My Fancy Helper

Emma loves, LOVES to help cook. I cannot even pour a bowl of cereal anymore without her right at my side, asking to pour, stir, spoon, measure or peel something! She and I often get a head start on dinner during Ally's naptime. Today we had a big list of things to prepare, and she was enjoying every minute of it. I couldn't resist snapping a picture of my little helper-as says on her apron du jour-an apron I wore 25 years ago...when I was five!! It's so neat to have the little apron, and a handful of other things that my mom has passed on, to help tell the stories of when "Mama", or Aunt Amy and Aunt Megan used them.

Anyhow, look past the proud grin and heirloom apron, and notice the Spanish Dancer garb underneath! This girl does nothing without a little flare. :)

The Graduate

Our little Big Girl graduated from Preschool last night. A bitter sweet moment, for sure! She was so excited. Telling me she was going to be in Summer School now. "Mo-om it IS summer now, you know!"(...insert eye-roll here...)

Emma's class sang a several sweet songs, were given their diplomas by their teacher, and then we celebrated with graduation cake and lemonade.

Tomorrow is Splash Day, the final day of school, then on come the summer days. Hopefully days of sleeping in, playing hard, and making lots and lots of memories. Not allowed will be any thoughts of Kindergarten, of long days without my sweet Emma, wondering what she's doing now, what she's exploring or learning without me. I have heard stories of the K teachers having some "cryers" on that big First day. I'm afraid I'll be one of them.....

Our Little Artist

It's no secret that Ally LOVES to paint. Watercolors, finger paints. poster paints...you name the medium, she'll use it Her favorite canvas, unfortunately, is her face. Here is her latest masterpiece. (this time it actually was make-up!)

"Happy Birthday, Mother!"

This was Ally's way of telling her Daddy Happy Bday, and me Happy Mother's Day, all in one shot. We had a nice day, though it went much too quickly. After a nice class and church service, we enjoyed a yummy birthday lunch at Grammy's house. Emma went "exploring" around Grammy's neighborhood, checking out all the new blooms and spring additions. Ally helped water Grammy's plants. J and I sat, stuffed from lunch, and enjoyed the afternoon.
I got a beautiful card and two pink roses from the girls and DH, very thoughtful and just what I wanted!
A quiet evening in front of Grey's Anatomy, and a big bowl of Cookies 'n Cream, and I'm a happy mama!!

Sweet Berries

On Monday, we made our second trip to the Sweetberry Farms. It was our first trip however, for Strawberries!! We went once last fall for the pumpkins. This time, we learned how different vegetables grow (above ground or below ground), that ladybugs are good bugs (the girls each got to "release" a ladybug onto a strawberry plant), that strawberries are harder than you think to get off the plant (I can still hear Ally calling "heeeeellp!" or "puuuull!"), and that after a hot, muggy, strawberry harvest, Blue Bell ice cream is really, really, yummy!




This one was taken by a friend. At the beginning of our trip, Ally wanted nothing other than Mama's shoulder. :)

"Wogurt!"

My conversations with Ally lately have changed considerably. She now has her own opinions, ideas, likes and dislikes, she knows more what she wants or doesn't want, and will voice it in no uncertain terms! Our breakfast conversation this morning went something like this:

Me: Ally, do you want cereal for breakfast?
Ally: No.
Me: Do you want oatmeal?
Ally: No.
Me: How about a banana?
Ally: No.
Me: Toast?
Ally: No.
Me: Well, what are you going to eat for breakfast??
Ally: (matter-of-factly) Wogurt!

Now, I'll be honest. I didn't think we were going anywhere. A month ago, she would have been telling me "No" just for the heck of it! The word was her very first, and still is a VERY big part of her vocabulary! But she knew all along that she wanted yogurt, and she was holding out until I gave her the chance to tell me! Here's to our growing, very opinionated little girl!