Children's Museum and Santa Claus

On Friday Emma and I along with her friend Julia and her parents, Jennifer and Gus, went to the Children's Museum to see Santa and Mrs. Claus , to decorate some cookies, and play in some "snow." The girls had a blast, so much so they did not want to leave. There were tons of people there, but we all still had a blast. So here are a few pictures of our adventure to the North Pole.

Our Visits From The Tooth Fairy.

For over a month and a half Emma has had 2 loose teeth on the bottom. Mark and I both have been watching these teeth closely, because as much as I love my child I don't want to have to "dig" for her tooth. So on Wednesday morning, while brushing her teeth, I noticed that one of the teeth was sitting behind the other. It was time!! Emma FREAKED OUT! She started crying because she thought it was going to hurt. I went through the whole spill about it not hurting and if it was going to hurt her then I would not do it in the first place. Then we had to call daddy, who was in a board meeting, to see if he would do it because she was not letting me near her mouth! When we could not get Mark, I called my grandparents. My pawpaw would not touch it because he did not want Emma mad at him. So after about an hour of convincing her it was not going to hurt, she opened her mouth and BAM we had a tooth. The first night the tooth fairy left her $31. WOW! For one tooth!

Last night (thursday), we went to have dinner with my dad and grandparents. After we were done eating I noticed that the other tooth was sitting a little higher than it had been the previous morning. Sure enough it was barely hanging on. As soon as we got home from dinner we pulled it! The tooth fairy left $8 this time... For a GRAND TOTAL of $39!! I want to loose some teeth! My tooth fairy only left $1. So for the time being Emma is truly a snaggle toothed little girl!

Labor Day in the Mountains...

A few days before Labor Day Mark and I decided to pack us all up and head to South Carolina. We stopped on the way to see my mother in law in Georgia. Which is a must, not only because we love to see her but because Emma has to eat at Chick-fil-A. She loves the one that have in Griffin because it has a "small door" that she loves walking in and out of. We had breakfast with Mark's aunt and Shelly(his cousin Rob's wife). I love going to see them all. Shelly and I have so much fun when we are together. I just wished we could have spent a little more time there.

After we left Georgia we headed off to South Carolina to see Mimi, Poppy and Sarabeth. Emma was so glad to see her Sarabeth it was not even funny. I think if I heard "Mommy how many more miles," I was going to tape her mouth shut!! On Saturday we got up and drove the rest of the way to the cabin in Blowing Rock,NC. It was so beautiful and peaceful. We took the kids to Tweetsie Mountain. Which is a small amusement park geared towards children. They all loved it. But I think the adults loved it as much as they did.On Sunday we went to Grandfather Mountain. I have been there before but I was like 12 so it was nice to be able to take Emma. It was so amazing. We climbed up to the top and we looked out at whole town. We had to walk across a suspension bridge to get to part of the mountain, if you stopped half way across and looked down there was a plaque. It said that at that one point we were 1mile off the ground!! YIKES!! But needless to say it was breathe taking to see all of God's handy work. The best part of the whole trip was that my cell phone did not work! I had forgotten how peaceful it can be without the phone ringing every 10 seconds! It was FABULOUS!! It was a long drive there and back but it was well worth every mile that was driven! Enjoy the Pictures!!

Emma's First Day of Kindergarten

Today marked an eventful day in Miss Emma's life.. She started her first day of Kindergarten!We have been talking about going to the "big girl building" at school for the last couple of weeks so we thought we were prepared for today! But boy was I WRONG!! We started this morning like we have done since Emma has started school.. We took our 2nd annual trip to IHOP for pancakes on the first day of school. I could tell she was getting a little nervous but I figured it would pass... After we were done we headed of NBS to drop her off.. Mark and I both walked her in and that is when it started. Emma clung to her dad's leg for about 2 mins then she saw her best friend Paytyn. She was ok with that but then it came time for mom and dad to leave.. ohh she was not having that. Emma looked at me and said," Mommy I don't want to go, I want to stay home with you!" That did it for me ( as I sit here and cry as I am typing this!)... The tears started to flow! I looked at her and all I saw was my baby.. not the little girl that was standing there.. but the baby I brought home from the hospital.. Now I am sending her off into the world and I am not real sure I am ready for it. I know I don't have much of a choice, but still she is my baby. No one is going to love her like her dad and I do... They can't kiss a scraped knee like we can.. I gave her a kiss good bye and walked out... As we walked outside, Paytyn's mom was standing there and we just cried together! I just can't believe they are big enough to go to "real" school! Mark laughed at me.. He said I was being silly... But I know a part of him is just as upset as I am but he is going to hold it in.. Sorry mommy can't do that.. I don't know what I am going to do.. My baby is no longer a baby!!

Myrtle Beach,SC

Last week Emma and I along with my grandparents headed up to South Carolina to see my dad. While we were there we took a little mini vacation to the beach. So let me tell you Emma has never been a huge fan of water until here recently and now she is like a little fish. She loves it. All she wants to do is swim. This was her first time to actually get the full beach experience. The last few times we have gone she was too little to understand, so I knew it was going to be interesting. Emma is a girly girl she does not like to get dirty. So I knew the sand was going to be a little tricky. Much to my surprise she loved the sand! She was building sand castles, looking for shells, and just plain digging in it by the end of the first day. After about an hour she was done she had enough and off to the pool we went. I am so excited she loves the beach because her mommy sure loves to lay on the beach! Now we have one vacation down one more to go. New York in a month!

Emma's New Haircut..

Yesterday Emma and I went to have our hair done. Emma has been asking to get all her hair cut off but I have been reluctant to do it. So Emma gets in the chair and she tells Ashley she wants all her hair gone, she wants it on her shoulders. So that is exactly what she got. She looks so growny. I love it and she loves it.

My Little Ballernia

This past Saturday Emma had her very first dance recital. The week leading up to it we had two rehearsals. One was on Tuesday and the other on Thursday. The Thursday practice was a dress rehearsal so I got her all dressed up in her costume with her makeup and her hair up. She looked adorable. So on Saturday morning we got up and started the task of getting everyone up and ready. Which was not easy because we had to be up at 7. It was not fun. But it was so worth it. My niece Allyson, two of my friends little girls Gracie and Natalie are all in the same dance class. To be able to watch all of them was great. Everyone of the girls did great. They all danced their hearts out. I beamed with pride and joy as Emma was on that stage. I even teared up. I just can't believe my baby girl is growing up. All she wants to do is twirl and dance. She loves it. These are a few of the pictures we took on Saturday.

Emma's Pre School Graduation..

Emma is offically a preschool graduate.This makes me sad because this means she is going to Kindergarten. They did a nursery rhyme theme and it was so precious. Her teachers found nursery rhymes with twist to them. The kids loved it. All the kids dressed as their favorite character. Emma dressed as Little Miss Muffett. I have to say she made the most adorable Miss Muffett I have ever seen. But I may be a little bias on this matter. The morning after the program we had their end of the year party at Jungle Gym. The kids had a blast.

Emma and her best friend Paytyn. Emma and her teacher Mrs.Brown Emma and Brett

Emma and Mrs.Wilson

Paytyn, Emma, and Julia

Happy Birthday Emma Claire!

Today Emma Claire turned 5 y/o! March 10,2oo4 was one of the best days of my life. I became someone's MOM! The greatest thing I ever been chosen to do!! I can't believe how time has flown by. Mark and I were talking about the day she was born this morning while we were watching her sleep. Five years ago today we were being rushed from one hospital to the next not knowing what the good Lord had in store for us. At 8:33 that Wednesday night our beautiful 2lb 9oz bundle of joy made her entrance. She was so tiny, which you would never know it by looking at her now. Finally after 9 1/2 weeks in the NICU and 2 eye surgeries, we were able to bring her home. I don't think you have ever seen two more proud parents than Mark and I were that day walking out of LSUS! She weighted all of 4lbs and 6 ozs! Which may not seem big to most but she was HUGE to us compared to what she came into this world weighting. Emma is by far the greatest thing we have ever done. She is the light of our lives!

This past Saturday we had her party at Kiroli Park. She had so much fun. My friend Jackie made her cake, which turned out so CUTE! All her friends from school and dance came along with our friends and family. She got so many presents I don't think we are going to have to by anymore until Christmas. Tonight we are taking her to her favorite place to eat besides Olive Garden, Chile Verde. I swear I think my child has some hidden Mexican heritage that I am unaware of, because she could drink salsa from the bowl. Here are a few pictures from her party this weekend. As you can see she by the picture of the presents she is a little SPOILED! Oh well we would not have her any other way. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!

The Birthday Cake. Emma and Stormy

Julia and Emma

All her presents!

Our Zoo Trip

Today was a beautiful yet chilly day here in good ole West Monroe. Emma was out of school so we took a little outing with my sister and niece to the zoo. Em loves going here because she likes to chase the bird around. It was a fun afternoon. Here are a few pictures from our little outing. Emma and Allyson

Chasing the Peacocks.

The Kiddos in the Gopher Hole.

"Wii" Are Addicted..

One of Mark's Christmas presents was a Wii. That thing is so addicting! We have played everyday since he has gotten it. Emma loves it! She likes the bowling game and might I add that she is pretty darn good. My mother-in-law loved it. Mark's hillarous. Today I went out and bought the Mario Kart game. I came home popped in the game and had the best time playing all my myself. I haven't played video games in years, so this is liking getting accquantied with an old friend again.

On a different note, I registered for school yesterday. I felt like a little kid on the first day of kindergarden. My stomach was in knots. I have not been in school since Emma was 1 so I am a little nervous. It will be fine. I just have to get used to the school routine all over again.

Here are a few pictures of Mark and Emma playing the Wii. Don't they look like they are having a blast!