Done

Finished last night. Thanks, in large part, to my parents being here and allowing me to escape to Starbucks during Emily's morning naps. And for letting me go to bed at 7:30 (the same time as Emily) to read. Hint--don't finish it right before bed, because you'll end up thinking about it rather than falling asleep.

Water fountain

We went to the Boardwalk and played in the fountain today--it was very fun.

Shoes

Emily is in LOVE with shoes. She has to have them on at all times. Here are some examples (some pictures may be duplicates from other posts):

Shoes while sleeping Shoes in pajamas

Birthday cake #2

Since my parents weren't here for Emily's birthday, we let her recreate the whole cake scene for them. This time the cake had duck-yellow frosting & sprinkles.

Notice the red, puffy eyes (and still-wet hair from the rain)--she tried to grab the candle when her blowing attempts had failed, and did the "hot wax" thing to her thumb. In a few short years she'll be doing that on purpose.
A BIG fan of frosting (smart child).Signing "all done" (frosting's gone).

Playing in the rain

New toy--a quick fav

Duck slippers

Sorry Cindy--here are some pictures

I used to expect people to have tons of pictures to post when their families visit, but I've realized that the opposite happens, at least with me. I'm taking far fewer pictures, but it should really be the other way around. I guess these next four days I should focus more on taking pictures, because we really have done some fun things. My mom's blog will likely be loaded next week.

Going to Dallas

On Friday Emily and I drove to Dallas to pick up my parents. They were originally coming to watch her while Jon and I were in Guatemala, but now it looks like they're just visiting me for 10 days while Jon is gone. She did a really good job on the trip--her longest car ride ever. She took a 45-minute "morning nap" on the way there, and we stopped at the outlet mall to shop and walk around. On the way home (which was longer than it should have been--I got a little turned around) she slept for about an hour and a half.

Random pictures

She LOVES bananas. And carrots (not pictured).

Dance party

It's no "wild truck," but I think her dance skills rival Colson's. Thanks, Mom, for providing the music (via that annoying cookie magnet toy--I'm sure Larisa thanks you, too).

A darker version...

Things Emily did after her dinner & bath

Read several books. Played in the bathroom drawers. Very surprising.Tried on all of the shoes in her shoe bin (at her request).

Our walk

Emily is really excited about walking outdoors these days. Unfortunately, it's been really rainy and/or hot, so we haven't gone on many walks. Grass still baffles her, and she's not a big fan.
Today she stopped and refused to move forward if her glasses weren't in the appropriate place.

Today's pics

Red River

I realize that I have no "before" picture for you to compare, but just know that our river is FULL.

Princess Camp

Six middle school girls spent the night Friday night in our second annual "Princess Camp." We were looking for a name to contrast Jon's "Man Camp," and that was the best suggestion thus far. Another suggestion was "Rockstar Camp," but that was given after flyers were made. Before the third annual, we'll definitely come up with a better name.
Anyway, it was a great time of hanging out, doing hair/makeup, eating sundaes, dressing up like cows to get free Chik-fil-a, watching movies, and, of course, the usual text messaging (can't be avoided) and checking myspace.

Hooray!

While I was making dinner and cleaning up the kitchen, I looked over and Emily was reading books to herself.

Sippy with a STRAW

Yesterday I learned that Emily needed to be drinking 24 ounces of milk a day--which she wasn't. In order to promote this milk drinking, we bought a cup with a straw, since she's so fascinated with them. It was a big hit.

Shopping cart

Jon's parents sent Emily this shopping cart. It now contains some of her favorite things--monkey, beads, and sunglasses.