe). All three girls know the words to their songs, and squeal with delight when they catch a glimpse of them on Disney Channel.

Last night Julia was watching a live chat (it was live at one point I guess) with the Jo Bros, as they affectionately call them, and Emma was perched on my lap watching too. To understand what is happening - the boys are on on a webcam and talking to their fans online. They have a chat open and the fans respond by typing back to them. Julia loves these chats and I admit that after watching some with her the boys do seem like funny, decent kids. So, Emma is sitting there with us enthralled with Joe. All of a sudden he says, "hi emily" (they often do this because their fans will type, "HI JOE" or "Say hi to Emily" and they will respond directly.

The look on Emma's face was priceless and she whispers, "hi joe" back! Then her little face turned dark red and she just sat there looking embarassed and thrilled. Julia made us play that part again and Emma, bless her little heart, gets more and more flustered each time. After a couple of minutes she whispers to me, "joe jonas said hi to me." She looked just like a teen girl who finds out her crush knows her name.

Yes, she's three next week.

Musically Inclined

So Julia wants to play the guitar. Not just the guitar but the bass guitar. She is adamant that she needs to learn and start her lessons. She also wants to play the piano and has been mounting a campaign for lessons for that too.

So last night at bedtime Emma was talking about Julia playing the guitar. I asked Emma what she wanted to play and without missing a beat ( ha) she says, "the trombone."

TROMBONE??? She knows this how?

I asked her how she knew what a trombone was and her reply, "it's an instrument mom."

Yes, she's 3 next week.

Emma is sooo damn cute

I don't know what it is about Emma. She really is turning into a giant sweetie. She is still the ferocious, independent, tempermental little chick that we have come to know and love, but she is charming. Ohhhh so charming.

Her new favorite person in the world is my dad. Just about everynight she'll bring me the phone and say, "call poppa now" and then she calls him, tells him the same things, laughs at his "what time is it" joke (It's howdy doody time)... tells him, "I've got my eye on you"... and then sings him Twinkle twinkle and Merrily Merrily Bop bop... usually finishes with a version of the ABC song. It's pretty darn cute.

She has also started a couple of other cute sayings, like after she has a couple of gulps (she's a gulper) of water, she'll exclaim, "I had three scoops of water!"

She is often seen climbing up on laps to give kisses and hugs.

Last night after we tucked Julia and Anna in we were walking out of their room and Emma calls back to them, "goodnight girls!" :)

Now she is insanely excited about Thanksgiving because there will be turkey. I'm about 90% sure she thinks we're getting a real turkey - not that the thing in our fridge defrosting is the turkey.

She's pretty darn cute...

Another post all about Emma...

Emma has been blaming everything on my mom. Since my mom was here, Emma uses my mom as her excuse for everything.

Get's in trouble climbing on the table, "meemaw said I could"

She wants candy and we say no, "but meemaw said"

She has to come inside to eat dinner, "but meemaw said I didn't haf to!"

She will occasionally blame me, Dan or her sisters but Meemaw bears the brunt of most of her blame.

Emma

Today was a big day for Emma. Let's just say it's like she's graduating to big girl status.

Oh ... and she is sooo my little clone. Today while we were putting away our Halloween decorations and putting them in the attic, she kept saying "mwah ha ha ha" in her evil little kid giggle. I so love it.