Straight from the Girl"s Mouth

Emmy Ruth had been terribly upset to have to come home with us after her awesome weekend. She cried for “Aunt Becca and my dentist” and she cried for nana and for AunTee. As she was going to bed last night, she said, “going back to school today after being at Nana’s and Aunt Becca’s was NOT your best idea”. She also told me that I couldn’t stay with them the next time she stayed with Lucas because I tried to take too much of him time. I told her I would just hang out with AunTee and she said that wouldn’t work either because she needed time with AunTee. Finally she decided I could hang with JORGE!, not that she doesn’t love JORGE! but he works a lot so I could go there with him.

 

For dinner, she requested ChikFilA and since John was at practice, I thought we could have  a special treat.  She wanted chocolate milk with her kid’s meal but wanted to clarify it wasn’t like the chocolate milk we had at home, the soy milk I had tried. I told her we were out, much to her delight and she said she hated that milk and that tasted like “peanuts on hair”.

 

Before her bath, she had an upset stomach and when I asked her about it, she said, “yeah, my tummy is upset with you for feeding me too much tonight”.

 

As we were reading about Rapunzel going to sleep, I mentioned that she looked a lot like her, was she ever worried that someone would mistake her for Rapunzel? “Mom. I have curly hair, look she has straight hair. Totally different.”

 

However, the best of the day was as we went to sleep and I was singing her lullabies. Since she born, I have been singing “Mercedes Benz” by Janis Joplin to her. It just kind of started since it was one of the few songs in which I knew all the words and I was desperate. Now, we alternate between it and Amazing Grace and sometimes throw in some other good hymns like “How Great Thou Art” and “Up from the Grave He Arose”. Union Avenue Baptist Church as a kid really helps me out sometimes.  Last night, Emmy asked me to sing her the song about the horses and the kids drawing on the TVs. It took me a while to figure out where she was getting that. “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz, My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends”. I can see the horses and the Porsches. But the kids drawing on TV…. Thinking, thinking, thinking…. “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a color TV, dialing for dollars is trying to find me”. Aha! She colors or draws and she has no concept of anything other than a color TV. I almost fell off the bed. It reminds me of the time she brought John a record and asked him why this CD was so big.

 

 

The Best of Times

It is all about weekends like this that make me realize how lucky and blessed we are. As Emmy  calls, “Team Burton” is pretty lucky. The super talented and generous Doctors Jackson were named Cross County Volunteers of the Year at the Chamber of Commerce banquet this year. I was let in on the surprise so that Daddy and I could attend. We both snuck in late and were pretty sure that they noticed us as we were sitting just beside everyone that was introduced. Thankfully, they didn’t. Our precious friend Joy introduced them as the winners and I cried big tears. I have no doubts that my mother was so very, very proud of them. She loved Wynne with a fierceness. It was something that she was so proud of—being from Wynne—and knowing everyone in Wynne. To see that pride in them as well is something she would have loved. Joy’s speech was awesome”

I am pleased and honored to introduce the 2011 Volunteer of the Year.  This year’s volunteer of the year is actually a team…and they are a team in almost everything that they do.  Both grew up in Wynne and are graduates of Wynne High School.  There are so many things that I love about this team, but at the top of my list is their true love of everything Wynne.   They do not understand why EVERYONE doesn’t choose to live here and take it very personally when someone decides to move.  They make things happen in our community because they truly want to make their hometown a better place.  Both were instrumental is passing the city wide economic development sales tax, they were the Farmfest chairs for the past 3 years, they are member of the First United Methodist Church in Wynne, both are Board members of the Cross County Chamber of Commerce, they are loyal members of the Birdeye Bicycling Club (yes there is such a thing!) and both own their own practice and together employ almost 25 people. 

 

She is a member of PEO and volunteers for the kids marathon and kids triathalon.  He has served on the Cross County Arts Council, is active in the men’s basketball league at the Methodist Church, is a Board member of the Endowment Foundation of Cross County, is Chairman of the Wynne Economic Development Committee and is a member of the Wynne School Board.  All of this and a treasured daughter and son, adored aunt and uncle, granddaughter and grandson, wonderful friends, and most importantly, wonderful parents to their children Solomon and Rose. 

The adored aunt and uncle part is what really got me going—because they are. Emmy loves them dearly and loves to tell everyone that her dentist and her eyedoctor are coming over to see her. It’s quite precious. I told Becca it was the first time in almost fifteen years that I had seen her cry. The next time should be about the time Emmy graduates from high school.

 

Daddy and I spent the night and had so much fun with the kiddos the next morning when the doctors went to work. Daddy only told me this morning how when I left to get ready, Sol jumped beside him to show him something on the iPad and Emmy warned Sol, “be careful with him, he’s old!” I have cracked up about that all day.  Daddy went back to Batesville at lunch and we all napped. Somehow I was convinced to spend the night again and I am so glad we did. Emmy and I went to visit Joy, Julia and John B with the Jacksons. We all had great fun in the hot tub, all but Emmy Ruth. She is more of a cool water kinda girl. But she loved seeing her friends.

 

Neall and Becca are in the midst of renovating their new house. The wall coverings have come off in the play room and the kids are drawing on the walls until they decide what exactly to do in there. So, the walls are really *neat* looking in the pictures.

 

Every January, a group of us get a cabin to spend a fun party night together. We never get to hang out and this is our one time each year. As I was driving Emmy to Nana’s, she said something about best friends and I asked her if Lucas was her best friend. She said that he was but that Julia, Sol and Rose were too. She didn’t want to leave her sweet Rose. Rose was crying and tried to slip out the door with us. Emmy got teary and I asked why and she said that it just made her so sad to see Sweet Rose cry. But, she had a fabulous time with Nana. She and Lucas had their wedding ceremony, she’s been wanting to marry him for a while now…. We had so much fun with the Stameys, Bedards, Stevensons and Salinases. What an awesome tradition.

 

A wonderful, wonderful weekend. We are so lucky.

 

My Hungry Little Hippo

Oh how I love this kid. She’s so funny. A few weeks ago, we went and had lunch at Sekisui because they have a great all you can eat hibachi grill special. I felt like Emmy would just eat off of our plates and not really like it. I was terribly wrong. She loved it. This child has lived on chicken of some sort, typically nuggets, for her whole life. However, she would eat nothing but steak at the hibachi grill.  The next Sunday, she requested to go again. Apparently it’s our new Sunday after church tradition. She says, “man, I love STEAK!”

 

This weekend we visited the Salinases in Newport on Saturday night. It was so good seeing them. I can’t put into words how much I miss them being here but it is seriously like no one misses a beat when we are together. The kids are just perfect. They argue like brother and sister but they love each other so much. Its’ quite precious. We went to eat at Who Dats, a Cajun place nearby, and the kids feasted on crab legs. Who knew? AunTee gave Emmy one and she thought about it for a second and then said, “I LOVE IT!” The child has a refined palate I am afraid. Then, last night we went to the Hi Tone and had hot wings. Again… she amazed me with her eating. I am so proud of her for branching out from chicken nuggets. She still says that broccoli is her favorite food ever. John said that the guy at the HiTone told him they were having a pizza thing starting on Tuesday nights. She looked up and said, “you mean cheese pizza? Really?? All I can eat???? Wow.” 

 

I have been trying to watch what we are eating at home and have tried to give her only organic milk lately. I tried to sneak in some chocolate soy milk and that was shot down quickly.  I guess it’s back to the organic stuff.

 

Last night we could hear her in her room watching the Muppets movie and singing along on a microphone. It’s pretty precious. She does have the sweetest voice. I think I am just getting so nostalgic that she is about to turn five. FIVE! That’s a big milestone! FIVE! Not a baby anymore, for sure.

 

Precious

>
> Tonight. John went to bed because he has to work tomorrow. Emmy and I are home tomorrow for the MLK holiday. We stayed up late watching TV and I cut out decorations for her birthday party. She played with a princess hair care set and I showed her how to use the curling iron and straightener on Rapunzel's hair.
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> Emmy fell asleep on the couch sometime during Little House on the Prairie. As I was getting her up to carry to bed, I noticed that she had put on my necklace I left lying on the end table.
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> I am so thankful for this child. This child that screams "Macy's!!!" every time she sees that big red star. This child that sings the Muppets soundtrack and says "oh this one is a heartbreaker" and "I hope Evan says 'Emmy will you marrrrryyyyyy meeeeeeeee' ". This child that loves her daddy so much that she begs him to sit in the backseat with her. And he does. This child that tests my every fiber with her stubbornness.
>
> This child. Is my everything.

Christmas Night

On Christmas night, our friends Dan and Natalie came over to revel with Emmy about her new toys. Emmy loved showing off her dance moves to the new Muppets CD Santa brought her.

The Salinases came over and we had so much fun with them. Lucas loved loved loved Criss Cross Crash that we got him. Actually Dan and Natalie loved it a lot too. There is nothing like a best friend that plays with your new Barbie mansion with you.

The next day, we got up and went to the Zoo to go ice skating. John was pretty cute at it.

Afer all, it was such a beautiful day for a trip to the zoo!!! We had the whole place to ourselves.

And the Buddha picture....

Santa did come!!!

The one thing that Emmy was insistant that she wanted was the Baby Alive. Of course, every new mommy has to check baby's diapers.

And feed and wipe Baby's mouth. And give Baby kisses.

Emmy kept asking for Baby Alive, that potties and eats. John told her that she had Puppy Alive and Kitty Alive so she was pretty certain she wouldn't get it. She was so happy to see her when she woke up!!!!

I will never understand about Squinkies. Emmy loves them and was so happy to find two sets from Santa.

Santa left a nice thank you note on Emmy's easal.

She was soooooooooooooooooo excited when she got in the living room. Emmy woke up and said she was still tired and then about five seconds later, realized that Santa had come and she was ready to go. Momma and Daddy would never let us in the living room to see our toys until we all went together so we had to do the same thing. She had to hang out in the living room while I brushed my teeth and I thought she was going to lose her mind!!!

Poor John was still wiping the sleep from his eyes...

Santa brought Emmy a Barbie mansion. She said "I didn't even as for this, how did he know I would like it?" Oh, Emmy, Santa can be pretty smart sometimes!

It turns out that Daddy is a pretty good Barbie playmate too.

Christmas Eve

Each and every year is more exciting than the last. Having Emmy makes each Christmas so very precious. The Jacksons came to our house for brunch this year on Chrismas Eve and then John's side of the family came over in the afternoon to celebrate. We had so much fun. Well, poor Sol, he might not have had as much fun. Bless his heart, he fell coming into the house, then I smashed his finger in the door. I felt so horrible!!! He seemed to recover quickly, but my heart is still so hurt that Tawa was the one tha hurt him. In all the excitement, I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I should have.

Sol and Rose gave Emmy an easel. She loved it and drew this picture of Rapanzul.

We gave Rose this tent and she loved it!!!!

Daddy gave Emmy and Rose Princess coloring kits. Rose loves, loves, loves to color. She was content to lie on the floor and draw the rest of the day. She didn't even want to stop to open any other gifts. I love that she is left handed. It is so adorable to watch.

You can see her excitement as she opened the coloring set!

There is no sweeter song than the one Emmy and Rose belted out on the piano.

Emmy stayed in her pajamas all day. Thankfully Rose and Sol wore theirs as well. We really had no excuse for the afternoon though.

Beginning of the wonderful season!!

Just a few pictures of the weekend I wrote about earlier. Rose was determined to wear her nightgown. She's pretty cute in it:)

Emmy was pretty proud of her gingerbread house!!!The beautiful birthday girl!!!

What a face!

I love this precious picture of Neall and Rose.

This must have been a frightening movie!!!

My handsome Solomon.

Elf sightings

Overnight, the Elf arrived. Emmy was so thrilled to wake and find her Elf was here. He brought a note that he had hoped Emmy would like his Elf cousin, Elfina, because they both had blond hair but since she didn’t, he was here to watch here this year. She has decided to name him “Pretty”.  Pretty and Elfina have no idea what they might see at the Burton house this year.

It's Christmas Time!

I can’t help but sing about the most wonderful time of the year. I have always loved Christmas but this is just the best one ever, with our precious girl. We have the trees up, Emmy has decorated and hung the stockings with care.

 

We have Friday night craft night and she wasn’t much help this Friday night, which is unusual. When I asked her what was going on, she patted me on the back and said, “Mama, I just don’t like this, but don’t worry, I got ‘ya next week”. I ended up making moustaches on a stick alone; what a sad thing.

 

Saturday night, we went to the awesome Smith party in Birdeye. I am so thankful that they invite me and I love getting to go to a grown up party each year. The food and company is wonderful and we have so much fun. Emmy and I stayed the night with the Jacksons. Sunday afternoon, Nana’s family was having a Christmas party for the kids. They do this each year but AunTee was in charge this year so you know it was something special. She rented a suite at a hotel in Jonesboro with an indoor pool and invited us along as well. Of course, I couldn’t leave my Sol at home so he joined us. Rose was not happy to be left, but Becca bribed her with ornaments to paint. We had so much fun!! The best part was Santa showing up at the pool! He looked so funny with his Grinch swimming trunks over his red suit and a swimming ring for a hat!!! But, he brought Emmy a Wubbles making kit and she was delighted. Sol got a transformer, which he loved, but he did tell Santa, “I thought you knew I wanted Beyblades”. So, hopefully Santa is holding out the big stuff until the big day.

 

On the way home, Cherry Valley had Christmas lights up in different shapes, like Santa, Rudolph, gifts. The kids would yell out what they were, but there was a little confusion. The holly leaves were mistaken for cherries, and Sol saw the exaggerated cross and said, “look a transformer!”

 

We got to Julia’s house just in time to celebrate her 4^th birthday party with an awesome gingerbread decorating party. Mrs. Joy is just so very cool. We love all the fun stuff we get to do with them. And Emmy loves that Julia’s daddy is named John like her daddy.

 

I tried to pull off a generic elf instead of the official Elf on the Shelf and I got shot down. I told Emmy this morning it was in the living room and she rushed in there. When she saw it, she rolled her eyes and pointed at it and said, “THAT is not an elf.”  She was not buying it for a moment. I have to go today at lunch and buy the real, overpriced version if this is ever going to work.

Pictures

We had some family pictures made recently (actually twice…) and here are some of the sneak peek pictures we got. I am in love.

 

She's one Funny Kid.

With the holiday approaching, we have been talking a lot about what Emmy is going to ask Santa for this year. I suggested she tell Daddy she wanted Santa to bring her a baby sister. She said, “Mama, Santa can’t make that!”, much to John’s delight. Then, we got to work on the list. She put “money” on it. Interesting child she is.

We have let her back in our room and we are trying to get her back in her bed. But it is so hard! John and I both love having her there with us to snuggle. I told her that she needed to learn how to sleep in her room. She said, “you remember when you went to that wedding and that lady stayed with me? I went to sleep in my room that night. I know how, I just don’t want to do it”. Touche!

Every Friday night, Emmy and I have Friday night craft night. This week, I came home and she and John were working on a Grinch wreath together. I asked in horror, “are you crafting without me???????” She turned to John and WHISPERED “what day is this?” then told me “it’s Tuesday night craft night!” with great flair.

I do love that kid.

Cutie Marks

Emmy Ruth loves loves loves My Little Pony. On the show, the ponies get their cutie marks that shows what their talent is. Emmy always asks when she will get her cutie mark. Now she thinks that mine and John's tattoo are our cutie marks. Pretty silly.

She loves playing with the Nutcrackers that we have out for Christmas. And Momma's nativity scene. I love hearing her in there talking with the figurines. It's pretty awesome.