Horrible Stories

December 22, 2010 by Adam in Emma

Duncan interviewed Emma about her assorted horrible stories which produced her latest scars.

Emma Update

October 15, 2010 by Adam in Emma

Emma's had all sorts of exciting things happen to her in the last week, much of which was filmed. Emma had her BFF Morgan come over for a visit, ran in the jog-a-thon, dyed her pink, got glasses, and was generally cute and sassy.

I'm Awesome

October 09, 2010 by Adam in Emma

I had quite a bit of time to hang out with Emma today, which was loads of fun.  After the homework and assorted house projects, I took her down to the park to work on her cycling.  Somehow, it all came together today and she was riding around all by herself.  She's awesome.

New Glasses

October 08, 2010 by Adam in Emma

Emma's been complaining of poor vision, and after an at-home eye test, I decided it was time to take her in.  My longtime eyedoctor, Dr. Arbow, was friendly and good.  Emma was an excellent patient.

It turns out she's a little farsighted, which makes reading up-close difficult.  The recommendation was for reading glasses, which she eagerly tried on and will pick up early next week.  With luck, she won't need glasses as an adult, though.  Evidently farsightedness is very common at her age.

Ice Cream Socials

September 08, 2010 by Adam in Emma

I met Emma at her school's ice cream social.  Endless kids were running about, but her first stop was to see who her teacher would be for next year.  Mrs. Mathesion was the chosen one, and she has a couple friends in her class.  Jamie and I also started the new schedule, so Sam's at my house and I'll get Emma back Thursday night.

Yet More Teeth

July 06, 2010 by Adam in Emma

Emma's been playing with her dangly front tooth for weeks now, as it barely held on by a thread. This morning she woke up, gave me a hug, and realized it was no longer in her mouth. We searched around and found it on the floor. Time for the tooth fairy to break out the wallet tonight.

One More For The Fairy

June 23, 2010 by Adam in Emma

The Tooth Fairy visited us last night, a belated scribble in a note and dollar bill stuffed into Emma's mailbox by her bedroom door.  The way it was described to me is that Sam caused Emma to faceplant on our front hill, though she seemed not at all bothered by the method.

I miss the funny shark teeth already.

This morning Emma woke up and we did the usual cuddle in bed.  I let her know that I had to take a shower.  She asked if I could take a picture of myself on my phone and cuddle with that.  I cheerfully obliged.

Respect

June 07, 2010 by Adam in Emma

I went to the Crest Drive award ceremony last Friday, where Emma got the award for respect. It's cool seeing the kids get awards over the years, and Emma has hung them in her room with pride. She was very excited seeing me after the previous day's weepy Skype call. There was smiling and dancing and wiggling. I'm quite proud of that girl. Afterward Sam and the other people who went to Outdoor School stood up and sung songs. It's so strange that the kids only have a couple more weeks of school and then they're on vacation. Sam in particular is done entirely with Crest Drive and will be off to Roosevelt this fall. How times change.

Seven Years Old

June 01, 2010 by Adam in Emma

This whole weekend, I kept being amazed at how old Emma seemed.  She'd read books, help with cooking, and have deep discussions about the world.  She had a very social weekend, charming the young and old alike.  We also had some time alone, shopping for birthday presents for Jenny.  It's been a memorable year for her, with lots of changes and growing.  I've been proud of how well she's handled it all.

Tonight we lit candles using twisty ties in the microwave, then melted the faces off of gnome candles.  It was very sweet.

Poster Girl

May 19, 2010 by Adam in Emma

Emma was given a school project on the Amur Leopard a couple weeks ago, in preparation for her upcoming zoo trip. Jamie helped her research, writing notes down on a piece of paper. Starting this last weekend, Emma's been enthusiastically making her poster, directing me to find certain pictures and writing notes underneath each one. It's impressive to see her so self-motivated. I've assisted when directed to, but otherwise it's all hers, typos and all.

Emma's Song

May 15, 2010 by Adam in Emma

Emma's asking me to write down a song she's making up in the bath:

Open my eyes, I feel the sun in my hair.

And I like going fast and I can't go where

And I'm late for my train.

Sometimes I can't realize

I'm standing right here in the world

The place I want to go

Is with you

Is the one I want to be with

But I can't find a place in my heart to fit you in

After twenty days

And I'm going all up in your life

And I'm feeling something new

That you should be with me all the time

And I just can't get loose

And I just came through another weekend

And another day until our date

It's seven in the morning

I just woke up and I'm running late for my second date

And I just can't get in my car

I have to do stuff fast now

Here's a hint for you to stay

Just with me, that's all I need

That's all I need.

You to do.  You to do.

Lost Tooth #2

April 19, 2010 by Adam in Emma

Emma lost a tooth Sunday morning. She'd been toying with her dangling tooth for days now, as it got increasingly floppy. It was my crepes that did the tooth in, finally pushing it out of the socket. She's been good about thanking the tooth fairy after getting a dollar for her tooth, though she's clearly aware of the mythical nature of the aforementioned being. That doesn't make it any less fun or rewarding, though.

Goblin Girl

April 11, 2010 by Adam in Emma

Emma was having far too much fun with a noodle package tonight.

Workbook Madness

April 07, 2010 by Adam in Emma

I got Emma three different workbooks for Easter and she's really gotten into them. When we get home from school, Sam goes to his computer and Emma starts in on her workbook. She decided to carry it in her backpack today so she could take it to Jamie's house tonight.

She also read me part of her chapter book when I put her to bed last night. The language was pretty challenging, but she managed to work her way through four or so pages before letting me finish. With a bit of practice, she'll be reading by herself soon enough.

Poetry Girl

March 11, 2010 by Adam in Emma

I found a scrap of paper that had a poem written by Emma on it:

Who are you?
Who are you?
You are like a spring of mist.
Like a sharp needle.
You are me.

First Tooth Lost

February 26, 2010 by Adam in Emma

Emma lost her first tooth on Wednesday night.  She was wrestling a little rough with Sam at Jamie's house, bonked it, and out it came.  Apparently it took awhile before they found it.  She said it was sore for a day or so, but is now perfectly fine.  She's already got her adult tooth poking up behind it, so it looks surprisingly normal.

Shark girl

February 17, 2010 by Adam in Emma

Emma's been focused on loose teeth for awhile now, as many of her classmates are starting to sport gaping holes in their smiles. A week or so ago, I noticed her adult tooth poking up behind her baby tooth. She thought it was just a hard part on her gum, but I pointed out otherwise.

At first she was a little nervous, but I reassured her it was fine, then called my dad to make sure it really was okay. His advice was to keep wiggling the already loose tooth in front and try to pop it out.

Personally I think it's awesome looking (and make sure you click to enlarge).

Ida B

January 29, 2010 by Adam in Emma

Emma is reading Ida B, a book picked from her school library.  It's a chapter book, which she's doing amazingly well with. Here's Emma's description of the book:

It's about a girl that makes new inventions and possibly saves the world.  She's going to kindergarden.

Needless to say, I think it's very cool that she's gotten into reading so much.

Crest Drive Musical

January 21, 2010 by Adam in Emma

Emma put on her Safety Kids musical last night, entertaining the massed parents with songs about avoiding child predators and the like. As long as I didn't think too much about the lyrics it seemed quite cheery. Since she was nervous about getting up in front of people, I was proud of her for showing up and singing with the rest of the class. She's gotten much better in recent years.

Loose Tooth

January 09, 2010 by Adam in Emma

I came home tonight and Emma excitedly informed me that she got her first loose tooth.  She got it during school, saying that it hurt a little and she pushed it and it started to wiggle.  She can't wait to show Sadie and Greg tomorrow.

Update From Emma

January 03, 2010 by Adam in Emma

(this was spoken by Emma and transcribed by me)

I'm really excited that mom's coming home tomorrow.  I hope she brings back lots of treasure and prizes.  I hope she's safe and snug so she can be with me for the rest of the day.  I've been waiting for all weekend.  So, I'm pretty sure that she'll be back at a safe time for us to play.  Let's go to Adam . . .

(and the rest is from me)

We had a fairly exciting day today, with people over and playing from dawn to dusk.  Now Emma's worn out and ready for bed.