Birthday Pics & things I forget

Emerson in the morning when she first saw the Dora Jeep

Emerson and Cameron
Cake

She is holding the balloons through the tunnel...big Nemo doesn't fit.

It was cold, but sunny so we went outside, somehow the car only works outside.

Emer's red Jeep, Dad's red Jeep.

As my short term memory grows shorter, I forgot that Emerson also had her first haircut on her birthday. Just a little trim to get her used to the idea of a haircut. She did good, resisted a little at first, but no screaming (which means it was a success).

Also as a side note, if you know anyone looking for a house in Royal Oak (MI) please let me know. My parent's house is for sale and would be perfect for a young couple or family. Features include a totally open first floor kitchen, dinning room, living room; across the street from school and park, lot and a half (not common in Royal Oak), inground pool (does not take up the whole yard, there is still a lot of grass)...

Happy Birthday Emerson / Happy Easter

Emerson turned 2 on Friday. I am still having a hard time getting that through my head a bit. For her birthday Joel and I had the day off and only Brynn went to day care, so it is all Emerson time. We went to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time in the morning. It took her awhile to warm up, but she did good. She doesn't like any of the large stuffed creatures (including Santa and the Easter Bunny). Based on Friday's experience we are holding off on Disney World for another year. Anyway we did that, then went to pick out balloons for her party on Saturday. Picked up lunch and then went up to my parent's new house. We were just about to leave when Emerson decided to take a header into one of their chairs. So when I do get photos posted you will notice the nice line down her face. Emerson is the type of kid that I know in the future when we have anything planned she is going to do something like that. Right now I am thinking we plan a trip to Disney, she breaks an arm or a leg the day before we go.
Saturday we had a little party for her. That morning she got her Dora Jeep, well needless to say that was the only gift she needed. Luckily I told everyone invited that under no circumstance would gifts be accepted. That went over well except for our neighbors...their daughters (5 and 7) could not understand why they couldn't get Emerson a gift. They got her cards and that was very cute. She did great with her party and with all of the kids (7 kids from 4 weeks to 7 years) there was no fighting or crying.
Sunday we just relaxed. It sort of stunk this year with Easter so close to Emerson's b-day. I put more work into the b-day than Easter, so there is always next year. It was really nice today, we did not have to run any errands or anything...I want more Sunday's like that.
I have to go out of town Tuesday - Thursday for the first time since Brynn has been born...yuck. I am traveling with one of the guys who works for me, so at least I won't be alone, but I know the minute I get to the airport I will be a mess. My parent's are here until Wednesday so they can help Joel out and he'll only have one night alone. Joel was out of town last week and I made it through Brynn getting an ear infection, so I think he can handle it.
I'll post pictures of Emerson's b-day later this week when I get them off the camera.

Here we go again

Another Sunday and to follow is another Monday...
We had a busy, fun, and some what annoying weekend, is that possible all at the same time you may ask?
Friday we stayed at home for dinner, watched the hockey game and had a relatively low key evening. Earlier that day I took of work early to go to day care because it was Emerson's teacher's last day. It was very sad, I'm glad she is too young to know the difference. Plus this was the teacher that was teaching the class Spanish (she is getting her masters degree in secondary education and Spanish, hence the reason she had to quit). So we asked her if she had time if she would come over and continue the Spanish lessons with Emerson. She gave us her phone number so hopefully she'll have some time.
Saturday morning we went to the Buffalo Zoo for breakfast with the Easter Bunny. We went with our friend's the Rogan's who have a son (Cameron) who is 3 months older than Emerson, so they play great together and look forward to seeing each other. Emerson was petrified of the Easter Bunny (there will be no pictures of that, I'm not in to forcing her to do that). Cameron wasn't a big fan either so that worked out good...the Easter Bunny just kept his distance from our table. After the breakfast we walked around the zoo and saw the animals, I love the zoo it is fun for us and fun for the kids.
Then we headed down to another chimney and fireplace contractor to take a look at their gas inserts. Exactly the same as the other guy. So the contractor we had been working with all along is essentially trying to screw us. He is charging us for time already spent...he came to our house and took some measurements and wrote up a proposal...some how that cost $1200, isn't that the cost of doing business? He is unwavering in his cost even though Joel has called him out on everything. If we go with him we will have to pay money out of our pocket above what the insurance company has given us and that isn't going to happen. So I guess right now we are going with his competitor who will work within the money from the insurance company.
I went and ordered Emerson's birthday cake from a local desert shop and picked up a few other treats;) Then we went out for dinner, both girls were very good, came home and I was ready for bed.
Sunday we went to the grocery store, as we do every week. Then we took a load of stuff out to my parent's new house. They have stuff that they order delivered to our house, so the Suburban was full! Home again to get ready for the week (laundry, clean-up, etc.). Had dinner, then some friend's came over to see Brynn. So again I am ready to go back to work to sit down. Joel is out of town this week, so it may be a bit hectic. I may have to call in the babysitter one night to help me out. (We have the best baby sitter in the world and she is always willing to come over and give me a hand.)

Brynn at Day Care

Ready to go see the Easter Bunny. Emerson has some new shoes on...they have holes in them they are more like sandals, but she would not take them off...at least she was wearing socks.

Too Cute

The fam

Brynn and the Easter Bunny (she didn't mind;)

Emerson and Cameron

Made it through the week

Well we made it through the week and no one had to stay home from work/day care. We had our chimney contractor come out to our house after work today to get a firm quote in the works for putting in a gas insert and a short chimney. (For those new to the story...our chimney blew off of our house the day before Christmas Eve. If you didn't think this was possible it is when your chimney is 12 feet tall and a 68 mph wind gust hits it dead on.) Anyway we have spent the last almost 3 months fighting with the insurance company to get the right amount of money to replace the chimney. Needless to say I'm not putting another tall chimney on the house (oh and come to find out, it wasn't up to code and would have to be taller than the one that blew off). I am really looking forward to getting the 12 feet of brick that is currently sitting in our yard, removed and for people to stop staring at our house as they go buy. I'm also hoping that this will help Emerson as she still continues to walk by the window and say "chimney uh-oh."
Attached are some pics from Valentines Day...Emerson loves her heart shirt.
Brynn is for sure going to have second child syndrome...I have been bad at taking pictures of her. I really need to get better.