New reads

We came across a few new books while volunteering set up our fellowship tag sale and I wanted to share, because they are all already hits with Emma. 

The Kapok Tree.. Which I remembered as soon as I saw the cover. It was read to my 1st grade class during a field trip to the local library. Emma loves all the animals that visit the sleeping man, pleading with him not to cut down their tree. 

What an awesome story! It starts out with the a seed that by chance lands in a suitable place to grow and is overlooked by animals that may have eaten it. It grows for 200 years, changing shape and  residents who have made homes inside it, then eventually falls with a gust of wind. Still it is home to different animals. At the end we see all the new cactuses surrounding it, maybe ones started from its own seeds. Beautiful illustrations, a variety of animals (some new faces for us, haven't talked much about Dessert life yet!) and a good introduction to life cycles for young Emma. 

I couldn't resist bringing this home! It's never too early to read Black Beauty to York child, is it?! I loved the movie when I was young (and to be honest probably when I was 'too old' to be loving it but I was horse crazy and the movie was so endearing and not at all tacky..) but I never had the pleasure of reading the story myself, getting to know the characters through Sewell's words, using the descriptions to create my own imagery. Anyway since we're all for books and not so much for television and movies here I knew I had to share this with Emma. It's our new read-aloud snuggle-up chapter book since we finished Charlotte's Web. I love to stop after each chapter and talk about the characters and hearing what Emma thinks- about plucky little Merrylegs becoming friends with Black Beauty; that because of her upbringing, Ginger isn't friendly but still works hard and softens up with gentle treatment. With one read Emma knows what a crupper is and that she wouldn't hold still while being fitted with one (she is pretending to be a horse.) We are really enjoying this book so far!

I can tell Emma is going to be a book worm when she's a little bigger. What joy to be getting lost in literature! 

Today and tomorrow

Were busy inside and out. Summer is just around the corner (though it feels like it's here lately!!) and we are ready for some summer fun- yard parties, bbqs, swimming. Brings it on, we say.

Hosted play today with friends, Emma's pals Esme, Adeline, Anna and James. So nice to see how these big little girls are beginning to include each other in their games, request to play with another, invite others to join them. Amazing what Three means.

Emma will be three next month. I need to get ready for that! (The day-of, not the actual being three part. We're flowing right along and expect more wonderful experiences and opportunities to flow right in) Emma wants (wanted) a lemon cake. Mama wants something light/on the healthy side. I think we can please both! Can't wait to make that special day all about her. Need to make a birthday bunting. 

I have been working more on the weekends and even had a few evening mixed in lately! Gaining clientel, interest.. Very happy to see some growth in my business. This means Emma is enjoying more 1-on-1 time with Daddy, and I must add that Daddy is on point with care, instructing, responding etc to Emma in this new stage. 

Emma's very open with the adults we see regularly and potential new friends. Comfortable staying with them if I leave for a moment. Carries on conversations with them and really craves a back-and-forth dialogue, gifts them things (Flowers to Rev. Karen ❤️) I think she prefers adults right now because we are .. More refined.. Less unpredictable.. More understandable.. at least that is what I'm seeing/my interpretation. Doesn't like baby talk or when adults make a fuss about her but appreciates conversation about relatable topics. 

Will be ongoing

Emma's most used phrases at 2...

AND ten months! Can't believe we're about to have a three year old girl here, folks! She's looking and acting older in the last few months and it's a hint of the big girl changes coming our way in the next year. Can hardly wait to see what's ahead of us. 

Lately I've been noticing some of the vocabulary and phrases Emma has been using, what sorts of things she loves to use, what she's testing out.. I wanted to get some things down here to share and for looking back on.

Starting with.. "Oh My Gosh!"

She can finally say the /sh/ enough that she isn't unintentionally shouting "oh my god!" And she's using this all the time and for everything. Imaginary games: "oh my gosh I'm being chased by a sea lion!" Real life: "oh my gosh, I'm taking a bath with doggy dog!" Anything that she thinks needs a dose of heightened excitement. 

"-perhaps?"

Unsure of something.. Like when I was trying to paint her a bunny and she says "a flower, perhaps?" Let that not serve as an indication of my painting skills! 

"What are you talking about?" with a different emphasis when she's genuinely asking and when she's really saying 'you're ridiculous!'

------cont.

"That's not right." Based on her Ranger Rick Jr. Magazine activity where you find what is wrong with the picture. She loves that game!

Spring changes

 We're so delighted to be coming out of hibernation and have the freedom of playing anywhere outdoors in just about any way again. There is nothing better than spending all morning in the woods or around the yard on a pleasant day, coming in for lunch and a rest before returning back outside for the rest of the day.

Emma has been enthusiastic about planting and helping to water seeds and bulbs we've recently planted- here's hoping all the tending is rewarded with some sprouts soon and many colors in the summer. Oh, and bees. Emma is shouting at every flying thing she perceives as a bee, "WE PLANTED FLOWERS FOR YOU, BEE!" She wants to see them gathering pollen, to not share their flowers with hummingbirds, and for them to make us honey. She is quite fond of honey!

The change in days seems to have unfortunately brought a change in nights. Emmas waking up once each night and insisting I sit while she falls back asleep. (This is where I am now, sitting on the floor until she stops fidgeting and gets back to sleep.) It's been difficult breaking up my sleep but I'm trying to stay patient and let her phase out of it as she has before. Soon, please, Emma!

So long winter!

  A zoo trip last Thursday brought us adventure and excitement on a chilly day. The sun tried to warm us through the cold wind but we found the most relief in heated habitats like the mouse house and reptile world. One benefit to going before the pleasant days of spring is that Emma and I were among only a handful of other guests. It was a relaxing visit where we could focus on the animals, some of which were cooped up all winter and were especially active. Here are a few pictures I snapped on our trip.. The tigers were our first stop and Emma packed a toy to share with them. They weren't impressed, but we had fun!

Peacock looking for a warm place to rest at the Reptile world. Sorry buddy!

We were inches away through the glass!! 

Running up and down this tunnel a dozen times 

A little friend cleaning up crumbs at lunch time.

We were the only two riders on the Bug Carusel! Emma had her choice of bugs and no reason to rush it. And she chose the same bug as she did last time, a Mantis. She named it Greenie.

This was our first outdoors outing since winter kicked off. It was nice to get out and spend more than a few minutes outside. Back at home we are busy with all kinds of activities and mischief.

Yes mischief. Is that possibly a party hat on Catrick?

...because here is his party.

And here is Catrick!

Given a bunch of random pieces and material to build with, Emma creates new designs for "playgrounds" each day. Playground is her favorite subject to build. Using these open-ended materials really leaves it up to Emma to turn it into something. It's not what it is but what it can be. And It's always changing.

Magic.