Workouts

Sondra has started her video aerobic workouts. She does them in the back bedroom so Emily sits on the edge of the bed and tries to mimic either the video or Sondra. She sits up on her knees and swings her arms during the warm-up and lays in the bed and kicks her feet in the air during the ab routine.

Today Madison was also on the bed and started flailing her arms in all directions when Emily began her workout. I guess that's what the routine is reduced to when you imitate the person, imitating the person, imitating the person on the video. Catch all that?

Quotables

More Emily gems...

"God's not in heaven, he's right over there in the backyard(pointing out of kitchen window). He's playing with my sand toys."

______

Papa to Mommy - "Thanks Honey!"

Emily- "Honey? What's that all about?"

Staying With Nana and Grampy

You two stayed with your grandparents this week Tue-Thurs so your mother and I could take a vacation trip to Las Vegas. This was only Madison's second time away from us overnight. The first time was a couple of weeks ago for Erin and Audrey's house warming party. The time away from us was hardest on your mother whose mothering instincts kicked in while not at the Pai Gow table.

Emily, you were taken out by Grampy and uncle Jason to The Marketplace for ice cream, then to the park to see the stars. You were out way past your bedtime and loved it. One day uncle Jason set up his pup tent for you to camp in during the day. You also spent time playing in the sprinkler and wading pool.

Madison, you were to little to do all of the stuff Emily did. You poor thing. Not only did you miss out on the fun, you were sick by the time we came home. We can't decide if you are teething or caught Grampy's cold. Your big adventure was taking a bath with Emily in the big tub for the first time. Normally, you bathe in a small plastic tub with a baby seat in it. This time, Nana laid you down in the big tub and it was overwhelming. Nana said that you cried and cried.

Normally when we return from trips, Emily is not happy to see us nor does she want to go home (If any parent reads this who has a child who runs to them, count yourself lucky). This time she was her usual self but after I warmed her up with some tickling and Eskimo kisses, she stood up and sadly said, "Why did you go away from me?" - ouch.

Life Imitating Art

The following is an actual conversation that occurred after Emily finished her PB&J sandwich leaving quite a mess on the table.

Papa- "Are you finished eating"

Emily- "No, I have to crash my head into this jelly!"

*Slams head on table*

Emily would later explain that she was Gordon crashing "into the jellies." This is what happens in her favorite Thomas and Friends episode so of course it all makes perfect sense.

Demoted

I am no longer "Gordon." As of last night, I am "Thomas." Geez, from king of the rails to a cheekly little tank engine...

The Adventures of Madison the Pirate

*snarling pirate voice*

AAARRR! There be buried treasure in my diaper.

or

It's time ye be change'n me Davey Jones Locker!

or

Walk the poo poo plank!

Hey Madison, How Old is Emily?

Kid Fest '06

The family went to Kid Fest '06 last weekend. Emily spent most of her time in "Bouncy Houses" or inflated slided (left). She also found time to plant a flower, spin a prize wheel and shoot a puck (my favorite). :)

Bedtime Express

One night after dressing her for bed, I decided to give Emily a ride on my back. She called me Gordon so I played along and pretended to be the train. Along our journey, I gave every room in the house a station name.

This is now our latest nightly routine. After dressing Emily for bed, I lay down so she can get aboard at "“Bedroom Station."” To pay her fare, she gives me a kiss on the cheek and off we go to our first stop, "“Bathroom Station."” Living Room, Kitchen and Toy Room Stations are our other nightly stops depending on where Mommy, Kitty and Duckie are. Every time we stop to get more passengers (Kitty, Duckie, etc.), she must give me a kiss for each. Papa may not get any kisses during the day but "“Gordon"” gets plenty.

This game carried over to the everyday in her assigning the alter egos listed below. When I come or go she offers hugs and kisses but first asks "“Are you Gordon?"” Hey, I'’ll take them any way I can get them. :)

Conversations go..

P- "I love you Emily."
E- "NO, Gordon does."
P- "Papa love you too."
E- "Just Gordon does."

Alter Egos

Emily has assigned everyone an alter ego on the island of Sodor. She no longer refers to you by name but your your train name instead. In fact, she often corrects us if we use your name. :)

Emily- Thomas
Mady- Edward (funny that the youngest would be the oldest
Papa- Gordon (I am her favortie?)
Mommy- Percy
Nana- Henry
Grampy- Cranky :)
Gammy- James
Uncle Jim- Donald and Douglas
Uncle Jason- Salty
Aunt P- Lady
Aunt Amy - Lady
Erin- Dodge
Audrey- Splatter

Sneeze

Emily has been taught to cover her mouth and nose when she sneezes. This morning, true to toddler form, she grabbed the closest thing she could, and sneezed loud and hard. Too bad the closest thing was a piece of toast. Where’s the camera when you need it?