Little vs A Lot

Emmy is a really shy kid around people that she doesn't know and new things really intimidate her. Jamie and I decided that it would be good for her if we signed her up for a dance class. So we just did a little one through the town. Today was her first day. She had been excited to go until this morning and then reality sat in and she tried to tell me that she wasn't going and then on the way over that she would just sit in the car. So I said, "Emmy I know you are a little bit scared and that's okay." She said, "I'm a lot scared." It made me feel bad. But she went in and even though I did have to go in with her to where she was supposed to sit (they don't let the parents stay in the room), she didn't cry and she let me leave. I was so proud of her. She did so good and on the way home she said, "Can we come back?"

Look Close

You can't hardly see it, but Addy got her 1st tooth today.

We Start Them Young

Most little boys get rocking horses, but every good cowboy needs a bull. My dad made T.J. this and gave it to him today. Notice the brand.

If you are going to be a good cowboy you have to learn to carry your own bull rope.

Here is T.J. testing it out.

And getting lessons from the pro.

Thanks Poppa!

Flesh???

We try and read scriptures with our kids every night. We usually just say a word or phrase and then have Emmy and TJ repeat it. They each read one verse and we call it good. The other night we were reading and Emmy read the word "flesh" and she asked what it meant. So we told her it was like skin. Obviously she wasn't listening because she then said, you mean like when you go to the toilet? (Flush:)

We're in Trouble

I sent my parents pictures of Emmy dressed up for her big date. I was telling Jamie that my mom had said we were going to have to keep the boys away because Emmy was so cute and Emmy said, "No, 'cause I like boys."

Shredder

I was washing the dishes yesterday and I went to check Addy and I couldn't find her for a few seconds. She was tucked in between our desk and our shredder chowing down on the paper.

"It's Just a Dad and Emmy Dance"

Jamie and Emmy had a daddy-daughter date last night. The town put on a Valentine's dance for dads and their daughters and Jamie and I decided it would be fun for him to take Emmy. So I spent the week making her a dress and she spent the week talking about going. She was so excited. When I asked her if I could come she said, "You don't get to go. It's just a Dad and Emmy dance." Here is the picture of us doing her hair getting ready to go.

Here are some pictures of her all dressed up ready to go.

And some pictures of her and her very handsome date

At the dance, Emmy got a little pink corsage.

Then they got to eat pizza and strawberries dipped in chocolate. Then they danced to songs including Macarena and Dancing Queen (Emmy's Favorite). They also had a little area where they got to do crafts and make a flower out of Hershey's kisses and tissue paper. Then they had their picture taken. Emmy was so shy she wouldn't hardly look up at the camera so we will have to see how that turns out. But her favorite part of the whole night was playing with the balloons that were all over the floor. She loved throwing them around and chasing them.

And here is outside the building, under a canopy right before they came home.

I think the night was a complete success, except for poor T.J. He had his heart broken when they left. I had planned on taking him out to McDonald's or something but then Jamie ended up taking my car and I can't fit T.J. and Addy in Jamie's car. I felt so bad for him. I think these pictures pretty much sum up the night from his point of view.

A Swinging Day

It has been beautiful down here the past few days. The kids have been enjoying the park and the back yard. Today it was the swings out back...

followed by Emmy and TJ's choice of lunch. When I give them each their choice, 9 times out of 10 T.J. will pick a hotdog and Emmy will pick a PB&J both followed by yogurt.

Valentines from Dad

These are the Valentines that Jamie got the kids. They were really cute. Emmy's was a lady bug and TJ's was a bumblebee. They were filled with little bug shaped chocolates and the kids loved them.

Build and Grow

Every other Saturday Lowe's has it's "Build and Grow" program where the kids can go and make something fun. Jamie has started taking Emmy and TJ and they love it. Here they are working on their projects.

And here is their final product, they are to hang your jewelry on. TJ is going to have to find him a cute girl to give his to. (Maybe that's why he doesn't look too excited.)

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Jamie doesn't like buying flowers. I think it is hard for him to spend that much money on something that will be gone in a week. So I don't get flowers very often which makes them mean that much more when I do. He told me this morning that the Fed Ex guy would be bringing my Valentine's present before noon and I could open it when it got here. This is what I got to open.

Three dozen long stem red roses. I think every girl needs flowers once in awhile. There is something about them that makes you feel beautiful and loved. Thank you Jamie. I love you!!!

Fun Dip

Grammy and Poppa sent the kids Fun Dip for Valentine's Day. I think it is probably the first time they had ever had it and T.J. really enjoyed it.

Dewper

The mall has a little "kids club" every Thursday with a lady named Persephone and a prairie dog named Dewper. I started taking Emmy when she was little and then when TJ was born I would take both of them. With Addy, it seems sometimes like it is quite a production to get us all there and around the mall, but TJ has been asking for it so we went today. Here is the picture of us getting ready to go. Every time I look in my back seat, completely stuffed with kids it just makes me laugh.

Here is us getting ready to go into the mall. 3 kids in a double stroller. Gotta love it.

When they get there, they give them a little toy (today it was a coloring book and crayons) and a little cookie from Paradise Bakery. Here they are eating their cookies.

And here is the man (prairie dog) of the hour, Dewper.

Afterwards they get to play on the toys.

and then ride the carousel

All for free. So you can't complain too much. It was going pretty good until we went to ride on the carousel and I had Addy in her carseat by my feet and they told me I had to hold her. ('Cause she is much safer with me holding her standing on a moving object then strapped into her carseat.)

Being the Youngest is Tough