Today Emma woke up to two silly parents singing her happy birthday in 2 languages. During the day Emma helped mommy make her birthday cake, painted some presents the 3 kings gave her, found the stash of last year's birthday gear, ate lunch with Papi, took a nap. When she woke up there was a table full of presents from HollyGram and Grandpa, Mom and Dad. When Papi got home we went to Grimaldi's per Emma's request, where she played with pizza dough and we ate. Upon arriving home, the Hartmans came over to sing Happy Birthday with us, and we cut the cake and Emma opened her presents. During the day she talked extensively with Grandma, Aunt Sam, Grandpa and HollyGram, and Abuela Chagua on the phone. It was a fun day!
Just discovered there were leftover goodie bags from last year! (Emma's cheese-face.)
Playing with pizza dough at Grimaldi's.
She took a bite (lick) all on her own after blowing out candles haha.
She begged me to buy this sock-monkey-in-a-box for her last week and thought she'd never see it again when I said no, so she was very happy!
Both kids content playing with new toys.
This was the perfect age for a birthday party! Emma watched her friends have birthdays all last year and learned the songs and traditions that go with it. I am so looking forward to this year with my 3-year-old. She's so much fun to be around.
She loves cooking and helping in the kitchen. When we were in Mexico, she helped her Abuela Chagua make empanadas every morning, even if they weren't for breakfast :)
Emma also really likes puzzles. She always requests to go to the library, Children's Museum, Zoo, and park. She likes to stay busy.
Emma has a language gift. She knows when to switch from Spanish to English and will translate for you based on which language she knows you speak. While in Mexico, she rolled her "r"s for the first time! My sister-in-law told me that kids in Mexico don't do that until 5 or 7 years old. She is intuitive by nature, so language comes easy for her.
Emma's appetite is good when it's monitored carefully. One has to be watchful of letting too many sweets and refined carbs into her diet or she'll stop eating savory foods and hold out for the sweets. Right now we can take her out and she'll eat a hamburger, a taco, an enchilada, a piece of pizza. She's not too picky I don't think, although I'd love for her to willingly eat a vegetable! The other day I was feeding her fried rice and piling the rice on top of the veggies so she couldn't see them. When I offered them to her in sight, of course she refused, and when I persisted, she gagged! It's amazing how powerful her little mind is! Of course they were the same vegetables she had been eating all along, but the sight of them and the knowledge of them in her mouth was enough to provoke a physical reaction!
Emma's skin has made some improvements since implementing a new program given to us by a leading dermatologist in Mexico. She still has breakouts, but they are more easily controlled with this mostly chemical-free treatment plan.
Emma has been equally more tender and more commanding with her brother. Sometimes I'll catch her saying "no Bitos" (while Ben is eating paper) and snatching something away from him before I even know what's going on. Ben mocks her and goes around saying "no, no, no, no" haha. She also gives him hugs and kisses in which Ben says, "nite-nite".
Emma vividly remembers people, facts, and events that even I can't remember. It is for this reason that she knows and remembers each one of her family members. She has stories and sometimes even animal names for every one of them.
I give in, the argument is over. His curls are 100% Garrido.
Abuela was always in the kitchen cooking something up!
The day Emma's love of dogs began. Meet Chelsea.
Hammock time. Ahh.
Lets get outta here, Abuelo! I wanna eat!
So guapo...he glowed the whole time we were there. Love you, babe!
Meet Toto. Santa brought him for cousin Marina. Emma loves dogs!
Tio Tavo playing with Ben...argh...
Ben imitating Tio's face haha!
Ben got an ear infection and was losing sleep, hence the tortured face.
Uncle friend again...pals.
No one else could get this dog to calm down. She would bark, bite, jump, wiggle around, but with Emma he was still. She would roll over and let her pet her belly. Emma saying goodbye.
