Four years

Four

Yes our 2nd child (or middle child---though I don't at all like that description because it sounds so negative) is officially 4 years old! And she has been for the past month! So 2 days ago I was officially a  month overdue in writing this post! I'm amazed at how fast the last four years have flown by with her. 

Here is our girl getting ready to go home from the hospital! 

8 months old! A very spunky girl indeed!

This girl is so full of life and zeal.....definitely never a dull moment with her! From constant singing at the top of her lungs the moment she awakes in the morning, to major outbursts of emotions and drama at the siting of an insect/loud noise, etc. She does add so much energy and excitement to our family for sure.

1st birthday---wow how much our family has changed and grown since then! 2 months later (well, a little less than 2 months later) we added Mary Etta to our family--so crazy how fast we changed!

I think one of my favorites---loving every bite of that cupcake at her party!! She still says "she's hungry" after most meals---which really just means she wants some sugar!

 Just recently she had her "testing" for her new preschool she will attend in the fall---she is going to be going to the same school Reed will go to for kindergarten. We had thought we'd just use the same preschool that we used for him but it ended up becoming a very possible option to send them to the same place---which will be so worth it for convenience---and her teacher will be a good friend of ours, so we couldn't be more pleased with this decision! But at her testing the headmistress commented "she is such a delightful child." That pretty much sums her up! She loves life, and definitely soaks up any one-on-one attention she can get! I know this is probably a middle child characteristic unfortunately.

2 years old---again probably another all time favorite photo!

Last year turning 3----just so excited; as this describes her most days!

I wanted to capture where we are at 4 years old...........so thought I would list 4 special things about our "Emmie" (yes I often call her Emery-Claire most of the time; but in our house she is often referred to as Emmie too!).............

1) Loves Life! This child is so full of life and just excited about it most of the time! She constantly expresses her zeal and passion throughout the day in all she does!

2) Has such a sweet heart, and we pray it's being softened daily by the Holy Spirit. She will belt out a version of "joy to the world" or "Jesus loves me" day and night; inside, outside, etc. We've found her multiple times on an outdoor toybox singing at the top of her lungs and calling out our 90something neighbor's name. So maybe a future gifted evangelist like her Daddy!

Definitely our girly girl!

3) Truly loves and craves one-on-one attention! Sometimes it seems like she needs it much more than the other 2, so not sure if this is just her personality or because she quickly grew into the big sister role when she was just a baby herself at mere 14 months. I know this was all God's plan for our family so I can't worry about how our quick change affected her---because at the same time her and her sister adore  each other and play so well together most of the time!

4) She is a blessing and more loved than she really knows! Even though her little personality can often be trying & exhausting we still are ever so thankful for this girl and that she is apart of our family! Since Casey came from a family of mostly boys and really only 1 girl from his dad's side I was so sure that we would just have boys as did his brother. So when we found out we were having her and then to find out she was a girl----I was beyond elated! We are so blessed and thankful that the Lord chose this sweet girl to be our second child, and how much He uses her in our lives as well! Happy 4th birthday Emery-Claire, we love you so much more than you know!!

Our first season of Tee Ball

So this spring we had our first experience with tee ball (or wee ball as they call it for 4 & 5s). Reed's little friend down the street asked him to join the team that his dad was coaching. 

Getting ready for his first game!

the whole team

playing catcher

So for the months of April & May we had a handful of practices and games. He loved every minute of it! It was so fun to see him have so much fun and enjoy it so well. 

We had a lefty batter.....or so his daddy worked hard with him hitting with that left handed swing!

gigi and pops were able to each see reed play 

So proud of our little ball player! 

School year wrap up!

 So at the end of May we finished up our "school"! Which for us was 2 days of preschool for Reed and 1 day a week of Mom's Day Out for Emery-Claire. I realized that this is really huge for us because now Reed is officially a kindergartener!! We have decided to send him to a local classical Christian homeschool----meaning 2 full days a week he will be in a classroom setting with peers and have instruction from a teacher in all his learning; then the other 3 days of the week I will continue his work at home with him. I am excited about this new adventure and obviously we will evaluate and determine if this option is best for our family at then of the kindergarten year. I was really considering buying curriculum and schooling him all on my own----kindergarten, I think I could manage. But being the only boy here and with all these girls, well, I just felt it so important for him to be with some other boys and really have some social time! So this option worked out for us, and I was so excited he would get both a classroom and homeschool experience! We were torn in knowing that the local school we are zoned for is absolutely fabulous! But ultimately, right now at this time, this is just the best decision for our family. And who knows he may attend there for 1st grade if we aren't happy with this fit, but for kindergarten we have felt this is what is best for us all.

4 years old and first day of school August 2011

Reed on last day of PreK May 2012--5 years old

Reed and Ms. Donna

Reed and Ms. Missy

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Reed in his spring performance with all his classmates! He did such a great job!

Emery-Claire first day of MDO September 2011--3 years old

Emery-Claire last day of MDO May 2012--3 1/2 years old (almost 4 years)