Today was Emma’s first parent-teacher conference.  I went in not really knowing what we would discuss or how it would go.  It was very layed back.  The teachers handed me a 3 page paper with different skills and expectations the students have to master before they can leave the Toddler classroom.  It coveres; social development, behaviour, work habits, gross motor, fine motor, sensory, language/reading, math, and care of self.  If a skill has one mark next to it, then it was just introduced.  Emma didn’t have any of these.  Most had two marks, which means she is still working on the task.  The following have 3 marks, which means she has mastered the skill.
Demonstrates appropriate social skills
Expresses feelings (Uh….YEAH)
Attentive observer
Completes work cycle/pride in accomplishment
Care for belongings
Age appropriate walking, runny, jumping
Works independently with self-help skills
Uses pincher grip
Can tell bigger/smaller – louder/softer – red/yellow/blue – Basic shapes
Speaks and comlete and intelligible sentence
Listens and engages in conversation
Identifies three or more letters
Engages in pretend reading
predicts what happens next in familiar stories
Counts to 10 or higher
uses fingers or object to show quantities through 5
One to one correspondance
washes hands
dresses and undresses
Sets and uses utensils
Feeds self
Clean up after meal

WOW.  That is a long list of things a little 2 1/2 year old can do…  GOOD JOB EMMA!  I LOVE YOU!

This past weekend, Lindsey, Matt and Dean headed down from Ft. Worth for the weekend.  On Sunday we headed over to our parents to enjoy the day with everyone (Grandmother, Papa, Layne, Amanda, Morgan, Logan, LIndsey, Matt, Dean, Travis, myself and Emma).  It was fun, loud and hectic.
Morgan and Emma enjoyed making foam bead necklaces.  Emma got them from Grandmother and Papa for pooping in the potty.  After naps, all of the children enjoyed playing and checking out Baby Dean.  It was a fun day with everyone.  To view the pictures of the afternoon, click here.

 

For the first time in about a month or so, we were able to spend Saturday as a family.  We decided to head to the Woodlands Mall to go to the Children’s museum.  On the way there Emma decided that she wasn’t so sure about the museum, but was all about riding the carousel.  We all got a chance to ride and enjoy. 
After a few trips on the carousel, we ate at Rockfish, then headed to Barnes and Noble to get one of Emma’s new favorite books I saw an Ant on a Railroad Track by Joshua Prince.  It was a fun day with just the three of us.  To see pictures, click here.

 

I guess Emma felt she wasn’t getting enough attention lately (she has gotten a lot lately with the paci issues, potty issues, fits going to school, etc.), so she decided to get a giant splinter in her hand.  If you know Emma any, you know she is the biggest drama queen ever.  It is a big splinter, but she acts like her whole hand is filled with them.  It is very funny on how she acts with it.   I was able to get some pictures of it.  It is pretty big for such a tiny hand…

 

Before Christmas, Emma went to her friend, Aiden’s birthday party.  Aiden’s mom sent me the cutest picture of Em and I at the party.  I love it.  Very rarely do I get good pictures of Emma.  They are normally candid (which are great too) or I’m behind the camera. :0)  Thanks Stephanie for sharing the picture!

This past weekend, Emma went to spend Saturday afternoon and night with Grandmother and Papa.  Travis and I were getting ready for the Overflow concert.  It seems that they had a lot of fun.  The afternoon started with Emma putting her bib on.  YES, a bib.  She NEVER wore them when she needed them, but at my parents, she puts it on immediately.
After lunch, Emma and Grandmother made some cookies.  Emma ofcourse, like her mother, enjoyed eating the cookie dough more than the actual cookies.
After cookies and I’m sure a nap, Logan arrived and they spent the evening and night playing and enjoying one another. 
To check out the pictures, click here.