Cousin Time

We traveled to northern Virginia for the weekend to spend some time with the Clifford family and Aunt Lucy. It's amazing how the girls know family no matter how long it's been since they have seen them. Ema is now old enough that she remembers her family and isn't shy...it was the same when my parents visited for her birthday.
It was a special evening as John woke up Kenzie to play with Ema and they were up until 11 p.m. playing together. They were just giggling and having the best time. They are definitely monkey-see, monkey-do. They were copying each other on everything! It was really cute.
We took them to the most amazing playground on Saturday, located in Fairfax. It's called Clemyjontri Park. It's a 2-care playground that is accessible to all kids -- not matter their handicaps, etc. It's a beautiful, huge park! Although it was in the mid-40's and overcast, the girls just had a blast. It was almost overwhelming at times as Ema would run from item to item playing for a bit before going to the next thing. Unfortunately, the carousel was closed, but we had a great time nonetheless. Incidentally, the name of the park, The name Clemyjontri, is derived from the donor’s four children: Carolyn (CL), Emily (EMY), John (Jon), and Petrina (Tri). I would say it's a must-do when visiting northern Virginia! It's incredible! Enjoy some photos from the weekend!




After we returned home on Sunday, Ema and I went shopping. She had the option of staying home and playing with her toys, but she wanted to shop with Mommy. We had to buy a few more gifts for Gage's birthday, which is today (Nov. 12). Ema definitely has opinions when shopping. Since we needed gifts from her, she did get to choose. So for Gage's 38th birthday he received a stuffed bunny and a Redskins T-shirt. The bunny was actually a set of two bunnies, the Daddy Bunny and the Ema Bunny as Ema described it. She picked this one out all by herself! When we got home, she was so excited she ran straight to Gage and gave it to him. He said, "Oh, who bought you the bunny?" I then had to correct him to tell him it was now HIS bunny (see bunnies in photo with Gage and Ema)! When they left for work this morning, the Ema bunny sat with Ema and the Daddy bunny was in the passenger seat next to Gage! Ema did pick out the Redskins shirt as well...I gave her a few options and she seemed to know what she wanted! I told Gage that when he does Christmas shopping with her, don't suggest anything you don't want to buy. When she makes up her mind, she is set on it!