Valentine's Day 2012

Emmy and I had a bunch of fun working on some sweet treats for our Valentines last week.  Emmy kept saying "cookies for friends" as she helped me stir and form the sugar cookies for our sugar cookie truffles.  We tried our hand at marshmallow pops as well--yum-o!  I love watching Emmy take on our projects with so much focus and enthusiasm.  I also love how excited she is to give to others.  Now, each time we bake anything she lets me know to whom we should give it.  This shouldn't come as much of  surprise, considering my eldest daughter thinks it's a holiday everyday.  Each time we lay her down to sleep--for nap and bedtime-- her parting words are: "Merry Kismus" and "Happy NewNear."  I always leave her room with a giant grin on my face.

In the spirit of sharing sweet things, Emmy has been warming my heart with some of the phrases that she has been saying lately:

One of Emmy's most-used phrases in a day is "I'llberihbac," ("I'll be right back.)  Proof that the kid is always on the run.

Each time I goof up on something, I always say "Silly Mommy" aloud, which Emmy has since borrowed.  It sounds more like "Si-me Emmy!"

Another one of my favorite Emmy phrases happens when one of us coughs, trips, or harms ourselves in any way.  Emmy immediately follows up with "Mama, ok?" or "Dada, ok?"  Empathy is one of my top parenting priorities, and I am so grateful that she is starting to get it.

My sweetest Emmy gift came this last Sunday as we dropped her off with the babysitters at the kid's house for church group.  As Nick was pulling her out of her carseat, she excitedly said "Bye Mama, I La You!"  It was the first time she's said she loves me without prompting.  It was the most wonderful feeling in the world.                
                                                           

Emmy, very seriously, added teaspoon imprints onto our cookies, as if it was a necessary part of the recipe.                                                       

Emmy spent the duration of the marshmallow pop making working on her own...It was a masterpiece!

"Cookies for friends!"

Emmy's Valentines for her friends at school!

My littlest Valentine :)

Making red jello jigglers for snack on Valentine's Day, Hannah is flirting with her dragon fly friend.

Painting Daddy's Valentine...

Emmy opted to use the heart stamp between her eyes rather than on the paper.

Emmy sharing her toys with Hannah.  This was after she fed Hannah applesauce while Nick and I weren't looking.  She fessed up and told us "Baby Hannah applesauce," we ran over to find Hannah licking her lips. :-/

I am savoring Hannah's newborn stage, it passes all too quickly.

This was the end result of many attempts to snap a photo of the two of them.  It doesn't quite look like either of them, but I will take it!!