Ice Cream and Cake

Erin's favorite part of the ODU game is by far the Ice Cream and Cake dance done by the cheerleaders. All joy breaks out across the arena when this dance starts and Erin joins right in!

Just Funny Erin Stuff!

First, Erin has been asking lots of inquisitive questions lately. Mostly questions about God and Jesus which are fairly easy to answer. But, some of them I really have to think about how to explain it to her. She asked if they were the same and I tried to explain the trinity, to which she replied, "Well, I like Jesus better than God!" What do you do with that?

Then, at dinner tonight we attempted to do a family devotion about how deep and wide God's love is. You can guess what song was sparked in her mind! After everything Joe read, she said, "OOHH I have a song about that," and proceeded to sing Deep and Wide. Just when we thought she was going to introduce a new song - nope - Deep and Wide again. We all got the biggest laugh as she would proclaim, "Okay everybody, faster now!" My little worship leader in training.

Lastly, it appears that a little fellow in preschool has exposed himself to Erin. We have tried so hard to avoid her innocent little eyes being exposed to such male things, but I guess it was bound to happen. I won't go into the whole detail on the blog, but feel free to ask me about the story - it is quite amusing. Guess I'll be talking to the teacher on Wednesday! Kids these days! At least now, she's ready for a little brother!

The Circus!

Erin was treated to a day with Her Baba and Papa Joe last Sunday and they took her to the circus for the first time. She seems to have quite enjoyed herself and has a new pet monkey she's named Sparkly! I actually haven't gotten that many details from her, which is odd, except that she liked it! These are a few pics of her special day!

Oh Erin

Okay - Couldn't let these 2 get by without a post. One of my big sayings with Erin is, "Do you understand?" I ask her that a lot, especially after correcting her behavior. Well, this morning she came downstairs and before we said anything to each other, she said, "I understand mommy, but can I have that purple lollipop?" I think she knew the answer before she asked, but wanted me to know how much she really wanted it.

Then, just now I went into the other room and she hopped up and handed me the brownie pictured below. Joe had brought it home from lunch and she has been eyeing it and apparently mouthing it too. She said, "Here mommy, I started it for you." Oh the temptations that lurk in the Maggiore household. Can't blame her with the brownie though - they are too good to resist.

Don't know where the missing saran wrap is - maybe in the tummy too!

The Best Surprise!

Erin received the best surprise yesterday - she got to see her cousins. Joe's sister, Aunt Michelle, was in town for a funeral and she, Uncle Mike, and their girls, Ajah(15), Elisha(13) and Jasmine(11) stopped by afterwards to surprise Erin and meet Baby Anna. Erin loves these girls and doesn't get to see them often since they live in Northern Virginia. It's so neat to me to watch her with all her cousins - she somehow knows there is something different in their relationships - she knows they are family and she loves them abundantly because of it. Of course, Erin went right to work giving the girls a tour of the house and then directing them as a Marching Band. Aunt Michelle got lots of Anna squeezes in and said she reminded her of their middle daughter Elisha. Anna enjoyed all the attention and excitement.

We only got to spend a short time with them, but it was the highlight of Erin's month. This morning she said, "I don't feel so well, my tummy hurts, I miss my cousins; but Uncle Mike said that next time they come they can stay with me!!!" I'm afraid she'll have to fight Baba for that one, but she will be grateful for anytime she gets to spend with her wonderful cousins!

Okay, everybody - let's boogie!

Baba, Papa Joe and their 5 granddaughters!

The Maggiore/Courts Family

from the top Jasmine, Uncle Mike, Elisha, Ajah, Hidden Baba, Papa Joe, Jen, Joe, Aunt Michelle, Anna, Nana and Erin

Blogging and Coloring!

This is what happens when I'm blogging and Erin is playing with markers. All I can get out of her is something about lipstick. Again, thank the Lord for Crayola washable markers.

Our Little American!

Erin shocked the flip flops off of me the other day. When she emerged from her preschool door she declared that she had been leader for the day and she got to hold the flag. This was a big deal since last time she was leader she didn't get to hold the flag. So on the way home I asked her what they say when they hold the flag. "The Pledge of Aweegiance" of course - and then she proceeded to say it, in her own words! I've posted the video for you all to enjoy. I'm so proud of all she's learning. It makes me think - everything that goes in, will eventually come out!

You gotta love, "liberty and Jesus for all" she's right isn't she? He is for all!

Happy Birthday Geoffrey

You may be thinking, "Who's Geoffrey?" Only the biggest, most lovable giraffe you've ever seen, at least for Erin that is. Saturday was Geoffrey's birthday, so Toys 'R' Us threw him a party and we went. There were a few activities for the kids and then they got to march around the store in a birthday parade and play musical instruments. Erin got a kick out of it and a big giraffe hug which absolutely made her day! The only part she didn't understand was why there wasn't any birthday cake?