November Fun

Well after the excitement of Halloween and a big birthday... we had to keep rolling in lots of activities for November! 

First we had some fun cousin time... we are so thankful that we live so close to a big portion of our family.  It is so fun to see the cousins run around and entertain each other.  They really do play well (and sometimes argue) like family!  Here's some cute pics;

Liza & Maggie

Haven, Emma and Anna playing with frogs at the Perot. These girls are 2, 3 and 4!

Painting ladies

Then we had some fun excitement on November 12th... I heard a bunch of squawking from the chicken coop in the morning.  I even went out there before the girls woke up to see what they were all excited about.  But because it was too dark inside the coop I didn't find this surprise until after taking Emma to preschool.  Indiana laid her first egg!!  She was 20 weeks + 1 day old.  And she's been laying an egg a day ever since!  I did compare her first few eggs to a store bought egg and although the yolk was slightly smaller it was definitely darker in color.  I've been told this means there's more nutrition in them.  And maybe it's just my mind, but they do seem tastier to me. 

See Indiana?  She's showing off her good work!

Not a bad size egg for her first...

I finally 'participated' in my first Color Run!  I say participated because although the title was 'Color RUN' I did very little running.  More like just sprinting through the color stations.  We had a fun group of six ladies who ventured out in the early morning for some colorful exercise.  It was fun and I really like my new shirt! 

The 'Gang' post race

At the end of the race, the color is still flying all over!

Since Emma is in one of the older classes at preschool, they do a Thanksgiving Feast every year.  Her class did lots of preparation... making costumes and a few other decorations.  I was really glad we were still invited even though it was on a day that Emma doesn't normally attend.  SIL's childcare is such an amazing place and the ladies there are AMAZING.  I feel so blessed to have people of this caliber pouring into the lives of our little ones. 

3 year old Indians

Emma and Miss Shari (her teacher)

Indian Emma and her cousin, Pilgrim Shanna

Three Years Old

I know I say it every birthday... But honestly... Three has been a little bit more emotional for me. I see time flying by at lightning speeds and I can't slow it down. Emma is turning into such a sweet little lady.  I can hardly believe we're so lucky. I see little glimpses of the girl she is shaping up to be and it warms my heart.

One big milestone for Emma was moving classes at SIL's Childcare.  She had been with Paula since she started school (just before Maggie was born) and it got me all teary eyed when I learned after her little school birthday celebration, she was introduced to her next class and stayed there for the rest of the day. What?!? You mean we don't have a big goodbye with Paula with lots of hugs and tears? Haha. Don't get me wrong... I knew she was ready for the next class, but Emma's (and my) constant at school had always been Paula. Miss Shari's class has exciting things in store... Bigger playground, new toys, baking days, bigger crafts... But along with all these new and exciting things is the acceptance that our first born is no longer a little baby/toddler.

Princess Crown made by Paula



Emma blowing out her candles with her sweet friends nearby. Lily looks like she's helping!

 

So Emma here's what I notice about you at 3 years old;

1. You love to dance and sing. We often here you making up songs about anything around you and we love it. 

2. You are much more aware of your actions and the consequences. You apologize quickly and are swift to check on those around you.  Especially if Maggie falls down or if Mommy has a headache... You always offer you sweet little kisses to heal whatever may be hurting. 

3. You are a quick learner and you have an amazing memory. It could be months since something happened and you'll bring it up and ask me if I remembered it. It astounds me. 

4. You love your little sister and enjoy playing with her. Sharing is still something we're working on but you are getting better about taking turns. But you cried for her today when she had to get a flu shot. Thankfully Grandy was there to hold you when Mommy was comforting Maggie. 

5. You're getting quite athletic.  You are a pretty fast runner, and you seriously have some ball skills thanks to our living room training sessions. (Jk) we would love for you to play soccer, but if your heart goes another direction that is fine too. But right now, I'm going to say your headed towards soccer. And it was confirmed today at your wellness checkup that your leg bones are shaped for the running sports more so than the ballerina ventures. But when you told Dr. Hunke that you liked to dance he said, 'well maybe you'll do well with hip hop dancing.' Haha!

6. You can count to 12 or 13 and know the other numbers to 20 but they get mixed up. 

7. I believe you will be right handed. You also are starting to write letters and are very good at identifying them. 

8. I'm pretty sure you are potty trained. We started in June and after Mommy drug her feet with you in pull-ups for too long, you made the transition to 'underwear' with only about a handful of accidents. I still am expecting some accidents but even on your birthday when I thought the bathroom would be the last thing on your mind you were good to go. Thank you for making my first potty training experience better than I was expecting. 

9. Like most firstborns, your leadership attributes are coming out.  Your first day in the older kids classroom, you were bossing around the big kids on the playground like a champ. Or so I heard. :-)
10. I think you are almost out of the 'separation anxiety' phase... you are great at school and church with us leaving you.  Occasionally, at home if its a datenight or I'm going to run errands on the weekend, you still want me to hang around and give you extra snuggles until you feel like its okay for me to leave.  Which I don't mind one bit. ;-)

 

3 Year Stats

Height: 37.5" (60%)

Weight: 32 lbs (50%)

For her birthday party, Emma asked for fairy wings and a bounce house. This is what Mommy and Daddy came up with...

We turned all the little ladies into fairies!

 

Even Maggie got into it with Aunt Jamie as the surprise Aunt Fairy!

And we gave them a bounce house and a big backyard! (love how Liza is holding on to my Dad's finger)

 

Lounging fairies

Delicious cake/cupcakes courtesy of Aunt Jamie and Delish Bakery in Austin.

 

Painting Fairy Houses

Food and Fun

Attempting the 'jump' pose.



It was a great time, unfortunately... I wasn't as good about pictures as I have been in the past but oh well... I got to participate more! :-)  Ever since Emma was a baby we've had a sign on her wall that was quite fitting for this year's birthday theme.  It says;

 "Your wings already exist, all you have to do is FLY!"

We pray that we honor God with the way we raise you Miss Emma Jane and that with His help you fly to great heights sharing His amazing love with the world.  Happy birthday sweet little girl.  We love you so much.


Trunk or Treat, 2013

We love spending Halloween at our church. Every year, they put on a festival and it really is great for all ages.  Not only are games and activities for all ages available, but several chances to hear the Gospel are presented on a day when most are just thinking about candy and costumes.  This year it was reported that over 4,000 people visited Faith Bible Church.

Family shot

This was also the first year Emma understood what was going on and how she got candy if she just tried the 'game'. It was fun to see her attempt whatever activity there was and then just stare at the candy bucket until she was offered some. Haha. Don't worry... mom and dad are regulating the distribution of the candy she did collect. 

 

Don't be fooled by the lack of people seen in this photo... this area was soon packed with people.

Miss Amanda (our babysitter) helping Emma 'pick' her candy! We later
found out it was our Niece/Cousin, Kaila inside the nose!

 

Sadly, this was the first year Emma let her opinion be known of what she wanted to dress up like. Mom and Dad were hoping we could come up with another family theme and she would just roll with it.  But alas, we wanted her to have fun and we found a good deal on her costume on Craigslist. Unfortunately, adult costumes for Finding Nemo were harder to come by and Billy and I decided not to dress up this year.  We have decided this wasn't as fun, and plan to return to the family theme in 2014.

Just a little train ride!

Emma riding Brownie

 

Aunt Jamie also joined us at Trunk or Treat. It was fun to have her here and the girls are always following around their Auntie. Jamie even brought a costume but held back from wearing it so she could surprise Emma at her birthday.