It was a celebration of "Emma's" this weekend. First off, My Emma Jayne turned FOUR! I can't believe it! Time goes by so fast. It seems like just yesterday that she was born and now the toddler years have turned into the pre-school years. Before you know it, it will be (gasp!) HIGH SCHOOL! Not that I don't already have a high schooler, but still! ACK! Can't we slow time just a little? So we celebrated her party with good friends, family, a Desert Tortoise (and other great animals thanks to the Nature Center), and Tinkerbell cupcakes. I love you sweetie! Here she is in all her "Birthday" Glory...
And petting "Rex" the Desert Tortoise...
Happy Birthday Emma J!

As if one Emma celebration wasn't enough this weekend, Masterpiece Classics's new adaptation of Jane Austen's classic Emma (Emma Jayne's namesake!), started this Sunday.... Great timing PBS! I absolutely love the book Emma. I read it for the first time in 2003 and knew immediately that if I were to have a girl, I would name her Emma. Now Jane Austen herself said that she was "going to take a heroine that no one but myself would like", but I think she underestimated the Emma's appeal. I admire her spunk and intelligence. She never means any harm, just thinks she knows best, when usually she doesn't. Now Emma isn't my favorite Austen novel (P&P), nor is she my favorite heroine (Elizabeth Bennett), but there is something about her that is endearing and lovely. Not bad for a book that is almost 200 years old! So if you missed the first showing, you can watch it online here:
http://video.pbs.org/video/1390621799/ then watch the next two episodes on January 31st and February 7
th.
For more information about Jane Austen, please visit :

There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart ....Jane Austen