Out and About in Richmond

I would love to be able to tell you that we have done a ton of stuff since we arrived in Richmond.....but we haven't. Monday we did do a bit of shopping at this massive shopping center just a couple of miles from my parents. It is really nice....one of those places that is all open but the walkways out side of the stores is covered. It is two stories and has just about any store you can think of. I love it!!!!! And they have a Santa - a beautiful Santa. Emma had been asking for days to go see Santa so she could ask him for Cinderella and a Cinderella dress. Even though it was not even Thanksgiving yet, I put her in one of her holiday outfits (yes, one of, meaning that she has more than one) and we went to search for Santa. She was so excited!!! Last year, she wanted nothing to do with him so it was nice change this year. She went right to him and let him put her on his lap. Then we spent the next 10 minutes trying to get her to smile! She was content to sit there, but obviously had no desire to participate in the picture taking process. (how dare she do that to a mother that loves to take pictures!!!). We finally got a decent picture of her smiling and she told him what she wanted then out of nowhere she reaches out and hugs him!!! I just happened to have my camera up to my face (imagine that) and got a great picture of it!!! I have to say - I was incredibly happy!


Today we took Emma to the Children's Museum of Richmond. I still haven't figured out who had more fun - Emma, her Daddy, or her Mimi and Papa. I got a big kick out of watching all of them. I think we would still be there if they hadn't been closing at five. Dad then drove us over to Dunkin Donuts to get some goodies for breakfast (Yippeee - I love DD and we don't have any back home!) We were going to an Indian restaurant for dinner, but Emma turned grumpy so we ended up getting take out - Yummy!!!)

Mimi and Emma had to visit all the houses in the Holiday Village. Emma's favorite houses were the ones that had puzzles. If there were no puzzles she would turn around and walk out and go to the next one.

My Emma as the cutest snowman (or girl).

Emma driving Mimi to the next activity for the day.

Emma and Daddy constructing a building.

I think that this replication of the James River was probably one of Emma's favorite things. She loved playing in the water, opening and closing the locks for the dam and helping the animals and cars go across the bridges.

They had this really cool "tree" that you could climb and then it had these weird slides. We got Emma to do it once with Papa, but after that she wanted to go back to play in the water.

Once we finally convinced her to go outside, she had a blast. She quickly made some new little friends. The little girl in the blue shirt was also named Emma.

Emma and her Daddy had a little to much fun in the sand. They built a sand castle (or tried to) and did a little digging. I thought we would never get her out of here. Once I finally did, I had to take her into the restroom to wash the sand off of her.

Emma getting a little more book learning in before it was time to go.

I think Emma is finally getting better. I have only been giving her medication first thing in the morning and before she goes to bed (instead of every 4 hours like we have been). Now, if I could just convince her to sleep for more than 7 hours at night, I think she would get even better. I know I would be better. I mean - this is supposed to be vacation and she is waking me up every morning at 5:30!