Emma Caroline is Silly

Our busy, crazy, jam packed, non stop week has started and this little girl reminded me tonight that it is gonna be alright! Our marker board in the utility room is cluttered with all the things we have left to do before Christmas Day.

 

 

Tonight Emma had her Christmas party at Dance and she was super excited.  She created a very colorful outfit that was sure to bring some Holiday Cheer to class.  I asked her if I could snap a picture of her and she was ready to have some fun.

 

This is her recital face, I am so surprised and loving life on the stage (well she really loves life no matter where she is). 

 

She is as sassy as they come and doesn't have an issue letting the world know all about it.  Her Daddy says I made her this way, I can't even pretend that I did not have a huge part of it.  One thing is for sure, I would not change a single thing about her.

She says this is her, "I am trying out for company next year face."  Hmmm, are you sure about that because you will have to say bye-bye to swim.  

 

This kiddo makes my day, everyday.  She is so full of life and loves everyone and everything. So thankful for the huge personality that lives inside this little five and a half year old body.  She makes me laugh louder, love harder, dream bigger and want to be the best person I can possibly be.  She is my daughter!

  

What I wanted most for my daughter was that she be able to soar confidently in her own sky, whatever that may be.
-- Helen Claes

Gingerbread House Overload

It has been a super Sunday for The Frazier Four.   We started our morning with church, a great lunch, trip to Sam's and home to create our yearly Gingerbread house. This is a tradition that Curtis and I have done since we have had children and it is one of my favorite memories every year, hence the ton of pictures.

 

 

I must admit that my heart and mind have been heavy for the poor families in Connecticut this weekend for so many reasons.  This really hit close to home with me since I have a Kindergartner and serve as a public educator. This morning when I took my sweet babies picture I could not help but think how we are so undeserving, yet grateful for these precious, amazing children that God chose for us.  I pray that God is intervening with every single person in that community and providing them with the comfort only he can provide in such a tragic time.  I will never understand how people navigate through this world without him. 

 

Church was very difficult for me this morning as our preacher talked and prayed for the victims and their families.  I was overwhelmed and reminded of the HUGE responsibility I have as an educator to protect the 2200 students that parents send and trust us with everyday. 

 

After church we decided to tackle our Gingerbread house.  The kids have been super excited about it for 2 days and so have I.  We usually do this every year on our Holiday Getaway, however we decided not to go this year because it was the same theme as last year.  I must admit the $60 we pay to build this at the Gaylord every year is well worth it after I bought all the supplies and cleaned the mess up (ha ha).  It looked like an explosion in a candy factory when all was said and done.

 

The kids were so anxious to get started, but we had to break out the camera first.  I love these two more than anything in the world. I am one blessed Momma!

 

Daddy did a great job of putting the house together and letting it dry before we got started.  Of course he had to make sure it was perfect and it was.

 

Gavin could not wait to start eating the candy, icing, sprinkles and anything he could get his hands on.

 

We had to keep a close eye on this little boy because he was turning up the sprinkles every time we turned our back.

 

Didn't take long and Emma joined him and started squirting icing on her hand and licking it.  They seriously could not control themselves.   Sugar, sugar and more sugar (all jacked up on mountain dew around here today).

 

She was pretending right here, but I think her tongue might have actually touched it.  

 

Emma decided how our house would look and she either did it or told me and her Daddy what to do.  She did a great job this year and was engaged from beginning to end.

 

This little boy ate about 30+ pieces of candy, a sugar cone covered with icing and so much more.  He hung out with us for the first hour and then he headed towards the living room, probably because his belly was hurting (ha ha).  Look at him holding that little heart with that fake smile.  Truth is, he carries my heart around in his pocket every day and he knows it.

 

Sweet girl with her heart. This little girl has the biggest heart of any five and a half year old I know.  Yep, she turned 5 1/2 on Saturday!  Where has the time gone?  She has gained so much knowledge this year and is eager to learn so much more.

 

I fell in love with this little "blinged" out gingerbread man I created.  I put some gel icing and little pearl sprinkles on him. 

 

Silly boy, I think this was about the time he checked out, he could not sit still anymore.  Imagine that, he was on sugar overload!  I tried to get him to move his horns up a little higher, he refused.

 

Emma Caroline asked me to help her with the wreath above the door.  Can you tell that this is serious business around here?

 

Daddy and Emma were so proud of these sugar cones they turned into Christmas trees.  I think they spent about 15 minutes getting each one to look perfect.

Emma made this one extra special and sprinkled the tip yellow like a star.  I love this little girls imagination and creativity.

 

Final touch, Daddy putting the pearl sprinkles on the grass for snow.   He had fun too, but was ready for this to be over because he knew we had a HUGE mess to clean up.

We all loved the way it turned out.  Emma kept saying, "This is our best one ever, our best one ever!" Each of the kids put their little hearts on each side and Gavin insisted on adding those pink wedding mints on the rooftop.  We pretty much let them do what they wanted because I think it is much more special when it is their work.  This will be the centerpiece at the kid's table on Christmas Day.

 

Gavin refused to have his picture taken when we were finished, but Emma jumped right on it.  I sat it on the kids table and she climbed up in a chair and posed, she can't help it (ha ha). 

 

One more of the back door and the trees.   I should have taken a picture of the explosion in the kitchen, it was ca-razy in there, but so WORTH it.  We all had so much fun, worked together and were thrilled with the way it turned out.

 

I am so thankful for my family and that we continue to value the time it takes to make memories day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year.  

Itty Bitty Christmas - 2012

A couple weekends ago we enjoyed watching Emma dance in her Itty Bitty Christmas program for the third and last time.  She will move up to the "big girl" class next year and she is excited about telling the classroom she has spent 3 years in goodbye.

 

 

One great thing about this program is you wear things you have and all the little girls coordinate (no costume fees, woo hoo!)  Emma's ballet class danced to, Angels We Have Heard on High.  Emma is so funny when she dances because she sings the song out loud the entire time (her teacher always tells her she is going to be in the choir one day).

 

I love watching this little girl come through every time on the dance floor and giving it her all.  She is such a great student and loves all of her teachers.  Check out that toe, it is pointed at all times.

 

Just as proud today as I was 3 years ago when I watched her perform for the first time.   She was more than ready to take those angel wings off when it was over, I can't blame her.

 

Quick little costume change and it was time for her jazz class to perform a tap routine to Jingle Bell Rock.   

 

 

I loved this little dance and Emma did too.  I was a little worried the sun would bother her, but she did great. Remember last year, one of the teachers had to let her borrow her sunglasses.

 

A perfect little ending to a perfect little day.   Emma, we are so proud of you and your commitment to your dance classes this year.  We look forward to supporting you at recital and in the years ahead as you continue to dance your heart out.

It is all about the Baby!

Last weekend we attended our church Christmas celebration for our youth.  It was an amazing celebration and one that I am thankful we got to attend as a family.

 

 

Our church had 2 different celebrations and we chose to attend the one in the evening.  When we arrived we were broke into different rotation groups, super organized.  Our first session was our Preacher telling the story of Christ birth to the little ones.  Some of them chose to gather around him and others stayed with their parents (notice Emma Lou found her a place front and center & Gavin stayed with us). 

 

They had photo booths set up for the kids to take pictures.  We also enjoyed refreshments and made arts and crafts.

 

Our favorite was the live Nativity Scene and watching the individuals reenact that very special day in the manger.

 

I was speechless when I saw this beautiful display that reminded me of the gift he has given to me, my family & you. 

 

 

My kids loved the animals and enjoyed listening to the story about that special little baby that changed the world.  Gavin has started talking more about Jesus this holiday season and it makes me so proud.  I love to hear him say "Mommy, Jesus died on the cross, they were mean people and put lots of ouchies on him.  It makes me sad Mommy." 

 

Such a powerful celebration that we were blessed to be a part of this year.  We are so thankful for a church that values and understands the importance of investing so much in their children's ministry.  

Christmas 8 and under meet

We spent our day under a tent, smelling chlorine and in the h2o.  Today was the Christmas Champs 8 and under meet.  We have been looking forward to this meet and it was fun.

 

 

Lauren and her family tented with us today and of course Emma loved her company.  These girls are super silly and were ice skating on these pieces of ice.  Gavin would pick a piece up off the ground ever so often and eat it, YUCK!  They made me promise that Lauren could come spend the day with us tomorrow too, don't think they will let me forget or off the hook on this one.  

 

This floating dock was a first for Emma and I am not sure she knew what to think about it when she had to walk across it to her lane, but she did just fine.

 

I get really excited when I see her in this ready position and we all go to screaming really loud.

 

 

Today was a big day for Emma because she swam the 25's and the 50.  She did wonderful, improved her time, had a blast and never gave up. 

 

This little guy was a trooper today and was so supportive of his big sister.  After going to Zoo Lights he likes to get in a statue position like his favorite big cousin, Hunter.

 

Getting ready to swim the 25 backstroke.  It was hard to get pictures today because the pool was big and set up was horrible.  Needless to say we were pretty far away, but I managed to get a few. 

 

I love everything about this picture.  He is screaming, "Go Emma, kick Emma, you can do it Emma, I'm so proud of you Emma, go girl."

 

 

Just like his Big Sis, he has no problems making friends (especially if some type of electronic device is involved).

 

Touching the wall and looking for a good time.   You did a great job today Emma Caroline and once again we are so proud of you baby girl.  There is something very special about watching your child do something they truly love.

Emma's Polar Express Day

Today was Polar Express Day at Emma's school and she was beyond excited.  She refused to wear her Christmas PJ's and picked this Jesse gown which happens to be her favorite these days.

 

 

The teacher told the kids earlier in the week to make sure they wore shorts under their gowns and Emma struggled with why she needed to wear them.  She said, "Mom this gown is longer than my spirit dress and I can just sit on the floor like a little lady with my legs to the side like I do when I wear that dress."

 

This evening we went back to Emma's school for the Polar Express Literacy Festival.  It was a wonderful event.  There were about 25 stations for the kiddos to travel through with their little bag and passports.  The stations consisted of snacks, making snow, science experiments, crafts, choir performances, reading activities, making ornaments, reindeer sticks, sorting Christmas trinkets, computer stations, Santa Claus, a cake walk, reindeer food and so much more. 

 

Yesterday was a crazy busy day for us, but I am so glad we took the time out to attend this event as a family.  Emma Caroline had to swim for an hour before this, so she had to go with wet hair but she did not seem to mind.

 

 

Both of these kids really wanted to win the cake walk and it was fun watching them try. I was a little worried when I was watching Gavin because I realized he thought he was winning a dozen cookies. It was not good news when their number did not get called TWICE. Poor baby, when it was over he took off running towards the stage screaming, "my cookies, my cookies!"

 

Emma and Megan making snow by putting ten drops of water in a bag and shaking it up.  Then they had stations filled with snow for the kids to feel along with an exhibit demonstrating why polar bears do not freeze in the water.  They had also made and frozen snowmen and decorated them.

 

Emma loves Mrs. Hale and she is pretty smitten about Emma too.  We could have NEVER picked a better Kindergarten teacher, she is amazing.

 

 

These little trees were down the hallway and they were labeled K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th grade.  The kids were in a competition to see what grade level tree ended up with the most ornaments.

 

 

Upon exiting we had to put Emma's golden ticket into the big stocking that said WE BELIEVE.

 

 

When we were leaving we ran into one of Emma's favorite friends at school, Ellie.  When they saw each other they took of running and hugged each other so tight.  Emma constantly talks about Ellie and how they are alike because they like to hug everyday, so sweet.  We are hoping to get these girls together for a play date over the break.

I was reminded as I was leaving and saw this HUGE tree in the foyer that Emma is in an amazing school.   These people care so much about kids, doing whats right for kids, engaging them but LOVING them at the same time.  This tree had an ornament on it that represented every student and had their school picture on it too.  It is no wonder my sweet girl comes home happy and excited everyday from school and misses it when she is not there, this is a HAPPY place.