Emma the Animal Lover

Emma is a true lover of animals.  At school she enjoys taking care of the chickadees and chinchilla before heading home for the day.  When Mommy picks her up on Thursdays, she often times finds Emma upstairs in the children's house learning about how to care for the animals.  Last week, Emma fed the chinchilla carrots from her hand and gave it a dust bath.  Of course she giggled the whole time she did it.  Emma also visits the elementary school turtle.  Because of her adventures at the Children's Museum, Emma can tell the difference between the common land turtle and turtles that like to spend time in the water.  Although Mommy hasn't seen the turtle at school, Emma claims it is a water turtle.

Besides interacting with real animals, Emma has taken to wearing clothing that has animal prints on it.  Mommy often dreads mornings because Emma wants to wear her kitty shirt or kitty socks.  These two well worn items are frequently found in the wash making them unavailable.  Emma has a hard time understanding that she can't wear her dirty clothes again, so a tantrum sometimes ensues.  Besides cats, Emma enjoys wearing turtles, monkeys, mice and dogs.  If she has an outfit with an animal on it, it is usually the first item to be whipped out of the drawer.

A few nights ago, she wanted to put on her monkey pajamas.  However, these PJs were meant for summer.  Mommy told Emma she would be too cold and handed her a warmer pair of PJs.  Emma proceeded to put on the monkey PJs and then thought twice about being cold.  This lead to the decision that she would put on both pairs of PJs at once.  Followed by realization that two pairs was way too many and only the warmer PJs stayed on through the night.  Thank goodness!

Where is Springtime?

After the snow we got yesterday, Analise is really hoping to see her first springtime days. 

A Kitty Cat

Ever since Mommy had her birthday, Emma enjoys talking about when her birthday will be.  She knows her birthday is in May but doesn't quite understand how long she has to wait.  She can hardly wait for people to sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

If you ask her what she wants, you will get a long pause before she renders an answer of "A Kitty Cat."  Mommy's response to this statement was also a bit delayed.  "Ah, Emma so you want a stuffed kitty cat."  Emma again pauses and says, "Yep."  Followed by another long pause and a response of "No, real."  Just as Mommy feared.  Perhaps we will get to visit some kitty cats this summer if we travel to visit relatives in Wisconsin or we might just stop over to the pet store on Emma's birthday. 

 Did you see me jump?  Let's do it again Mommy!

 Emma gone wild at the Monkey House

Analise's Baptism

We celebrated Analise's baptism this past weekend.  With all the pouring rain, it made it challenging to get the whole family to the church on time.  Unfortunately, Ann wasn't able to make it because their car broke down.  Luckily, Mommy's Aunt Joan was able to stand in for Ann.  We all hope that Ann can get down to see the girls some time soon.  Mommy decided that big family events are twice as hard with two girls.  As a result, Emma's birthday is going to be very low key this year. 

Can we just get one picture where I look like I am awake?

 Uncle Michael with Ani and Daddy with Emma

 Mommy's family

 Daddy's Family

 Mommy's God Mother Joan and her husband Don

Analise in her baptismal gown

Emma Catches a Glimpse

Emma caught sight of the Easter bunny early this morning.  As we opened up the blinds, the bunny dashed across the street and over into our front yard.  While Emma ate her breakfast, she kept looking out the window for the bunny to show up.  Unfortunately, the bunny escaped as we hunted for him in the backyard.  He did leave behind a basket filled with goodies for Emma.  She got a kite, some washable markers, a stuffed lamb and some swim goggles for the pool.

Thanks Easter Bunny!  See you next year!

Return of the Butterflies

Emma is ready for spring...Mother Nature just has to make the final decision.

A Trim in Time for Easter

Emma had her first official haircut this week.  We visited the same barber that Mommy had when she was a little girl.  Emma sat absolutely still as the barber, Rita, cut her hair.  She loved looking in the mirror and at the scissors as Rita snipped away at her bangs.  Emma even sat still enough so that she could get French braids.

 I thought scissors were for cutting out shapes.

 I like seeing myself in the mirror

 Whoa, what are you doing?

 

Mommy will be asked to make braids like this in the future.  Not happening.

In addition to haircuts, Emma and Ani decorated Easter eggs.  Emma liked bathing the eggs in the dye and putting stickers on the dried eggs.  Every morning she looks at the eggs and talks about who made each egg as she eats breakfast.

 Mommy, stop taking photos so we can start.

 

 This dipper is so bendable, how do they expect me to the get the egg back out?

 A few paper towels later, the egg has made it out of the container.

Do you know the Easter Bunny?

While Emma was at school this week, Ani and Mommy encountered the Easter Bunny in our backyard.  We were able to get a few feet away from the bunny before he dashed off under the fence.  Emma heard of our encounter and wants the chance of seeing the Easter Bunny for herself.  As a result, we have taken to leaving out carrots in different spots throughout our yard.  Of course Emma must nibble at every carrot before she puts it in the location for bunny spotting.

 I think bunnies like the bushes best.  Let's go there Mommy.  Okay. (Okay is added onto the end of every sentence that Emma wants a "Yes" answer to.)

 Let's see, I looked in the backyard and I checked behind the shed.

Ani, help me find the Easter Bunny?

Ani knows exactly where to find the Easter Bunny, but she is not telling.

 The secret to catching the Easter Bunny is timing and temperature

You think I am going to tell you the rest of the secrets the Easter Bunny let me in on?  No way.

Dancing at the Museum

Lion, Monkey elephant, and T-Rex do great backup vocals

A girl named Ani

Ani loves goofy faces and silly sounds. A look of surprise combined with some tooting sounds is usually enough to crack a smile; in this case, a really big one!

Happy baby siting at the Maas home!

Independence Leads Emma Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Emma has been practicing her independence in many areas.  Her latest area is selecting her own outfits.  When Mommy and Daddy aren't looking, Emma will put on all the snow gear from the coatroom cubbies.  Today she decided was rainbow day and everything she put on had rainbow stripes.

Emma: "Rainbows Mommy!  Mommy:  "Emma pick one of these outfits."  Emma: "No Mommy.  Emma wear rainbows!"

We have a badger living in our kitchen corner.  What do badgers eat?

Bed Head

Emma has a serious case of bed head when she wakes up in the morning.  Sometimes Mommy tries to squash it down, but no matter what she does the hair still bounces back up.

 Mommy: "Emma, did you spend the night being a little monkey on the bed?"

Emma: "Fix it Mommy!"  "Fix it now Mommy."  Mommy: "I have to get my camera."