just like Loula

Vivian is still totally and completely in L.O.V.E. with Loula Rose.  Viv tells everyone we meet, "I got a doggy named Loula.  She's my best fwiend."  She compares every other dog she sees to her Loula.  She'll proudly shout,"That doggy is yellow, just like Loula!" or "That doggy is big, just like Loula!" or if any true similarity is lacking she'll say, "That doggy is furry, just like Loula!"  Yes, our little dog lover is smitten, and I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual!

one mom's junk is another girl's treasure...

I have struggled with how to organize (hide!) all of the tiny who-knows-what-they-are? pieces that Emma Jane has collected recently.  She is a little hoarder who refuses to throw anything away, claiming that each little plastic part is a treasure that can never be replaced.  I wanted to find something pretty and functional to store all of these so-called treasures.  Mission accomplished!  I found three stackable burlap baskets at Hobby Lobby for under $30.  I then embellished each box with a few flowers I made out of fabric and buttons I found in my craft box.  I love how sweet the boxes look in the corner of her room and how she can easily take her treasures out for play and, most importantly, put them back IN and out of sight when play time is over!

discovering charlotte

We made many wonderful memories as we celebrated Emma Jane's fifth birthday last month.  Our celebration began with a trip to Charlotte, NC the day before her birthday.  We enjoyed a yummy lunch at The Cowfish (a super cool sushi burger bar) and then on to Discovery Place for some scientific fun!  There was so much to see and do, and so little time!  We will definitely head back to Charlotte soon!

Soon to be FIVE...

and still so silly!

Little Miss Hands-on-her-Hips...

and another silly face!

There were several great aquariums at the museum.

Emma Jane fearlessly touched this snake MANY times!

Touching a starfish was cool, too!

Learning about pulleys...

and microscopes...

and air pressure...whoosh!

and the world around us!

Their first Imax movie was amazing!

A glimpse of rainforest life...

She was determined to build a giant model of the Eiffel Tower like the one you can see behind her.

Vivi's favorite place...Water Works!

It was a wild, exciting time for us all!

our dancing princess & scholarly pirate

Yes, it has been ages since I have blogged, but I just couldn't let some of Emma Jane's important "big girl firsts" slip by without being thoroughly documented here on the blog. The month of May was a very busy one for Emma Jane as we attended her first dance recital and 4K graduation.  We weren't sure how she would handle being on stage for either of these big events, but she handled it like a pro and was quite a ham...imagine that!  We are so proud of our precious girl and can't believe how much she has grown in such a short time!  I plan to cherish every moment this summer has to offer before she ventures out into the real world of kindergarten!

 little ballerina

posing with mom

sweet friends

little sis waiting for the show

George and Pongo wore their new tutus!

proud moment

a rose from Jackson

 family shot

best buddy ballerinas

last day of 4K

anticipating 4K graduation

big hugs from Viv

sweet little sisters waiting to see the graduates

she sang her heart out

the starfish class with Mrs. Kelly

da...da da...da da da...

lucky to have had Lily in her class too!

handshake from Mrs. Ninette

yes, she is sticking her tongue out...

and using the diploma as a spyglass...aarrgg!

that's our Emma Jane!

one last hug for Mrs. Ninette

sunflowers for our graduate

one last graduation gift

a big girl necklace for our big girl!