Today we attended the HAAM-Humble Area Assistance Ministries, Raise the Roof Chili Cook-Off.  The Connexion band of our church played so Em and I attended as well.  It was fun tasting different types of chili’s and seeing what different flavors there were.  There was also a children’s room.  They had color pages, a beany baby walk, toss games and face painting.  Emma decided she would get her face painted.  I was surprised she did so well.  She didn’t have to hold my hand or anything.  She acted so grown up.  The lady asked her what she wanted and she answered on her own.  She asked what color and of course, Emma said Purple.  It was need to see her as a little girl.

Emma waiting patiently to get her face painted.

During the painting

 

The final product.

Today Travis and a couple of our friends, Matt Moroney, Nancy and Kenny Shortsleeve, decided to enter a gumbo cook-off hosted by Atascocita High School.  It was a huge task, since majority of us had never cooked gumbo before.  We made homemade roux, had the holy trinity of onion, bell pepper, and celery.  We also included okra, shrimp, andouille sausage and crab meat.  It was great gumbo for being the first time we have ever made it. 

Last night we cut all off the raw vegetables and had everything prepped.  This morning we headed to AHS and spent the day cooking and serving 8 gallons of gumbo.  We even have 2 gallons left over.  We won 3rd place which was awesome being our first time cooking it.  Next year our goal will be first place!  For pictures click here. 

 

This past Saturday was just like any other Saturday in the Barrs household.  We woke up early, thanks to Emma.  After coming downstairs, Emma got her Valentine’s gifts-books and stuffed animals.  It was the perfect thing for Emma Claire.  She LOVES to read and the stuffed animals were perfect.  Her favorite was the snake…Shocker I know.  She loves snakes and dinosaurs.
Later in the morning, Travis went to help his friend Matt move some stuff, so Em and I were home alone.  We enjoyed playing Hide and Seek, Dancing and Singing to Em’s new favorite songs; God of the City and Sing, Sing, Sing by Chris Tomlin.  I was able to video her singing.  It is so cute to see that she knows so many of the words to the songs.
**More pictures of Emma enjoying Valentine’s Day will be posted here **

Today Emma was running in class at school.  She tripped on her feet and fell against the art easel.  She bumped her chin and cheek and bit her tongue.  She was comforted with a green popsicle.  She is now happy. 
**Addition-We just noticed that she has a small gash above her left temple.  It isn’t big.  We were very lucky that it wasn’t bigger and didn’t bleed.

 

We have been lucky to have our friend Matt come over often.  Emma loves Matt and playing with him.  They do all kinds of things together; finger paint, play-doh, and play games.  Emma says, ” I love Matt!”

Emma loves to be a girly girl at times.  At other times, she wants hair down and to be comfortable. 

Em being girly by insisting her toenails be painted. (NOTE:  Yes, she is wearing an Astros Berkman jersey at the same timne)

After a few days of cranky, clingy, irritable Emma, she finally made the comment to Nana that her ears had fever.  I called Dr. Nandwani to see what he thought and just to make note of the problem.  He decided that she needed to come in just to check.

Today we headed out to 249 and Louetta (45 minutes) to see Dr Wani’s new office.  Emma did a great job with Dr. Wani.  After looking at her throat, nose and ears, it was concluded that her right ear is infected… Intersting.

We now have made note that with Emma-cranky, clingy, irritable behavior means something is wrong.  She never ran fever, lost her appetite or stopped sucking her paci (DANG IT!).  She just acted very different.
Hopefully, Em will be feeling better and back to her old self soon.