gruvulous glove

While I was nursing Emmett this afternoon, I had Aria* up at the table painting to keep her occupied. I could see her, but I couldn't tell exactly what she was doing. I heard her talking about needing more paint and some babble about the gruvulous glove (from the Lorax)**.

This isn't the exact picture of the gruvulous glove, but it's close. Basically it's a green glove.

Aria's interpretation of the gruvulous glove

Her beautiful painting

*Aria has been home with me all week because she got head lice from school. It hasn't been fun, but we are getting through it. I am enjoying the time with her since I'm going back to work in two weeks. I've had help, but I've also had lot of time alone with her and Emmett and I'm getting the hang of juggling both of them.

** Kevin's favorite book to read at Aria's bedtime is the Lorax. Aria always picks up on little details about everything. There is one single line that talks about the Once-Ler's "gruvulous glove" and it stuck in her little head. The line goes like this..."And he hides what you've paid him away in his snuvv, his strange, secret hole in his gruvulous glove."

Emmett's 3 months old! (I'm sneaking him into the post again)

Emmett

A friend recently came over to take pictures of Emmett and she did a wonderful job. Here are a couple of the shots! THANKS BRYN!

Aria is 3!

Happy Third Birthday, Aria!

Last weekend she had a party with some friends at a moonbounce place. She had a GREAT time.

We had a friend make these beautiful cupcakes.

Aria and her best bud, Trinity had fun playing with the balloons in the wind before we headed home.

Aria was so wired from the excitement of the day (and sugar). She and Aunt Jennine had so much fun playing in the closet. They were hiding from the monsters (Grammy and Daddy).

The fun continues today on her actual birthday. Grandma and Grandpa are here and we'll have a mini celebration after she gets home from school.

Our Packrat

Aria has always liked to collect things. Since Emmett has arrived, she has taken it to a new level. She has become a packrat! We've documented a couple of her masterpieces below. She does this at least once a day and it's a pain to clean up! Most of the objects consist of Emmett's blankets and toys which she's taken possession of.

I had to sneak in a recent picture of Emmett. Note that he's using his blanket. Generally, as soon as I pick him up, Aria grabs it and stashes it in one of her piles.

It happened.

Aria's most favorite lovey is Doogan the bear. She's loved him since she was 6 months old. It happened...he finally lost his ribbon on his neck. She twirls and plays with his ribbon constantly - in bed, in the car...all the time. A quick surgery took place and he's as good as new! I was nervous that Aria would reject the new ribbon, but she approves! This is not the first surgery for Doogan either. He's had a tagectomy, an accidental tracheotomy, and a restuffing.

The old ribbon in its tattered glory

Doogan with his shiny new ribbon!

1st Day of Preschool

Today Aria started in her new preschool class (no more toddler class). We went to an orientation yesterday and it went great. She was a little apprehensive about the new classroom at first, but as soon as we started exploring she quickly got excited. Her favorite thing so far is the "magnet work*". This morning she told us that when she got to school that was the first thing she was going to do. Kevin dropped her off and she was good. And the very first thing she did...magnet work!

*At her montessori school they call all the learning activities "work". It cracks me up.

Aria and Emmett

Aria loves her baby brother, and we like to think he loves her. He definitely likes to hold her hand, and kick her when she gets too close to his feet!

Aria has been a big help, she gets diapers ready (sometimes pulling the tabs completely off), and throws away dirty diapers (though the "ba-splosions" as she calls them get thrown away by mommy or daddy). Aria says Emmett is "crying for his big sister Aria" whenever he is cranky.

Emmett kept leaning into Aria and grabbing at her. She thought it was funny.

"Baby brother is HEAVY!"

Emmett coming up with a devious plan...