So Long, Farewell. . . . Part 1.

Emma said her goodbyes at Cybered. It was a great fit for her!

 Bye Miss Shirley!

 Emma just walked around by random friends and wanted me to take a picture. She didn't tell me anyone's names, though! She was well loved. Whenever I came to pick her up, she was attacked by the other kids with hugs and farewells!

 More wonderful teachers!

 I love this picture! Miss Dean was Emma's teacher for most of her time at Cybered. She was so great with Emma. She is a great teacher and really gave Emma the structure she needed. She was tickling Emma here and it led to great grins for them both! I almost cried after taking this picture.

 Miss Jennifer joined the team near the end of the year. She was nice, but I think she and Emma had a few battles of the will at times. And trust me, this little gal can battle.

Feel the love, Emma! A few weeks after we left, Emma randomly started to cry and say that she missed Cybered. It was so out of the blue, but I really do think she was very happy there., Having a safe and positive place for her to go every day really blessed us all.

Emma Catch Up!

Oh Emma, how to summarize the last few months of your life. The phrase "keeping us on our toes" does you no justice. Mostly, you keep us laughing, with random bursts of absolute frustration. We've yet to find a truly effective disciplinary measure. You respond fairly well to positive incentives, because time-outs don't even phase you. You just look at it as a fine opportunity for solo singing practice. I do believe, however, that we might start taking away your coloring and drawing privileges. I think a part of you might shrivel up and die if you had to stop coloring. 
  Emma, you are brilliant. You write so well, and can recognize all of your letters and have even read a few words! You were moved up to the older preschool at Cybered because they felt that you were too advanced to hang out in the younger preschool. I was sad that you left Miss Dean's class. She is a wonderful teacher. But, you are doing so well--even with a few moves to the "yellow" zone for not listening to Miss Shirley.  Last week you stayed in "green" all week! There was much rejoicing.
   But, for now, let's do a summary of some of the highlights of these last few months that I haven't taken time to write. I only wish I had pictures to accompany them!
*Your singing is an exercise in stream of conscienceness. On road trips you will just sing for hours, to random tunes, about whatever might have just popped into your head. . . "I am a child of God, and the fox went out one chilly night, I am in the car and the sky is blue. . "

*You also do some personal variations on well known tunes such as:
       "I know the Lord fobides a way"
        Laman and Lemuel wer "laughing and hogging"
       "Raindrops on roses and scriptures with noodles, light copper kettles and wowowo mittens, I-i don't know-ow the words to this song. Dad can you si-in it fo-or me please" And all this in tune! When Isaac announces that this annoying, you continued to improv sing, adding "I'm noo-ot annoying!" to your tune.

*We had a family home evening about choices and consequences. We had a choice "stick" to talk about when you make a choice and pick up a stick, you also get whatever is on the other end--or the consequence. For the next week everything we asked you about making a good choice you insisted on finding the stick and announcing your choice as you picked up the stick. And apparently one choice stuck in your head. For weeks when you were misbehaving and we'd ask, "Emma, what is a good choice right now?" your answer was always, "Clean my room!"

*When feeling frustrated at being the youngest and smallest, you yelled: "Listen to my words!"

*While attempting to help you, you let me know, "Mom, I can do things!"

*Lucy has acquired the skill of making a a funny face based on a horse character in a book. It cracks us all up. One day, in a wistful tone, you announced "Lucy, I wish I could be just like you. I wish I could do a horse-face."

*Once when we were sitting down for lunch, you had already started eating when I put some more veggies on your plate. You turned around and saw them, and shouted, "Vegetables! How did they get there?!?"

*You and Daddy were talking about a "secret" around Christmas time. You asked, "Dad, is this top secret or bottom secret?"

*Sitting down to a yummy dinner of roasted vegetables you made it clear: "I don't want the Indians!" (aka "onions)

*You are always learning from your big brother. Example: You fell off your stool in the kitchen and proclaimed: "Epic Fail!!" So glad Isaac is passing those on. Another example: From the bathroom I hear you talking to your reflection, "Your face is gross. Burn!"

So, though I don't have nearly enough pictures to capture your beauty, grace, and charm (and trust me, you are beautiful!) I hope these words ca

I Am Going To Be Amazing!

You already are.

This was your exact quote after last week's Primary program, when we noted that next year you would be in it! Such confidence. That's you, Emma, you are so confident. You have been since birth. It can make you fiesty, frustrating, and a little irrational. . but mostly we are so impressed with your impressive sense of self-worth. That will serve you well in life--if well-directed. So far, so good. You are a delight. At the family reunion, your Aunt Angi kept remarking on what a light you brought, just happily going through life, completely content. We agree. In general, you are such a happy kid--full of grins, giggles, and songs. Especially songs from "The Sound of Music"--which you insist on listening to every morning on the way to school. Another favorite is "The fox and his wife" which only Daddy knows, though you say you can teach me if I want. You also make up your own, and will sing and sing (much to the chagrin of Isaac in the van). But as for me, I love it.
  You certainly make your own way in the world. You remember everything I ever say, and hold me to it. You say that your favorite things are: candy, dogs, cats, flowers, and ribbons. The ribbons came from when you asked me what my favorite things are and I said: mountains, trees, and rivers. But you heard ribbons. . and it stuck. Ribbons are nice too.
  The other day you wore goggles to pre-school. I wonder what Miss Dean thinks of you. You are back at Cybered this year, and having a nice experience. We are hopeful that next year I will be home again and teaching preschool here at the house. The last two years of teaching have brought blessings of their own, but we feel that it is time for me to return home and we are working hard to make that happen! I only get one more year with you before you start kindergarten yourself! Crazy. I can't believe how quickly you are growing up Emma. We love you so much. You make us laugh every single day. You maul Max, pester Isaac, tear Lucy's favorite pictures, and in general sometimes work mayhem throughout the house. But you also hug, kiss, laugh, and sing, brightening our home in your own special way. We are so lucky to have you. You really are amazing!

Young Lady

Young Lady.

Young lady. . . that is your term for anyone who is not meeting with your approval. Lucy gets this phrase quite a few times. Still, it is better than biting her--an alternative you've used a few times.

Emma Updates

So sorry that this has been so long in coming. It has been a crazy couple of months! We have been living down with Grandma for the last two months. The adjustment has been a real struggle, but you kids have all done great. We've gone to the pool almost every day and you are one adorable waterbug!! You love to swim and we found this awesome life jacket sort of thing that works perfectly. You just kick and bob and have a wonderful time.
You crack me up every day Emma. You give the best hugs and kisses in the world. You've caught the tickling bug from Lucy and love to have your arms and legs tickled. Right now you love the song "Part of that World" from The Little Mermaid and we sing it together almost every night. You also love to quote "Tangled." You say, "Mom, remember, Rapunzel? 'Alone at last." And you say so many other lines with almost picture perfect intonation. It is so fantastic. You've started saying prayers, but mostly you just say over and over, "Dear Heavenly Father, help us be help us." Reverence, to be honest, is not your strong point. You aren't the most quiet child, and can really give a holler. The move has made you a bit clingy, and you have had a hard time being left in childcare at the gym sometimes. And I often find myself toting you around on my hip more than I'd like. Still, I'm learning more and more that these times slip through our fingers far too quickly and I'm determined to hold on to this precious toddlerhood as long as I can.

Time-outs have begun for you. You give the most pitiful face when facing consequences. It is pretty sad, but you are pretty willful sometimes. If I don't hear from you for awhile, I get very nervous and start looking to see what you are drawing on. Thank goodness for Magic Eraser. You've colored on so many walls! You do love to color though, and will spend big chunks of time coloring or drawing at your little table in the kitchen. And you still love your Rapunzel dress. You keep talking about how you are going to wear it on the "big boat." That big boat is our Disney cruise ship, which we'll be boarding in less than 3 weeks!!!!! That will make some very fun memories.

I love you Emma. You love chatting to your Daddy on the cell phone. You sing him songs and tell him about everything you do. I think he understands a good 25% of it. You are such a light in our family Emma. You can be a real tease to your poor big sister Lucy, but your big blue eyes and bouncing curls draw attention wherever we go. I just hope that as you grow you become kind and faithful and continue to spread happiness around you. I love you so much!!!

Emma Handiwork

We found this little sculpture in the soap dish in the bathroom. You happily confessed. So talented.

Emma Love

The other night as we put you to bed you said "Dad, I love you more than dolphins. That's alot of love." And I got "Mom I love you more than dolphins, good guys, bad guys, cats, and puppies." We both felt incredibly lucky to be loved so much by such a wonderful girl.

Welcome HOME

After six months of living with Grandma Lulu--most of that time without Dad--we finally got our own house!! We were so excited and so were you! Every day, for the first two weeks you would say, on the way home from school: "We are going to our new house! I am SO happy!!" It was great. It is just the right size, has a fenced in backyard, fun neighbors, and is walkable to the park. We are very lucky.

Our first breakfast in our new kitchen!!

Our second day in the house, we lost power. There was some mix-up with the power company and when they were disconnecting and connecting. It was a cold night! But, we made it an adventure and had a campout in the living room with pizza for dinner, two layers of pajamas, and lots of blankets!

Emma is THREE!

I do have more pictures from your actual birthday, but I think they are on my phone! You are three years old--though it seems like you have been three for quite awhile! You are so bright Emma, articulating exactly what you think and feel! You are an incredibly focused when you are coloring or drawing and you will do dot-to-dots over and over and over. Sitting in church you just ask for dot-to-dot after dot-to-dot. It is so interesting to watch you work so intensely on a picture. You also love to just color in small boxes on grid paper--calling it rainbows. You will spend 30 minutes making a pattern of colors or "rainbows."
For your birthday you got to take cupcakes to Vass-Lakeview and I brought balloons for the kids to play with. Luckily, I was able to come over during my planning period and enjoy a bit of the party with you.
And then, we had a princess party!! We had the Houseman's come over and Aunt Marci, Lindsey, all came in princess gowns! You and I also dressed up. It was quite the event. We made a castle cake and enjoyed a yummy pizza dinner from Ceaser, the royal baker. I also have pictures of that--I know it!
This picture is from the triple celebration we had when Grandma and Grandpa Reynolds came to town for Isaac's baptism. They never get to be around for your birthdays so we had a celebration for Isaac's, Lucy's, and your birthday. What a busy couple of weeks!!

Emma Updates

You are one handful of a kid!

This has been long overdue, but it has been a pretty crazy couple of months. Still, it is a new year and I am determined to capture our family memories better. So, here I go. Alot has happened since I last wrote. Here's a quick recap:

1. DISNEY CRUISE!!! What do you get when you put a boat, unlimited free ice cream, and lots and lots of princesses all together? . . . .Four days of heaven, that's what you get! We had such an amazing time on the cruise. I'd like to start a savings account now actually to take another one in 2-3 years. Then you'd be old enough to go in the kid's clubs! You met princesses (you were so excited you even hugged the photographer that took your pictures with them), swam all day, and once in awhile got a nap in. You only fell asleep at the dinner table once :) We had the late dinner on the cruise and after a full day of fun, by 8:00 you were pretty much toast. Every night we got to see a fabulous Disney show, complete with dancing and singing--and all Disney! It was fantastic. And they even put ketchup in the shape of Mickey Mouse on your plate. Seriously, it was such a wonderful vacation. Thank you Grandma Lulu!!

2. Preschool. We have had lots of changes around here. Dad is down here now--hooray! He got a job at Youth Villages. But, it also became necessary for Mom to go to work. So, she started teaching Spanish at Union Pines High School at the end of August. That meant full time childcare for you and Lucy. It has been pretty tough on everyone. We started at Cybered, and in order to get in to their Preschool program, they told me you had to be potty-trained. YIKES! Thus began one terrible awful no good weekend of crash potty training (a.k.a you running around without a diaper, peeing on the floor every half hour while drinking apple juice and eating cheetos, while I try to enthusiastically role play with you the proper way to stay dry and go potty.) This did not go well. I lost my patience multiple times, yelled a few, and finally ended the day in tears. It was horrible. But, they let you start anyway--and then told me you could use pull-ups. Wish I'd known that at first! They were great, but an opening came in a cheaper preschool which was closer to my work so we took it. The teachers at Vass Lakeview Childcare are sooo nice and kind and wonderful. They love you and hug you every day. I'm grateful to have such kind people taking care of you and Lucy. It is a blessing.

You are such a bright girl Emma! You can already write your name and you recognize several letters. Your memory is remarkable and your pitch is pretty good as well. You make impressive connections and you sound so grown up sometimes. Grandma Lulu says you are 2 going on 16. You can have some serious attitude at times. You can really get a rise out of Lucy when you want to.
We adore you Emma. I just love looking at you and listening to you. You are so fun to talk to. You don't quite grasp the meaning of the word "because" so you'll say things like "Mom, I want a drink because I do and so I do." So much of what you say clearly only makes sense to you. You used to love me to kiss you on the eyes at bedtime and wouldn't let me leave without doing it. And we are lucky that you are pretty easy to soothe. You'll just say "we'll do it tomorrow."
You love playing the (as you call it) "pssst pssst game" with Daddy. This is when he hides from you and when you come looking for him he says "pssst psst" until you find him. Never gets old.
You are getting better at brushing your teeth. You never let me forget to do the "errrr." That is when you make a face to show your front teeth so we can brush them. Very funny.
Oh, and the coloring. Girl, I've never met someone who loves to color as much as you do! You will spend so much time coloring. You love grid paper and will carefully color in each box a different color, calling it a rainbow. And you are really careful with a picture, picking each color carefully and staying in the lines remarkably well. Another favorite activity is dot-to-dots. You ask for them over and over again. No matter how intricate we make them, you seem to be able to keep up!
In short, you dazzle us every day. We love you Emma. You are really a wonderful blessing in our home. On Wednesday you turn 3! It is so hard to remember that you are only 2. We love you!!!

Cutey-Pie Emma

Dad brought home some prizes from a work party, where he had successfully stuffed the most balloons into pantyhose and put them on his head. What a cute reindeer you make!

I just love this hairstyle! :)

Goodbye Miss Dean!

This year brought several changes for us! You had to go to full-time childcare/preschool since I started teaching. You started at Cybered, and after a traumatic weekend of crash potty-training you started your experience there (I really wish they had mentioned that you could have worn pull-ups!) Miss Dean was a little prickly at first, but we soon learned she just had her own way and you really loved it there. And they loved you! You learned so much there, tracing, connecting dots, and were really challenged and happy. It was a great fit for you.
But, some spots opened up in the childcare center right by my school. It was cheaper and convenient, so we made the switch. They are incredibly loving there and you get lots of hugs every day! You are so incredibly verbal and bright and you were challenged more at Cybered, but next year you will be back in a more formal preschool and I'm sure you will learn lots.

Emma. . in Pictures

All dressed up for a tea party with Claire and Alli Baker. It was a huge success, complete with lemonade, mini-muffins, fruit salad, and sliced cucumbers. And even party games!
Summer Fun watching Isaac play baseball!!

What a beautiful bride!!!!!! (But not for awhile missy. . . )

Back in Vienna, having a flashlight Easter Egg Hunt. It was great fun, even though initially the idea of setting a bunch of little kids free in the dark with flashlights looking for candy sounds like asking for trouble. You even met. . .

Happy Hoppy Easter!!!

Emma Adventures

You were an excellent, enthusiastic, assistant for Grandpa as he told the story of the the old woman who swallowed the fly. You wanted to make sure everyone knew exactly which animal Grandpa was talking about! COW!!!!

You are cruise bound! We tried to take our passport photos at home, but it didn't work so well, so we ended up using the Costco folks.

You are so cool.

Working out with mama.

Another interesting ensemble put together by Emma Fashionista.

Emma, you are a hoot. You make us laugh every single day. First thing in the morning you holler "Tato!" and find the Mr. Potato Head box and start to assemble. You crack yourself up sticking five different arms or eyes into the potato head. Then you'll hand one of us the other potato telling us "You be that one." And the conversation begins. It goes something like this:

Emma: Hi!

Mom/Dad: Hi!

Emma: I'm Potato!

Mom/Dad: Hi Potato

Emma: How are you today?

And Repeat. This conversation is pretty much the same for horses, rapunzels, and any stuffed animals. Your imagination is in full force.

I've never had a child so bothered by a runny nose before. When you need a wipe, you come running towards me, hollering, "my face! my face!" Hide and go seek is also a favorite game, you tuck yourself away somewhere and yell, "Where is me? Mom! Where is me?" And you've discovered nail polish and like it alot. You are quite a beauty, and you know it. You'll frequently say "I'm beautiful, Mom. I am." And you are. You also looove water, and I need to have a sippy cup within arms reach at all times. Sometimes it is hard to know exactly what you want. Here was a conversation the other day:

Emma: Mommy, I want an apple!

Me: Emma, we are about to have lunch.

Emma: But, I'm not hungry!!

Got that? Me neither. You contradict yourself often. Dad built a tightrope in the backyard and you loved walking along it, giving the tree a huge hug when you made it to the other side. And books, books, books--you love them. You'll sit and "read" by yourself so often, it is wonderful to see. You love this book, Silly Suzy Goose, especially when Suzy says: "rooarrhonk!" That is the best part. You are such a parrot, and follow your big brother and sister in wherever they go, whatever they do, and whatever they say. Even when singing random words as loudly as you can, if you overhear any pieces of any conversations, they are instantly inserted into your song. Your songs are very entertaining. Or, as you would say, "so so so so so so so so so so so funny." But, I can't really capture the little spittle coming out of your mouth as you build up the "so" count. I can't capture many of the wonderful things you do and say. You have such a ready grin, hug, and laugh. You love to snuggle, look at horses on the computer, and are convinced that every day is your birthday and any kind of party is your birthday party. I do celebrate every day I get to be your mother. You are a delight Emma, and we love you so so so so so so so so so much.

Emma is TWO!

What better way to turn two than with a fairy tea party. Your party got bumped back a few times by the snow, but we finally had our little fairy fete, and it was a wonderful time. You put together your own fair ensemble and were excited for days to celebrate.

Daddy did a great job of making a little "pixie hollow" entrance to your room. By the time three two years olds and a few mommies went through it several times, it wasn't nearly as charming, but it was fun while it lasted!

Happy Birthday Fairy Girl!!

We had little peanut butter sandwiches, with fairy mud pies, and fairy bricks, and of course some yummy pixie juice. It was quite the fairy feast.

Recap.

Reynolds Rundown 2010

Daman is totally, completely, utterly, absolutely, done with school. Hail the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy!! He defended his thesis beautifully in October and is happily enjoying the life of working full-time. He does play therapy with children who have been sexually abused. I don’t think anyone in the world is as well-suited to their career as Daman is to his—he brings a lot of hope and happiness to those kids. He has battled horrible headaches this year, but we have found a wonderful chiropractor which seems to be helping. 2011 is looking good! His favorite book this year was As the Crow Flies by Jeffrey Archer.

Morgen is . . tired. In January I was called to be the Early Morning Seminary teacher for our youth. I have a class of 26 high school students that show up bright and early at 6am every day before school to feast on the scriptures. This has been challenging, insightful, and exhausting. I am grateful for the experience and I am grateful for naps. I am trying to write steadily, both essays and children’s stories, which I find a very enjoyable outlet. You can find them at www.timeformo.blogspot.com. One of my favorite books this year was The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. I sobbed at the end, shoulders shaking and all.

Isaac (almost 7) is growing up quickly. He loved kindergarten last year, but this year we decided he needed some more time at home, so we are homeschooling. It has been really wonderful for our family. I love not having to wake the girls up to pick him up, and he loves that “school” only takes an hour and a half a day. He also loves the unlimited reading time. This past summer we invested in a pool membership and it was one of the best investments of my life. He was a fish and never got tired of the diving board. His favorite book this year was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Lucy (almost 4) is a handful. Just yesterday she managed to break a huge picture frame, throw a ceramic pot in defiance of a nap, and carve some lovely art into my dresser with a paper clip. But, when not in destruction mode, she is delightful. She flits about the house dancing and twirling in her own little world. At least once a day, she asks us, “Mom/Dad, do you know that I love you?” So glad she is willing to remind us. Her favorite book series this year was definitely Angelina Ballerina.

Emma (almost 2) is beyond adorable. She talks and sings all day. She could have a real career as a parrot, mimicking everything anyone says around her. It is delightful to hear her copying the wild conversations between her big brother and sister. One thing she loves is Wicked: The Musical. She asks for it every time we are in the car. She also loves to dance and tromp around in Lucy’s sparkle shoes. Her big blue eyes and bouncing curls attract a lot of attention, as does her screaming and occasional whack on the head. Her favorite book this year was a Seek-and-Find Princess Book that has slowly been reduced to only four pages.

(In other top news, we sold the Wii to buy a family pet, which at first was a snake until it escaped, and now is a cat that mostly stays under our bed and lets Emma sits on him when he does come out—it is perfect) MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!!

This was our family newsletter this year. 2010 was a bit bumpy and involved some challenging changes, but we survived and sang alot along the way. 2011 looks very promising and so far so good!!

Fun with Emma. . .

Eyes don't come much bigger and cuter than these.

Having soo much fun at the chilly wolftrap singalong! It was freezing! We only lasted through "Jingle Bells"

Cuddling with the new bunnies at Oak Shade Farm, where we get our Christmas tree and farm fix.

Saying goodbye to your gingerbread house.

Chilling with mommy--I love you!!

'Tis the Season For Baking!

Emma "helping"

Lucy "frosting" (her mouth)

Gingerbread party!!

Our Happy Candy Christmas Village

The Lion, the Fairy, and the Wizard

The lesser-known Narnia book comes to life in Fairfax VA. The small lion went on search for a pot of chocolate and lollipops. In case of danger, she brings along a fearless fairy and a daring wizard. This is their story:

Ooh! The littlest lion could not find her growly roar, but she did have a smile that turned every evildoer into a giver of candy. This is a very powerful gift.

The fairy's rosy cheeks gave great cheer to the little lion. She flitted about in her sparkly shoes, tripping only once or twice or ten times, while she gleefully protected the little lion and gathered her own sweets.

And then there was Harry: Fearless Wizard, Brave Brother, and Lover of All Things Sugary. His brave magic saved us all.

And there was another hero of the day, the gifted clairvoyant, who saw it all. Much candy, much fun, much danger, much laughter. . .

A tired lion, and a sleepy fairy.

The End.

(Check out Wolverine in the back--Daman was so mad he had just cut his hair, he could have totally pulled that look off. He knows exactly what he'll do next year--watch out Mr. Jackman)