Summer Time!

Hello Everyone,

Things have been busy, busy, busy here in Alexandria, VA. At the end of June I successfully finished my first year of preschool and we celebrated with a party at school. We invited all of parents and it was loads of fun. This summer, I moved to Mrs. Lis and Miss. Amanda's class and so far it's been great. We have "Splash" days every Monday and Wednesday, Sign language on Thursdays and Karate on Wednesday inbetween all of our other fun stuff.

Summer is almost half-way thru before the next school year and already I am feeling like it's flying by! Mommy and Daddy have been keeping me busy on the weekends with all sorts of activities. The weekend before the fourth of July we went to the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival. We've gone the past three years and this year Asia, Mexico and Haiti were the countries featured. There was one tent within the Mexico exhibit that I especially loved... they had live Tejano music (it reminded Mommy of home a little). It was REALLY hot that weekend but God must have been looking out for us because we scored rockstar parking (Thank goodness, Mommy's belly is getting bigger everyday and I don't know if it's me or what but I swear it's slowing her down... shhhh don't tell her that though, I don't want to hurt her feelings). Of course, my favorite part is the carousel that is on the National Mall and chasing the pigeons. (That just never gets old)

We have also made it out to the Pirates Cove water park this year. It was our first time and I loved it! All of the water is no higher than my shoulders and they have really cool slides and stuff. Auntie Michelle came too and Mom made us a picnic. Last weekend, Mommy took me to my very first movie - Toy Story 3. My friend Emily and her Mommy came too and we had lots of fun. I didn't quite make it through the entire movie but I came close and Emily introduced me to my very first taste of what a Slurpee is (boy was that awesome). Mommy was exhausted by the time we got home and I overheard her telling Daddy that it will just take time before we make through an entire show (hmmm... wonder what she meant about that). Although, I don't have photos yet, Daddy has been braving the heat and humidity and taking me out on bike rides along the Potomac, by the National airport and up and around Old Town Alexandria. It's really cool since I just get to sit back, relax, read a book and sip on my drink. Occasionally I have a snack too but that's only if I'm in the mood ya know. This weekend Mommy and I spent hours playing with playdough, coloring and chasing Bob around the house (we had some rain). It later stopped and Daddy took me on another bike ride :-).

So, that's what I've been up to these dog days of summer and I'm sure that I have more adventures in store that I'll share later. How about you? How's your summer going? I hope you are doing well and having as much fun as I am.

Love,
Emerson


Mrs. Julia and I - Little Dipper Class

Ms. Kristin and I - Little Dipper Class

Ms. Mandy and I - Little Dipper Class

End of Little Dipper Class Party

Pirates Cove

"Whoa! Check out the size of that fish!"

"I'm just exhausted"

"GOLDFISH, YES!!!"

"Check out the slides at this place"

"Mom and Dad, any chance we can get one of these for our back yard?"

"Daddy is the best partner when riding the carousel"

"Daddy, come on... look alive... lets go or that kid over there is going to take the horse I want"

"Oh come on birdie, I promise I don't bite. " "I just want to pet you"

This was part of the Mexico exhibit

2010 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Do see our Four Runner .... "Daddy's rock star parking!"

Emily and I waiting for the movie to start "Mommy couldn't believe that was a Medium"

"I'm thinking of trying out for the - Got Milk - campaign" "Whatcha think?"

"Mommy says drink your milk and eat your veggies"

Old MacDonald Had a Farm.... EIEIO

I've been showing off my animal sounds lately at home to my parents. Below I'm practicing for when I sing Old MacDonald Had a Farm.....

Have a great rest of the week!
Love,
Emerson

A Weekend Full of Memories

I had such a great holiday weekend let me tell you!

On Friday: Mom and Dad surprised me with a new "big boy" room complete new furniture, seating and of course balloons for the occasion. I also got to see what Mom has been hiding in the big box that Uncle Mike sent to me for my birthday....a giant easel (it's pretty awesome).

Friday was also the day that Daddy saved us (we think) for the third consecutive year of "Mr. Black snake". For those of you that remember my June 8,2008 posting, Mr. Black snake is about a 4 1/2 foot black rat snake.
In 2008, Daddy captured the snake and released him into the woods about 1 1/2 miles down the road.
In 2009, Mr. Black snake returned over Memorial Day weekend and made a den for himself under our front stoop. Daddy captured the snake again (hissing and all) and released him in the same spot as he did in 2008.
It is now Memorial Day weekend 2010 an Mr. Black snake was spotted again under our front stoop and trying to get a sun tan right outside our front door! I personally think it's cool and if I could get close enough I would definitely try to pet him. Mommy of course had a fit and told Daddy that he had until this Tuesday or she will have the professionals come and get rid of him for good. Of course Mommy does realize that the snake is not poisonsness but that doesn't mean his bite wouldn't hurt. Daddy thinks Mommy is over reacting of course but you should have heard Mommy. Mommy said, "If you catch it this time, drive it at least 30 miles...over highways... crossing rivers...". It was really funny to hear Mommy freak out. Of course, Mommy swears it's the same snake and Daddy swears it's not. I guess the only way we'll ever know is if we tag the snake somehow and Daddy just laughed at that suggestion from Mommy. So, when you see the cement below... you will know why :-).

On Saturday, Miss. Francesca Anne Ruggeri had her baptism. Jacob Twarek and I had a hard time using our inside voices so we hung out in a different room with Daddy with Mommy watched Frankie's special day. Mommy said it was really beautiful and Frankie was so good. Mommy was upset that she forgot her camera but Daddy did manage to get a photo with his iphone of my friends and I playing afterwards. That church had the coolest back yard.

On Sunday, Daddy took me in my new bike trailer for a ride and then we just hung out and relaxed. Sunday is a day of rest you know.

Today, we met The Ruggeri's, The Maurette's, and The Huff's out at Burke Lake park but not before I got my hair cut and a treat at the store. Burke Lake is always so much fun, we went on the train and the carousel and then ended with strawberry ice cream!

So, tomorrow it's back to the preschool grind but I'm looking forward to seeing my teachers and friends. It's starting to get hot and humid here... definitely shorts weather. I hope you stay cool wherever you are, I know I'm trying to.

Love,
Emerson

"Are you serious, this is all mine?"

"BALLOONS!"

"OK, let me see here... that's E - M - E....."

After my first night in my new digs

Waking up all I could think of was playing with my easel

Mr. Black snakes old home and Daddy's handy work

"Nope, Mr. Black snake won't be getting under our front stoop anymore"

Jacob and Maggie sure are fun to play with

"That's not blush I'm wearing..." "Boy was it humid"

"I think Daddy was afraid to be by himself so I let him hold onto me"

"Miss America doesn't have anything on my wave"

Big Frank and little Miss Frankie enjoying the day

"Strawberry ice cream.... have I died and gone to heaven?"

Today's fun bunch... what a nice day :-)

"Maggie, if you just lean forward a little more you can get more air in your jump." "It won't hurt, I promise".

So many updates, so little time....

So, lots has happened since my last posting. My apologies for just now getting around to posting but my schedule has been crazy... it's tough being a kid :-).

Nana came for a visit this past Mother's day and I loved that! I overheard Nana telling Mom that she wanted to make sure I knew exactly who she was since Nana will be helping out when the new baby comes in September. We had lots of fun while she was here and boy did I have her fooled for the first couple of days. Nana said to Mom and Dad "I don't know what you are talking about, Emerson is an angel for being only two years old". Nana later retracted that statement by day three...hee hee. Nana said "on the third day mischievous Emerson came to life". However, I later charmed her with my exquisite coloring!

Earlier this past month, Dad picked me up from school and we hunted for caterpillars! It was so cool, check out my furry friends below. I haven't come up with names for them yet but, I'm working on it.

One Saturday morning, my friend Emily and I spent some time at Burke Lake Park. It was awesome, we were able to ride the train and carousel and in between hang out on the jungle gym. Emily is a couple of years older than me so she was great at showing me the ropes of what to do and not to do.

Ohhh and one more thing..... probably the most exciting for me is that Mom and Dad told me that I am going to be a big brother to a little sister! So, I've decided that when she comes I'd like to share my blog with her. Now the question becomes, what shall we rename the blog to? I'm open for suggestions so post away :-).

Love,
Emerson

"Nana, use this color for his nose"
"Nana, be careful not to go outside the lines"
"Wait just a second, let me show you how it's done"
"Hmmm... I think he should be red"
"I think I shall call him squishy"
"Hmmm... I wondered if he would taste good?"
"We're living on the edge"
"Faster, Faster!"
"Emily, come on lets go"
"We love the train"
"So, where do you want to go now"

Oh It Is Easier with a Basket ....

Hey That's My Stick

Here comes Peter Cotton Tail....

Happy Easter everyone! This weekend was packed with lots of fun and excitement that I wish it wouldn't have ever stopped. First, Mommy brought me home my very first pair of cowboy boots... I think she's missing home. On Saturday morning we got up really early to go down to the Cherry Blossom festival along the Tidal basin of D.C. Later on Saturday night, the whole family dyed Easter eggs (I had to watch especially since I tried to eat the blue dye tablet... who knew it wasn't edible?). Daddy also tried to teach me about chemical reactions by pouring baking soda into the dye bowls after we were finished coloring eggs. That was really cool!

Today was the best day of the entire weekend because the Easter bunny came to visit me! Mommy even let me eat some of my candy for breakfast. Of course, Mommy also made sure that I ate a yogurt, TLC bar and took my vitamins for good measure. Afterwards, we got dressed for church and headed out for Sunday service. Auntie Michelle invited us over for an Easter dinner, playtime with Jacques (Auntie Michelle's dog) and an Easter egg hunt. NOTE: This year I didn't care for the watering can but instead opted for Jacques pooper scooper. Don't worry it didn’t take me long to figure out where the real action was and that was hunting for eggs. Daddy took video footage so it will be up later in the week. Until then, here are some snapshots of our weekend fun.

Love,
Emerson

"Misplaced Texan"

2010 Cherry Blossom Festival

"Ha Ha.... catch me if you can :-)"

"PLEASE let me touch it!" "I promise I won't drink the vinegar dye"

"And Daddy wonders why all of his friends around here call him - "Science Bob"

"Ooh what do you think is in this egg?"

"That didn't taste like my normal breakfast"

"SUCCESS! " " I have fooled my Mother into giving me exactly what I want for breakfast"

Mommy and I before church

"Why do we gotta wait, I'm ready to play"

"Yes, I've been told that I'm a ladies man"

Helping Mom make brownies for Aunt Michelle's later

"All I really wanted was the cleanup from the brownies"