Friday, July 31, 2009
Days 3 & 4
Hi Mommy and Daddy,

Wow, I have had a great time playing with my cousins the last two days. Sorry I didn't write to you yesterday, I just was so busy playing, I lost track of time. Aunt K asked me if I wanted to go anywhere special and you know what? The only thing I really want to do is to play with M and J (sometimes C too!). It has been nice just playing barbies, school, dress-up, dancer and pirates with them!! They keep telling me I have such a good imagination.

On Wednesday I didn't wake up until 9:15am! Aunt K said I must have been tired. I felt great though! We hung around the house most of the day. We played so much that by the time it was time for bed, I was ready!! We did the sprinklers again in the morning. Then Aunt K had to run a few errands and b/c I was a good little girl, we go to go get ice cream!! Yummy!! I had chocolate ice cream with gummie bears - hmmmmmmm. Then later that night Aunt K had to go to school, so after dinner (we had tacos), I played dress up with the girls and then when Aunt K got home she painted my toe and fingernails!! It was so much fun, I kept giggling when she touched my feet!

On Thursday, I was up by 7:00am with M and J. We watched a little TV in the morning, then Aunt K said she had a surprise for us. By 10:00am we headed out the door. The surprise was Adventure Park Playground!!! That place is so much fun. I played "booby trap" with them a lot! Do you know what that is? Daddy, you should know, make sure you explain that to Mommy. Basically we would go around the whole playground and have to be careful because so many things were "booby trapped" and we did didn't want to explode!! That was a lot of fun. But it was so hot so we only stayed about 1 hour. Next we had lunch at Chick fil-A!! YUMMY!!! I really liked that because of the play land. Then after lunch we headed to Target to get a few things. Aunt K said because we were all being so good, we could all get a little treat. I can't wait to show you all my "treat"! I also got some Hello Kitty pajamas!!

When we got home, we headed to the pool again!! Aunt K said we were there for 3 hrs!! It didn't feel like that, but boy did I have fun!! I am such a good jumper in the pool now! Tonight we had subs for dinner. I ended up eating a peanut butter sandwich though with carrots. Then we played more and now Aunt K and Uncle B said its time for bed. But you know what, I am ready. It's been a long day, but a great one. Only one more wake up and you all will be here. Don't tell Aunt K or Uncle B, but I really do miss you all so much! I can't wait to give you all hugs and kisses and baby brother Jack too!! I love you!!

Love,
Emma




Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Day 2
Hi Mommy, Daddy and Jack,

Today when I woke up, I got to help Aunt K make chocolate chip pancakes - yummy!! I was a big help to Aunt K and because I was being such a good girl, Aunk K gave me an extra treat - some of the chocolate chips to snack on while I waited! I hope you all are doing well. Just so you know, I do miss you all and talk about you everyday to Uncle B, Aunt K and my cousins. I have such a great family and look forward to seeing you this weekend. :-)

After breakfast, we played a little in the morning, then after lunch we headed to the pool for about 2 1/2 hours. Aunt K says I am becoming such a good swimmer! I made a new friend at the pool, her name is Katie and is 4 yrs old too. I had so much fun playing with her and my cousins. Aunt K was in the pool with me the whole time - she kept trying to get me to dunk my head in the water. I finally did it two times before we left the pool!

The rest of the day we came home to relax and watched a little TV. Then next thing I know J has surprised Little M and I and set up a tea party outside on the back deck. There were cookies, crackers and drinks!! I was so happy!

For dinner we had spaghetti - I LOVED SPAGHETTI!!! I ate every bit of it! After dinner, Aunt K had to work on school work, so Uncle B and my cousins and I played a little. Then Little M, J, and I played "make-up." Do you know what that is? Well we all put some "play" make-up on each other, then did each others hair. It was a lot of fun too! Then before I knew it, it was time for bed. I wasn't too happy about that, but then realized how tired I actually was after brushing my teeth and laying in bed reading. Whew - another great day. I don't know what we are doing tomorrow. Aunt K said we may just play around the house. I'll let you know tomorrow! I love you so much!!

Love,
Emma

p.s. Aunt K told me to tell you she is sorry she didn't take many pictures today - she'll make up for it tomorrow!




Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Emma's first day of vacation with her cousins at their house
Hello Mommy and Daddy (and brother Jack too!),

Wow – I am having a great time with my cousins! Today we had to get up early to take C to his Middle School orientation – a little too early for me, but I was good and got dressed by myself and was downstairs first for breakfast!! After dropping off C, Little M, J and I came back home to play. Then before I knew it, we had to go pick C up from school. Aunt Kathy surprised me and we went out to eat at Burger King and then got to play at the indoor playland there. I really liked that, but a young boy kept following me around – I couldn’t get him to stop! Don’t worry – I ended up playing with him at the end and I was very nice.

Next, we were invited to go to a movie by the neighbors, but I really didn’t want to go, so Little M and J went ahead without me. It’s okay, because C and I got to play in the sprinkler and then Aunt K and I played Barbies. Don’t tell Aunt K, but she isn’t as good at Barbies as Daddy! Then before I knew it, M and J were home. Their friends invited me over to play with them for a little while. I really liked that.

After we played at the “Hinds” house Uncle B came home from work. We had BBQ chicken for dinner and strawberries for dessert! I was such a good eater! Then after dinner we all danced like crazy monkeys to so many songs – I had so much fun! Aunt K said she took some video and will send it to you. To end the night we had a long walk with the dogs and played at the park. Whew – I am tired! Don’t worry Mommy and Daddy, even though I was so tired, I still read with Aunt K and Little M before bed. I really like to read!! Well good night – please give my little brother a kiss for me! We are supposed to go to the pool tomorrow! I can’t wait!! Love you so much!

Love,
Emma



Monday, July 27, 2009
A Letter from Emma
Hi Mommy, Daddy & Jack!

Wow, that's different - having Jack to include in my letter. That's pretty neat. I love my little brother.

After you left, Mommy, we played for a while and then took our baths. We needed to get some sleep before going to church in the morning. Mary was helping me say my prayers and when she said to pray for Mommy, I got all teary eyed and I think I scared Mary. She left the room and the next thing I know Noni was in the bed with me talking real soft and saying nice things to make me feel better. I did miss you Mommy, and I know I'll be all right and I'll have a good time. I miss Jack and Daddy too, but when Mary said your name, I just kind of lost it. I'm OK now

Last night I slept with Mary and I think I might have kicked her in her sleep, but I really didn't mean to. I never know what I do when I'm sleeping.

Today was a new day and we started it out by going to church. I think Noni sent you some pictures of all of us all dressed up for church. We looked pretty sharp if I do say so myself. I went to kids church with my cousins and we had a good time. We came home and had pancakes for lunch. Noni's pancakes just aren't as good as yours, Daddy, and I told her so. But I said it very nicely and I really wasn't trying to hurt her feelings. It was the truth!!

We played games in the backyard. I mostly ran around and told the others some rules I thought they should follow playing a new game Noni bought on Saturday. They seemed to think the rules were a pretty good idea. I spent some time on the hammock with Uncle B and every once in a while I would jump up and run around the yard. I showed Uncle B how good I can run.

We chilled out for a little while while Noni made some lunch for us. We had hot dogs, hamburgers, mac and cheese, chips, applesauce and COOKIES!!! Yum!!!! I ate a good meal and was happy when Uncle B said it was time to go. I was really, really anxious to get to Uncle B and Aunt K's house and was really, really excited to get in the truck and get going.

I had a good time with my cousins and I'm looking forward to more fun this week. Thank you, Mommy and Daddy, for letting me visit them. I will miss all of you, but I promise to be a good girl; I'll try not to whine and I'll mind my manners as best as I can. I'll make you proud of me!

I love you all and please give Baby Jack a hug and kiss for me several times each day. I don't want him to miss me too much. He knows I like to hug and kiss him a lot.

Tell Beakie and Jack (the dogs) "hi" for me too and I'll look forward to seeing all of you on Friday night. Take good care of Baby Jack for me!


Love, hugs and kisses!!!

EMMA