Kindergarten, Here I Come!

A couple of weeks ago (mid-April), we registered Emma for Kindergarten! She was sooo excited, even though she won't get to see the whole school or meet her new teacher until open house in August. She can't stop talking about her new school!

Easter 2013

We had a great Easter celebration this year, which actually spanned a few days! Grandma Karen arrived on Friday to spend a few days with us. On Saturday we attended the egg hunt at church and dyed Hello Kitty eggs. On Sunday we went to church for breakfast and the 10:30 service. We came home to find that the Easter bunny had visited; Emma found her basket in the TV room with Littlest Pet Shops, books, a stuffed cat, and, of course, candy! We had Easter dinner up at Grandma Pat and Papa Isch's house this year with Aunt Kristy, Uncle Jason, Aunt Linda, Grandma Coe, and Grandma Karen. It had been a rainy morning and early afternoon, but suddenly the sun came out and Emma was happy to see that the Easter Bunny had visited Grandma and Papa's house, too, to deliver some eggs to their front yard! Finally, on Monday we attended the Easter "Parade" through the Victorian House, where Emma got to meet Beatrice Bunny, make some crafts, and gather some more treats!

Ski Bunny!

We were all set to take Emma on her first ski trip last winter, only to have the resort in our favorite part of West Virginia close early due to warm temperatures (unusual for their altitude). So this year we were eager to take her out! The weekend of March 15-17, we "hit the road" for the 4-hour drive to Canaan Valley. We stayed at the state park lodge and had a package that included two days of lift tickets. I made Emma wear my rain jacket over her coat since it wasn't waterproof. That coupled with the hat and helmet probably made a few people laugh at our expense, but Emma never once complained about being too cold (although she did complain about being itchy several times)! We took our time getting Emma used to her skis and using the bunny slopes. It also didn't hurt that I'd borrowed a ski harness from a co-worker to keep a tab on Emma's speed and direction while I snowplowed down about 10 feet behind her. With the harness on, Emma was eventually able to make a few runs without falling (and was, of course, tremendously proud)! She also enjoyed using the "magic carpet," a lift that was nothing more than a conveyor belt up the most gradual of the 4 beginner hills. She progressed to the beginner chair lift pretty quickly and even took one ride all the way down from the top (although I only agreed to doing that once since I had to hold her under the arms the whole way down)! As we expected, there were a few tears shed, but they were tears of frustration and lack of confidence, not injury. I thought Todd and I would miss being able to spend much time on the more advanced slopes, but on the few runs I did take alone I was anxious to get back to Emma, and Todd stayed with her the whole time! As physically and mentally exhausting as it was to be a 2-person ski school, we had a great time and are already discussing a return trip (or 2!)for next year!

Skating Like Ariel

Emma started ice skating lessons the 2nd week in March. After going to Disney on Ice the past 3 years at Christmastime, apparently she decided to try the fun herself; she said she wanted to learn to "skate like Ariel"! Knowing how expensive ice skating can be, I didn't think she'd have a chance to take lessons anytime soon. But the week back to school after Christmas break, on a field trip with my 5th graders to the local ice skating rink, I found information on daytime ice skating lessons that were half the cost of the Saturday morning lessons (and probably a lot less crowded)! Was it meant to be?! I don't know, but Emma seems to be enjoying herself, and she doesn't give up easily! Not only has she made it through her lessons so far without so much as one tear shed, but she toodles around the rink during the free skate afterwards, even without an adult on the ice! She also insists on dressing the part...I insisted she wear jeans, but notice she's wearing a skirt over them, "just like a real ice skater"!

Skaters Away!

On Saturday February 9, Emma went ice skating for the first time! Grandma Karen was in town for a few days, and she ice skated quite a bit when she was younger, so it was the perfect time for Emma to give it a try. What we didn't know until the last minute that it was a radio station-sponsored day, meaning we got in free as an added bonus. Although it was crowded, that didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves. The first few turns around the rink Emma insisted on holding my hand AND Todd's the entire time, but she progressed to just holding my hand and using the other for balance, then went short distances on her own! Towards the end of the session we obtained a "walker" which is designed to help young kids skate by themselves. It gave Emma more confidence in spite of the fact that she had to bend over to use it. The best part was, Grandma Coe and Aunt Linda met us at the rink and got to compare Grandma's walker to Emma's!

Littlest Pet Shop: Cure for Cabin Fever!

Emma started taking an interest in Littlest Pet Shop (LPS)toys a few months ago, and her Christmas list was reflective of her new obsession. She got several LPS toys for Christmas, both from Santa and from relatives, including a fairy roller coaster from Grandma and Papa Isch. Then, she got even more additions to her collection as a post-Christmas surprise! A girl from church gave Emma her collection, which included several playsets and little pieces, and soon after, her babysitter gave her several of her pets and accessories, too! Now Emma enjoys setting up all of the pieces, making our living room into a LPS town. She also likes to put on shows for us with the pets. It's a great way for Emma (together with Mom and Dad) to escape into a little fantasy world on a cold day!

Pretty Princess Party!

On Saturday January 18, we helped Emma's friend Maci celebrate her 5th birthday with a Princess party at church. With beautiful pink and black decorations and games like "pin the lips on the frog," it was a truly unique party, and the girls had lots of fun!