The Princess & The Adventure by Emma

Mike suggested that we shoot a movie with Emma this summer.  Emma wrote the movie, and here is the result!

The story stars Princess Ella and her mother, Queen Cleana.  The Princess is bored and has decided she wants to try adventuring for the first time.  She convinces her mother and they set off.

The first time they leave they forget food and have to turn back.

The second time they have food, but forgot to change their clothes.

The third time they have the right clothes, but lost the food on their way home the last time!

The food is found by the evil magic lion who gobbles it all up, gets the scent of the princess, and tracks her down.

He finds her looking for the food in the forest and chases the queen and the princess all the way back home.

They both decide that that is enough adventuring for the day!

Enjoy.  Apologies, we are rather hard to hear...

Blowing Lights

Carina: The light blew out in the stove hood, Mike.

 Emma: What blew out?

 Carina: The light.

 Emma: How?

Carina:  Very well.

Emma:  Can you blow it back in?

Flashlights, Galoshes, and Family!

I was looking through my pictures and realized that August 22nd was quite an exciting day...

It started with an enormous dragonfly visit, while brushing our teeth.

Then a storm hit and we lost power.  Nothing like breakfast by candlelight!

You can never have too many candles, according to Emma.

Without electricity, we put candles around the tropical fish tank to keep them warm.

I am batman!  (Zen by flashlight...)

I'm not afraid of the dark!  (River by flashlight...)

Zen, guarding Emma in the dark.

Eventually the sun came out, but with no iPad or backyard...the kids got restless.

Time to hit Alstede farm and do some puddle jumping!

Yay, we have power!  Time for dirty laundry leaping!

For a day without power, we sure did a lot.  It's always nice to be reminded about the things that really matter:  flashlights, galoshes, and family!

Warm Furry Wonderful

River is the only dog I've met that sleeps this way.  It's always so funny.  Still, she always manages to squirm herself over to keep my feet warm.  She does her job, even when she isn't fully awake to know she's doing it.  It's so pleasant to sit reading a book and then suddenly your bare feet are covered in warm furry wonderful.  I can't imagine a better way to relax.

A Piratical Morning

Emma:  Mommy, I wrote a word for you.

Emma:  Now how do I spell, "Mateys?"

Acting Like a Beautiful Fairy Princess in the Forest

This girl is "a barrel of fun pretty," according to Emma.

Emma and I had just gotten out of the shower and she was getting dressed...

Emma:  Mom, did you get me socks?

Carina:  No.

Emma:  Hmph!

Carina:  (with a stern look) You can get them yourself.

Emma:  Ok mommy.

Carina:  Thank you for being a good girl Emma.  I love it when you act like a good girl with a good attitude.

Emma:  Yeah, like being a beautiful princess.  

Carina:  Yes, like a beautiful princess.

Emma:  That's a fairy in the forest.

Carina:  Like a fairy in the forest.

Emma:  Like galloping shoes...

Carina:  What?

Emma:  Like on the ranch...

Carina:  Emma, what are you talking about?