Dear blog,

The following pictures were taken on the loveliest day, on the loveliest grass, of the loveliest little girl.

That day is invited to come back at any time. It is most welcome.

Thankfully,

Emily

Solitary And Secretive

Dear Blog,

In case you didn't know, I am a big fan of the TV series Wild America with Marty Stouffer. There is something about it that makes me wish that time was actually 25 years ago. But that's besides the point.

Yesterday I was watching a few episodes (we have all 12 seasons on DVD and I'm proud!) and Marty taught me something new. Something that I'm sure a select few of you might already know but what most of you believe to be false. A hoax. A tall tale. What is it?

...

Are you ready?

...

OK, here it goes...

...

Remember going to girls' camp and every first year Beehive was led to believe everybody, every year loved to go snipe hunting so they would enthusiastically start beating sticks together searching for some rare animal they had never seen before only to find out that it was all a joke with everyone laughing at them? Remember that? Well, guess what!!! SNIPES ARE REAL!!!

I wish I could get you that footage from Wild America (it's from Season 8, Episode 7 "Olympic Odyssey" in case you wanted to check it out for yourself.) so this and this and the picture below will have to do.

The Snipe!

"Solitary and secretive, the snipe is rarely seen." ~ Marty Stouffer

Did you know that? Now, I'm not crazy (though I know that point could be argued) so you are just going to have to accept that the joke has always been on us, the people who thought snipes were some mythical prank and Mr. Fredrickson. Are you guys as floored right now as I was when I learned of this truth? Maybe it's just me but I find it amazing that the popular belief, that I am familiar with, is that these creatures don't really exist when they actually do. Amazing. How can that be? Any philosophers out there want to share their opinions on why this might be. How can we be so blind? I'm only partly kidding here. Hahaha!

So there is your daily trivia for the day. And if I'm the only one who didn't realize this, well then, I feel stupid.

Sincerely,

Emily Wilcock

Yes, And...

Dear Blog,

I did it. I really did it.

I participated in an improv show at the National Comedy Theatre (NCT). And it was AWESOME!

The one and only Dorian Lenz: improv extraordinaire

Why, you may ask, would I do something as "suicidal" as this? Well, there are a couple of answers to that question. 1) Heath is already a part of the NCT team, in case you didn't know, so he was my inspiration. 2) They offer workshops for anyone who wants to give it a go. 3) Improv looks like a blast! And the most important reason, 4) I get embarrassed of just about anything I say to another person and this was a way to get over my fears of saying something stupid. So, there you have it!

A photo montage of my wonderful, funny, talented teammates in action.

Sure, I still get my nervous laughs. Sure, I still get a little embarrassed. This fear still needs to be conquered, but I no longer get that heart pumping (negative), breath taking (also negative), chest pain inducing anxiety that I used to. What a relief!!! I would recommend this to ANYONE -shy or outgoing. You meet great people, feel more confident in your blunders, and have lots and lots of fun. Oh! And the best part is...you don't even have to be funny, which was great for me. Go figure!

Seriously though, you should check it out. In fact, their next Level 1 workshop starts on Tuesday, May 3. Check it out! You'll be glad you did.

Shamelessy Yours,

Emily Wilcock

Dear Blog,

There is something incredible about our favorite Disney movies, new or old, that make us transcend into another world -- a happy, imaginative world. But there is something even more incredible when that other world transcends into ours.

Just look at this!

There is more about it here.

Sincerely,

Emily

"Ma cousine et moi nous amusons bien!"

Dear Blog,

Juniper got to play with her cousin Maddie! Maddie and Juni are about 3 months apart but they are very different

Juni has short, chunky legs. Maddie has long skinny legs.

Juni has curly hair. Maddie has straight hair.

Juni has blue eyes. Maddie has brown eyes.

Juni has always been high strung. Maddie has always been easy-going.

Juni is a picky, light eater. Maddie is a very good eater (though their body types would say otherwise).

Juni is nearly a head shorter

Juni looks up to her cousin. Literally and figuratively.

Juni shares her favorite chair and the girls watch a movie. This sum is definitely cuter than its two parts.

I'd say that the only thing they have in common is this:

DANCE!

I love the triumphant ending.

Who wants to go dancing? Anyone?

Sincerely,

Emily

June Bug

Dear Blog,

Do you know how goofy my baby is? If you don't then see photos below.

I think it's possible I subconsciously facilitate this kind of behavior in her.

These were all taken about 2 months ago.

Clearly she doesn't dress herself yet so I'm the one who made her look like this but it wasn't deliberate. And she was so joyful and playful in it that it seemed as though she preferred to be dressed this way.

Have you ever seen such a cheeky profile? I love kissing those cheeks!

These pictures are just cute.

Now, if you want to see Juniper in action you must watch this video. But skip to 1:30. The beginning part she isn't doing much.

Anyway, that's it! I know I'm not much of a writer the post but that's not what's special about this now is it?

Sincerely,

Emily Wilcock

"Television: chewing gum for the eyes" ~ Frank Lloyd Wright

Dear Blog,

So, I'm going to pretend that it hasn't been over one month since my last post (even though I just acknowledged it) and move right ahead. No looking back, no catching up (except for Valentine's Day), no feeling bad that I've slacked off with the blogging. Not that I have been feeling bad.

Well, we got a new television. I almost thought I would never see the day this would happen but thanks to our tax return we were able to replace the old, heavy box that I got rid of nearly a year ago. Even though we are watching a little bit of TV now, we got it primarily to watch movies. We started getting really sick of watching movies on the tiny laptop screen.

There might be one problem. Juni is really liking the tube. She's like me where she can sit for long extended periods of a time because she gets sucked in to anything that's on.

It's so cute though. Sitting in her little arm chair all comfy and cozy eating a snack. I think it's a nice treat (for both of us) and I don't feel shame for this eat-in-front-of-TV situation. Would you? You know what, don't answer that.

Point is we love it. I get to watch Oprah again!!!

Sincerely,

Emily Wilcock