Emma's Closet

How to Build a Snowman Tutorial

We finally had snow, but not as much as I wish..  I want like 2 feet, now that would be fun.  That makes it much more fun to play in!   But Miss Em did get to play in what we did have, and she has a tutorial for you.

1.  Wait for it to snow

2.  Roll up snow in yard.

3. Roll up more snow.

4.  Put Middle section on bottom part.

5.  Even out body of snowman.

6.  Put finishing touches on snowman.

7.  Hug snowman.

8.  Dance with snowman.

9.  Have Truman pee on snowman.

10.  Snowman wakes up next morning.

11.   Snowman wondering just how much time he has left.

and now for some exciting news, tomorrow, while Emma is at her father's, I am going to go pick up Audrey.  I cannot wait.  When Emma comes home she will be so surprised.    I will take some good pictures once she is home (Audrey and Emma both!).  I mean, how incredible will the pictures be, when she loves Truman (our next door neighbor's Pembroke Corgi) this much....

Let's Take A Journey Back in Time

Man, I missed posting for a long time... a time in which a lot happened around here.    The biggest thing
My little baby turned 6 in October!  I cannot believe how fast time flies.  Her actual birthday was on a Saturday, a Saturday in which college football was going on....  so we postponed the birthday party until Sunday.  So, Emma and I spent the day doing fun things together.  She had a soccer game in the morning, and then we went to this fabulous Pumpkin Patch outside of town.  A real working farm.

They raise sheep, shear their sheep, spin the wool and also send that wool to Maine to be made into these way fabulous wool blankets.... that are not too cheap, but just beautiful.  At the time I could not bring myself to buy one, but now that we are seeing colder weather, I am seriously thinking twice about going out there and picking one up.  The husband is an ordained minister and the wife is a vet.  They had all of the usual stuff... pumpkins, sheep, hay mazes, scarecrow making, face painting.  BUT the greatest part is in the front of their huge farmhouse they have this extended picnic table and you can have kids birthday parties out there.  Emma said she is so all about that next year for her birthday.  For about $10 dollars you get to have the party, the kids get to play, go on hayrides, go through mazes, get to make a scarecrow, etc.  Just amazing place.    We are going to go back in April when they shear the sheep so Emma will get to see it.   I will be sure to explain to her that it doesn't hurt the sheep. 

The wonderful barn, well the new barn, not the old barn on the farm.                                                       
The weather was just beautiful and Emma had a great time on the hayride. 
I let her pick out what she wanted for dinner since it was her birthday, and she chose... Sonic!  Greasy hamburger, french fries and a cherry limeade.  After that it was red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.  Emma decided she only wants red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.  After one bite, I was hooked as well.

FYI -- the farm we went to is Shepherd's Cross.  They have a home page and list all the things you can buy in the store there.

Mother and Daughter Outings

Emma and I went shopping this past weekend.  We started off at the German American Society Christkind'l Markt.  It was neat, but I think they had sold out of a lot of items.  I would LOVE to go to the Christkind'l Markt in Nuremberg, Germany.  It is supposed to be fabulous.  I cannot imagine how much money I could blow there...  Anyway, we did not buy anything there.  I did get to see some friends from the German American Society, which was wonderful.

From there, it was to Utica Square.  Our one mid-town outdoor mall.  I love this place.  They have a lighting of the trees ceremony on Thanksgiving night every year.  We did not go this year because it was just way too cold out there.  Luck have it, we got there in time for Emma to see Santa Claus.  Em asked for a horse, a real one.  Santa told her he would do his best, but if he could not get a real one, he would bring her a stuffed one.  Good thing I have some Webkinz horses for her -- A Pinto, a Clydsdale and an Arabian.  lol
I used to live really close to Utica Square.  I love this place.  Now if there was just some snow to make it look like it is the Christmas season.  Something is just not right about all the greenery.  Saturday it was in the high 60's and balmy.  It was so balmy I could not even bare to go get Starbucks..  right in the far corner of the picture.  The store with the lights on is Pendleton... another place you really don't want to go in upper 60 balmy weather.
But there are some great places for pictures in there...   not to mention my favorite yarn store where I live, Loops.   We did not make it there on our outing on Saturday, it would be way too tempting to sneak in there and buy a bunch of Debbie Bliss..  We did go to the usual commercial places, The Gap, Coach Store (yes that is just to look... whew $100+ for a fabric purse I can make, I think not!).
We hit up this tall guard for some suggestions, but he was not budging.  Infact, he has a Homer Simpson look on his face, kind of that "doh" look.  Maybe because it was hot, there is no snow and he just figured out he is anchored to a platform and a little girl in pink boots is standing infront of him... not too sure. 

Things are better...but popcorn must come with a warning label

Orville Redenbacher should put a warning label on its microwave kettle korn...

WARNING -- MAY CAUSE SMALL CHILDREN TO FALL ASLEEP AFTER INGESTION
I mean, geesh, I leave the room while Emma is eating popcorn to wash my face and when I come back she is flat passed out!  Who would have thought?!

Well, Emma took the news of Audrey better than expected.  I believe Emma is a very smart little girl and knew something was going on.  I know we did not have Audrey long, but I miss her horribly.  We spoke to the vet and to the breeders and we have to wait until Spring to get another dog.  So we will wait until March.  I am seriously considering getting two when we do this.  I will take off work for a week or so, that way I can get them acclimated to their new home.  I do miss all the wonderful things we wanted to do with Audrey.  To have a dog at home for the holidays.  A new little one around at Christmas.  I will miss not having Audrey to share those things with.  I took all of her pictures in to get developed so that Emma and I can work on a scrapbook for her. 

I appreciate all of the kind words, thoughts and prayers sent our way.  I know little Audrey knew everyone was pulling for her.  Her little body just could not handle it.  I know she is with Happy and Ashley (my doggies growing up) and with Miss Alicia's Audrey and they are all taking incredible tender loving care of her.  She will be missed, but as Emma said, "Mommy don't cry, we will get to see her again someday".  Yes my dear little girl, we will get to see her again someday.

Finally All Together

Friday we picked up Miss Emma's Audrey Elizabeth Salwaechter.  Emma did not know we were going to do this.  She thought we were going to pick her up on Saturday.  Talk about one surprised little girl!

We have had one wonderful weekend.  I wish I did not have to go to work tomorrow, but Audrey's grandparents will come and check on her during the day.
I will say this.. we are going to have one spoiled little girl on our hands.  Everyone just waits on her hand and foot.  Then there is Truman, the Pembroke Corgi next door.  They are really good with each other.  Truman actually "protects" her like she is his.  If Audrey lays down, he is right there.  He will put his head over her, but not lay down on her.  If you go to turn Audrey over on her back to tickle her belly he about goes berserk!  He starts barking at you and only quits when you quit for good.
I never realized or just forgot how much puppies sleep... wow.. wish I could sleep that much!
I read puppies sleep anywhere from 18 to 20 hours a day!  But boy she sure looks cute doing it!

Cuddle Cub Cuddle Cub Cuddle Me Up

June 2nd was Emma's first dance recital.  Oh my gosh.  That was an adventure.  The dress rehearsal the night before took forever.  Her dance school has so many classes there had to be two separate shows on Saturday.  Let me see, Emma learned a very good lesson.  #1 Mind Mommy...  Emma got on this little wooden stage and kept scooting on it to get down, and you guessed it.. ended up with a nail catching the bottom of her tights - on BOTH sides of her rear.  I was not a happy camper.  I had to sew her tights up because the dance store in town was CLOSED on Saturday!  Oh, I will not be shopping there again!  Then, well, have you ever put mascara on a 5 year old?  That is quite difficult.  I kept thinking "if I could just stand on my head". 

Everything turned out wonderful though.  I stayed in the back with Emma the whole time, except for when she was dancing.  They were so cute.  She keeps singing the "Cuddle Cub" song, and I believe I know it by heart, oh, and the dance too!!  The Bumble Bee dance was too cute as well.

Emma has decided to take a break this summer from dancing, which is fine by me.  She has gone to school for 9 months, took dancing the entire time and also played soccer for 4 months.  I think she deserves a break.

This leads me to my other dancing mouse queen.  This from Miss Queenly Things from Claire's softy swap.   I love the little dancing queen.  Isn't she cute?

Catch and Release

Last week was Emma's last week of pre-k.  My how time flies.  Just seems yesterday I took her to her first day.  Oddly enough, I made her dress for the first day of pre-k and apparently for her last day of pre-k.  The dress she has on above was a "first try" out of an old sheet.   Guess I am going to have to get busy and plan for her first day of Kindergarten.  She has grown so much over the past year, physically, emotionally and mentally.  She is not a toddler anymore.  She is a little girl.  I miss that toddler, but boy do I have fun with my little girl!

On Memorial Day, we found a baby aligator snapping turtle, um, in the drive way.  So I waited until Emma was home and then we took him to Claremore Lake where she could set him free and he would not get run over.  This is the first snapping turtle I have seen in our neighborhood in AGES.. thank goodness.  But where there is one, there is more.  We have a pond in our neighborhood that is a true pond.  Perch, turtles and who knows what else is in there.  I know this, you could not pay me to go swim in the thing.  No way!
Emma was very good about letting him go, but when we got back in the car it was "my turtle, I want my turtle, I miss my turtle."  But, she got over that quickly enough and we went home.  Alls well that ends well.

Don't Mess with my Tutu

Last week started the countdown to the ballet recital.  They *finally* got their costumes in.  Their first one is a "Cuddle Cub" and the second is a "bumble bee".  Whatever happened to plain old ballerina costumes?  I know my first one was this little blue, very ballerina like, costume.  It was awesome!!

They have practice this week and next week, but June 2nd is the big day.  I cannot wait.  This should be so fun.  Emma is just thrilled she gets to wear makeup and her hair up!

It was hard to get a good picture of her, and even the photographer had a hard time.  She has a very forced smile when you make her sit for the camera.  I have to stand behind the photographer and say "Don't smile, now don't smile" to make her really smile naturally.   I think  she gets that from me... that may be why I never really like to have my picture taken.  They just do not look natural!  Hopefully her pictures will just be lovely.

All those little girls looked so cute, but they have these "fuzzy" mittens to wear with their cuddle cubs.. gees.. Emma kept wiping her face, thus wiping her makeup.  I now know I will have to buy waterproof mascara for her.

Now here is someone who needs no mascara, thank goodness!

She was kind of shy at first, but I finally coaxed her into taking more pictures. 

I had to really promise her extra peanuts, but then the little rabbit wanted in on the action.

Miss E finally got over her shyness and her little friends came out to play as well.

Tuff Cookies

Our little soccer players are really starting to learn the game.  I know I can speak for Em.  She has finally caught on to the fact that when the other team gets the ball down on their end close to their goal, you have to run  like wildfire and go and try and stop the ball.  Emma tried that twice and hustled like I have never seen her hustle.  I am always proud of her.... very proud of her..... but I was very proud for her on Saturday.  I think playing soccer has really done a lot for her self confidence.  Well, for all of the little girls on her team it has done a lot.  She will be on this team next year, and I am not sure I can wait until Fall to see these girls together again... growing into even more of a cohesive team.  I know it just sounds sappy, but it almost makes me cry.  Maybe because I never really felt like that as a child - never really a part of something bigger than myself.  I H-A-T-E-D t-ball.  Gymnastics was okay.  I took dancing forever, but it is not so much about teamwork than learning your routines.  I am just happy she is getting to experience this.  And I did check into it.. and there is a women's league... Mamma may be playing next fall as well. I will just have to practice with Em this summer.   Just depends because I do not ever want to miss one of her games.

They still have one game on Tuesday, but we planned team and individual pictures as well as a pizza party for last Saturday.  The girls really liked their party, their medals and their awards ceremony.  Emma was voted Best Shooter.  Man, how I love that little girl. *** plus, we have had more than 5 inches of rain since 3 am this morning and we are expecting more...highly doubt there will be a game***

Anyway, things went very well, except for one thing.  The waiter was bringing out two more pizzas.  #1 rule from working in a pizzeria.. you never hold a pizza fresh out of the oven over anyone's head!  You guessed it.  He did.  He was not paying attention when putting down once pizza and dumped the other right on Jenna's arm/hand/clothes/leg.  It was awful.  She did so good.  I burned my hand from the same thing as an adult and had to sleep with my hand in a bucket of ice water so I would not scream from the pain... but Jenna is only 5 1/2!  Her skin has not well, tanned, aged.. you know what I mean.  Your hand is so sensitive to begin with.. The really bad part, Pizza Hut did not have a first aid kit.  They really kind of blew the whole situation off.  Actually it makes me really mad.  Maybe I should call them!

After we got home, Emma had to go all around to our neighbor's homes and show off her medal!  It was so cute.  They have another awards ceremony on the 19th where she gets a trophy... I wonder if I am going to have to make sure we have a full tank for that one so we can go show everyone her trophy.  You know, if that is what she wants, a full tank of gas is nothing!

sad note:  my microwave just died.  I think the power surge this afternoon must have tapped it out.  This makes another microwave down the drain.  Oh well, I think I will go get a small little white one that  is "our size".  This last one was a little too big and more than we needed.

Soccer and Space Stations

Emma is really enjoying soccer.  Once she gets there and gets into it, she is all about it.  I have even noticed her getting more aggressive on the field.  The picture above is one of her "famous" kicks....  it "almost" went in.  It stopped on the line around the goal.. well, it actually kind of rolled in a little and came back out!  The girls were not really up to their best last Saturday, but then it was 9 o'clock in the morning on a Saturday.  There were some adults that were grumbling about the time (big whiners... it was beautiful outside and the perfect temperature), but the girls did not gripe one bit.   They were having fun!
These girls are just too cute.  Emma is going to be in Soccer Camp from June 4th to June 8th.  I asked her about 8 times to make sure she really wants to go.  It is a British Soccer camp they are hosting around here.  I think it will do Emma a lot of good and she will really learn a lot more. Shoot, I wish I could go.  I sit and watch Em's games and think, "Man, if I were more in shape I would definitely look for a woman's league around here."  I just enjoy the sport.  It is not complicated... not a lot of rules to remember... you do not have to remember who should be where and really there is only offense, defense, forward and keeper.  Nothing like football where I get bored.  BUT, then I have to remember I am watching my daughter (but I have started to watch it on TV as well, and I do not get bored.. so maybe there is something here).  I wish they had soccer when I was younger.  I loathed T-ball.  I was into dancing and that was about it.  I am totally a girl in one aspect.. I hate small objects (like T-balls) flying through the air at my head. 

Sunday night we should have been able to see the space station go by in the horizon.  We drove to a hill

and sat and waited, only to figure out the clouds were moving in!  We got ready for bed really early..  so Em and I were in our pj's and matching pink gingham flip flops.  Alas, we did not get to see the space station, but Emma found out why June bugs are so annoying.  One flew, hit her in the head and ever so nicely attached itself in her hair.  She freaked out... which I would too.  I do not like the things either.  During the summer if I forget to turn off the back porch light I have June bug carcasses all over my patio.  Blech!  I will say this, Emma knows how to wait for the Space Station in style though!  She sat in
in a chair with a pillow and a jacket with Grace her horse.  Too bad you cannot see the horse nightgown she has on.  That is the one thing I have managed to finish in the past couple of weeks.  I am getting ready to go on a big sewing jig soon!  I have lots and lots of clothes and other things to sew...