Chef Emma

Our budding chef, Emma, is enjoying her Paula Deen's My First Cookbook! Last week she cooked Porcupine Meatballs, and tonight, she treated us to Pigs in a Blanket. (Mama's side note: Hot Dogs, what a shocker--they are her absolute favorite food. She is only allowed to eat one at a meal and once she tricked the baby sitter into giving her four! I really expected sickness that night.) She really enjoys her night to cook. She even sets the table. Now if we could just figure out how to get her to wash all the dishes..... :)

All set and ready to cook!

On tonight's menu.....Pigs in a Blanket

Emma rolled up all of the hot dogs in crescent rolls.

Ready for the oven!

Cooking, cooking, cooking....

All done!

Now, that's a kid's favorite meal if I ever saw one (oops, add fries, subtract green beans and they'll be happy)!

Two happy kiddos!!

Ballet Class

Emma started taking a Princess Ballet class in September. She is really enjoying herself. The class will last all school year and she will have a recital in May. They do warm ups, dance some, have a princess story time, and then they put on tutus and dance more. One day they danced around the room pretending to clean like Cinderella. Sorry for the terrible pictures--the ones during class are through a one way mirror looking at Emma's reflection in another mirror.

All ready to go to class

That's my little ballerina!

A Rite of Passage (of sorts)

After much deliberation over the past year, Emma decided that she would get her ears pierced! We found out that our pediatrician's office does it, and we just so happened to have an appointment for Mac. She was a little undecided last night, but the first words out of her mouth this morning were, "Mom, I've decided that I definately want to get my ears pierced today." Okay, I still thought she would waffle on her decision. Nope. No way. No how. She did not waffle. So I called the doctor's office and they could do it at the same time as Mac's check up. Emma was a tough little thing. She didn't even get very nervous. I didn't even have to hold her hand. Stoic. So here's before:

Then getting her ears cleaned and marker dots put on:

And wah-lah! Sparkly little earrings for a sparkly little girl. She didn't even flinch, though she was a little stunned when all was said and done. It took a minute for it to sink in that she actually put holes in her ears, but after that minute was up, she was ecstatic!

Krispy Kreme

Woo Hoo! We found a Krispy Kreme in Alexandria! We were so happy to stop on our way home from Mount Vernon. The kids love to watch the doughnuts being made, and of course, love to eat the doughnuts. Yum!

Mount Vernon

Greg's parents and nephew, Brandon, came to visit us yesterday! We have kicked off our week of sightseeing with a trip to George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. We enjoyed VERY nice weather, and got to see the mansion, some demonstrations, animals, and even the grist mill.

Greg, Brandon, Emma and George's family

Little Punkin

Brandon in front of the mansion

Brandon and Emma in front of the Greenhouse

Emma and Mac

Cheese!

Greg and his dad

More Swimming.....

Emma finished up her first round of swimming lessons yesterday. We are very proud of our girl who was declared 'ready to move up' to the next level. We have a busy July planned, but might pick up another class in August. During swim lesson time, McGinnis and I just hang out on the other side of the pool. He thinks the water is great!

Emma waiting for her teacher.

Mac in the water

Emma during her lesson

Mac getting the water gun ready....

Mac sporting Emma's goggles. Ready for class, Mama!

Trailside Park

On Saturday we found a terrific park while on our bike ride. The kids had a fun time playing there while we took a little break.