Horns, check. Forked tail, check.

Horns, check. Forked tail, check. Seriously, that's what the bulk of February has felt like. As mentioned in the last couple of blog updates, Emerson was a different version of himself than we'd ever seen! Talking back to us on a regular basis, despite consequences. He even gave us a sample of what he'll be like as a teenager with responding with "whatever" and sometimes slamming his bedroom door.

Jason and I consider ourselves fun, but fair parents. We are insistent on manners, good behavior, and respect. Like most parents. The past few weeks, it felt like our pretty-well-behaved child was possessed by demons, intent on making us absolutely insane.

I think (offering up a little prayer) that Emerson has turned this corner. He's had a couple of good days at school, followed by good evenings at home. I have no doubt we'll still have tantrums, mood swings, and random evenings ruined by toddler hood. At least spring is around the corner, right? We're dying to get outside and run. Literally, and figuratively. We all have some energy to burn!

In the meantime, this child better know how lucky he is to be so cute, and that those sneaky little horns are surrounded in angelic, platinum curls.

Love is in the air...and in the seashells.

Despite the fact that Emerson grew horns for the month of February, we still love him dearly. And he's loved by so many! Lots of yummy and fun Valentine treats came his way. Including, straight from the beaches of Sanibel, a very cool collection of seashells. Along with the shells, Nana Vicki sent a guide, so Emerson was able to explore and match his shells to the pictures and descriptions on the guide. Such a fun and unique Valentine treat! We love that Nana Vicki thinks of Emerson. Or as he refers to her "Nana Wicki"...much love!

"I wonder if it TASTES like the ocean!?!?"

"Mommy, I hear da waves."

Now both ears.

Let's try this one again, it was the best!

Sampling of Snow

It's been a mild winter, which hasn't given us much of a chance to break out snow pants and sleds. Emerson and Jason went sledding once with some friends, and we took advantage of the 1/2 inch we had another time before it was gone the next morning.

Hoss.

Eat it up, buddy! It will be gone tomorrow!

Irony. A devil, making an angel. ;)

Football in the snow...

TACKLE football in the snow!

Jason pulling Emerson...

Jason trying to get pulled by Emerson...

Back to Jason pulling Emerson...

And this is where Mommy comes in...homemade hot cocoa to warm those pink cheeks!

Little White Lies (Warning, A Little Gross.)

Emerson is all boy. Including every gross boy tendency. Randomly putting his hand down his pants (front and back), talking incessantly about nudity, poop, pee, boogers, and anything else that makes you cringe. Farting and giggling his little head off.

Emerson has never been a booger eater, though. Until a few months ago. We caught him in the act! I freaked. Even typing this makes me gag. I can deal with vomit. I can deal with poo. But I have a major aversion to boogers and the like.

We were super quick to correct this awful habit, every time it happened. But every once in a while, we'd still catch him doing it. SICK! I think he was doing this for a couple reasons. 1) It was easier than going to get a tissue. And 2) "But Lucas does it!" (Classmate at school.)

A month or so ago, we were flipping through a magazine, and there was a picture of the Blue Man Group in there. Emerson was intrigued, and asked why their faces were blue. Without a second's hesitation, Jason told him, "Because they eat their boogers." Jason and I just sort of looked at each other, both a little surprised at the comment, and the speed at which it came out. But were willing to go with it.

Emerson, since then, would randomly ask if his face was blue. Meaning he had either already done, or was planning to do, the act.

Somehow, by the grace of the blue-latex-faced Gods, Emerson has kicked this little habit. Little white lies can go a long way.

And because the world is one of irony, Jason and I got free tickets to go see Blue Man Group next week, so are planning a date night around it. But I swear, if one of them eats their boogers, I'm out of there...