She Wasn't a Fan

She would cautiously smile at pictures of Santa. She most definitely grew excited about Christmas through Jackson's enthusiasm and happiness towards items and experiences. 

Nothing prepared her for the big man himself though. Santa in person was a whole different story for Emerson. From the first glance she had of him, wrapping her arms around me, tightening her legs around my waist and staring hard in his direction, she was apprehensive. 

Baby It's Cold Outside

Brrrr...Baby it's cold outside!

 These little cuties had a blast playing hide and seek, sipping chocolate milk (aka hot cocoa), and telling jokes.

Elf on the Shelf 2015

It's that time of year! I may not have all of Thanksgiving weekend sorted out yet, but December 1st, I am ready for you!

Our Elf will be pretty busy this year. I can not wait to hear what Jackson decides to name our elf. But more so, I am excited to see Emerson's reaction.

This calendar is slightly geared to a three year old boy, has ideas repeated from last year, a few lazy days and some new tasks too.

PDF version here.

See last years calendar here. 

Responses

She would almost always look at you and listen, sometimes smiling, other times simply trying to process what you had said. Then, just over a week ago now, she responds with a form of yes or no to questions you ask.

When you ask a question she stares directly at you. If she agrees, you get an eager head nod and smile when. More often now it is accompanied by a "yah." When she does not agree, she shakes her head side to side with a long "nah." She doesn't respond to everything you ask (yes or no questions) yet, but I ask her any way. 

Not only is this exciting to me experience the first of conversations with my baby girl, but you can sense her excitement in realizing that by responding she has some control over her current feelings. 

Trick-or-Trunk

Batman and Superwoman prepare for battle...

 This was our first year participating in a Trick-or-Trunk, and I could not be happier that we did.

It was at J & Em's school so J had been talking about it for weeks. In case your not familiar with the concept it is a chance for kids to trick-or-treat by going car to car. Parents park their car, decorate their trunk (some really go all out) and then pass out candy. It is great for a small community, like their school.

My mom had the amazing idea to make our trunk into the Batcave. 

He is Learning Math

A few weeks ago on our way home from school I asked Jackson about his day. 

"A O is like a zero and zero means none."

Whoa J. The idea of nothing associated with a number out of no where. And its connection to something familiar like the letter O.

He has understood when nothing and can identify if there is one, two or three objects very quickly. But for him to numerically represent nothing, I was impressed. 

Cookies or Sprinkles

 Jackson likes sprinkles. He likes them on his donuts, on his ice cream and...on his cookies. 

A Simple Trip

We took part of Columbus Day to go to the local Children's Museum. Only about one month earlier I had taken J & Em to this same museum. This time, I had much different results. 

Jackson this time gravitated to a pyramid block stacking activity. After a little bit of problem solving/stalking the older kids around him, he figured out how the blocks were to be stacked to reach the highest point. He gathered, stacked, watched, stacked, took away, watch and stacked. With a little prompting on the need to start another diagonal row, he eventually sped up when noticing he was near the top. 

He was so proud when he finished it...for about 30 seconds. Then he crashed it down into the bins for the next kid. There was that slight moment though where I sensed his notice of accomplishment, his recognition of mastering something new. 

We continued on to air tunnels and opportunity for being loud. 

It was Emerson that really shocked me on our trip. Last time she was very reserved, almost just turned off by the loud noises. This time she was eager to be released from my arms. 

The first time we were there she was not quite walking completely on her own. This time she took it upon her self to travel around tables and to blocks that she wanted to see. 

One spot in particular caught her attention though. She loved this neon backlight round table with iridescent magnetic 2D shapes. The shapes would build if you set the magnets correctly. Em though, she just liked to lay and lift, lay and lift. She was completely mesmerized for the longest time. It was wonderful to see her focused on her "task" while still noticing activity around her.

This spontaneous trip to the museum turned out to be one of my recent high lights. Their imagination, inquisition, and overall interest in life is such a blessing.

He Writes

Grandma helped Jackson write a card today. After it was decorated, she helped write a message and asked him to sign it. 

They went letter for letter of her saying it them him taking time to write it out. He did all the writing himself. 

His excitement to give me the card was all I needed but then I opened it up and could actually visualize his name on it! 

Sure it needs some work, but the start of him learning to read or write is exciting!

Messy Face

It's a fact. 

Messy hands are drawn to clean hair. 

It does not matter what she is eating, her hands find their way to her hair. 

Sometimes it is just the hair above her ear. Swiping at her ear with anxious energy as she debates a next bite, melt down or to ask for more. Other times it is the tired, frustrated double hands behind the head that leave everything covered the same as her high chair. 

It does not matter if she is eating something dry or wet, crunchy or soft. I pick goldfish pieces out and dunk her partial head under the sink routinely after meals. We will snuggle later only for her hair to crunch when I touch it. 

She eats well most of the time, but all of the time it ends up in her hair. 

This Little Lady

She loves shoes and hates to have her face wiped.

She will snuggle with a doll and then go race a car.

She is firm with what she wants and fiercely shakes her head no when you try to negotiate. 

She wears anything that resemble a purse. 

She walks around pushing it up on her arm, angry at anyone that tries to take it.

 She is obsessed with cheese. 

So much so that even the slightest glimpse of the bag has her screaming for it.

She loves chips.

As soon as she notices you eating a chip she stares you down and whines until she has one too.

Emmer, you are stubborn and your feistiness makes me smile.

Superhero In Training

Tonight we went on a walk after dinner. In typical fashion Jackson wanted to run for most of the way. Almost immediately after getting out of the stroller he asked "Let's play pirates and I chase you!"

He continued to run for the duration of the walk, switching superheroes along the way. He was a pirate, ninja turtles, Darth Vader, a policeman and Batman.

It's My Party & I'll Cry If I Want To

Emerson had a wonderful first birthday! It was not without tears however. Who knew how much trauma a cake could cause?!?

What is that coming?

So Big & Superman

Her little arms go up.

Her big eyes look at you.

Watching a child throw their hand up in the air when you ask them how big is cute simply to watch. When you experience your little do it after teaching her, you just melt. 

What Does a Space Ranger Do?

Calm.

"Mom."

"Yeah, J?"

Silent.

"What does a Space Ranger do?"

This is a routine question, one he asks often. He knows the response. So much so that if it would be different in any word he calls me out immediately. 

He first asked it with curious imagination. Now, he asks and I sense he thinks there may be more to the answer. But perhaps the predictable response lets him feel comfort and that is enough. 

He always listens quietly. I always respond calmly.

He rarely asks more. But he has always asked again.

Steps

She took her first steps about two weeks after turning one. It was only one step at a time, holding on to support. 

Soon she was taking one step away before falling back. Still unsure she would crawl to where she wanted to go. 

One morning though I turned Mickey Club House on for her and J. She was all excited so I set her on the ground. With speed and confidence she took off about four steps toward the TV.

Now, this little peanut will try to walk again before considering crawling. 

Her stiff legs swinging out for each step are starting to soften with a bend in the knee. 

Her proud smile and stubborn determination make your heart happy as you watch her take steps. Her growing confidence and curiosity make me sad as a big milestone is reached. 

Life Lately - A Write31Days Challenge

I am so happy to be joining the Write31Days challenge again this year. 

Life lately has had me writing here less. 

Life lately has involved wobbly baby steps.

Life lately has had me writing for work more.

Life lately includes many, many super heroes.

Life lately includes tiny waves and big smiles.

Life lately has been trying to keep track of a growing Christmas list from Santa.

Life lately involved three new pairs of high heel shoes.

Life lately is moving too fast.

I hope to slow it down a little by writing more.

#Write31Days

Steps

What Does a Space Ranger Do?

So Big & Superman

It's My Party & I'll Cry If I Want To

Superhero In Training

This Little Lady

Messy Face

He Writes

A Simple Trip

Sprinkles or Cookies

He is Learning Math

Emerson is ONE

Happy happy happy first birthday beautiful!

Your sweet, stubborn, silly personality is really starting to show. You know and fight for what you want, giggle at your brother and rest your head while melting my heart when you are tired. 

You still do not like to be away from Mom and crawl to find me when I leave. You say "Hi-ya" and full wrist bend wave to greet people and recently started waving bye too. 

When you have your mind set on something, watch out if someone tries to break up that plan. You love to throw your head back in protest to be sure we know your not happy. You always get food in your hair when you eat and and are absolutely obsessed with baths. 

Emerson, you make our family so happy. 

Happy birthday, Peanut.

Five on Friday - Beach Edition

Today's Five on Friday is brought to you by my great desire to be on the beach again. I thought I would display my sadness to be away from the beach by showing my kids early morning reactions to being at the beach.
Actually I can't say being at the beach as much as just on the sand. And, I can't really say kids...really just Em.

Beach newbie. I snapped this pic before she realized the waves came at her and the sand went on forever.

A little later she figured it out ;)

Wait...not just her.

Later in the week.

I'm pretty sure this was the last beach day.

 More vacation pictures to come, with smiles :)

Five on Friday

[1] We took Jackson to his first Major League Baseball game! He is definitely still a little young but did have a lot of fun. 

[2] Legos at the Morton Arboretum. These displays looked so amazing. The hours that were put in  for each sculpture are insane. Jackson was very impressed with them and enjoyed seeing each one. My favorite was the bird bath with cardinals. 

[3] Emerson is 11 months!!

[4] I finally got my hair done! It was soooooo over due!

[5] With not much of summer (or Emerson's first year) left, I completed and ordered a photo album. Now for that scrap book...

Emerson Marie - 11 Months

11 months is one too many close to ONE!
Emerson has completely mastered crawling (quickly too) and is now trying to stand up on everything she can. She will not take steps with you though.

 One of the best parts of watching her growth is in her interaction with Jackson. Now she tries to mimic what he is doing and playing with and shows him Legos that she picks up.
Pointing and saying "wssdat" and shaking her head are fun new things too. She also has this strong dislike for being changed and is quite stubborn in her young years.

You are growing two fast little peanut!

Five on Friday

Saturday edition.

[1] Jackson completed the Read 1,000 books program through our library! In almost exactly ten months we recorded 1,000 books that were read to him. Now I know I missed writing many down, so I wonder how long it actually took. It was a joint effort by all family that watches him and it was an awesome reflection to flip back through the pages. I can pull out his phases of a favorite book, long stretches of me working, and long stretches of me home. 

[2] Em got her first tooth! It pushed through skin last Sunday! She unfortunately got sick this week also so she has not been in the best of moods. 

[3] Lots of snuggle time with Em. Due to number three she was in my arms more often than usual. The poor girl just wasn't comfy and we got lots of quality time. 

[4] Matt and I celebrated six years of marriage! We took a casual night out and then due to rain had to change our plans from mini golf to darts at a bar, but we still had a great time. 

[5] We are officially looking to move! Operation clean house is complete and now we have the daily challenge to keep it that way.