Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Happy Birthday, Emma

Happy Birthday, Emma. My first child, my only brunette and my only drug-free labor! I hope you have a great year. Nine years old is a great age. If I could be any age again, it would probably be nine.

The Top Ten Reasons I Love Emma
1. She does spontaneous cartwheels and handstands.
2. She still likes me (I know, give it a few years.)
3. She is Jane and Beth's protector and defender.
4. She is dang smart and works hard in school.
5. She helps me in the kitchen.
6. She is sensitive to others' needs and feelings.
7. She is sensitive to the Spirit and is spiritual beyond her years.
8. She is kind to others.
9. She has a great sense of humor, a great laugh, and a beautiful smile.
10. She is responsible.
And then there's this conversation, lying next to Emma at bedtime:
Me: Did you have fun at family night?
Emma: Sure. But we didn't have dinner all together, and I hate that, and then at Target we didn't even shop together.
Me: Well, nobody was hungry at the same time, and we just had lefovers, remember?
Emma: Yeah.
Me: And we were buying presents for each other so we had to split up, right?
Emma: I guess.
Me: Sometimes we try but things don't always turn out perfect. I wish I was the perfect mom but I'm not.
Emma: But you're the perfect mom for me.
Me: [I say nothing. I just smile in the dark.]

Happy Birthday to You (cha-cha-cha!) (To see what this cake put me through, see the food blog.)
Shirts from Justice for Girls. Whoot!

A basketball from grandma and grandpa! And a great card and gift from Grandma Freda and Grandad Jim!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Emma Song Peformance and Beth's Head Staple (family activites in the digital age)

Emma's third grade class performed a song "I Can Make a Difference" during an assembly, and being the dutiful mother that I am, fought my way to the front of the gym, whipped out my camera and did the shaky hand-cam recording. First row, second from left, there she is singing her heart out. Emma is a talented and enthusiastic singer!



Semi-related rant: How has blogging and the digital age changed the way you enjoy (or stress over) family activities? I wonder how our kids will feel never getting to see our proud, relaxed faces during such activities - only us jostling for the right camera angle with cell phones and cameras pressed to our faces. how do you feel about those who arrive early to save the first three rows of seats for all members of their extended family and set up two tripods from two different angles to catch the action. Are you one of them? Whether we bake a cake, see Santa, play a soccer game or have a piano recital, did it really happen if we didn't record it in some way?

I remember when Emma "graduated" from preschool. We were of course clueless and poor and had no cameras or recorders. When she got her diploma, we clapped and smiled, and felt stupid. But I still remember it and part of me wishes all activities could be like that: just clap, smile, and enjoy the moment.


Oh, and speaking of recording triumph and tradgedy, here's Beth's head staple after cutting her head on the wall. After getting her staple Beth asks, "are you going to blog my staple?" Yes, I'm guilty folks, of everying above (except for the tripods and seat saving. Seat savers make me grouchy!).