April 1 marked the first day of double digits for Emma. What a special day! We celebrated with manicures at Dosha. We were really roughing it! The two of us had fun doing a little shopping around town afterward too. I am very proud of my little- I mean big girl! She is so wonderful and such a joy.

One of her gifts was a Spanish guitar CD. She popped it in the CD player and put on one of my "flowy" skirts and danced the night away. It was a lot of fun and reminded me of another little girl who used to like to do the same thing.

The only frustrating part of the night was (of course) when the boys all tried to blow out her candles. Instigated by none other than Lincoln "the stinker". But the moment was redeemed by letting her cut the cake. Who knew she has been waiting all this time to do that? Maybe to sneak licks? Oh wait that's me. Hee hee.

It's always the simple things that end up being the most fun. We got to have Sam for a couple days last month while our friends and Pastor Rick and Becky took off to the coast. The kids loved every minute of it, especially climbing trees at the park. I think they were kind of hoping he would become a permanent fixture. Especially Lincoln, he kept saying "Where's Sam...where's Sam?" after he left. But I think maybe Sam was a little more ready than they were. After all how often does he get followed around be three boys everywhere he goes?

Speaking of climbing, my goodness Lincoln does it practically in his sleep...Literally. Once he learned to "fly" out of his bed, (a pretty amazing maneuver) it was all over, for me that is. In the last few weeks I have heard him fumbling over toys in his room in the middle of the night. Once he gets past the door frame he usually walks right into a console at the end of the hall, instead of going straight to our room. I really don't think he is fully awake. Or maybe he is just directionally impaired like his mommy. Let's hope not for his sake!

His new found confidence then only grew exponentially. Suddenly anything that the stood vertical became fair game- baby gate, deck rails, piano, you name it! Extra prayer for this one right now.

A little recap on Christmas shopping- Even in the holiday rush we always take time to stop by Sees candy for a little treat. I guess Lincoln was totally watching because no sooner had we left the store he managed to reach behind him into my purse and snatch the whole bag. All while being buckled in. Pretty smooth. Impossible to be upset when he looks so stinking cute with chocolate all over his face.