A Big Year at Nanny's

The last year at Nanny's has not been easy. Emmett missed the big end of the year party last August because it fell on the day Anya was born. Then he had two weeks of no school while realizing his life had forever changed, due to this little newborn that sleeps, cries, eats and requires mommy and daddy's attention 24/7. To say his first 6-7 months of her life were tough on everyone is an understatement. We had many phone calls and meetings with Nanny to figure out what needs to be done to help our boy adjust and get back to being the good boy we know he is capable of.

Nanny was tough on him. We learned quickly we needed to be tougher on him, too. Boundaries, structure, rigid rules. All the things that Justin and I did not believe in for our lives were now coming into our world as a necessity for parenting a spirited child. Nanny asserted her expertise and devotion to show us the way. And guess what? He responded very well. It paid off. No, it was not easy, but worth it.

Words cannot express how much we appreciate her love, patience and guidance. She has been a pillar of strength for us throughout a year of crazy transition. New baby, Jodi not working, Justin working very hard, Emmett now has a sibling, etc. We love her and Kenny so much. If only all children in the world had a Nanny by their side helping them get their two feet on the ground, we would be a much happier, peaceful, compassionate planet.

Last Day at Nanny's

Yesterday, was Emmett's last day of the regular school year at Nanny's. It was nostalgic for most moms including myself. In fact, I teared up with Nanny this week. More on this later. Here are two of Emmett's friends, Taoman and Reece.

We did a class photo and will be giving a personalized gift for both Teacher Nanny and Teacher Jackie at graduation this August. What cuties...

I post this one below because Emmett absolutely loves his friend, Lulu. Also, Lulu's mommy, Elaine, is the brave one trying to coordinate 12-3 year olds to stand still for the photo shoot. We had some good laughs about this one...

Social Skills

For half of Emmett's life he has been a student at Nanny's School in Washington Park. This program is truly one of the best in the country and we're grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the Nanny's community. Nanny and Ken Stephens are kindred spirits who go above and beyond the call of duty to teach our children to be loving, kind and highly socialized. Did you know that Emmett's conversational skills over lunch are the best at school?! We've been told he has "a gift for conversation" and all I can say is that's my boy!

You might be thinking right now, what does a three year old ask his friends? He loves to ask fellow students what they were for Halloween and what they're going to be. Lately, he is focused on where people are going on vacation with summer around the corner. I'll never forget just before Thanksgiving (he is not even three in a half), we were eating dinner and he asked Justin, "dad, how was your day?" We almost dropped our utensils in disbelief.

Museum of Flight

One of our favorite spots in town sits right next to Boeing Field. It is full of action and lots and lots of planes! Emmett has become very interested in outer space and perhaps one day we'll see him bouncing on the moon. Emmett with no gravity would be quite the sight.

He loves the Kid's Flight Zone that has actual planes for the kids to sit in. His buddy Liam joined him on the helicopter. We talk lots about helicopters and he plans on riding one next time we go to Hawaii. We'll have to wait and see about that.

Emmett, Beckie Boo, Liam and Maceo got to take a sneak peak into Air Force One. Here is Beckie Boo, our next American Idol from Toledo, OH. Sorry Crystal!

Teatro Zinzanni aka "Grown Up Circus"

Emmett was excited he got to dress up "fancy" for the big event at Seattle's one and only Teatro Zinzanni. TZ is an amazing artistic preformance full of magic, opera, theater and comedy. It's an unforgettable experience and we went to support a fundraiser for Children's Country Home, a 24 hour medical facility for our most fragile children.

There are so many acts happening simultaneously and the music is definitely loud at times, so Emmett had a solution...

This artist was a juggler extraordinaire...juggling 5-6 hats at a time plus more...

We are still talking about this "circus", so we know it was a big success with our boy!