365 Days with Emmy Lu

Emmy you have been here for a year. You are such a gift, such joy to us. I can't put into words even the slightest glimpse of how I feel. You are my little love bug, my cuddler, my happy little baby. This year with you has been magical. I don't know if it's the fact that we wanted you for so long, or that you are the last baby, but I have enjoyed your babyness so much more than I ever did with your siblings. My heart is aching quite a bit as you transform from a baby to a toddler. 

You are so content. I can get a lot done in the kitchen while you play with toys.

 You are just starting to get into things and cause a bit of chaos. I need to put cabinet locks on one more time.

 For your birthday we decided to have the Simpsons over for a dinner celebration. Everyone was thrilled to celebrate you.

 You liked the cake at first, but didn't want to touch it.

 You slowly got the hang of it and started digging in.

Emmy Lu, I love you so much. Happy Birthday little one.

Frozen on Ice and other Girliness

My parents bought Piper a ticket to see Frozen on Ice for her Birthday. The show was up in Virginia yesterday and we decided to have a fun day, just the two of us. She loved the show. It was pure magic to her. She danced and sang all the songs. I spent most of the show just watching her face. I'm so glad I got to experience it with her. 

 After the show we met up with some friends for lunch. The girls had fun showing off their souvenirs and discussing their favorite parts. Abbie and her Mom spent the rest of the day with us and we did some shopping.

 It was such a great day, and I loved having the time with Piper. The girls picked 5 Guys for dinner, and there were no complaints from me.

Dreams and Investments

I tend to look on the realistic and practical side of things. For so long when my kids would come to me with lofty goals and dreams, instead of telling them how to attain them I would just say no. My friend Leah isn't like this. She dreams big and always encourages her kids to do the same. Slowly she is rubbing off on me. Asher has always had big ideas. A few years ago he started telling me he wanted a boat and he wanted to go to Australia. I told him to start saving, and he did. I've never met someone so young as determined as he is. For the last two years he has saved his Birthday, Christmas, and allowance money. Today he went into Edward Jones and sat down with Dave (Leah's husband and Jada and Bennett's dad). Dave explained investments to Asher and they discussed his goals. My little Ashman decided to invest $250. He knows he will have to be patient, and will have to continue to invest more money in order to reach his goal. I couldn't be more proud.

Dexter and Company

Dex started preschool a few weeks ago and is loving it. He is so excited to go, and always has lots of stories when I pick him up. He is going three mornings a week and the schedule is perfect. With Piper and Asher is school all day being home with the little ones in the afternoon is quite relaxing. 

 Dexter also gets a lot more play dates. Watching him with his friends cracks me up. This age is full of amusement.

A Birthday Party to Remember

My lovely friend Sheena recently turned 30, and tonight we celebrated. Being with Sheena always yields unpredictable events, and tonight was no exception. We had a really fun dinner and we were able to share with Sheena what she means to all of us. There was no shortage of stories. 

My friend Alyson and I organized the party and we thought it would be really fun to get trick candles. For some reason it didn't occur to either of us that it would create a lot of smoke. The fire alarm went off, and the local fire department showed up.

 We needed a little entertainment for the evening!

Happy Birthday Sheena. I love you a lot, and I'm so thankful to have you as a friend.

Asher is 7

Asher turned 7 a few weeks ago and due to busy schedules/laziness I'm just getting around to doing a post about it. Here is a little trip down memory lane.

Asher this is the day I met you. I was not prepared. I had no idea how overwhelmed with love I would feel. I knew I'd love you, but I wasn't prepared for this. You took my breath away. 

The first year was hard. You were a difficult baby, and I was a new mom. It's a good thing we both survived. You were SUCH a stinker (and well you still are). I've never seen a baby or child as stubborn as you were.

Right before you turned two you became a big brother for the first time. You also really developed a personality that year. There has always been one thing you are obsessed with at a time. When you were 2 (and well 3 and 4) you were ALL about cars. You spent hours playing with matchbox cars. That is how you leaned the count and figured about colors.

This was in Paris right before you turned 3. You did so well on that trip and loved taking adventures. That has not changed.

Man, this picture summed up your fourth year. You never stopped running, and wanted to be outside at all times. 

 At 5 you started getting into all the stuff your dad likes to do.

 At 6, you started kindergarten. Nothing makes you happier than being with friends.

And now you are 7.

 Asher, you are a joy and a challenge to parent. I love you to the moon and back, today and every day.