I'm working on crate training our dogs again, but this time I'm easing them into it a little more slowly in hopes that they take to it a little better. So far it's going well. The first two days I put them in there and Emma and I sat right there and read books until they calmed down. Then we did two days where I put them in there for a little while and Emma and I left the room. They barked and cried, but eventually stopped, and then I let them out and gave them hugs and treats. Now we are to the point where they go in there whenever we leave the house. They don't bark at all when I put them in there anymore. They do bark when we get home, but I don't let them out until they've stopped. Pretty soon we're going to try the overnight thing, so hopefully that will be as successful.

Last night we took Emma bowling for the first time. She was so excited and she loved it - for about three frames. Then when it was her turn, she pushed the ball without waiting for help from us and it slooooowly rolled down the lane, and eventually stopped about ten feet down. She took off running after it, slipped on the lane, and fell flat on her back. I don't know if she was embarrassed or what, but she didn't want to bowl anymore after that. Whenever it was her turn, she'd say that she was worn out from bowling or that she'd just like to rest instead. When we left she said she was happy to be going home because bowling was too hard for girls who are three.

A couple weeks ago she started playing with an imaginary friend named Sarah (original, huh?). Every day they dress up and go to fancy parties together. This morning they had two big weddings during which they each married one of Emma's dolls. Here she is, posing with her lovely new wife, Charlotte.



















And here she is doing her other favorite activity as of late - climbing the tree in the front yard.