Conversations with Our 3 Year Old...

Em has a classmate who welcomed a new baby brother to the family a few weeks ago. Evidently, Baby Ryan paid the class a visit this week. Em came home and told us about baby Ryan, and how tiny he was, etc. At one point, she stopped, and exclaimed, "Mommy! He didn't have any teeth!" (pronounced teef) Isn't is funny what she observes?

She's having a party at school tomorrow, complete with an egg hunt. She's terribly excited, and told me that everyone was dressing up in their Halloween costumes and the Easter Bunny would throw candy at them. Ummm...sounds like an interesting party!

When we joke around with her, she'll say, "No way, silly goose!".

When she gets mad about something, she tells me "I'm not your friend anymore! Only Daddy is my friend!". I'll remember that kiddo when you need to go shopping for your first bra!

She is beginning to dress herself in the mornings, and then calls us when she's ready to come downstairs. The first morning of this new experiment, Keith went upstairs to check on her. She was sitting on her bed when Keith opened the door, and she hollered at him, "Daddy! I'm not dressed yet, come back later!".

As we were walking into the grocery store this evening, she told me she was "growing up, cause I'm getting taller!" Then she waved at a grumpy-looking lady driving by in the parking lot who broke out into a smile & waved back. Em said, "I just waved at that lady, cause I was being friendly". Cracked me up.

Here's the Poop

Emerson has been officially potty-trained for a couple months now, and man, it is so wonderful! We have occasional accidents when we don't make it to the potty in time, but overall, she's dry the vast majority of the time. Like many other three year old kids, she's a bit obsessed with poop. We've had to draw some limits on when it's appropriate to talk about poop (the middle of church, or in the grocery store checkout...not such a good idea), and told her she can only do so if she's in the restroom. Well, it seems every-freaking-where we go, the kid tells us she has to go potty. Wonderful! I take her, go into the stall with her to help, and invariably she announces that she's gotta go POOP! (Then she whispers, "Mommy, can I say poop?" When I tell her yes, because we're in the restroom, she starts belting out, "POOP, POOP, POOP! I've gotta go POOP!". I'm sure everyone else in the restroom is thoroughly relieved to know this...no pun intended. She insists, "Mommy, give me some privacy!". Not easy to do in a small stall. So, I turn my back while she sings her poop song & does her business. Mind you, this is not my idea of a good time. I feel fairly well acquainted with most of the restrooms in Chapel Hill & Durham now, and anyone who knows my dislike of public restrooms will understand my dismay about this. The kid's GI tract functions like a well-oiled machine. Geriatric men everywhere would kill for this girl's regularity!

Doggy's Back!

About 9 months ago, Emmy brought her doggy to me with tears in her eyes. One eye had fallen off, and there were 2 holes in the seams. This ol' dog has seen better days. He was once a beloved plaything of Em's Grammy. He's been patched & repaired many times over. Today, I finally found a few minutes to pull out the sewing kit, locate a new pair of buttons for his eyes, and fix him up. Emerson was very sweet while the operation was taking place. She kept a tight hold on him, whispering, "I'm right here, it's okay, you're going to be just fine." She's napping with him this afternoon....good as new!

Playground Fun!

It's supposed to hit 77 today, and it is really gorgeous outside! Flowers & trees are blooming, and the sun is shining! We hit the park this morning before running errands. These photos really capture Emerson's personality...dance outfit, pink sparkly leggings, socks that don't match, and black dress shoes. Of course, she's got braids in her hair, and a blue stamp on her arm. She absolutely loves to swing at the park, but was intrigued by the softball & baseball (and rugby!) practice going on in the adjacent fields. We walked over to check it out, while Keith had visions of future coaching days.

Bellybuttons & Tailpipes

Yesterday, Em had to stay home from school due to some tummy troubles. Oh, how I despise tummy troubles. It makes for way too much laundry. Anyway, despite her troubles, she really felt fine and was her usual happy self. We did some painting on her art easel, and she abruptly stopped painting, poked her belly out, and told me, "I have a baby sister in my belly!". Oh? Really? "Yes, and she is growing bigger and bigger, and in one week, she's going to come out of my belly button!". Wow! Where the heck is she getting this? We haven't said a word to her about trying for another babe, and certainly haven't had any talks yet about babies/how they come into the world. So interesting what kids pick up on their own!!

We met Keith out for lunch, and while walking in the parking lot, she paused beside an SUV and pointed at the tailpipe, asking what it was. I told her it was the tailpipe, and she said, "that's where smoke comes out.". Yep, you're right. We kept walking, and she pointed out the tailpipe on each car we passed. Suddenly, she exclaimed, "Daddy has a tailpipe!" Uuuuummmmm...yes, Daddy's car has a tailpipe too. "No, DADDY has a tailpipe!". Yes, you're right kiddo, he sure does! Good God...this is classic blackmail material here!

Artsy Fartsy

Em is all about art these days. She loves watercoloring, and probably asks to paint about 5 times a day. She has a little art table, stocked with paper, markers, stamps, crayons, daubers, stencils, stickers, scissors and glue. She loves to create, and isn't afraid to get messy in the process. About a year ago, I found an art easel, but just hadn't found the right place to set it up. I pulled it out today, and got her all set up with tempra paints, spill-proof cups, and big roll of paper. She was in heaven!

Overheard in a Target Restroom...

Mommy: You need to come inside with me while I go to the restroom.

Em: Ok, I'll stand RIGHT HERE, and I'm not taking ANYTHING OFF!

Mommy: Sounds good.

Em: Mommy, you need to sit down when you go pee-pee.

Mommy: Mmmm-hmmm.

Em: Mommy, that's a GOOD pee-pee!

Mommy: Mmmm-hmmm.

Em: Good job, Mommy! (clapping hands)

Mommy: Thanks, Em.

Em: Mommy! Why did you use your foot to flush the potty?!

God, how I love having every move I make narrated for all the world to hear while in the Target restroom! There were a few other ladies in stalls around us (snickering, I'm sure), and as we walked out, I realized the outer door to the restroom was stuck open, so everyone standing in nearby checkout lanes probably also heard my girl's booming voice!