Emersen's latest classes

Emersen has been a busy 3 year old lately! She participated in a Little Kickers soccer league during the spring/first part of summer. She had a blast! She learned fun games and how to use "little kicks" to get the soccer ball into the goal.  There she is (with her pink pants on) kicking her ball down the field. 

Her current class is a gymnastics class. 

This was a big step for her, as she participates alone without a parent.  She was a little hesitant and nervous at first, but she is doing a great job! It is a 50 minute class and they do a variety of "stations" from the trampoline, to the bars, to walking on balance beams.  The gymnastics building is amazing and huge; the instructors are so positive and fun too. 

In the picture below, she is the one using her 'strong arms' on the bar in the pink outfit (of course, what other color would she wear at this moment in time).  I asked her the other day if she wanted to take another gymnastics class and she replied..."Yes, but with a little bit of dancing".  :) 

Soccer Time

Emersen participated in a soccer league this spring/summer. Her cousins, Logan and Zoe, were on her team.  The girls had a lot of fun, despite the cold Saturday mornings.  We had the majority of our classes outdoors, but a few were indoors on chilly and/or wet days. 

It's summer....yay!!

We are having the best summer! No packing, moving, and/or job hunting for us this summer! Just playing outside, playing inside, and visiting our family and friends. Here is a picture recap of the first part of our summer....

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The beginning of the garden....We planted green beans, peas, corn, squash, cucumbers, herbs, and sunflowers. Then in 2 large planters we planted zucchini and tomatoes. Emersen also has a special strawberry plant that has been producing the sweetest berries. 

The garden has blossomed!! This part was very exciting for me because I wasn't sure if I had a green thumb or not. Looks like we did something right! 

Then, overnight it seemed, we had our first summer harvest!! Squash, peas, green beans, and strawberries!! Yum! 

Emersen is 3!! Part 2

Happy 3rd Birthday Emersen-Princess Party!

The girls (Zoe, Emersen, and Logan) were in their princess attire for the party, complete with crowns, hats, and jewels! 

 Since Emersen loves crafts she helped out at Michael's and picked out a 'princess party craft'- decorating visors and mini purses :)

 Even the smallest princess attended the event...here is Miss Kaia! 

 Princesses have to have yummy food, right? 

The fruit skewers (or fruit on a stick as the girls called it) were the hit of the party! 

 Emersen also requested pink popcorn, but in the end it was just too sticky for her. :) 

 After present time, the girls headed outside to enjoy the beautiful wind...I mean weather...and draw on the patio.  

 Here are there finished products-sparkly visors and purses, oh and some princess wands too! 

 Every princess has to play soccer at her party, right? 

And of course, the cake picture! Soon, I'll post images from all 3 of her birthdays with the same hat (thanks Aunt Janet!!).  It was a wild, fun, and loud princess party but all in all the girls had a great time! Happy 3rd birthday Emersen! 

Emersen is 3!! Part 1

Happy Birthday Emersen! Today you turned 3!! 

 You are such a funny, smart, caring, sweet, and helpful little girl! You love to sing, run, jump, dance, and play! Your favorite things are reading, playing outside, doing crafts, and helping in the kitchen.  Luckily, you are a great shopper too! You worked so hard to be potty trained (for daytime) and mastering nighttime is next. :) You have really come out of your shell over the last year.  You are so excited to make friends and play with other kids.  "I can do it all myself", is your famous quote and you are so very determined to do everything by yourself. You make us laugh and smile every day!!! We love you and can't believe that you are already 3! 

You woke up to balloon streamers and a roomful of balloons, special sprinkle birthday pancakes, and then a special birthday trip to Target and lunch out!! 

Then you were so surprised to see your special gift hidden in the garage-a bicycle just for you!! 

You are already a great bicyclist and have only had one little spill.  Getting you to understand that you must wear a helmet at all times was a little bit of an adventure, but now you know and are happy to put it on in order to ride your new bike.  It took just a couple of days for you to really get the hang of pedaling, although the braking part will take some practice. 

Yeah for spring weather and bicycle riding!! 

 (Just one pose without a helmet.....)

Is it spring yet?

Well, even though it is March we had another snow event in Indiana.  This time it was heavy, wet snow. Emersen helped Trevor shovel in the evening....yes, she is using a kitchen spoon, but had a great time! Prior to shoveling we tried to catch snowflakes on our tongues.  This morning, I was lucky enough to get a 2 hour delay and driving into work was very beautiful, but I chose to be a smart driver and not take pictures while driving (so no extra pictures to share).  We got about 4 inches and it should all melt by this weekend, as it will be close to 50 degrees.  Yahoo Spring!! We are ready!!

Valentine's Day banner

Emersen loves doing crafts and art, so I thought we should create a Valentine's Day banner to hang on our mantle.  It turned into a family activity as we all began to decorate hearts with markers and glitter.  I think it could have gone on for hours, but we eventually had to stop.  It was a great Sunday afternoon activity though and we all had so much fun! 

 As you can see, Emersen worked very hard on drawing her circles for the hearts that she designed.  I thought the white heart in this picture looked like a face, but she said it was just a "special design"....this is a girl who loves to create things! 

Sending Happy Valentine's Day wishes to you!