Generations...

Emerson loves trying to figure out our family.

She's constantly asking "Who is Grammy? Your mom or daddy's mom?"

"Who is Gram, Daddy's mom?"

The other day I showed her a picture of my grandma who we all call Mama mou, and haven't mentioned anything since then.

Tonight as I was tucking her into bed we had the best talk.

She said, "Who is Grandma moo moo? Your mom?"

So I explained to her how Grammy is my mom, and Grandma moo moo (isn't that the cutest?) is Grammy's mom, and I'm her mom.

Lots of moms and generations for her to figure out.

Then we talked about our names which is one of her favorite things. When I ask her, her whole big name she always says proudly, "Emerson Elaine S."

And she knows my whole big name is, "Sadie Elaine" and then I remind her that Grammy and Grandma Moo Moo share the name Elaine too.

So adorable. At the end of the conversation she asked me why Grandma moo moo lived so far away, and she wanted to go see her. Me too Emmy, me too. It's been far too long since I've seen my grandparents.

Grandma Moo Moo (Mama mou), Grammy, mama (me), and Emmy baby. At my sisters wedding in 2010. The only time we've all four been together.

Learning to Give...

We have too much stuff.

It's driving me crazy and I have a burning desire to literally rid our house of everything we own (except my books...)

I decided this might be a good chance to teach Eli and Emerson about giving. So in the car I decided to broach the subject of giving away some of their toys to boys and girls who don't have any.

We didn't make very much progress.

Me: Eli & Emmy you have so many new toys from your birthday do you think it would be a good idea to give some of your old toys to boys and girls who don't have any?

Emmy: No, I like my toys.

Eli: Why they have no toys.

Me: Some kids don't have very much money and so they don't have toys. Giving them toys would make them very happy.

Emmy: Kavita has toys (her friend from school, and the only playdate she's ever had. Yes, in fact her friend Kavita has a lot of toys).

Eli: What's those kids names?

Me: I don't know their names, but it will make them happy. Also did you know that Jesus really likes when we give things to other people.

Emmy: Oliver has toys (another kid from school).

Me: Yes I know all your friends at school have toys, we would find other kids with no toys.

Emmy: Mom, all kids just have toys.

So that went well. I like that Eli didn't seem totally opposed to the idea he simply wanted more information about why they didn't have toys and who they were.

Emmy on the other hand is just difficult haha. I say that with all the love in the world but this girl. The other day I told them they needed to go clean their toy room because it was a mess. Emmy aptly pointed out that my own room was a mess too.

Fair enough. Did I mention we have too much stuff?

My babies turned 4...

How did that happen? Seriously, how did four years already go by? One minute I don't think we're possibly going to survive their infanthood and now they're these, crazy, amazing, kids that go to school and surprise and amaze me every day.

 

My Eli baby. 

All grown up in school picture. Doesn't he look just the same though in the face? Maybe it's just me?

My Emmy girl. Also all grown up. 

I'm not sure there have ever been two kids more excited for their birthday. They started counted down months ago. Of course their counting down was always about 4 more days in their mind, but finally the much anticipated day arrived.

And my mom and her husband came to visit for the occasion. Can I just tell you how nice it is to have family around? I feel bad because my work schedule was so insane the week my mom was visiting but on the other hand she made it possible for me to do everything I needed to do and be in 12 different places all at once, doing a million different things.

For example I had a work meeting the night before their birthday, but needed to make cupcakes for them to take to school.

 

Came home from meeting and Grammy, Eli & Emmy had finished the cupcakes!! So great.

 

We went out for a birthday dinner with the kids and they had fun with this juke box.

 

Of course it was the presents they had been waiting for.

 

 

My Eli loves music and he was super excited for a new guitar. 

 

Eli can't make normal faces for me.

 

I love how much they love each other.  As someone who has very complicated relationships with my 5 siblings. I pray that it may always be so.

  

And cake

 

Emmy didn't wait for a fork.

  

So much love for each other. 

It was a good 4th birthday. I think one of my favorite memories from the day is that Eli literally thought he was so much bigger.

On the morning of his birthday I was getting him dressed for school and he said, "I need new socks and underwear because I'm big now and they don't fit."

Then he went around the house to see if he could reach the sink, the microwave, and my personal favorite be able to drive the car.  He was so sure he was just a lot bigger. So adorable.

All 4 of Eli & Emmy's birthdays have been in different places. 3 states, 4 cities. I'm so happy that we are not moving this year!!  Birthday #5 will happen in this same city, in this same house.