Just a little song while we wait for pee pee !

Caitlyn has been wearing undies almost full time lately (September 2010) which makes going out and about much more interesting. I have to remember to begin our departure 10 minutes earlier than I usually do since we have to "try" before we leave. Today we tried a few times on our way out to pick up Em from school. C began singing the ABC's and it is just toooo sweet. PS- nothing came out. But, hey that is why I drive around with a baby bjorn potty in the back of my SUV. It beats having her sit on a yucky potty out and about. When you are a Mama, you just do what ya gotta do. So, if you see me pulled over on the side of the rode with the back gate up, just keep driving and remember "slowly shaping a little human." :-)

Cottage Fair - September 2010

We attended Emma's first Cottage Fair at Edu-Prize on September 27, 2010. The evening began with a potluck. Each student brought a dish that began with the first letter in their name (the idea was based off of a book they read in class). So, here we have Emma's Egg Salad and Egg Head appetizers. Edu-Prize has a Cottage Fair each quarter to celebrate all the hard work the students have done. The students get to share their accomplishments with their families.

Avi, Emma and Caitlyn (and Daddy), enjoying some foods. Emma's favorite was Jack's jelly beans. Caitlyn's favorite was Carly's cookies. Dad's favorite was Tori's taco soup and Max's mac and cheese. Mommy socialized - he he.

After the potluck we headed back to Em's classroom to watch a performance to tootie tauty- it was pretty cute.

Emma shared her writer's workshop folder with us. So far, she has written stories about our trip to South Mountain farm with Claire and a trip to Target (he he, I had to laugh). Caitlyn is ready to roll.

We also got to take home a self portrait of Miss E. They had a presentation from Art Masterpiece and they went through how to draw a self portrait, hand mirrors and all. I was there the day they did it, it was absolutely adorable.

Emma is learning so much so far this year (and so are we-being parents of a school aged child). We are so happy that she loves school. She tries to do her best (the teacher mentioned that at the conference). It has been fun to volunteer and see her in "action". Some may say she is a social bee, I call it working on her ever developing social skills (ha).

Music to Emma and Caitlyn's ears

Caitlyn started taking a Music Together class a few weeks ago. She is LOVING it and tells people about her "music class." She is taking it with her little friend Noah. I get to go too and it has been fun to see her enjoy herself so much.

Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and the adults who love them. First offered to the public in 1987, it pioneered the concept of a research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement.

Music Together classes are based on the recognition that all children are musical. All children can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat, and participate with confidence in the music of our culture, provided that their early environment supports such learning.

Emma began Let's Play Music the beginning of September. She is taking it with two friends, Lauren and Claire. They are working on Pitch and finding middle C. The three year program will teach Emma to play the piano and compose her own songs- how exciting. I go every other week and am learning right along with her. She asks "will it be longer next time?" I am so happy both girls love music so.

Can you guess what CD's we are rockin in the car- yup, Let's Play Music and Music Together. Hey, I will play almost anything if the girls are nice to each other and sing along.

If you were to peek in on a Let’s Play Music class, you would see jumping, singing, skipping, storytelling, and laughing! Music educators have long taught that the young child learns best through play, experience and discovery. As musical concepts and skills are presented in a playful, joyful setting, children absorb knowledge and ability. Let’s Play Music contains over 25 original songs and games specifically designed to teach musical concepts. We learn staff relationships, intervals, key signatures, chord inversions and much more all in song lyrics!Children learn best by just doing. Lessons are structured with minimal talking and explaining which leaves plenty of time for playing, dancing and singing! Research has shown that the more physically involved a child is in the learning process, the more he/she will internalize the concept.

A little getaway

Bryan surprised me on September 11, 2010 with a little overnight getaway. We went to Mass as a family and then Nana and Papa took the girlies home. They babysat them for a whole 24 hours. It was wonderful. We went to a quaint little Mexican restaurant in Phoenix called Aunt Chilada's. After a yummy dinner we checked into the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort.

We went to bed early since we had run 6 miles earlier that morning and we are old. He he. After a great breakfast buffet we lounged by the pool and read the paper. Here is a shot of part of the resort built into the cliffs 30 years ago.

Poolside

Here is a shot looking North from our suite. After a relaxing morning we hit up a few cute shops in Phoenix and Scottsdale. We enjoyed a late lunch in Scottsdale and hit Roadrunner in Tempe on the way home. It was a lovely getaway.

The girls had a blast with Nana and Papa. They had a picnic at the park by their house and played. After fun time at the park they played at Nana and Papa's.

Gifts

September 11, 2010

Last week after Mass at St. Tim's Emma asked if we could bring up the gifts (wine, bread and the offering). So, we tracked down the head usher and asked him where to sign up. He told us that we could bring up the gifts the following week, to come a bit early and let him know where we were sitting. Emma looked forward to it all week and even shared it at school during "sharing" time. She reminded me that we needed to dress fancy. He he.

Nana and Papa were here and joined us. Emma got to carry the wine. She took her job so seriously and she did a great job. The usher gave her the thumbs up sign afterwards.

Thanks to Uncle Paul for taking the photos. It was so wonderful to be a part of Mass in this way. And, it was an extra special day since our little godson, Koble Oliver was baptized by his Grandpa who is a Deacon in TX. God is great.

Bye Bye Paci , I am a big girl now

Well, we did it. We threw away all of Caitlyn's pacis on Friday night (the 3rd of September). It was just time and I felt like she could handle it. We had talked about it a few days before and she seemed okay with it. So, right before bed we gathered them up and went to the trash can as a family. We had Caitlyn say, "bye bye, pacis, I am a big girl now." She fussed for a about 5-7 minutes once she was in her crib but after another snuggle and a song she fell asleep. We are so happy for her and thankful that she took it so well. We were prepared for a tough night. She took a bit longer to fall asleep during her first nap without them but she just monkeyed around in her crib until she went to sleep. The second night without them she fussed about the same as the first night, but then it was over. We know that it will be a process, but it will only get easier and easier. YAY for sister. No more pacis, wearing big girl undies and a new hair do all in the same month- our baby is growing up and it is so awesome to see. Love you girlie !

Happy Baptismal Day Emma-

Emma was baptized 5 years ago today (September 4, 2005). We lit both girls' baptismal candles to remind them of their special day. We wanted to celebrate the day we asked Jesus to take them into new life and help them grow in their faith.

You both belong to Jesus.

"You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This means that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

Galatians 3:27

Emma,
Happy Baptismal Day! The light of Jesus that you have in your heart shows every time you do a kind act for Mom, Dad, or Caitlyn! You are a special child of Jesus and we know how special you are to our family. Love, Nana and Papa

Have a special, blessed Day!!