But I Don't Wanna

Emma's bottom two front teeth have been very loose. Yesterday they were extremely loose and her mouth started to stink. I told her that her teeth had to come out. I said when we get home from church I will pull them out. She started to cry and said "I don't want you to pull them out. I just want to hit myself in the face with a chair!!" I pulled them out anyway. It was easy and painless. She was so excited to have two teeth out the same day again. Now her four front teeth are gone.
Word of warning: don't stand too close to her when she talks, she spits.

Oh, Emma...

Emma asked to have her hair a certain way this morning and I told her no, because it is not crazy hair day. She said "Oh, but my teacher told me that everyday was crazy hair day for me!" What have I created?

Here are some of her recent outfits she has worn to school. I made the tie skirt. My friend wore one once in high school and for some reason I thought of it lately. It just screams Emma to me.

Easter and Spring Break Photos

Lots of fun, family, and friends. Emma lost her two front teeth on the Saturday before Easter. They were discolored from an accident when she was one. Kids at school kept asking her about it and she wanted them out. So she wiggled them everyday until they loosened. Then she was playing with a chair and hit herself in the face. Both teeth flew out. Once the shock wore off she was really excited. She told Justin that hitting yourself in the face with a chair is the best way to lose teeth.For spring break we camped in the RV at the beach with some friends. The weather was perfect and we had so much fun.

We also got a new member of the family, Dracon. He is a desert tortoise. Mia picked his name and he is a pretty cool little guy. Justin was concerned at first that he would eat all of our grass and we would live in a dirt pit.

Trouble Makers

Justin got in trouble a couple weeks ago. Later that day he asked if I had ever stuck my finger in hot wax from a candle. I said no, that would not be a smart thing to do. He asked if I planned on ever doing it. I said no, I try not to do stupid things. Maybe he should follow my example. He said that he thought I wasn't a good person to follow, Jesus would be better because sometimes when I get angry I say bad words like "shut up or c-r-a-p." I agree, Jesus would be better.

Emma told me last night that Mia is really strong- even stronger than her! Then they proceeded to hug each other so tight until the other one grunted. A few minutes later Emma told me that when Mia hugs her tight it feels like she is being bitten on her back. Then she had me check her back for bite marks.

One Smart Cookie

Last night for family night, Justin had the girls write down what they love in the world and what they love at church. Mia drew a picture of her and Landon holding hands with a thought bubble above her head with a heart in it. Then she said she likes to sing "Follow the Prophet" at church. On the other side of the paper she started to write "MOS S WS A PR" which translates to Moses was a Prophet. She was adorable trying to slowly sound out each word as she wrote. I was amazed at my little four year-old.
So today I decided to see what she could do. I wrote a sentence on her white board and she slowly read "I am sad." Then "I am mad. Mia is glad. Mia is on top." Wow. We picked out several books to read together. I showed her the first one and she read "The fat cat sat on the mat." She doesn't recognize "the" yet, but it made the most sense so she figured that was what it had to be. I am so proud of my little girl!

Emma Birthday... A Couple Weeks Later

So I am finally getting around to posting about Emma's birthday. I have been busy lately. Her aunt and cousins came and visited the week of Emma's birthday. Her cousin Sophia went with her and they both got their ears pierced. Emma was very brave and only teared up afterwards for a minute. Sophia was amazing. She smiled afterwards. It was too funny. Mia insisted on watching the older girls get it done. I think my favorite picture is of Mia trying on glasses.

Before

After

On the Saturday following her birthday we had a party. It rained. :( It was still fun and we had our family and a couple friends over. Emma was such a great hostess. She tried to make sure everyone was introduced and included. These are some of my favorite shots from the party.

New Recipe

I have tried to make your basic crock pot shredded chicken with BBQ sauce sandwiches and am always disappointed. Then I had an idea...

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup BBQ sauce (I used Famous Dave's Sweet and Zesty)
1/2 can sprite
kosher salt, pepper, garlic

I sprinkled the chicken with the seasoning, and poured out the sauce and soda over the top. I cooked in the crock pot on low 6-8 hours and shredded. The kids ate it by itself and Charlie and I had it on the new thin wheat 100 calorie buns. (Charlie loves those buns BTW) So simply, but much better. I had to cut Emma off at three servings. Charlie, Justin and Mia all had seconds.
The sauce is very thin, but the flavor of the chicken is just right.