The pitfalls of an active social life...

I'm beginning to think that maybe I keep Emma just a bit TOO busy with activities. In addition to full-day kindergarten and an hour long bus ride both ways, she now has Girl Scouts on Tuesdays, gymnastics on Wednesdays, and TBall on Thursdays (plus games/ additional GS events on weekends). This past Tuesday she was excited to go to girl scouts but just seemed to lose steam halfway through. She wanted to go home - didn't even want her cupcake and that is SO not Emma! When we got home I told her she had to have a bath and she didn't protest... again, out of character. Often times I will let Emma play in the tub while I get things organized for the morning, getting clothes, packing lunches, etc. But this evening she asked me to sit in there with her and it's a good thing I did! The kid actually, literally, fell asleep in the water! She laid back to get her hair wet and then just started floating and fell asleep. I couldn't believe it. I sat there and watched as she floated and slowly, after a few minutes, started to roll towards the right and hey eye went under water. I knew at this point that she was definitely out and NOT faking. So I snapped a picture or two and, as the water started to reach her mouth, I reached in and woke her up. She was so tired though that I had to actually prop her up to shampoo and wash. After I dried and jammied her, she was fast asleep in 5 minutes. Truthfully, I was really afraid that she was getting sick. Her behavior all weekend was just so out of character. But, after a full night's sleep, she was chipper and happy and raring to go again! This kid...

Chili Roast!

Saturday was the annual chili roast/ BBQ/ swim party at Uncle Kino & Aunt Pauline's house. It was a great day with family as usual. The food was tasty, the weather was warm but not too hot, and the kids loved spending the day swimming. For the first time this year, I bought my own 40 pound sack of chili to split with Karen. So, rather than spending the entire day by the pool with the "kids," I had to spend an hour or so peeling and bagging with the "grownups." It wasn't too bad, and I wore gloves, so my hands weren't burning. But (like I told Mom)... "This is a lot of work... I think I like it better when I just open the freezer and find nicely peeled baggies of perfectly roasted chili already there waiting for me." :)

Take me out to the ball game...

We spent another great Friday night at the ball park last week. This time, Karen & her kids, Tim & Jen & their kids (along with Katie's boyfriend), Erin, Chris, & Sophia were all able to join us. Emma remembered how loud the fireworks were last time, so she insisted on bringing along her earmuffs to try and lessen the noise. That made for an interesting outfit... tee shirt, shorts, barefoot, and earmuffs. Only my kid! Again, the game went long. Really long, this time. Like TWELVE innings. The girls started to lose interest and began to entertain themselves doing gymnastics moves, shuffling to the music, and even eventually laying down to "rest until the fireworks time Mommy." The show finally started and it was loud but good. We had a fun evening.

Daisy Days!

Emma is officially a Girl Scout! Or, more specifically, she is a Kindergarten Daisy. We found a great troop for her to join that is a multi-level group. They have 2nd year daisies, and brownies, all in the same group. The only catch was that, although they wanted to have a new group of kinder daisies join this year, they needed someone to lead that group. Guess who got drafted? Yup, story of my life here. It's cool though. Emma & I are both excited to be a part of this group and I seem to have a nice group of kinders. There are only 3 in this age level (including Emma) so that is definitely manageable and they all seem like sweet little girls.
This past Tuesday evening was our first official meeting. After the opening circle, we had a short meeting at each level. I had my girls practicing their promise and then we made friendship bracelets using embroidery floss in all the colors of the GS Daisy. The little ones seemed to really like the craft. We talked about how all the colors work together to make a pretty bracelet in the end but how easy it can get knotted up and scraggly looking if all the strings don't go in the same direction and wrap together. Symbolism, anyone? ;) Then it was time to get back in the big group. The older girls went through the annual rededication ceremony and then the newbies went through the investiture process. This was just ceremoniously putting on the uniform for the first time, getting pinned, and saying the girl scout promise. They were all so serious and so cute! Grandma came to see Emma be invested and to take pictures for us. It was nice to have her there supporting my girl!
This year is going to be busy but lots of fun! Emma is so excited to get to cookie sales and to (maybe!) go camping this next summer, but that is an expensive one so we will have to see. In fact, a lot of these events have additional costs that quickly add up. But the girls get to keep a portion of all money they make from cookie sales and fall product sales, so that will help. We are also apparently allowed to recruit for sponsors, even family members, so I asked Grandma to ease up on the toys and stuffed animals come birthday/ Christmas time for Emma and to maybe just sponsor her for a few bucks. We'll see how well that goes... I also had a conversation with Emma about how extra events cost extra money and that maybe SHE could come up with a way for us to save a little bit more. After thinking and brainstorming  with me a bit, Emma came up with the idea that maybe she could be in charge of the recycling in our house. I LOVE THIS IDEA. So Emma is now the self-appointed recycle person. She makes sure that all plastic water bottles and aluminum cans make it into the recycle bag. I told her that every time it gets filled we can take it to the recycling center and she gets to put all the money towards her girl scout ledger. Win, win, right? It's working great so far. Emma is even keeping an eye out for extra bottles/ cans when we are out & about. She collected 3 more at Sophia's birthday party this weekend and is planning on making a "recycling bucket" for empty water bottles at her own birthday in a couple months... I am constantly amazed by this little girl and how smart she is... 4 years old and she figured out a way to get herself a "job" so she can make money for what she wants. I don't know how much she will actually end up earning, and I will probably supplement with whatever extra I can, but her heart is in such a good place. I couldn't be any prouder of my girl...

Kid-isms....

August 17^th

Last night I was reading Emma her "Silverlicious" book before bed. Basically, the story is about a little girl named Pinkalicious who loses a tooth & it turns out to be her sweet tooth but the toothfairy won't come visit because she is being a brat. So other people (cupid, easter bunny, etc) come instead. Emma asked me who Cupid was. I told her he was little cherub who made people fall in love. She wanted to know why he had a bow & arrow like the girl from Brave. So I told her that it was because they were love arrows & he flies around shooting people in the butt to make them fall in love. She paused... thought hard... smiled... and told me "well, I've never seen Cupid, but that little guy must have shot me straight on the booty the day I met Mason 'cause I sure love that dude!" Lol! She misses her "boyfriend."

August 8^th

So, as of yesterday morning, I decided to stop "fighting the fight" and told Emma that I didn't care- she could wear her rainbow shoes (that lace all the way up to her knees, by the way) everyday if she wants and that I would return the other shoes I had gotten her since she didn't like them. She smiled and said "Ok." This morning what does she do? Goes & gets her other shoes and says she is "tired of the rainbow shoes and their tall zippers today." WTF?! This kid & her mind games are going to be the death of me....

August 4^th

Running errands with Mikayla... She just watched me get a $17 insulated lunch thermos for $5 at TRU, a $40 pair of sandals for $19 at Sports Chalet, and smoothies for both of us for 5¢ (yes, a nickle). She just looked at me, smiled, and said "wow Angela, I have much to learn." Lol. :-)

July 13^th

O...M...G... Emma's "boyfriend" Mason just called her on the telephone. This has got to be the cutest freaking conversation I have ever had the honor of eavesdropping on!!! (They haven't seen each other in almost 2 months, after having been in preschool together everyday since they were just a few months old.) He just told her "I miss you soooo much Emma! Do you still love me?" She, on the other hand, smirked and said "Wow, well THAT'S a weird question!" Lol. I told her to be nice and she then giggled and whispered into the phone, "Of course I miss you Mason!!!"

July 2^nd

Emma: "Mom, when is it 7:30?"
Me: "In just a little while. Why?"
E: "Because there is a show I want to watch."
Me: "And it's on at 7:30?"
E: "Well, yeah... (with a "duh" tone of voice)... It's on at 7:30... Actually, it's on at '7:30, 6:30 Central, only on Cartoon Network'."… I think we need to watch less television around here...

Happy 5th Birthday Sophia Lilly!

One of Emma's little BFFs, Sophia, turned 5 years old this past week. We celebrated with her at a skating party yesterday. The kids (and adults) all had a lot of fun skating around and the "triplets" (Emma, Sophia, & Hayden) all loved playing limbo. When the girls decided it was time to take a break from the wheels, they were still able to entertain themselves by working on gymnastics moves on the carpet and by comparing fancy knee socks. Our girls are so cute. :) It was a fun afternoon. Happy birthday Sophia! We love you!!!

Crazy Hair Day!

This was Spirit Week at Emma's school and today was "Crazy Hair Day." We always rock this one. :) Emma decided she wanted a mohawk going across her head this time so we decided to use some more purple from last time and add in some green. Then she just so happened to have socks to match! Can't beat that! I asked Emma if anyone else in her class had crazy hair and she said, "yessss.... but no one's was as crazy as mine!" Woot woot! We rule!! :)

Back-to-School Night!

Emma's school had her back-to-school night last night. Emma was very excited to show off her classroom and and all of her work. Grandma & TJ came with us to see everything as well and it was so cute watching the little ones run around together. Emma was so excited to show him everything and they kept comparing notes about their classes and all the details.  Grandma even bought Emma a school shirt so Emma can't wait now for the next spirit day!

All About Emma!

In Emma's Kindergarten class, each child is asked to do a monthly "family project" in addition to the regular homework assignments. For August, she brought home an "It's All About..." chart to fill in. Emma had a great time working on this with me this afternoon. No surprise, the glitter glue was her favorite part. She must have lacquered that thing with about a pound of the glitter glue while on a quest to "make it look pretty, Mommy." Emma wrote her own name and age on the chart and I filled in some of the writing on the other areas where things needed to be written smaller. As of 2012, here are Emma's picks.... I am 4 years old... I live in a Blue House... The is Me consisted of a self portrait drawn in orange with a giant glitter glue heart next to it... My family: she chose 3 family pictures: one of her & I, one of her with all her cousins, and one of Karen, Grandma, Mikayla, TJ, Emma, & I at Disneyland... My friends are: Mason, Baron, Sophia, & Hayden.... I want to be a diver at the aquarium or an astronaut when I grow up... My favorite places are Disneyland, Legoland, and the Beach... My favorite color is pink.... My favorite book is Pinkalicious... My favorite foods are sushi & noodles. Emma's project turned out great and she can't wait for her chance to present it at school!

Happy Birthday Jen!!!

Yesterday was Jen's birthday so we all got together and headed out to Toby Keith's bar for some food, drinks, music, and fun. It was great to get out without the kiddies and just have a girl's night. I am so lucky to have such great friends. :) Happy birthday Jen!!

Kindergarten!!!

Emma is now officially a kindergartener. Wow, how time flies. I was so concerned about whether or not she was going to make the birthday cutoff date (as new legislation is pushing it back each year) or if she was going to be stuck in another year of Pre-K. Everyone kept telling me that she was smart enough, mature enough, etc to handle it so I spent all the time these past months getting her enrolled, transferred, registered, tested etc.
But then, last week, all of a sudden sunk in that my "baby" was going to be off starting "big kid school." Then I started getting anxious... Would she behave all day? Would she have meltdowns or be lacking fine motor skills since she was sure to be one of the youngest in the group? What if she got scared on the bus by herself? And then it was Wednesday - the first day of school-  and it was time to roll. And you know what? Emma did just fine. :) She always does.
Emma was so excited about starting school... and about her new "rainbow shoes" and "kindergarten rocks" hair bow. That hairbow was actually the starting off point for her whole 1st day outfit. I think she ended up looking absolutely adorable.
Since Emma is going to a magnet program for an intensive science curriculum, she gets bussed from our area. Yea for me not driving an hour everyday and wasting gas! :) But that means that she actually has to take TWO busses each way, with a transfer point in the middle. On the first day I took the morning off work and followed her busses to meet the drivers and see the routes. She did just fine, loading, unloading, transferring, etc. Kid never ceases to amaze me...
Once we got the the school site, Emma quickly found her nametag on the board, played on the playground while we had a parent meeting, and then lined up to head to the cafeteria where we decorated her "BEE (Bring Everything Everyday) Bag." Later we visited the onsite science lab where Emma got to pet both a King snake and a ball python. She said that was the best part of her day. :) After heading back to the class area, the kids sat down for snack and the parents were released to go on about their day. I looked at Em, waited to see if there were any tears from either of us but we were fine, gave a hug, a high-5, and was on my way. My big girl was good to go...