Emma's Birthday Party

Wow! We have continued to be extremely busy. The weekend before this past I hosted playgroup with all of Emma's friends. We had a great time and even took the kids to the pond in the backyard to feed the ducks. Unfortunately I think we scared the ducks more than we fed them. Our friends Tony and Angela and Dave from Michigan also came to visit that weekend. They had stayed with friends in Houston a couple nights and then stayed with us for one night. The boys went to the casino in Louisiana and Angela and I stayed at home with Emma and relaxed. We also rented the movie "Rachel, Getting Married." It was the absolute worst movie that either of us had ever seen. Do NOT waste your time on this one!

This past Wednesday my parents flew into town to be here for Emma's big 1st birthday party. Whenever they are in town we also put them to work. Grandpa replaced an outdoor light and replaced a ballast in an indoor light so that it would work. He also cleaned out our garage for us. Grandma helped to plant some more flowers outdoors as well as a couple Hibiscus trees in the front yard. Of course they both helped to prepare the house and food for the big party as well. Maybe we really should move closer to home with all of this free labor!!!

We had a great turnout for Emma's birthday party. We had about 25 people for the ladybug themed party (because we call her our love bug.) It was very hot and humid outdoors - in the high 80's, but we spent most of the time there. Jay grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and we also had beans, macaroni salad, fruit salad, chips, and cheese dip. When it was time to dig into the cake Emma didn't quite know what to do with it. She hesitated for a long time and was very lady like. Although she managed to get filthy with frosting I am unsure if she really ate any.

After cake we opened gifts, with the help of Emma's new friend Grace. Among her wonderful assortment of gifts Emma received a wagon from Grandma and Grandpa Big John, a water table from Uncle Ryan and Aunt Becky, Darian and Kennedy, (that was the hit of the party since it was so warm outside), a scrapbook of her first year from Nana and Papa (along with toys), lots of other fun toys and clothes, books, money, a love bug sweatshirt from Uncle Seth and Aunt Jenny and Kole, and the list goes on. She also got a new swing that she loves and a baby pool from mommy and daddy. She also received a book from Aunt Jenny and Uncle Gary about a Mama and Papa duck raising little ducklings called "Make Way for Ducklings". The book is so appropriate because right now we have a mama duck sitting on its nest in the bush right next to our back porch. I think it was scared during the party because of all of the people so close to it and everyone coming in and out of the house. We can't wait to see how many babies it is going to have and when they are going to hatch. It is also appropriate because along with "mama" and "dada" and "baba" Emma can now point at the ducks in the backyard and say "duck". (It isn't quite that clear, but she points at them and says something that sounds like duck!)

Emma was very well behaved despite missing her afternoon nap. We did lay her down, but she kept talking and refused to fall asleep when there was fun to be had. She was in her glory with other kids here and played well with them. She was exhausted by 7pm and ready for a good nights sleep!

Emma has also had her first sippy cup and she loved it - because it was filled with apple juice. I haven't given her any juice yet and of course Grammy and Grampy comes into town and spoils her with juice. She is also eating a lot more table food. She loves mashed up bananas. She has also started an extremely annoying habit where she screams at the top of her lungs if anyone attempts to eat around her without sharing. If we are eating- she HAS to be eating. This is so embarrasing in restaurants when she shrieks if we don't feed her fast enough. She is also getting more efficient at standing and furniture walking. I think it could be anytime when she gets brave enough to take her first step.

We had a relaxing Mothers Day. We went out for coffee to Rao's in the morning with my parents. Jay then took them back to the airport and I stayed home with Emma. We relaxed and used her new swing and went for a wagon ride. I got a pedicure gift certificate and some money for my new camera from Jay and Emma. My mom got me a new pair of earrings. I am spoiled just like Emma!! Hope everyone else had a great mothers day!

Here are a ton of pics from the past couple weeks. It was so hard to keep them in order. It may make more sense to start from the bottom up. I do wish I would have had more pics from her party - especially with Emma and her friends. The day went by too fast and before I knew it everyone was gone! Enjoy! PS I am working on the captions that aren't right and the blurry video. It is clear on my computer - hopefully I can figure out the glitch!



Can you find Emma with all of her new toys?



















Grammy and Grandpa Big John with Emma


















Grampy blowing zerberts with Emma


















Mommy and Daddy with Emma and her new swing


















The duck nesting on its eggs under the bushes right next to our porch. We can't wait to see how many babies it is going to have. Maybe they will be born on Emma's birthday?


























Emma posing with the ribbon from her new gift


















Emma and Grammy opening yet another gift the morning after the party

Sam with Grace - Laura and Jenni in the background

Emma with Grace's sunglasses on

Emma and Brynne at the water table

Can you find Emma amidst the gifts?

Mommy and Grace helping Emma open her gifts

Emma with her new purse

This is fun!!

Yummy!

What do I do with this thing??

Stylin and profilin in her birthday hat

Posing with Mommy

Sarah, Ben and Avery at the water table

Grace holding Emma

Emma with her ladybug dress and antennae

Happy Birthday flag with ladybug balloons

Emma's ladybug smash cake

Decorations

The Yummy cake

Playgroup

Tony and Angela with Emma

Emma riding in her new wagon - she loves it - and loves to take Eddie with her.