Day 1: Books of the Season

I decided to make our blog all about books this week as I've been recapping our favorites from the year. Today I'd like to share Emery's favorites from this Christmas season:

• The Christmas Magic by Lauren Thompson
• Morris' Disappearing Bag by Rosemary Wells
• Snow by Cynthia Rylant
• Mouse's First Christmas by Lauren Thompson
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss (the movie's a bit too old for her)
• Where's Prancer? by Syd Hoff
• The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
• Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers
• The Mitten by Alvin Tresselt
• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (Emery reminds me of Peter in her red coat!)
• That's Not My Snowman by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells (wish I'd seen the others too!)
• The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (so much better-and faster-than the movie!)
• Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
• Jingle Bells by Iza Trapani (touches on holiday traditions around the world)
• Olivia Helps With Christmas by Ian Falconer

Go patronize your local library and check them out!! What are some of your favorites Christmas/Winter books?

Snow!

Children love snow better than anyone does, and they

never complain as they pull on their red boots and mittens and make plans

to catch wet flakes on their tongues

from Snow by Cynthia Rylant (a favorite this season)

In November I couldn't wait for December to start. Time dragged on as I was awaiting the first. Now it's December 13 and I feel like we're finally slowing down a little! We've been enjoying our Advent activities. So far we had our dance party, made salt-dough ornaments, attended a friend's wedding, watched some holiday movies (what's your fave?), and finally had some fun in the snow yesterday!

And the snow, while it is here, reminds us of this:

that nothing lasts forever except memories. (also from Snow)

We've been holding to that statement and worked on made some lasting memories! Hope your December plans are going well! Take care and keep warm!

we can start!

basket of Christmas books. You never know when a story can come in handy!

Several years ago, I bought a set of marble people representing different nations around the world. My grandma passed away in October and while the family was picking favorite items, Nolan spotted these and thought they'd go with our other set. Every time I walk in the kitchen I get to have a little reminder of Grandma!

our first advent calendar. Nothing fancy but full of fun activities for us!

our tree! If you'll notice at the bottom of the tree, we let Emery put on her own ornaments this year. My OC tendencies want me to rearrange them for her but I'm fighting the urge. So far, I'm winning.

December is here! I have been anticipating this day to begin our December Daily and our advent calendar. Over the past few weeks my brain has been filling with ideas to celebrate Christmas each day in December and I'm excited that we get to start! Some of the activities in the advent calendar I'm looking forward to are:

• making and decorating Christmas cookies for our friends/neighbors
• a surprise that's in store for the grandparents
• Christmas music dance party in the living room
• the kid's program at Church. I can't wait to see Emery and her playmates sing! (or possibly cry on stage)
• going on a tour of Christmas lights around town

I am excited to watch the season play out from Emery's perspective. So far, since Sunday it's been her honored duty to turn on the Christmas lights. She hasn't forgotten a morning yet! Also, it seems like she's surprised every morning that the tree is up. She walks from her room to the living room and says, "ohp! look, Mommy!".

Now I want you to tell me what you're looking forward to the most! Do it--I love reading your comments!

who knew november would be fruitful?

there's a lot i'm excited about right now so i needed to make a list. you understand.

last night we saw Sesame Street Live. The joy and laughter that was on Emery's face was priceless!! Grandma spoiled and got Em a figurine set that has since followed us into each room all day today. All of them have to come too

tonight i made these:

my, they were delicious. bad news of the night: I burnt my hand by accidentally grabbing the handle on the cast-iron skillet and had to apply some aloe with lidocaine on my hand. worse news: as I was eating I accidentally got some lidocaine on my tongue. It went numb.

In other news, I'm getting excited about a project starting December 1st. It's called Daily December 2010 and I'm going to take pictures of our everyday life in December. I'll also be trying to focus on celebrating the Christmas season and have fun projects for Emery. Then I'm going to upload the pictures onto a Shutterfly album and have it printed. If it goes well, I'll have to try it yearly. I got the idea from here. My goal in broadcasting the project is that I'll feel convicted to follow through! I think it'll be a great form of memory keeping but it has an end goal so it'll be easier to keep up with!

I was also inspired by this post yesterday! How fun would all of our dinners be if we did this?! I've only recently opened up to the idea that just because you're not Monet (or even Mo Willems),it doesn't mean you can't make some fun doodles of your own. I think Emery would love it too! Now to find a giant roll of paper and a place to store it...

Last but not least, Harry Potter comes out tomorrow! (or midnight tonight but I can't handle that). Nolan and I are pumped. No, we won't be dressing up but we're going to have a great time regardless!

hoping you're november is as fruitful as ours is turning out to be!

celebrate [again!]

Derek,
Thank the Lord I only have one brother. I would hate to have to pick a favorite. You inspire me to be a better person in all areas of my life. Plus, you are downright funny and refreshing to be near. You are a blessing to those around you. I enjoy watching you be a devoted husband, a fantastic brother, a playful uncle, a grateful son, a dedicated worker, and a good man. I'd be happy to call you friend and instead I get to call you brother! Lucky me.

Love you! Happy Birthday!

i love this pic of you two. thanks for making her a priority in your life. Emery loves her De-Deokay, i searched for a better picture of us. honestly. i think one exists from bethany's wedding but i don't have a copy. priority #1 of this christmas is getting better sibling pictures so that next year's post doesn't bring this pic back. agreed?

celebrate!

Mom & Dad,
Happiest of anniversaries! We didn't get a card in the mail to you in time so we thought to make a more public statement! Congratulations on another year of marriage! I don't know what you have planned for tomorrow but we hope you get a chance to remember your past and make exciting plans for your future! It should include a vacation! (Kids or no kids is up to your discretion) We are grateful for your dedication to each other and to your family! We love you! Love, Nolan, Amanda & Emery
see you on the 19th!

pillow talk

2 conversations bedside:

Em: i two

Me: yes, sweetheart, you're my big two year old.

Em: i was a baby?

Me: yes

Em: in you tummy?

Me: yes, you were in Mommy's tummy

Em: i pop out

Me: yes, yes you did

a few moments later Emery was putting her hand up by her face, near her boo-boo

Me: Emery, leave your boo-boo alone

Em: I holding it

Me: don't pick it, you can rest your hand there

Em: it sleeping. my boo-boo sleeping too

She proceeded to fall asleep with her hand over her face, holding her weary boo-boo

Sweet Emery Ruth,

As I cuddled in your bed with you (praying it didn't collapse underneath me) I couldn't help noticing how enormous you are. I held your cousin Elliott today and he's only a little guy. You were like that not long ago. You are such a big, beautiful two year old. You melted my heart as you were falling asleep tonight. You would close your eyes and then smile a contented smile knowing your mommy was lying beside you. I know your daddy thinks I probably spoiled you by doing that but I couldn't help it tonight. You're invitation (aka demand) for me to rest my head on your back was too good to pass up. I loved that I thought you were asleep and then 'Stay Awake' came on the cd player and you popped open your eyes and said, "Mary Poppins." You never miss a beat. Thanks for giving me this memory tonight. I had to write about it quickly so it didn't get away from me! I look forward to spending the day with you tomorrow and hearing you laugh, sing, and probably try to boss us around. Sweet dreams, sweet girl. Momma loves you!