At least she didn't say bah humbug to school...

Who would have thought it, but Emelyn may have enjoyed school more than she enjoyed Christmas. Leading up to Christmas, Emelyn seemed into the holidays. She enjoyed the Advent services at church on Sundays, she listened to Christmas music with interest, and she even cracked up every time we asked her if she wanted to sing Jingle Bells. You would have thought celebrating Christmas with family and friends would have been fun too, right? What two year old doesn’t love presents, lots of cousins to play with, and unseasonably warm December days? Not Emelyn, that’s who! It was all just a little too much for her. Even the wrapping paper and bows were met with tears. She was over it before Christmas day even arrived. While Aubrey opened presents (typically everyone’s presents for them), Emelyn attempted to crawl out of the room, sometimes before the first present was even opened. And when we attempted to return her to the group, we were met with a very cranky little two year old. By the Monday following Christmas, she was back to her chipper self and while she had some new toys to play with, she still ventured to her old ones, as if to say, "I’m really not into the whole Christmas thing." I guess there’s always next year.

Emelyn with the giggles on Jan. 5, her first
day of preschool at East Salem Elementary School.

School, on the other hand, seems to be a winner in Emelyn’s book! She went from high-strung and cranky to laid-back and up-for-anything…in other words, back to her normal self. She got on the bus like a champ. The look on her face as she rode the chairlift in her stroller was priceless. And circle time, complete with story and singing, went well too. I was a little worried she might decide she could crawl away if she wasn’t interested, like she does at home when I pick a less than thrilling book or song. Luckily, we’re off to a good start. Thanks for all the love and excitement as Emelyn began her new journey this week. We’ll be sure to keep you posted as her journey continues.

Daddy showing Emelyn the bus on the first day.