Birthday Photo Shoot!

Last Saturday for Emma's birthday she invited 2 of her friends to Sugar Bowl in Scottsdale. It is a cute old fashion ice cream parlor and the girls were so excited! My friend, Melissa Jackson, who always takes the fabulous pictures of the kids, went along to take pictures for Emma's birthday. I made the girls shirts, tutus, hair bows and flip flops. They looked so cute! Melissa took over 400 pictures, so the slide show is a little long even after I narrowed it down to 50! I had fun editing some of them in photoshop. This one is my favorite and pretty much sums up the day...ice cream and friends!!

Happy 5th Birthday Emma!

Emma Louise Brenay
August 19, 2004
12:46 p.m.
6lbs 14oz 19 3/4"





Wednesday was Emma's 5th birthday. She has been very excited to turn 5...great things must happen at 5! She was a little confused in the morning thinking that it wasn't her "real' birthday because her party is Saturday and she had to go to school. But I told her it was her birthday and I would bring cookies to school for her class. When I brought the pink frosted cookies with sprinkles (a very specific request by the birthday girl) she was so excited! Her teacher made her a pink crown to wear all day and the class sang "Happy Birthday" to her. When she got home we snapped some pictures and she started her whole posing thing that she does lately. She is always making faces and turning to the side, or putting her leg up when I take her pictures now. It's pretty funny. The day was so busy for me that I had to make her birthday cake very quickly. Thank goodness it was not for a party where people would see it or I would not have served it. She really wanted a Hello Kitty cake and there is not Wilton pan for that so I made rectangular cake and cut into the shape of Hello Kitty. But, because I was in a huge hurry I didn't let the cake cool all the way before I tried to get it out of the pan and it broke into several pieces. Well, after I salvaged that, I started frosting and ran out, so I couldn't frost the sides. Then I made the face wrong because I didn't take the time to go look at Hello Kitty. But, Emma was happy with it. I guess it's not hard to please a 5 year old, thank goodness! The reason I had to hurry so quickly was because I had to go to Curriculum Night at the school. But it was also Barro's Pizza Night for the school, so I had Jon pick up some pizza and feed the kids while I was gone and then we did cake and presents when I got home. She was actually celebrating her birthday all week. On Saturday Grandma and Grandpa Clark came over and gave her presents to her along with presents from her Aunt Debi, then on Sunday Grandma and Grandpa Trafzer had dinner and ice cream cake with us and brought her presents. Then on her birthday she also got presents from cousins, Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Stevi and Uncle Kevin. She was thrilled with all of her gifts. I felt a little bad that we made her kind of rush opening her presents so that Jon and I could go to Yoga. (Yes, Jon and I have been going to Yoga classes every Wednesday!) But, she likes going to the gym Kids Klub anyway!
Happy Birthday to my baby girl who is not such a baby anymore! We love you lots and lots!

10 Years Down...Forever to Go!!

Last Thursday, the 13th was our 10 year Wedding Anniversary. I can't believe how time has flown by! Jon worked that day, so I went shopping with my sister and stopped to put a giant card and present in Jon's truck. I bought him a new food processor (which he is taking back). I didn't get the right size! But, it's the thought that counts, right?! He bought me a new camera, which I am so excited about! But, he ordered it online and it hasn't arrived yet. I can't wait to try it out! That night my sister watched the kids so we could go out for a nice dinner. We went to Flemings Steak House. It was THE BEST steak I have ever had! I got a New York Strip and Jon got the filet special. My steak was cooked perfectly (well done, but not charred) and tasted amazing! I even ate the banana creme brulee for dessert and it was delicious (I'm normally not a fan of creme brulee, but it is Jon's favorite)! Our big trip for our anniversary was Vegas in July, but we also have Puerto Rico in January to look forward to. Jon is the most incredible husband and father. I feel truly blessed to have been married to him for 10 years. He strengthens me, supports me, lifts me up when I am down, and loves me unconditionally. I love him with all my heart and will forever!

Emma's First Day of Kindergarten!!

Today was "THE BIG DAY"...the day I have been anticipating for years with worry and excitement! Emma is a big girl now, who rides the bus to Kindergarten! Last night I was very emotional. I cried a lot and got no sleep. I was looking at the clock every hour. My stomach was a mess of nerves, but I did make it through the morning with no tears! I set my alarm for 6:30 a.m. and woke Emma up at 6:40 a.m. She was so happy when I woke her up! She couldn't wait to go to school. We had her outfit all picked out with her special "Mila" flower for her hair. We walked to the bus stop around 7:40 and Emma got right on the bus and sat up front where the bus driver told her to sit. She didn't even look back. Derrick and I ran home to the car and drove to the school and got there just in time for Emma to get off the bus. She started walking the wrong way and there were no teachers to stop her, which I wasn't thrilled about. I hope she can find her way tomorrow. I pointed her in the right direction and she found her two friends from church. They all held hands and walked out to the playground together, it was so cute! Emma started playing and I started talking to other moms when I looked over and saw Emma talking to a playground aide, all worried. I walked over to her and she was upset because she couldn't find me. Then she started crying for her dad because he couldn't be there. I got her calmed down quickly so I that I wouldn't start crying too! Soon the bell rang and the teachers started lining up the kids. She waved and smiled for the camera and was off to class.
Derrick and I enjoyed a delicious lunch at Paradise Bakery with friends while Emma was at school. I was nervous again as the time approached for the bus to come. And then I was even more worried when the bus was 25 minutes late! But she made it and as soon as she got off the bus she ran into my arms and was so happy. She had a great day doing puzzles, listening to stories and her favorite...3 recesses! :) She asked if she got to go back to school tomorrow. I am so relieved that she had such a great Kindergarten experience. Her teacher Miss Hann is who I really wanted her to have and I think Emma will respond well to her and have a great year!

Posing for the camera

Walking to the bus stop

Waiting for the bus

Getting on the bus

Walking hand in hand with her friends!

Lining up with Miss Hann

"Bye Mom! No more pictures please!"

It's just the 2 of us now!

A little piece of Mila!

I think they missed each other!

Beauty and the Beast

A couple weeks ago Emma and I had a girls day out! We went to see Beauty and the Beast at the Hale Theater in Gilbert. Emma got all dressed up in her Belle dress and took along her Beast. My good friend Sabrea was in the show and I also knew the girl who played Belle. It was fun to see them. If you've never been to the Hale Theater, you should go. The stage is on the floor and the seats are stadium seating around the floor. There are only about 6 rows up, so every seat is a pretty good seat. Emma and I were at the top on an aisle. The actors use all of the aisles as entrances and exits. Well, we were in the perfect row because Belle stood right beside us when she came out in her yellow dress. Emma's eyes got really big and she said, "Mom, Belle is way too beautiful!" It was a great show and Emma and I had a good time. It made me realize how much fun it is to just spend time with her. So, Jon and I decided we are going to trade off having dates with the kids. Derrick and I will be spending everyday together, but I need time with my girl too!

Emma Gets Her Ears Pierced!

A few weeks ago I asked Jon if he would mind Emma getting her ears pierced. My niece who is a little older than Emma got hers done and I had been thinking about it anyway. So, after getting dads approval we were off to the mall. Before we left we had along talk with Emma about what it would feel like to get her ears pierced. She was excited but also a little reluctant. She was also determined she would not cry. We got to the store and Emma took her seat on the chair after picking out some sparkly earrings. There was only one girl working who was trained in piercing so she had to have them done one at a time. While we were waiting Emma pointed out some big pink hoop earrings and asked if she could wear those! I told her not for a long time!
The dots were on and Emma was set.

Then came the first earring and this...the saddest little face I have ever seen. She really tried hard not to cry, but she couldn't help it.

She calmed down almost immediately and was fine once the girl gave her a lollipop and she knew we were going to get ice cream!

Derrick was excited to get the reward for watching Emma get her ears pierced! :) She loves her earrings and shows them off to everyone. She can't wait until it is time to change them.