Presidents Day

It was a very warm weekend and we spent our Valentines day at the Wild Animal Park along with everyone else in North County. We didn't take any photos, but the next day (Monday) was Presidents Day and Donald got the day off!! So we were off to the Children's Museum.

First up was the Chariots, which both Donald and Emma loved!

Then it was downstairs to go through a bouncy obstacle course!
Luckily for Emma there was a guy there to help her through the first part, but I think Donald was bummed that he couldn't do it with her.

Next up Emma on Gladiators!



After that we discovered a room full of hula hoops. All three of us got into the action and had a blast and lots of laughs.

Now we just need to get Emma a hula hoop of her own, forgot how much fun they are!


In honor of Presidents Day they had a section all set up for the kids to make a tie and then go up to the platform and say what they would do if they were president.

Emma being Emma was all to happy to offer everyone lots of hugs, kisses, and chocolaty goodness! That's MY girl!

We finished off with the shopping area were Emma played and played for some time pushing carts around and really enjoying all the kids.
Who knew Presidents day could be so much fun. Was so happy to get that extra day with daddy too!!

First Salon Visit

We finally took Emma to a kids salon to get her hair cut. Up to this point my mom has been trimming her hair when she comes out to visit. But it finally got to the point that we needed to get rid of the last of the tangled baby hair and have a fresh clean cut.We took Emma to a really great place called Little Locks in Bird Rock. It's on the coast between La Jolla and Pacific Beach. There is a wonderful coffee shop just a few doors down that roasts it's own beans right there and Donald got a wonderful latte and some fresh coffee for the office.

The kids get to sit in cars and planes while they get their hair cut. There are video games for them to play and TVs for them to watch. The salon is located inside a super cute toy store and has live bunnies and an iguana too! Lots to keep your little one happy and entertained while they get a great cut.

We went shopping that night at Fashion Valley Mall for thank you cards for Emma's birthday party. She looked so cute with her fresh clean cut!

Writing Her Letters

Emma is really wanting to write her letters. I found these wonderful wipe off cards in upper and lower case letters to help her practice. Of course we had to start out with the letter E.

She is still a bit wobbly and is slowly getting better on the proper way to hold her pen, but she enjoys getting to do it.
But she loves when she finishes a letter all by her self. And at her 3 year appointment Dr Neglia was proud of her drawing skills and said she is right where she should be.

Fun Photos From My iPhone

I love this photo of Emma playing the the Peek store in Fashion Vally Mall with the poem in the background.

"Can I take him home Daddy?"

Emma all cuddled up in Z Gallery in Fashion Valley Mall. We already have the bean bag she is sitting in, and now she wants the lion to go with it. But we have to say no at some point. Especially with stuffed toys, her room already looks like a zoo.

Sitting Pretty

On one of our walks Emma is sitting on her favorite rock.


Just a beautiful shot of my beautiful girl.

At the Zoo

Emma and I visit the Zoo a lot and not always with my camera so it's nice to have my iPhone handy. When we go in the mornings during the week it's very quite and we don't have to deal with the crowds when viewing the polar bears or the pandas.
and the peacocks are out and about on the trails for a friendly hello.

Snuggle BugEmma is always up for cuddle in our bed, this time she brought Jess her doll and little bear.

Daddy and Emma on Grandpa's Yacht.

Reading

Emma LOVES Curious George. And it's always a good time to read the stories. This time she propped up on our ottoman the moment it was delivered. It's a new favorite reading spot.

Children's Zoo

Emma loves the children's zoo too and the new play area!

Bloomingdale's

Even though I never seem to find anything that great for Emma in Bloomingdale's, it doesn't stop us from checking things out before we head to their yummy cafe.


Emma trying on Tori's hat in a coffee shop in Ouray.

Sitting Pretty

Emma has gotten really good at shopping for new furniture. For almost 2 years Daddy and Mommy have drug her through more furniture stores then should be normal. So when we decided to go out with Grandma to help her find a new sofa Emma was so very good sitting pretty

Carousel in Old Town

Ridding the Carousel in Old Town with our friend Holly right before Christmas. It was a fun day out and Emma can never pass up a chance to ride the carousel.

Hot Day in January.

The weather turned hot for a few weeks in January and so it was off to the parks. We really enjoy the park in Point Loma at Liberty Station. It's very clean, new, and lots of kids.

Emma's 3 Year Birthday Bash

January 24, 2010
The day before Emma's 3rd birthday we threw her a big birthday bash with 17 kids and 23 adults!Above Emma admires her table all set with gifts for her friends and presents starting to pile up. She was so excited this year. She really has gotten into birthday celebrations now and was thrilled to be having one of her own.

Erick was one of her first little friends to arrive and Emma couldn't wait to get him all set with party hat.
For a 3 year old, Emma is very kind, sharing, giving and nurturing which I am hoping will bode well when her baby brother arrives.

We started the party with yummy snacks and warm hors d' oeuvres. All of which Emma loves to eat so went over well with all our little guest and big guest too!
It was really fun to look out at our friends with little kids too. When I first met them all we were all working ladies and gentlemen some of us not even married and no kids on the way. Now we have happy marriages kids and loads of fun. It's amazing how in 10 years so much can change.
Emma was her super social self, holding hands and leading everyone into fun things to do.
She excitedly shared her toys and her friends with everyone and all the kids played so well together.
All the guest helped there selves to all the fun food.

I wasn't keen on doing any games, but my Mother in Law talked me into a wonderful game called pass the parcel / gift. She wrapped bags of jelly belly's in a small bag then in a bigger bag, then in an even bigger bag and so on until there was one big bag to pass around.
Donald played the music while all the kids stood in a circle and passed the bag, when the music stopped the child with the bag got to open the bag and then the music would start all over again, until the last bag was opened.
What was great about the game was that no one was left out and that everyone won! Everyone got their own bag of Jelly Belly's to take home!

And they finished just in time for CAKE!
Emma was so excited and it really made her birthday when Everyone stated singing "Happy Birthday To You" I never knew there could be so much joy in such a small little body.
At that moment I knew why I went through all the trouble to give her such a big party. It made my day to have her so happy. And it was all Emma really wanted!

Well that and a slice of the cake :)
I think Emma had her cake finished before Cate could even start on hers. Then it was off to open gifts.
Everyone was so kind and generous, Emma got some lovely new clothes and some fun new toys and some great new books to read.


All the kids were happy to help and got excited about all the gifts too! Above Paulo is eager to explain to Emma the joys of a DVD.

Gianna knew what every gift was and explained them all. She is smart and clever little girl. She also makes a wonderful big sister to Talia.
And at the end Emma became a bit of a sugar blur chasing Erick around the house.


On Monday the 25, Emma's real birthday Donald and I took her to Islands for dinner. Then we came home and had left over slices of birthday cake and had Emma open our gifts to her. We got her loads of art supplies and portfolio along with new bath toys.