Emma turns 3

Foam stickers are fun!

Happy Birthday Princess!
It is hard to believe that our baby girl is 3. She couldn't wait telling everyone she saw, "I'll be 3 when I have my birthday." She was thrilled to have cake and presents, but the next day she said she was 2. "I was 3 when I had my birthday, but that was already so now I am just 2 still."That took some explaining.

I can't seem to find the words to sum up what Emma's 3 years in our family mean to me. She definitely has her own way of doing things-and everything she does is full of personality. Hopping instead of walking, singing at the top of her lungs, dressing herself in a blue and white polka dot shirt, pink and brown striped shorts, socks pulled up to her knees, and red church shoes, and the sweet snuggles she gives with a quick pat on my cheeks with an 'I love you Mommy.'

Steve's bittersweet memory was of Emma sitting on his lap one day last year. She snuggled him for a bit and then climbed down saying, "Bye Daddy, I gotta go grow up now."

She loves her boys more than anything and picks a different one to sleep with each night. My favorite is when we are in the store and she yells at one of the boys who is lollygagging, "Come on son!" Other shoppers always snicker and then tell me how great her language skills are. (Believe me, we know-we've been listening to her boss everyone around for 2 years now.)

My sweet little girl, who loves polish but hates to have her hair fixed. We are so, so blessed to have her bright spirit in our home. I love you baby girl!!

Under Construction

Inaccessible pantry

All the cabinets taped off

Master bath Redo Under the dishwasher

WOW! it's been a crazy couple of weeks. Our kitchen sink leaked down the pipe and our wood floor split and warped. YUCK! So-we had to get the bad parts ripped out, replaced, resanded and finished. We were in a hotel for 2 nights, then home for 3, then back in a hotel for 2 more. The nights we were home, Steve and I distressed and stained the floor. YAY! And-while all of this was going on, we were also getting our master bath fixed. We made it a walk-in shower and had the tub tile updated. Basically-we were in our home without a home to live in. We all had to sleep, bathe, and function in the basement. With the fridge and stove in the dining room, the mircowave taped shut, and the dishwashers in the garage, we ate out every single meal for 10 days straight. I never, ever thought I would say this, but I am so sick of fast food. However-we are nearing the end. The floors are finished and appliances put back where they belong. The bathroom just needs grout and sealant and then we are back in business. HOORAY!!