Emma

I can't believe that Emma is closer to three years old, than two years old. As they say, where DOES the time go? This post is dedicated to Emma since I feel like she is growing up more quickly than I care to acknowledge and I want to reminisce a bit on this cold, winter evening.

Emma is fun, loving, active, observant, helpful, assertive, passionate, competitive, social, filled with wonderment, won't forget anything, and I dare say...a bit precocious. She doesn't sit still for much unless it is something new and challenging. She does not give up easily and will want to try everything herself, at first, but is willing to ask for 'help' if necessary. She is not very stubborn and can be redirected fairly easily. She loves big kids and will watch every move they make with her big brown eyes, only later repeating to me what they did and asking why they did it (reason 571 to keep her in good company). Emma rarely cries, but if she does, it lasts a mere moment.

Emma's habits and/or routines are great, for the most part. She sleeps 10-11 hours at night and then takes a delightful 2-3 hour nap each afternoon. She always wakes up with a smile and shortly there after is rattling off what we are going to do that particular day. She is 98% potty trained (not nights) and has been for a while. She is a bit on the tall side for her age, but normal for weight. She eats well and enjoys a varied and balanced diet. She also is willing to try most anything, at least once.

Emma's latest passions include drawing, crafts, books, baby dolls, her cousins and grandparents, playing outside, ALL THINGS princess and school. Emma goes to play-school one day a week for two hours and loves it. She can hardly stand to see a school bus without asking me when she will get to go to big-kid-school. Needless to say, she will be attending 3-year old pre-school next fall. Now I just have to begin the research and figure out where.

I could go on and on but I shall leave that for another time. Joel and I thank the LORD every day for bringing her into our family, it was just meant to be. In fact, If I ever dare to grumble about Emma's busyness or need for non-stop activity, my mom reminds me with a grin that she knows EXACTLY how I feel (apparently I was just like this). Oh, how the Lord has a sense of humor :)

a just-bathed Emma enjoying her before-bed, sliced apples...fireside

Playing with Grandma Hondorp

Papa Hondorp sharing his Christmas excitement with Emma

If all you hear is heavy breathing in our house...Emma is either
dressing or most likely UNDRESSING one of many baby dolls

Notice the SMARTIE candy shoved in and stuck in the baby's mouth.
Grandma Hondorp performed CPR with an industrial sized tweezer
and saved the baby! (in fact, there was another SMARTIE behind the one you see)

Emma saw a Caillou show where the character made his own pizza.
You better believe we heard about it, and heard about it, and heard about it
until we did it. She did such a good job and we had a blast.