Lantern Launch

Happy Birthday

She is 4...it was by far one of our favorite birthdays.  The theme was Hello Kitty...it's what she requested but yesterday she claimed to have requested Buzz Lightyear.  Emma was WAY into the day...there was lots of silliness and laughter.  We dragged the presents out, opening one at breakfast, one at lunch and one after dinner.  Dad worked until late afternoon, so we started the day off meeting her Great Grandma and Aunt at Bob Evans, where she woofed down chocolate chip pancakes, opened a few gifts and tested out her new hula hoop.  The girl can hula, it's amazing!  Once D. came home, we ordered pizza, ate cake and went to the park.  At the park, she was singing her heart out, "I love you, we are family...".  She loves making up songs nowadays about family, love and hearts.  Her little song on the swing yesterday had me laughing and crying at the same time.  At the end of park play, we set off a Chinese wish lantern...E. liked the idea of having it, but not letting it go.  Last night at bed, there was some whining about missing her "balloon".  We promised on her Dad's birthday next week, we would launch another.  Every year during our private birthday celebration, we light a red candle on her cake, to honor the woman who carried her for nine months and the country that brought us together...this year we brought the wish lantern into the mix too...a family far away made a very tough decision that made our wishes come true. 

The birthday still isn't over...we are off to see J.'s side of the family tonight and will be seeing the Dayton Neeny & Pop-pop soon.  We enjoy spreading it out so E.  doesn't get overcooked and gets to spend individualized time with family and new gifts.

Back to School!

Today was the official full first day of Pre-K...Emma loves it.  Yesterday at orientation, she got so excited, I was afraid her head might pop off...definitely the most excited kid in the room and everyone noticed.  Tonight at bedtime, she said, "mom, I love my school"...whew.

Gymnastics started this week...taking a break from soccer or other activities until we get settled into the new school routine and nap situation.  You should have seen her hula hoop during class...it was the most impressive and hilarious moment.  The instructor came out at the end of class and said, "she is very strong".  Gymnastics is definitely "her thing".

E. has really matured over the last few months.  Conversations are deeper, you can have phone conversations if she is focused and she has some big words, being used in the right context.  There are lots of conversations about what she is going to do when she grows up.."be a mommy", "have 2 kids", "get married"...however, she also wants to still live with me and is concerned about where she will live when she is a grownup.  E. said she might live far away and when I asked her where, she claimed, "Eastgate Mall".  HA!  That's 20 mins from our home.