Miss Emi is THREE!

Dear Emi,

I know I'm behind on blogging about our summer, but today I have a special post just for you. Happy 3rd birthday! I'm going to do our annual list of your favorites and recent quirks and adorableness. I had to try harder than expected to find photos for each month. Must remedy that in the coming year!

Favorite toy:   this changes all the time
Favorite game:   you like to play Dr. Panda games on your tablet
Favorite thing to do inside:   dress up like a princess
Favorite thing to do outside:   follow your sister around and do everything she does
Favorite place to go:   Grandma and Papa Stan's house
Favorite book:   Barney's Rainbow, What Do You See? Eric Carle book
Favorite TV show:   Doc McStuffins, Umizoomi, Daniel Tiger, The Backyardigans
Favorite movie:   The Secret Life of Pets, Trolls, Zootopia (you call it Opitopia)
Favorite song:   You make up songs all day long, but you like "You are my sunshine"
Favorite animal:   dogs, cats, pandas, everything
Favorite breakfast:   pancakes (you call them patty cakes!)
Favorite lunch:   "jelly bagel"
Favorite dinner:   most anything!

Favorite fruit:   bananas or watermelon
Favorite vegetable:   cucumbers or corn on the cob
Favorite drink:   apple juice or banana smoothies
Best friend:   Maya (or mama)
Biggest fear:   you're not crazy about strong winds but no real fears
When you grow up you want to be: an astronaut, at least that's what you were saying for a while
Things you take to bed:   a pillow that Grandma made, and several stuffed animals including a few pandas, a mouse, a bunny, two bears, etc.

And this isn't included in the interview, but one of the cutest things you say lately is an unprompted "I'm so glad you're here" to those you love. Emi, we're so glad you're here, too. We love you so much!

Moo Moving on up!

Dear Maya & Emi,

It feels like we've been on a rollercoaster for the last few weeks and suddenly, at 11:30 this morning, we suddenly jumped off when you came home from your last day of kindergarten, Maya! Here it is in order of all that's happened:

• Maya, mommy accompanied you on your class field trip to a dairy farm! You enjoyed feeding the cows and their cute little blind pet sheep, Booboo. Mommy enjoyed watching you interact with the animals and your friends. It was a fun time!

• As soon as we got home from your field trip we headed to help Grandma and Papa Stan unpack their belongings at their new house! It's only about 10 minutes away and it's so comfy and fun for you both to explore. You're already asking to go over as much as possible!
  
• The next day we had to put Clio to sleep. Emi, you went to hang out with your cousins while Maya and I took her. Maya, you were unbelievably strong and sweet as you said your goodbyes to our kitty. We buried her in the backyard at Grandma's house and honored her with peonies (a few bloomed just in time!), a ring of pine cones that you two collected, and a little incense from Japan. We miss her but it comforts us all to be able to visit her little grave.
  
• This past weekend was Father's Day! We were really busy but we did give 'baba' lots of love and attention. Maya, you kept on making and finding more gifts for him on top of the cool art kit and shorts you bought him and the card and picture frame from school. It was really sweet!

• Yesterday was your kindergarten moving up ceremony, Maya! Grandma, Emi and mommy attended. After a slideshow and a few songs from all the students in the auditorium, we went to your classroom for snacks and to hang out for a bit. Emi, your big sister took such great care of you, getting extra snacks and making sure you had everything you needed. Maya, you (and mommy) will miss your awesome teacher Ms. Eckhart, but I know you'll do well in 1st grade!

• And finally, today was your last day of school! 

Mommy has some fun things planned for our summer and I can't wait to surprise you. Love you both!

Birthdays and kitty celebrations

Dear Maya and Emi,

The problem with mommy only blogging every three weeks or so now is that I accumulate such a list of things to say and photos to show. This blog post is all about celebrations--of motherhood, of birthdays, and of a very special kitty. Here goes:

• Mother's Day weekend: mommy was a bit busy but we did have some quality time together as you can see by these silly photos. We also pitched in together to clean and organize the porch and deck to prepare for summertime fun. Thank you girls for the gifts and crafts you gave me!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Photo location scouting with you, Maya: look at this huge patch of forget-me-nots!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Memorial Day weekend = Nanny's birthday party!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• A birthday party for Kelsie (and Bobbie, long distance)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• And finally, we are celebrating our dear kitty Clio because we've just found out she won't be with us much longer. Her kidneys are failing her and we'll be putting her to sleep sometime soon. Maya, when we told you the news yesterday we were astounded by how well you took it. After a few quiet tears and a strong squeeze, you asked us if we could bury her and get her a gravestone. Emi, I don't think you quite understand yet, but you've been very gentle to Clio because you know she is sick.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  We're all going to miss Clio so, so much, but I'm glad we get to treasure these last days with her. And as always, I love you both!