Art Imitating Life

On the Sunday after Easter we participated in a multi-ward Easter concert that I'd been co-planning since January. In addition to beautiful music, we set up an art display for people to observe while they enjoyed refreshments after the concert. All of the art was about the Savior and several pieces came from our house, including this one. I bought it on my Idaho trip a year ago.

One of the kids (Sophie?) was looking closely at it and announced that one of the little girls looked like her cousin Emma. I came over to see what she was talking about.

See the red head? She really does look like my niece. Emma even has read hair, though a much darker shade.

I bought this piece because of the children hugging the Savior. Now I love it even more because it will always remind me of Emma.

Two Short Days in the Golden State

Our first full day in California also happened to be Emma's first day of school. Thankfully, it was a half day so these two still got lots of time to play together.

Phoebe loved all the time she got with Tuxedo. He decided she was a safe person to hang out with.

Aunt Paige pulled out her fun splashpad for Emma, Topher, and Sophie to play with. I didn't think to take any pictures until we had turned it off.

Sophie and I gave a little ukulele concert for the grandparents. Topher had played so hard all day (and stayed up so late the night before) that he took a nap while we strummed. Cooper was a good sport to hold him.

Topher started day two with lots of scooter riding in the backyard. That led to a crash and a gash just below his left knee. The doctor said he was right on the line between needing stiches or glue. Topher begged (rather aggressively) not to have stiches, so the wound was glued shut.

After three hours in urgent care, we were on our way home. Ten minutes after we arrived Topher had fallen again and ripped all the steri-strips off and pulled open the glued cut just a little. Bryan ran to the store to buy sturdier bandages. We had to replace them again that night because they were coming off. That was a consistent theme of the trip: trying to keep this injury clean and covered.

These two really love each other. I'm so glad they had a couple days to play.

America's First Zoo

This year for birthdays we're not giving traditional gifts (except for Topher, because we think not getting gifts as a five-year-old would be too rough). Instead, each person gets to pick out an adventure for the family. Cooper chose the Philadelphia Zoo for his adventure. However, our Saturdays were so full that it took nearly a month until we were finally able to go. Bryan took the Monday after Easter off from work and we got tickets. Bonus: it was the last day that Emma and Paige were visiting, so they joined us.

I realized I took very few pictures of animals, so I guess it's obvious that I was there for the people. However, I was able to get a picture of Phoebe's favorite animal (the tiger, above) and Sophie's favorite animal. She adores red pandas and was thrilled to see this one in action. We also saw Cooper's favorite animal at the giraffe exhibit. Sadly, there weren't any elephants for Peter or polar bears for Topher. I guess we'll have to find another zoo to visit soon to include them.

It's our family tradition that the first time we take one of our kids to the zoo they get to pick out a stuffed animal. Each animal they've picked has become dear to them. Technically Topher went to a small local zoo in February, but the gift shops were closed and we rushed through the exhibits since it was so cold. We considered this a do-over and he picked out his own polar bear to take home. Bryan saw Emma admiring this cheetah and included her in the tradition, since it was her first visit to a zoo while we were with her.

Emma and Paige headed to their house when we finished at the zoo. We were happy that they could join us for one more fun outing.

Super Cousins

New Friends

A particular highlight of our trip down to Maryland last Saturday was when my sister-in-law Leah let the younger kids each choose a doll to take home. She's been collecting used/worn/damaged American Girl dolls and restoring them. She's doing a beautiful job. Phoebe, Sophie, Emma, and Topher all love their new buddies.

Thank you, Aunt Leah!

A Day on the Bay

Peter's spring break was a four-day weekend and I feel like we packed a week's worth of activities into that time. On Friday Phoebe went with some friends from church to an indoor waterpark and had a great time. That evening Peter and Cooper saw the Super Mario Brothers Movie to celebrate the birthday of a boy from church. They loved it.

The next morning we drove to Maryland to celebrate my brother Jordan's 40th birthday. We had fun chatting and playing at their house before relocating to a park on the Chesapeake Bay for a cookout.

photo credit: Leah

photo credit: Leah

It was a chilly day, but we were so happy to spend it with family!

Two Peas In a Pod

Emma and Paige are back at their own house now, but not everyone was willing. When Paige told Emma that they needed to go home she said she didn't want to leave. Paige reminded her that she had to get back for school. Emma thought about it and relented, but said after school she needed to get back to Topher. Those cousins sure had a lot of fun while they were together.

Cousin Adventures, So Far

Words With Friends

My two favorite overheard conversations between Topher and Emma during their visit, so far:

Topher: Emma, why did you come to visit?

Emma: Oh, because I wanted to play with you. And I love you.

Topher: Oh. Thank you.

Topher: Emma, do you want to play with me?

Emma: Um, unfortunately, yes.

Long Time No See

We're enjoying having Aunt Paige and cousin Emma visit during Emma's spring break!

From a Distance

My sister Paige and her daughter Emma drove out from Ohio to spend Thanksgiving with our brother Jordan and his family in Maryland. Because we're still isolating, we weren't able to go down to visit. Paige knew we'd been saving some clothes for Emma, so she made the drive up from our brother's house on Sunday to get the bag, knowing full well that we would need to stay outside and keep our distance.

I still managed to get some pictures of us together.

You Can Have Both

A few days ago Peter and Cooper were discussing something about brothers. They pointed out to Topher that they each have two brothers and that Bryan has four brothers. Topher shook his head and refused to believe them. Perplexed, the big boys assured Topher that they were his brothers.

Somewhat exasperated, Topher let out a sigh and explained, "I don't have brothers. I have Emmas!"

He does, in fact, have two cousins named Emma, one on each side of the family.

Walk the Walk

Someday, if you happen to be so lucky, you might inherit a pair of dragon/dinosaur/monster slippers from your cousin who's not quite a year older than you. And then, you just might spend the next day stomping around your house, because such cool slippers require more than simply walking.

Paige and Emma, thanks for the slippers!

The Watchful Eye

Remember Sophie's 100 day shirt? It turns out it happens to double as a wonderful search and find game. While the other people at home were napping yesterday, Emma found puppies and stars and pumpkins, among other things.

All Together Now

Aunt Paige and cousin Emma are here visiting! The girls all put on their matching leggings from Aunt Leah so we could take a picture the first day they were here.

Topher was there too, sans matching leggings.

This Girl Is On Fire

I know it was a week ago, but I finally got a picture of my sister and niece in their Halloween costumes. Paige found Emma's unicorn pajamas, but she didn't have anything for herself. I brainstormed a mythical creature that would fit into our theme. I'm pretty pleased with how her phoenix costume turned out, even if nobody could tell what she was.

I made the wings by duct taping two wire hangers together, wrapping the exposed wire in tulle, creating the fire/feather look with strips of tulle, then using a red feather boa to tie them onto Paige.

Phoebe designed Paige's feathered headband, I think she did a fabulous job.

And I'm including one picture to show just how huge my fairy skirt was. It took two hours to create. Apparently this Halloween was brought to you by tulle.