Emma Claire's Namesake

In June, Kyle's grandfather, Grandpa Bowman, passed away and we traveled to Ohio for his services. This was my second trip to Ohio where Kyle grew up and Emma Claire's first. Kyle's mom asked me to take some photos at the graveside service for those who were not able to travel. I captured the above photo after the service as Emma Claire laid flowers on Kyle's grandmother's grave. Emma Claire's middle name (Louise) is after Kyle's grandmother and mother. I thought the photo captured a sweet moment we can share with Emma Claire as she is older and learns the significance of her name.

Our Big Girl!

I need to post some updates on what we've been up to these past few months but the biggest news is... Emma Claire is POTTY TRAINED! Woohoo!

Emma Claire's school was closed for three days mid August making for a 5 day weekend so I decided to take advantage of her time off and see if we could make the switch to Big Girl Panties. We've been working with her for at least 8 months or more on using the potty and she had started to go more and more regularly and stay dry for longer periods. I never wanted to push it too hard and took the "when she's ready, she's ready" metality. She's still wearing pull-ups during nap and nighttime but otherwise has done great with just a few accidents. Here she is celebrating by going shopping for more Big Girl Panties.

First Camping Trip

 

Over Memorial Day weekend, we took Emma Claire on her first camping trip to Jordan Lake. Kyle's entire family went and we had a great time. Emma Claire adores her cousins (both sides) and she had a great time hanging out with Tyler & Lane. She absolutely LOVED camping and has been asking to go back. Needless to say, this was the first of many camping trips I'm sure.

I was nervous about how she would do sleeping in the tent. At home she will say "Mommy lay down two more minutes" but her first night in the tent she told me "you go out the door".

Running around in the tent

Cousins

Dirt cakes with Grandma

She caught her 1st fish with Grandma's help!

Strawberry Picking

This year was our first year picking fresh strawberries. We went to Porter Farms one day after school. Emma Claire honestly didn't get as much into it as I thought she would but she did actually try the strawberries and will now eat them which is more then she did before we went. We enjoyed it though and I found a simple & amazing recipe that we will be using for years to come.  

A Ride on the New Hope Valley Railway

 For a special treat, we took Emma Claire to ride the train at New Hope Valley Railway. Our friends, the Kings, came along with us. The ride takes about an hour including time for them to move the steam engine from one end of the train to the other to pull you back. Emma Claire loved it and stayed propped up on the window sill for the entire train ride. Several weekends later she asked in the sweetest voice, "you take me to ride the choo choo train today?" 

Choo choo!

Easter Sunday

 

On Easter Sunday, we started the day out getting dressed up for church. Emma Claire was actually able to wear the same Easter dress as last year. Being little has its perks! After church, we headed over to Grandma & Pop's house for an Easter egg hunt with her cousins. I wasn't sure how she would do but she caught the hang of it right away!

 

Dyeing Easter Eggs