Today (11/2), Emmeline and I went to a play date at the Steeles. Preston is one of my Emmeline's favorite playmates and we flatter ourselves that he feels similarly. Today the two of them were upstairs playing in Preston's room and I went to tell Emme it was time to go. Preston walked in front of her, stretched his arms out to block her and said, "I can't let that happen." It was hilarious. I gave them more time together. We love Preston!
Miss Suesana brought over a craft for Emmeline to do while Viv did therapy. She got to paint a dinosuar and add decorations to him. She was very proud of her work.
Elise organized all her candy in her drawers (we need to move this empty dresser out of her room).
This picture is blurry but the way her little fingers hold the straw just kills me! She's so darling! I just want to eat her up.
Emmeline found this leaf that was bigger than her head while we were outside. And in weather that was so nice shorts were okay attire. Can you believe it?
We went to Sam's Club and all the old people admired Vivienne and her ginormous bow. Vivienne wasn't a fan of whatever I was feeding her in this next picture. Oh, pureed chicken and veggies I think.
I told Elise she needed to brush her hair for church and she said she didn't want to. Emmeline responded, "You want to look like a homeless girl?" I must tell them they look homeless a bit too often.
Vivienne is all about acrobatics.
The above photo was taken after I gave her a bunch of pediasure in her tube. She was practically comatose - so full of pediasure.
When she finally moved, she needed a snuggle. And the next picture is attempting to show one of her long hairs. She has a couple.
Emmeline fell asleep while I was reading the girls some Anne of Green Gables.
Grammy came to visit for Elise's baptism and took us to Target where Emmeline enjoyed an icee and this Elsa hat/braid.
Elise had a birthday party for her 8th birthday and it was ON her birthday. She had quite a crew over for a pancake and pajamas party. The girls got pancakes with ice cream, 3 types of syrup, sprinkles, mini marshmallows, and I don't remember what else. Enough to make you sick. And sausages and milk. They played reindeer ring toss, pin the nose on the snowman, a candy bar game with candy wrapped in siran wrap, musical construction paper (I didn't have enough chairs and paper was easy to manipulate), Don't Eat Pete, and we took some pictures with photo booth props.
She got a slew of thoughtful gifts from her friends.
For her birthday dinner she requested McDonald's, For presents from the family she got some Mercy Watson books, shirt and leggings, socks and underoos (at her request), orbeez, a new scripture quad and case, and new ROLLER SKATES!
The next day she was baptized. Aunt Lori and Laura Jansson gave the talks and Dad baptized and confirmed her. I took about a hundred pictures at Greta's baptism and this is the only one I got of Elise's. What a mess I am. Sorry Elise. I love you and it was a great baptism. And remember that Maddie Lane came when you read this in the future!
Emmeline loved riding Sandy at Meijer. I haven't been to Meijer in ages but we went with Grammy.
While Grammy was here we stopped in at Kohl's so Grammy could spend some Kohl's cash. We were there for a painful 90 minutes while Grammy tried to get as close to her monetary goal as possible. At that point, Emmeline declared, "Grammy, I found a way out! We aren't stuck here anymore!"
We were pretty bummed when Grammy had to leave. We so enjoyed her quick trip for the baptism.
Everyone was extra sleepy that night after getting up early to say goodbye to Grammy.
Later that week Emmeline, Vivienne and I got to join Elise for Thanksgiving lunch at school. Dad went with Greta to her lunch.
Aunt Jeanice gave Vivienne this outfit last year and it finally mostly fits. All her pants and sleeves are a little long and she crawled out of these pants that day.
Emmeline loves to wear her pjs and watch Octonauts.
I saw these bows on Etsy and wanted some but they were $4 a bow so I decided to learn to make my own. They're easy (if not perfect) and much cheaper. I've made 13 so far and given away 6.
Vivienne obviously loves them.
Greta got to go on a field trip downtown at the history museum with her class. I didn't go, but Miss Mary (Lane) did and she sent me these pictures. She also signed Greta out early so Greta got home a couple hours earlier than she normally would have. Lucky girl.
Emmeline inherited Greta's bathrobe. She is killing me with cuteness in these pictures.
We spent Thanksgiving at Jonathan and Lori's this year. They invite us every year and usually we decline because I like cooking and having leftovers, but I was feeling like some company would be pleasant for the holiday so we accepted. I made a pumpkin cheesecake that got burnt and I'm not sure set up very well with rock hard crust (won't repeat that recipe), mini stuffed peppers (sausage, cream cheese, spices, yum), a peanut butter pie (that Nathan actually had to make after he critiqued my crust making skills -- though it seems he had a point), a spinach salad (Nathan made the dressing), and Nathan made some butternut squash that was actually really tasty and I'm not a squash lover.
This kid loves to pose for pictures. She frequently asks me to take her picture next to something she likes.
After Thanksgiving dinner I went Black Friday shopping with Mary and Stacia from 9 PM - 4 AM. I never thought I would last that long but I had a ball and didn't spend a fortune. I can't wait to do it again. Friday we set up our three trees (family room, kitchen, and piano room).
I was rocking Vivienne to sleep and Emmeline was calling and calling for me. I thought maybe she needed a bottom wipe or something out of the pantry or some similar thing so I sent Nathan a text and asked him to help her. He sent me these pictures. She had set up a tea party and was calling for a companion. Melt my heart. Such a sweet little thing.
Speaking of sweet things, Elise was thrilled to spend her birthday money to buy a gift for Vivienne for Christmas. She actually ordered gifts for Dad, Greta and Emmeline, too. Greta bought gifts at the dollar store for everyone while Grammy was here. She is also so thrilled. She has already wrapped them and put them under the tree.
Vivienne and I spend most Sundays home alone together now and she fell asleep on me one day. Sweet girl.
She also got into the toilet paper and had a grand old time shredding it and eventually carting it across the kitchen floor.
Krystal Marks and I went to Sarah Steele's house where she taught some new techniques for icing cookies. I'm excited about this new world of possibilities it opens.
This comic reminds me of Nathan and I laugh and laugh. So does he.
After icing cookies, we hit up Kohl's to spend some Kohl's cash and here are pictures Emmeline requested with things she liked. She didn't get stuck in there for long this time, though. She told me, "I'm done shopping. Just get that one." (Picking a Christmas present for Daddy.)
And very thrilling news for Greta. She has been working so dilligently on a personal narrative for school and she submitted it after Thanksgiving. Her teacher said it rocked her world and passed it on to all the fifth grade teachers to read. Her math teacher told her it was phenomenal, and VP wrote her a note about how great it was, another teacher stopped her in the hall to tell her how good it was, and now her teacher and the VP are looking for places for her to submit her work competitively. What an amazing little author! She is so creative and works so hard. I feel like Greta has really come into her own, is confident in herself and her interests, and is happy with herself. I LOVE it.
