Miss Independent

My little independent one. You are quite the trip. I am learning that I am going to have to start to set the alarm a little earlier since you insist on "helping" each morning as we scramble to get out the door. From picking out and putting on your clothes, walking down the steps holding my hand and climbing and buckling yourself into your booster - if I even try to rush you, you aren't afraid to let me know with an, "I do it Mommy!"

You look so cute with your chubby little fingers grasping the screws as you "help" your Daddy build a toy box, or assemble a bookshelf. And even though you accidentally put a few wooden pegs into the wrong holes (where they quickly got stuck) the look of accomplishment on your face is too cute to scold. You are such a big girl!

I love to watch your face as you play. You concentrate so hard, figuring things out on your own. Turning the pieces over in your hands as you contemplate how the blocks interlock. Or how the puzzle snaps together.

And then look up with a smile to make sure someone is watching....

...so proud of yourself. And even if "your way" isn't "my way", I have to remember to let you learn, figure things out on your own. Only step in if you are in danger or on the verge of getting too frustrated.

Even if I think bubbles taste gross - you must not mind too much!

I know that you'll figure it out, find your way. Learn from your mistakes.

Although I definitely don't mind when I hear you say, "Help you Mommy," which really means, "Mommy, I need help!" Don't worry little girl, I'll always be here to help.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail...

Yes, I realize that Easter was over 3 weeks ago. But life happens. And I was waiting on Duane to download the pictures from the camera to the hard drive. And yes, I am fully capable of doing this myself - but it makes it so much easier to find all the pictures I want when my husband organizes them in neat folders.

Our Easter weekend started by coloring eggs on Friday night after a Mexican themed dinner and a Margarita or two. Emma was a good sport and I tried my best not to freak out each time she plopped an egg into the dye.

Come on! Let's get this party started!

Are you really letting me play with skin staining dye?

Okay, I got the hang of this!

We spent Saturday afternoon hanging out at home before celebrating Katie's 5th birthday with the rest of the family. In the meantime somone found a box of raisinets and insisted on trying a couple to go along with her after nap snack of Teddy Grahams.

Mmm, these are kind of tasty!

No, Max! I think I am going to keep these to myself!

Easter morning brought a visit from the Easter bunny - and of course said bunny left little miss Emma some fun treats. She had her fair share of candy but also got a few fun toys too.

Play-Doh is her absolute favorite - it was always mine too.

Yum, marshmallow bunnies are really good! Especially for breakfast!!

Emma is quickly learning her colors - so a favorite game is to pick up the closest object and tell everyone within ear shot what color it is. A few weeks ago she was probably 50/50 on getting it right. Today, she can usually identify things that are green, yellow, blue, red or orange.

After a lazy morning of playing with our new toys, eating more candy inbetween a yummy breakfast casserole, and watching a little bit of Elmo on Gaa's TV - we decided it was time to put on the fancy Easter dress. While Mommy was busy getting Emma all beautiful a few little Easter bunnies hid some Easter eggs downstairs in Emma's playroom.

Ooo, pretty!

Looking for eggs - she got the hang of it pretty quickly and that basket went from empty to full in minutes.

Checking out her loot - chocolate bunnies!

Some rubber aliens & fishies or "fifi's" as Emma would say.

Some jewelry - a true girly, girl Emma can't get enough of funky bracelets.

After a fun morning and early afternoon spent with "Gaa", Aunt Nee Nee (aka Aunt Kristin), Uncle Brian & Nee Nee or Cici (aka Kristy) it was off to Youngstown to have dinner with the Utterback's.

But of course the Easter bunny made a stop in Niles especially for Emma & Ryan.

These two are so great together. Ryan is going to make an excellent big brother this summer!

A silly family picture - Emma was definitely wound up...too much chocolate!

Overall it was a great weekend. We had fun seeing both sides of the family, ate too many chocolate peanut butter cups and smiled as we watched Emma's face each time she discovered a hidden egg in her toyroom. And even though it's 3 weeks post Easter she still carries her Easter basket and empty plastic eggs around the house!