Dressing a Snowman

Since the weather isn't cooperating for building a real snow snowman, we opted for creating a construction paper one. Mommy had so much fun getting all of the pieces ready and watching Emma play with them. I, of course, help guide her to place the objects in the correct spots when we do these kinds of projects.

The Children's Discovery Museum

One of Emma's Christmas gifts from us was a family membership to The Children's Discovery Museum.  We visited it for the first time in early January and have been back several more times since.  On our first day we spent over an hour just on the first of three floors . . . and still didn't play with everything!  Some of her favorite exhibits were the nursery, doll house, trains, toddler backyard, and water play area.

Oranges

Emma has to experience food on a few different occasions before she'll decide it's yummy. Apples and grapes were shunned for months, but are now fruits she begs for! On this day, I tried an orange slice, and she liked it right away! For a fruit with such an unusual texture and tart taste, I was surprised. Watermelon, cantaloupe, and strawberries . . . we are keeping our fingers crossed that she'll accept you one day!

Christmas Tree Art

While on Christmas break, we worked on decorating a paper tree with ornaments, candy canes, garland, pine cones, and stars. I cut out the pieces during her nap, and Emma glued them on during art time. She loves glue!

Merriment in Manhattan

Emma was able to spend time with her Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Chad as well as Great Aunt Pam, Great Uncle Marty, Great Aunt Heidi, and her second cousins Jamie, Ricky, Ashley, and Lindsey on Christmas day in Manhattan. Grandpa Mike and Grandma Jill were there, too. We had a good time visiting with each other, eating delicious food, opening gifts, sledding indoors, and playing with new toys.

Indoor Sledding

Emma's Great Aunt Pam bought her a toddler sled. Even though the snow was rapidly falling on Christmas evening, she greatly enjoyed being pulled around the living room. Emma held on tightly to her baby, Beth. Now if we could just have a 30 degree day with some fresh snow, we'd really be able to break in the sled and snowsuit!

Santa's Snack

Santa ate ALL of Emma's Christmas Eve cookies and drank ALL of the hot chocolate. Emma was amazed to see the empty plate and mug!

Christmas Morning

Santa and his reindeer left Emma some wonderful presents this year! When she woke up on Christmas morning and walked down the stairs, Emma spied her stocking with Abby and Grover stuffed animals peering from the opening and said, "Abby!" We opened a few presents, ate breakfast, and opened a few more. Emma had a little time to investigate her new things before we cleaned up and hit the road to visit family up North.

Cookies for Santa

Ooooh! There's a snowman on this cookie!

Santa will like this one!

Sneaking a nibble for herself . . . yum!

Can you see the one Emma took a bite out of!

Sharing a bite with the Santa on the plate!
Munch, munch, munch!

Counting the cookies . . 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8!
There are enough for Santa and Mrs. Claus!

On Christmas Eve, Emma made a plate of cookies and hot chocolate for Santa. Luckily, her Grandpa Mike had baked a few tins of goodies, because Scott and I had not. (As Emma gets older, we'll surely bake Christmas treats together. At this age, it's a challenge to keep a little one away from the oven.) Emma was so sweet holding the cookies to the mouth of the Santa on the ceramic plate and making munching sounds. She also stole a few bites here and there. These pictures and video will make you smile!

Christmas in Decatur

We celebrated Christmas with the Schultzs one day early. Her grandparents had gotten her so many gifts that we had to open a few and take breaks to play with them . . . and eat meals. That is why you see Emma in three different outfits in this slideshow. She got clothes galore, two snow suits (one for now and one for next year), two pairs of boots, hat/gloves/mittens, puzzles, a vacuum cleaner, Elmo sippy cup, Elmo cell phone, Elmo laptop, tea set, and Little People amusement park. Look closely for the picture of Emma sitting on a present that appeared to be a steady four-sided box. I actually caught her in the midst of falling through the paper. She just happened to sit on the one section of the Little People box that had an opening. Oh, no! (This was one of Emma's favorite sayings at the sight of each new present this Christmas. Thanks, Grammy Jill!)