Emma's Birthday Week

Emma turned 4 last Monday, May 4th. She was so excited about her birthday this year. I am finally making a post because we have literally celebrated her birthday for an entire week and 2 days - finishing today with her 4 year appointment and immunizations. On Monday, the day of her birthday, I took cupcakes to her class for snack and we had a small "preschool" birthday celebration. After the girls' dance classes that night, we went as a family to dinner at The Mill, which is a pizza buffet restaurant with games and fun stuff for kids to do. (We don't have a Chuck E Cheese here in Valdosta - this is as close as we could get!) After dinner, we all headed to The Mix for frozen yogurt and toppings. It was a crazy Monday night for this crew, and it wasn't hard to get everyone into bed that night. (Especially mommy and daddy!)

This past Saturday (May 9th) we celebrated Emma's birthday with a few of her friends at our neighborhood's splash pad. It was perfect weather and I think all the kids had an awesome time! We had cake and ice cream as well as popsicles. So, just about time for the sugar highs to reach their peak, we sent all the kids home with their parents. HAHA!

Today, Emma had her 4 year appointment. She was so brave and good at her appointment. The 4 year is the year they get several shots. As you may remember, Ellie's 4 year appointment was a nightmare. I prepared Emma cautiously and was expecting the worst. She was so timid when the nurses were talking to her and the nurse practitioner examined her. She knew what was coming. The NP walked out for the other nurse to come in with the shots and Emma looked at me and had a semi grin on her face and said, "Mommy, Jesus makes me brave." I almost burst into tears. She then asked me if I would say a prayer with her, so we said a little prayer. The nurse soon walked in with the shots, Emma laid back on the table and didn't even make a sound! No crying, screaming or gnashing of teeth. I was holding Mack and had braced myself to lay on top of her to keep her down, but she never even moved! She flinched a little, but no crying at all! I was so proud of my sweet, brave girl.
Her weight was 32 lbs. (24th percentile) and she was 39in. tall (32nd percentile)

Emma never ceases to amaze us. She is so sweet and has such a big, loving heart, but can still have a very hard head sometimes:) She is extremely thoughtful and considerate. She finally loves to wear a dress (all of a sudden, like in the last month!) She has hit a girly kick and is gaining some of her own independence with play and activities, which at times REALLY upsets Ellie! Ellie is still not comprehending that Emma wanted a Minnie Mouse themed birthday party instead of a Frozen party, she tried many forms of manipulation to get Emma to change her mind, but Emma stuck to her guns. So, Minnie Mouse it was! She's so much fun to be around! I love this little angel so much!

Ellie's birthday card for Emma

The birthday girl, who can't figure out how to smile for the camera

Another cheesy grin while eating her birthday pizza at The Mill

Charming Daddy

This is the best group shot I could get. 

Riding one of the cars.

Daddy teaching her the ropes to this game. He claimed to be a pro. 

Race car driving. Her hair was still in a bun from dance - that is what the pink thing on the back of her head is. 

Eating watermelon flavored yogurt with gummy worms, oreos, sprinkles, reese cups, and a few other random toppings. Gross!

This is what she woke up to the morning of her birthday - sorry the pictures are all out of order. 

Her sweet preschool class, and Mack

Mack hitting on an older woman. 

Her class sang Happy Birthday to her. She was a little overwhelmed by this. 

Emma and her teacher, Ms. Rebecca

Singing and dancing at the end of class. 

This was Saturday morning just before we left to go to the birthday party. The kids were cutting up and I couldn't resist the photo op. 

My precious angels. Sometimes. 

The Minnie Mouse birthday cake. 

Birthday girl!

Being sweet with papa

Just Emma with Mommy and Daddy. The sun was incredibly bright, obviously.

Bowers Crew

Warming up the water guns before other folks got there. 

Emma and her friends. 

Emma and her friend Caroline M. The "M" is very important, because there are 2 Carolines she is friends with. This one and Caroline "C"

Such excitement

Waiting in line to get on the slide. Mack was trying to climb up and was obviously causing a traffic jam. 

Emma and her other grandfather, E.W.

Of course, Ellie needed to help Emma blow out candles. 

Mack trying to get icing off of the cake. 

Worth playing with the kids.