Color with me Mommy

I sprained my toe on Saturday afternoon and have found myself sitting with my foot propped up ever since. At first this seems like a welcome respite from the frenzy of everyday life, but it soon grows tedious and you begin to seek new things to do so that you don't feel quite so isolated and immobile.

This morning I thought it'd be a nice change of pace to do my reading and related writing at the kitchen table while Cora made artwork. We'd have some together time and would both have engaging activities that would develop us mentally.

I gathered up the required items, got Cora ready for more potty training (she is taking to it quite well with the others at school), and sat us down at the table.

Cora's enthusiasm was contagious. I found myself fully engaged in helping her glue foam stickers to her coloring book page and helping her to color. It was fun to watch her learn from what I was doing and attempt to color like I had. She's such a sponge for information! It was a real thrill. We must've sat there for an hour or more, her attention span never waning. I didn't end up doing any of my book work, but having that time with her was priceless. We colored the "cat queen" (Cleocatra) for most of the time. She kept coming back to that picture over and over again. I loved each and every minute of it.

Afterwards I turned on a Between the Lions dvd and did my book work on the couch while she watched. She was in heaven. She loved that I was sitting there with her. And she came back to me again and again all day long "Mommy, will you color with me?". I am flattered. :D

Slideshow

Special Time with Mommy

Cora and I are settling into a new arrangement. It's just the two of us from 9am until 4pm on school days. On day one she thought she was going to be quite unhappy at home with me, however, I think she's starting to think this might be fun. (She does still talk at regular intervals about going to "Gillian's School".)

Yesterday morning we needed to run over to Oma's house for vacuum cleaner bags, we're borrowing hers while she's in China as ours broke. Cora woke up maybe 8 minutes before we left to drop off the other two at school so I loaded up sweet bed-head Cora in her cute Elmo pj's with no shoes and off we went.

We dropped the other two off and headed to Oma's house. I thought she'd enjoy having something to eat so I stopped on the way back and picked up two donuts for her. She picked them out, they had star sprinkles. She was so excited about them. She held them tightly in her lap until we got home, I guess she didn't want to eat them in the car. (And I forgot to take them out and give them to her.)

It's so much fun to get to be with her one on one and get to know her better.

School Begins

Yesterday was the first day of school in McKinney. I had two children going to school this year. Liam began kindergarten yesterday, it was completely natural to him. He's been wanting to go to school at "Gillian's School" for several years now, he was beyond excited. He barely even said goodbye.

Gillian was as excited as ever, I think I sensed a little nervousness on her part about who would be in her class and who her friends would be. She was great though, when she had a friend at her table when we dropped her off.

Cora came to me before we left and requested that I dress her. Then let me know she needed a backpack, and then a lunch in her backpack. It was adorable.

However, on the way home as she realized she wasn't going to school she was completely pitiful. I felt so bad for her. She just sort of sobbed. She will go to school without turning around and looking back too, one day. I'm so not ready to have them all gone.

It's odd to just be here with her and no one else. It's a huge contrast to this summer when they were all here every day. It'll take me some time to get used to.

Dinnertime Questions

I almost died laughing this evening at the dinner table. Gillian decided she needed to know:

What language do people in Okalahoma speak?

I love kids!

Pink Eye

I'd love to say that after almost two weeks of Pink Eye presence in our house that it's all gone. It's not. I took one look at Liam this morning and he's definitely still got it. Either twice a day isn't often enough for the medicine to work or the medicine isn't beating it. Gillian is back at school today for the first time since last Monday. I didn't see her this morning so I am hoping they don't send her back home.

The kids have definitely been enjoying the sunny weather and have been spending hours upon hours outside. They really love the sandbox that Pop & Grandma got them for Liam's birthday. Cora mostly likes to empty it into the rest of the yard (and into my plants).

Our Alpha Wolf

Gillian was honored as Alphawolf this morning. We had a great time congratulating her on her success. Papa even demonstrated the newest family trick for instant giggles. Simply hit head hard with sticky spider so that it stays on and wait for laughs. It's great medicine for anything that ails you.

Doesn't Papa look great in his new clothes? And Cora was walking backwards in that first shot.

Perfect Spot

The Emonts family isn't going to lie to you. We prefer fall weather. In fact, we only seem to do parks in the fall and the spring. We just don't believe humans were meant to be outside in 100 degree weather unless we're in the water. Ha ha. So, here are some more pictures from Finch Park. Cora has decided she'd like to stay in the swing the WHOLE time we're there, but Mommy doesn't enjoy that all too much.

Taken Monday, November 3, 2008.

Many thanks to Papa who got Mommy to slide again. We had the whole park to ourselves until 5 minutes or so before we left. I am in awe of how beautiful the trees are. I think they were in there prime Sunday and Monday. In fact, our tree out front has shed most of its leaves on Tuesday alone.

Liam	Cora
Liam and Cora swinging
Wahoo!	Who can resist that smile? (I know I can't, with either of my men.)
King for a Day!	Running for hugs (Mommy just missed it)
Cora on a Mission	Boy! That climbing wall is tough.

Park Weather

Since the weather today was so unbelievably perfect, we headed over to Finch Park for some fun (and to tire out little children). They all had a great time. We even learned about not following bad examples, for the older two. Cora discovered that swinging is great for when you're tired. She stayed in the swing for 10 minutes or so, when usually her average time spent in swing is 90 seconds - 3 minutes.

Cora	Gillian on the Slide
Liam walking Sideways	A Beautiful Accidental Photo of all Three

Aren't the trees just GORGEOUS!