Emma's First Day of "School"

So she is only 2 1/2, what are we thinking?? School??? But those of you who know Emma, know that she is a super extrovert who loves learning and making friends. And we thought, her brain is a sponge right now, and we would really like her to soak up the local language, which she can't do through us much since we have thick American accents and most of what's spoken isn't anywhere near a local person's abilities. So, "school" is one option we thought might give her lots of exposure to the language and culture. She started a playgroup at a local Christian school today.

She was excited about wearing her uniform, the nametag, having a backpack (thanks, mimi!), and getting to sing songs, play with blocks/toys,etc.

She has over 30 kids in her class with 3 teachers for the first few months. Parents are allowed to be a part of the class for the first 1.5 months of the year. Than the "adaptation period" as they call it, is over and the kids have to be ok with just the teachers helping them. No Mommy. No Daddy. We think she will be ready by then if this turns out to be a good avenue for her to make friends and learn the language.

The best part of the day was when the teacher brought out some paper stars in different colors and she asked the kids what colors they were, in the local language of course. The teacher pulled out a yellow start and asked what color it was. Most kids were tired at that point, didn't care, were crying/scared, or didn't know. Emma yells out at the top of her lungs (in the local language), "YELLOW!!" :)

So needless to say, the first day went well. She had fun and I could tell after we got home, she felt even more empowered to learn and do new things. This afternoon she learned how to do a somersault by herself (she had been wanting to do it for a while but was a little timid; she did it with our help) and preceded to do about 20 of them in a row. :)

That's our Emma. :)

Click on the album below for photos and comments on her first day.

E First Day School

A Dad of Two

Being the Daddy of an infant and a toddler is probably one of the most challenging and influential roles one could hold. When he comes home from work, usually it's "play time" which means almost 100% attention goes to the sweet talkative and active toddler before she goes to bed. Weekends are the same. A little rest here and there but Mom needs a little break too, so Dad swoops in to share the responsibilities of the household and kids' needs. He wears many hats. The Mr Fix-it hat. The tickle monster hat. The discipline-when-needed hat. The fun-outside-activities hat. And the list goes on.

Emma and Olivia are the most blessed little girls around. They have a Daddy who loves them unconditionally and who longs to be there for them in the ups and downs of life. He is their Protector and Gentle Guide. He is Comforter and Strength. He is their model of how much their Heavenly Father loves them.

Thanks for being all those things and more to our little girls, T. We love you!
2 smooches and 2 hugs from E and O.

Two Most Adorables

This past month or two, the girls have really blossomed. Emma is pedaling like a champ on her new bicycle and Olivia is babbling and scooting everywhere, although her smiles and laughs are what still catch people's attention the most. Any day you can catch the two interacting whether it's Olivia chasing Emma around trying to take the toy in her hand, laughter in the back seat of the car for no apparent reason, or an occasional accident followed by a loud little sister scream after a toy or something has landed on her finger. Sisterhood. It's begun.


E and O Talk

Olivia occasionally says, "ma ma" when she's hungry.

Emma recently said sentences like, "Mom, can you please help me button the onesie on baby Livy doll and then after that you can go back to reading your Bible." or "Where are we going to, Mom?" or my favorite, "Emma to do it. Emma to do it." (when she wants to do something herself) And there's the genius in her that really comes out when she can quote the entire "Olivia the Pig" book at bedtime and is learning how to recognize and spell words.

We are two proud parents. I told Todd this morning, "Can't they BOTH be the most adorable things on this planet?!!"














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