"I UV YOU!"

Nashville Trip

We went to Nashville for a big family reunion (Keith's mother's family...the Smalls) over the Fourth of July. The Smalls have a reunion every 3 years, and it's in a different part of the country each time. Emerson was so excited to see her cousin Abby, her aunts/uncles, grandparents and greatgrandparents...not to mention all the family members who hadn't met her yet! She got to swim with Abby, ride a horse, go on a hayride, play with lots of cousins, dance, and had a ball. The main event of the reunion was a gathering at a "ranch", and everyone was to dress in western-wear. I'll post some of my favorite photos from the trip.

Goodnight, Sweetheart

Dear Emerson,

You are growing so fast, and becoming less and less a toddler every day. I have to remind myself that you are supposed to be stubborn and independent because you're growing up...not because you are trying to frustrate your mama. I love it when you want to help me set the table, and empty the dishwasher. I love to put your hair in a ponytail, and watch it bounce as you run away. You amaze me with your vocabulary, your funny stories, and your concern for others. If only band-aids really did fix everything. You are a dare devil and a tomboy, but you insist on wearing Minnie Mouse undies and a dress while you skin your knees. You giggle often, and make us laugh until our sides hurt too. I love when you ask me to rock you at night, and want to be wrapped in your blankie...I hate that you barely fit on my lap anymore. I enjoy singing to you, and watching your eyelids get droopy. It makes my heart sing when you give me the "I love you" sign, and say "I UV YOU, Mommy!". You're the best thing I've ever done, and I'm so grateful to have such a sweet baby girl.

Love, Mommy

Tiny Dancer

So, one of my new coworkers gave me a big bag of dress up clothes for Emerson. Included was a Snow White outfit, a cheerleader outfit and a dance costume. For the last 2 nights, Emerson has slept in the cheerleader costume. She's eaten her dinner in the dance outfit the last 2 days as well. Dance classes might be in her future if she continues to enjoy dressing up this much!

Fingerpainting Adventures

Emerson finally decided that fingerpainting wouldn't kill her. Although she did insist on having paper towels handy in order to wipe her fingers off before she changed to another color. After about 5 paper towels, I told her we would wait until she was ALL DONE paiting to use another one. She actually made about 7 or 8 different drawings. When I asked what each one was, she told me: an alligator, a backpack, a bird, a dinosaur, and sunshine. What a creative little girl! I labeled each drawing with her description & the date. Will send some artwork out to grandparents when I get some time to hit the post office!