My first kid to reach double digits! I find myself looking at tiny toddlers and remembering Emma waddling around and then seeing just how big she is now. They tell you how fast it goes but it’s still shocking how time flies. I know she will be a teenager and off to college before I know it. Time needs to slow down STAT. This post is coming in late but I’m trying my hardest to keep this tradition up. I know I’ll love looking back and reading these posts as they grow older. I sometimes read the older posts to the kids now and they really enjoy it as well. I think when they turn 18 I will bound these posts into a book and have it printed for them. Here’s to hoping I can continue this for another 8 yrs! lol

When I was pregnant with Emma, it was pretty fun because I had quite a few friends pregnant at the same time! I have 3 other moms that share a 10 yr old within a month of Emma’s birthdate so one of the moms gave me her bday decorations which is where this giant 10 came from!

For the big 10, I booked us a night at the Magic Castle hotel and invited Emma’s bestie and her little brother who happens to be Max’s bestie. The kids would have been happy just being at home with them but I know staying at a hotel would put it over the top for Emma!

If you’ve ever been or heard of the Magic Castle it’s an invite only castle where magicians perform daily shows. To get in you need to get a personal invitation from a magician but I found a loophole where if you book a night at the hotel next door, you get entry into the castle! This place is usually adults only but during the day on weekends they allow kids and have more kid friendly shows. I have no pictures since they don’t allow cameras inside but the experience includes an AYCE brunch buffet and about 3 magic shows ranging from a large stage to small, intimate shows. The hotel next door was also a cool experience in that they include all you can eat snacks, drinks, and ice cream! Their pool also has a “popsicle line” where if you pick up the phone located next to the pool, someone magically appears with a silver tray full of free popsicles! Their included breakfast also included their own magician who performs at your table, which the kids really enjoyed since the magician was very interactive with them.

For Emma’s birthday this year, she asked to redo her room. She still has decorations from when we decorated it when she was born! We’re actually still in the process of doing it but we got rid of her bunk bed and got her a trundle bed instead.

Here’s a sneak peek of her bed WHICH I PUT TOGETHER ALL BY MYSELF!

That pretty much sums up her birthday this year….time to take a stroll down memory lane!

Emma’s happy place is still the beach or pool. I’ll have to get over my aversion to sand and take her more often!

We also spent a lot of the year making use of our Legoland annual passes that kept getting extended because of Covid. We got so much value out of these tickets!!!

We had a lot of free night certificates from not being able to travel so did a lot of staycations. This stay was at Hotel del Coronado which was so nice because it’s right on the beach! We got stuck in the attic though so our room was really dark and gloomy. The kids will always remember this trip as the time we stayed in the haunted room since I told them that there is a story that a ghost lives at this hotel! But no worries….nothing eerie happened :)

Emma wrapped up her 3rd grade year with Mrs. Autry.

She rocked it as always and was so proud of herself being the first girl in her class to finish the multiplication/division timed tests!

One of her assignments was to nominate someone for president and she wrote about her brother, Max. Even though they annoy each other like most siblings, when I read these things I’m reminded how great their relationship is and that deep down they are the best of friends!

Emma got a reply from the President!

Emma is still going strong with ballet. It was tough during Covid since they did it over zoom and there were no performances but the studio was able to get one performance in at the end of the year!

For 4th of July, we went to Legoland and stayed at their Castle hotel. Super fun!!

This past year, Emma really started getting good and competitive at games (just like her parents! :)). She got really obsessed with Connect Four and would ask to play a million times a day! So she was excited when a hotel we stayed at had a giant version.

We had such a fun and memorable family vacation to Glacier National Park. The scenery was just awe inspiring!

I think this was her first time white water rafting!

Lots of firsts on this trip!

I posted this on instagram. This obstacle course invoked a lot of tears but all of the kids were super happy and proud of themselves when they finished! Just a reminder that it’s ok to push your kids beyond what they may think their limits are. That’s how they grow!

Emma biked this 15 mile long trail on her own bike!

On one of our camping trips, Emma painted this rock!

Another visit to Legoland but this time we were able to visit the water park which is so much fun. And we got to bring my sister who was visiting!

After our fun summer, the kids started back to school with Emma entering 4th grade with Mrs. Giles

I had to take a picture with her “twin”. They actually used to have the same glasses but we switched them over the summer! Kids would still get confused and call them by the wrong names! :)

Since Covid was still going strong, on weekends we did a lot of hikes

Emma’s still constant wish is that we get a dog….but our schedules just won’t let that work. So we’ve still been pet sitting through Rover. This was one of our faves, Bambi!

For halloween, Emma was a boba milk tea. This costume was a hit and we got so many compliments!

It’s an annual tradition to carve pumpkin’s at her uncle’s house. She designed this owl all by herself!

Emma and Max’s favorite food: Salmon sushi!

For xmas, we went to Austin to visit my side of the family. We did a mini trip to Houston. This was at the Museum of Natural History

Meeting her newest cousin!

One night in Austin, we took Emma out without Max (he wanted to stay behind and hang with his cousins), so Emma got some 1:1 time with us.

Proud of our girl who is not only great in academics but also a great citizen!

For dress like a book character, Emma dressed up as Nancy Drew

Visited Death Valley for a camping trip with friends. This is the lowest point of elevation in North America!

Sandboarding!

My brother and his oldest son, Owen, came to visit! He loved playing with Emma and Max!

One of the most impressive things about Emma this past year was her joining a basketball team! I know it was really out of her comfort zone but she ended up having so much fun and loved being part of a team. Her team placed in 2nd overall!

Now for her annual birthday questions

1. What is your favorite color? Purple
2. What is your favorite toy? Ipad
3. What is your favorite fruit? Mango
4. What is your favorite tv show? Stuck In The Middle
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Hamburger
6. What is your favorite outfit? Blue striped tshirt
7. What is your favorite game? Slither IO
8. What is your favorite snack? Cheeto puffs
9. What is your favorite animal? Dog
10. What is your favorite song? Big Time by Rueby wood
11. What is your favorite book? The Lost Hero
12. Who is your best friend? Katie 
13. What is your favorite cereal? Frosted Flakes
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Swim
15. What is your favorite drink? Thai milk tea
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas 
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? A light and a book
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Chocolate croisssants
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pad Thai 
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? 3rd grade gate teacher