Swing, Swang, Swung

Emma has finally mastered pumping all on her own!  Last week she kept bugging Daddy and I to push her on the swing. Sometimes we obliged for a few pushes. Then once Daddy left again for Cedar Rapids, I was too hot and tired to push Emma. So I encouraged her to pump by herself. Of course she whined and complained, "I can't do it! I can't get as high as when you push me!"


So one day she asked me if I would go outside with her and push her on the swing. I had to finish up a few things on the computer and told her I would come outside when I was done. But I might not push you I said. It took me longer than I expected to finish up and towards the end of my work I heard a noise that I thought should have reminded me of something. I went outside and there was Emma swinging really high in the sky!
"Look, Mama! I can touch the Locust tree with my feet!"
"Wow! You are really doing great! I knew you could learn to swing without my help."

Then Emma slowed down and asked me to watch how she got started. She used one foot to push her backwards and then really worked the pumping action. She was soaring high again in no time. And grinning like crazy! It was an awesome afternoon!

Mother's Day weekend

On Mother's day weekend we went north to Minnesota for cousin Patrick's 2nd birthday. On Saturday the whole family went for a walk at a local arboretum-type place. Grandma, Emma, Patrick and Aunt Susan shared a bench- for about 30 seconds. Then the kids were off and moving!

Later at the party, Emma enjoyed swinging with Patrick and a second cousin, Jackson. They also got to find and collect all the pieces to the train accident that had occurred in the yard.

After dinner Emma got to decorate her own train car cake! She expertly squeezed out the frosting and added some colorful candy decorations. She was particularly taken with the gummy life savers.

On Sunday we all headed to a Culver's for a lunch treat on Grandpa. We had some cheese curds and french fries to share. Plus, there were free scoops for all the mothers. Emma used her scoopie ticket to order vanilla custard with oreo cookies. She ate every last bite, which isn't too surprising. Grandma said it was the best mother's day ever!

Feliz cumpleanoz

On Cinco de Mayo we celebrated Aunt Susan's birthday at our house. We had a summery bean bowl and homemade bread for dinner followed by a white cake with raspberry filling and bittersweet chocolate frosting (made by me).  Emma watched me decorate the cake and chose the sea blue color for the writing. She was very eager to take a bite!  On Aunt Susan's birthday Emma left her a telephone Spanish birthday greeting. Aunt Susan was very impressed. Emma had spent about a week practicing the happy birthday phrase and got it just right.

 Check out her tee!

 



After enjoying a huge cupcake at Monty's for a dinner out, Emma came home on a sugar high. "Daddy, you be the cupcake and I'll be the frosting!"

Then Emma was showing Daddy some yoga poses. "Daddy you be the moon and I'll be the star."








Emma is a very avid painter. We bought a gourd at one of the last winter farmer's markets with the intent of painting it. Once I finally got around the setting everything up, Emma was completely absorbed in the process. She painted the gourd with bold bright colors. Now it's awaiting proper display. Daddy need to hang it inside for us!

Doing Stylish

Late this afternoon Emma was riding her scooter around and around the kitchen table saying, watch how fast I can go! So I said, why don't you see how fast you can go outside? Emma replied very enthusiastically, OK!

So we went outside. She places one foot on the seat and pushes the sit-down scooter with her other foot. She can get going pretty fast. And then it didn't take but 10 minutes until she was ready for a break. She politely asked for her Winnie-the-Pooh chair, which I placed on the front stoop.

Emma: This is our house. I'll sit here and you sit there.
She pointed to the chair that always is on the stoop. So I sat.
Then she went inside and when I was really beginning to wonder what she was doing, out she came, wearing some slippers and carrying some odds and ends of her things (bracelet, hair ties, silly bandz).
Emma: This is our house and these are my things. And this is my basket.
She placed the things in her upside-down helmet. Then we sat there for a few minutes and she asked me if I was making dinner.

Mommy: No. We are having leftovers, but maybe I should make more rice. I think I should. I'll go inside and be back once I start the rice. Dinner won't be too long from now.
Emma: OK.
When I came back to check she had gotten some bright chalk, some sticks and a pine cone.
Emma: Look, Mommy!
Mommy: What are you up to?
Emma: Well, this is my house.
Mommy: OK, but what is that pile of sticks?
Emma: That's my fire.
The sticks had been placed on top of a patch of orange with a pink edge.
Emma: Those are the flames. (Pointing to the pink edge)
Mommy: How creative.
Emma: Here is my marshmallow that I am roasting.
Emma picked up a stick and jammed the pine cone on the end of it and shoved it at her fire. I chuckled. She is so imaginative!
Emma: Here eat this!
Emma shoved the marshmallow at the door and I made eating noises.
Emma: Come out here.
Mommy: I will come out once the rice is covered and simmering.
A few minutes later I went back to the front door. Now Emma was intently drawing something off to the side of the fire.
Mommy: What are you drawing?
Emma: This is my smore! Look!
Mommy: That's awesome! It looks so tasty.
Emma: Come out here Mommy.
I went outside and sat and watched her. After she completed the smore (a purple and green creation) she drew a pink table.
Emma: Am I doing stylish?
Mommy (smiling at the use of the word): Yes, that is a stylish drawing.
Emma: Yeah, it is. I am going to draw a person right here.
She drew two vertical lines, humphed to herself and said, "I am going to draw me as a toddler."
So then we talked about how old a toddler can be.
Emma: This is me as one to three.
Mommy: You are so cute and colorful.
Emma: I am, aren't I?
I don't know if we were talking about the drawing or the real-life Emma! She was covered with chalk at this point. :)  And so stylish!

Big Sister

Emma started making this sound the other day with Steve. It's her version of the what the baby's heartbeat sounds like. She just randomly busts out with it.

Say What?

Setting: Emma and Mommy outside on a sunny, blustery day in late April (today, 4-27-12)
Mommy is sitting on the deck. Emma is playing in the sandbox.

Emma: Mommy, I'm making a lemon meringue!
Mommy: That looks delicious! Great job.

Emma continues to build the lemon meringue while Mommy stares off into space. Then Emma starts to cross the grass carrying her creation. Mommy smiles at Emma and she smiles back.

Emma: Here is my lemon meringue.
Mommy: Wow! It looks fantastico! When do we get to eat it?
Emma: Well, it has raw eggs in it.
Mommy: Oh, OK.
Emma: Well,  it doesn't have raw egg in it. Here, try some.
Emma scoops out a bit of sand on her finger and holds it to Mommy's mouth.
Mommy: Mmmm, so good! Thank you.
Emma: I haven't baked it yet.
Mommy: How long does it have to bake for?
Emma: 50 degrees.
Mommy (smiling): OK.
Emma takes her creation down to her play house. Once inside she says, "Actually, I already baked it. Now I am just going to set it on the windowsill."

Emma comes out of the play house and heads back to the sandbox. 
Emma: Mommy, now I am making a lemon parfait!
Mommy: Wow! That sounds amazing.

Emma continues to pick dandelions, presumably for their lemon flavor and creates another dessert. Mommy ponders the wonders of a 4 year old conversation and imagination.