Meanwhile, Back at Home...

 

While Grace was at the dance, Emma and I had a fabulous time making cinnamon rolls and singing! xo 

Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

While Emma and I were waiting for her appointment with Dr. Rugo to begin I noticed that we were sitting the exact same way. Now, if only her hair had stayed light we'd look even more alike! xo

Weekending

Saturday evening found Emma and I with an Emma and Mama night out! What a treat to get to have a few hours with my favorite ten year old! We went to the mall originally to swing by Hanna Andersson and pick up the cardigan we had ordered for her for Easter Sunday. We figured since we were there we might as well walk around and see what we could discover. Since it was jut the two of us, and since I knew how much she had been wanting to ride one of these rolling animals, I decided that Saturday night was the perfect time to make that long held wish of hers come true. As we turned the corner near where the rolling animals were and as if on cue she said to me: "Oh I would love to ride on one of those someday! It looks so fun!" She could not believe her ears when I replied: "Well, how about tonight?!" That smile didn't leave her face the entire time! 

While we were at the Natick Mall, Grace was attending Newton Assembly's Rainbow Girls meeting. While Natick didn't get to steal back the pot of gold all the girls did get to meet some of the Newton firefighter who responded to the fire alarm that went off during the meeting as a result of the Masons cooking in the kitchen! 

Sunday saw the four of us actually going to church together for the first  time in months! It helps that  that Dave no longer works at Williams-Sonoma and that the ski team season is over of course. It was such a lovely worship service and the perfect way to kick off Holy Week. 

We scooted out of church super fast yesterday (so fast that I didn't get to say hello to anyone!) so that these three could get in one final day at the mountain together! The skiing was pretty good, I hear. With them at the mountain I had a chance to make sure that we have everything for the girls' Easter baskets for next Sunday. We do (yay!), and I  have to admit that these baskets may be my most favorite yet (which I'm pretty sure I say every year)!

We hope that each of you had as wonderful of a weekend as we did, and that those who celebrate have a blessed Holy Week this week!  xo 

An Emma And Mama Night

Last night while Dave was catching up on his patient notes, and while Grace was at her Rainbow Girls meeting, I get to spend the evening with my sweet youngest girl. Dinner, ice cream, a trip to American Girl and a stop at World Market on the way home made for a truly perfect night for us! xo

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Yes, yes she is!

I just love that the minute she saw this shirt she asked to bring it home! "Mama, I just love this shirt! I'll wear it to dance class tomorrow and on Mother's Day, too!" After such a sweet reaction how could we possibly leave this shirt at Target?! xo

6:00pm

Dave's at Williams-Sonoma, Grace is at dancing, and Emma and I are up to a little fun of our own! xo

In Which Emma And Mama Go To The Lake

Yesterday was Grace's first day of full day dance camp! And while she was a little nervous about what it would be like to be somewhere from 9:00-3:00 she was super excited too (or"nervouscited" as she says). Since she's off having a blast with her friends and dancing her heart out Emma and I decided to take this week to do all sorts of fun Emma and Mama adventures! Our first adventure was a trip to the lake. We met up with a couple of friends that we had not seen since April break, and the girls played while we mamas chatted. It was divine, and a most fabulous way to kick off Emma and Mama's Week of Adventures! 

Heading home after a fun day at the lake. 

With Grace being at camp for a full day each day a lunch and snack are needed. We picked up a fun new lunchbox for her over the weekend since the last one we bought for her (four years ago now) was definitely ready to be retired. I packed her lunch Monday morning while she was getting dressed and included a sweet little note for her to find during snack time. She was super curious about what I had packed for her, but we wouldn't let her peek before we left the house!

Her first day of camp was beyond fabulous (though she did come home super, super tired) and our first day of adventuring was wonderful, too! It is very strange to be without our Grace for so long, but Emma and I are completely treasuring this extra time we have together, too! xo

Breakfast With Emma

An Emma and Mama breakfast on a glorious Saturday morning is the perfect way to start the weekend! xo

Wordless Wednesday::A Morning Walk With Emma

A Few Of Our Favorite Things

Yesterday after we dropped Grace off at dance class Emma suggested that we "get a tiny snack" so off we went. On our way, she started asking me questions. And I asked her questions. Below is part of our conversation.

Emma: "Mama, what is your favorite color?" 

Me: "Pink! Emma, what's your favorite color?"

Emma:  "Purple! You know that, Mama!"

Me: "I surely do, Em! What's your favorite season?!"

Emma: "I love winter! And Valentine's Day is my favorite day! What's your favorite day, Mama?"

Me: "Oh, that's tough! I love all holidays but I think Winter Solstice may be my favorite. Oh, and May Day! I love May Day. I love when we leave people May Day baskets. Em, what do you like best about your life?"

Emma: "I love that we are always together."

Me: "Is there anything you don't like?"

Emma: "I think we should play more."

Me: "More?! Really? OK, we'll make it a point to play more!"

At this point we order our "tiny snack" and find a seat, in the window, of course. Emma just loves the window seats.

Emma: "What's your favorite movie, Mama?" (a movie to Em is anything that gets watched).

Me: "My most favorite show of all time is Gilmore Girls."

Emma: "I love Gilmore Girls too!" 

Me:  "What's your favorite movie?"

Emma: "Peg+Cat, of course!"

Me: "Oh, of course! Who is your best friend?"

Emma: "Grace is! What's your favorite animal, Mama?" 

Me: "I love so many. Giraffes and Owls. I really love those. What is your favorite animal, Em?"

Emma: "I love horses and bunnies and a rock (laughs)!"

Me: "A rock?! You are so funny! What is something I always say to you?"

Emma: "Make good choices, Emma!" (We both laugh cause it's so true)!

Me:  "What makes me laugh?"

Emma: "When I say "Make good choices, Emma!"  (More laughter)!

Me: "Who is your favorite super hero?"

Emma: "Wonder Woman! Oh, and Bat Girl too! Who is your favorite, Mama?!"

Me: "I love Wonder Woman too! Who are your favorite people?"

Emma: "You and Daddy and Grace! And all the humans we know!"

Me: "What is your favorite food?"

Emma: "Eggs and toast! What is your favorite food, Mama?!"

Me: "Eggs and toast is definitely one of them! I also love strawberry ice cream! What is something we like to do together?"

Emma:  "We love to cook and bake and hug and snuggle!"

Me:  "We surely do!  What is something you are looking forward to?"

Emma: "I'm looking forward to reading and storytelling and snuggling!" 

Me: "How do you know I love you?"

Emma:  "Because you love me! We hug and we kiss and I just know you love me! I love you, Mama!" 

Me: "And I love you!" 

An Emma And Mama Date

This little one decided that she needed some mama time yesterday. So, instead of going to her beloved yoga class she played hooky and joined me for a mint hot chocolate (our drink of choice in the cold months) and some yummy cookies from the sweet Italian market next door to Starbucks. It's always a treat to get to have one-on-one time with my sweet girls and I love how frequently it's been happening lately. 

On My Morning Walk

Every morning I head out for a walk. I have been doing this for just about a year now and in that time it has become a completely essential part of my day. During my walks I spend time thinking about all sorts of things. Everything from what we have going on that day to the events taking place in our world to what we're having for dinner are contemplated during my walks. I use that time to reflect on our family (our family being the four of us that share this space together daily, as well as the rest of our of family who is not here with us all the time but that is always on my mind) and all that's going on. I think about the things that we totally rock at as well as the things that we may need to pay more attention to. This is my time, and I savor every step, every thought, every minute that I'm walking. I take in the sights, the sounds, the goings on of the town that we call home. It was in my morning walk taking that I began to see the beauty of this town, a place that I have struggled with for many moons. Having grown up in a beautiful, small town in Connecticut living in this town (which is, technically, a city) has had me feeling like a fish out of water for a good long while now. If truth be known, it's a much bigger place than I'd like to be living and raising my babies in. Regardless, seeing this town by foot has made me truly appreciate it and feel much more connected to it. These walks have been such a blessing in more ways than I can count. 

Most mornings when I head out Emma is awake. She is, after all, the first tiny human up each day. Each day begins with her snuggling in bed with David and I. Slowly, as her Papa and I wake up we roll out of bed. First David, then me. Each day as I get ready she asks: "Mama, can I come with you on your walk?" Usually I reply with a "Oh, Em, I'll be back soon. I walk so fast, sweet girl." and she generally seems OK with that. So yesterday when she asked I surprised her by saying "yes". She quickly got ready and off we went. We walked hand and hand, this adorable walking companion of mine and I, and as we walked we talked about all sorts of things. She got to see our town as it was just starting to get going. Main Street was pretty much a ghost town and the few people that passed by us smiled and said "good morning". Those "good mornings" always make me smile and feel so welcome though there seemed to be an extra sweetness to them yesterday as she and I walked together. We chatted about how much fun we were having and made a plan that we would take a walk in the snow together, just Emma and I, on the first snowy day. As we were coming to the end of our walk we passed by the local Catholic school. Emma got to see the kids heading off to school and it was then that she held my hand a little tighter and said: "I am never going to leave you, Mama." I have always known how much our girls love this sweet life of ours but there was something about that moment that just made it all the more clear for me. It was then that I also realized how much having that time together- just Emma and I- meant to her. I'll surely bring her along on my walk again. And I will do the same with Grace too. What a special way to start the day and what a wonderful way to connect each of these sweet girls that I get to be mama too. I'm looking forward to our next walk already.