Emme's 4!

I can't believe you are 4.  Where did the time go?  You were just a little baby.  We were suppose to go to Disneyland for your birthday but we had to reschedule for March.  Luckily we did too because you were getting over the flu and I was apparently getting it and would have had it at Disneyland.  I felt bad we had to reschedule and your Aunt Sara had a good idea to invite Anna from Frozen over and a couple close friends to share your birthday evening with. 

I didn't tell you.  It was all a surprise.  So each friend that showed up (3) you opened the door to a surprise and then Anna.  The look in your eyes...you were trying to figure out what was going on.  Like how can Anna be at my house?  It was so precious.  

You had some good conversations with her but mostly you were just smitten by her being next to you.  She said she wished Elsa could have come but that she had to stay back in Arendelle and take care of the kingdom.

First you guys read the Frozen book (you sat next to her the whole time) and she sang you all the Frozen songs.

Look Amanda came to spend the special evening with you.  She was there from the moment you were about 3-4 months old helping take care of you and all of us.  

Look at all your friends that were there and Grandma.  All from your preschool (Chloe and her sister Siena, Penelope and Zackary).  All the girls loved it.

Next you got your face painted.  You got swirls on the side of your face and Zackary got a dragon going around his face.

Next came posing for pictures.  She taught you the poses from Frozen.

Then we sang Happy Birthday and Anna helped you blow the candles out.  I tried to copy the same blue on the cake as the Frozen theme but it didn't turn out as I wanted but it tasted good.

After everyone left we opened your presents.  You immediately put on your Frozen hat that your Aunt Maggie gave you.  You got a lot of nice presents.  It was a lot of fun.  Happy Birthday honey!  We Love you so much. 

MMR Vaccine

Mommy finally decided to have you get your MMR vaccine.  Due to your speech delay I delayed this vaccine on purpose.  But look at how you took this potentially most painful and temperature inducing vaccine, like a champ!  You are bent over limping cause your leg hurts where the shot was given but you forgot about it later.  You promptly got the flu after getting this shot and a cold, and had a hard time fighting off the cold.  I do love this picture so much.  The heart glasses are so you!  You look like you are a student in college.

My Pleasure

I can't begin to tell you what a pleasure it is to be your mom and spend every day with you both.  Watching you both grow up, explore new hobbies and interests and develop friendships has been really fun.  I miss you two being my babies.  Now 6 and 4 wow, it was yesterday that I was nursing you and cradling you in my arms.  There is so much to tell you, to teach you, to watch develop with you two.  Zackary watching you play the drums and bongos and use your imagination with your dragons, collect and love all your crystals and stones has been really neat.  You are such a happy child and full of warmth and love.  You love school and all your classmates and two teachers.  Emeline it is fun watching you do girl stuff like coloring, playing with your dolls and kitchen and playing with your pretend money.  You have so many friends already from both your schools and you love having playdates with them. Your hair has these really tight curls in it, it's beautiful and I am secretly jealous as my hair would and will never do that!  Thanks for all your love and cuddles, tight hugs and making me see life in a whole new refreshed way.  You both are my sunshine, are my life and my everything. 

Story Time with Daddy

You two were having such a cute moment here together.  You were petting Daddy's hair and listening so closely to the story.  You sure do love your Daddy.  So sweet.

Jenga Stand Off

Daddy and Zackary were playing a great game of Jenga that actually lasted a really long time.  And guess who won???  Zackary you did!  That was a fun night.

The Reptile Show

 Grandma had a great idea to take you to the Pomona Reptile Show and she was so right.  We were there 3 hours and you loved every minute of it with all the numerous reptiles that were there.  It was an expansive show covering an entire show room with 4 very long rows up and down set up with different companies and all their baby reptiles they were trying to sell. But we have our bearded dragon so I wasn't up for adding anymore reptiles to our one.  Above you are standing with the biggest monitor for 2014 that won the Guinness World Book of Records.  You were so calm and patient with each and every animal.

The longest booth we stopped at was way in the back, a rescue group made up of all girls that took in any reptile people didn't want.  You held 3 of their snakes for at least an hour.  Above you are holding the sweetest Burmese python.  She is not her full length by any means but she was big though.

Here your holding a baby kind snake that these girls rescued from Petsmart.  He was biting them and they did not feel he would be sold.  But once these girls took him in and held him nonstop he turned into a sweetie and actually fell asleep wrapped up in your warm fingers.  You held and played with him for at least 30 minutes and felt very comfortable.  I think the snake could since your calmness.

Here you are holding a really big corn snake.  He also really liked you as he fell asleep on you as well.  These girls were very special, hands on with their reptiles and instilling the spark of imagination in little ones like you.  And look how brave you are Emme!

Here you both are petting a tegu.  They aren't the nicest so you could only pet him.  But this couple at this booth were also great with you two educating you and letting you touch and hold whatever you wanted.

This is how all the tables looked...small plastic containers holding baby reptiles.  Here you are holding a spotted gecko.  I am so proud of you. You are brave, you are interested and you are reminding me of your grandpa John and his wonder for reptiles and all animals.  He also had a special gift with animals and he instilled in me my love for animals and I see that forming in you with these reptiles. 

Emme and Mommy Time

Fall and Winter is by far the most beautiful time of year where we live.  You and I have been taking a lot of scooter/walks together during the day when you aren't at school and you always stop to look at the beauty.  You remind me of me!