If you’ve followed the Gaines family since the early days of Fixer Upper, you probably remember Emmie Kay as the little girl with the messy pigtails helping her mom plant zinnias. But things look a lot different now. In 2023, Emmie Kay Gaines officially hit those "big kid" milestones that make every parent—and apparently half the internet—feel ancient.
She turned 13 in January 2023. Teen years. It's a weird transition.
While her older brother Drake was busy navigating his first year of college and Ella was eyeing the exit sign for her own graduation, Emmie was holding down the fort in Waco. She’s often called the "mini-Jo," and honestly, the label fits. But 2023 showed us she’s carving out a lane that’s entirely her own, and it involves a lot more than just matching her mom's aesthetic.
The Year of the "Official" Entrepreneur
We need to talk about the egg business. Most 13-year-olds are worried about TikTok trends, but Emmie Kay spent much of 2023 scaling a literal farm-to-table operation.
She isn't just "helping" out. Along with her brother Duke, she’s been running a door-to-door produce and egg business. They’ve got labels. They’ve got a schedule. They even lobbied Chip and Jo for a farm truck to help with deliveries. Imagine a 13-year-old asking for a work vehicle instead of a new gaming console. That’s the Gaines DNA for you.
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Joanna has mentioned that Emmie is the one who "doesn't take no for an answer." In 2023, we saw that grit manifest in the kitchen too. She spent the year perfecting her own cookie recipe—one that Joanna admitted was actually better than her own. That’s a bold claim coming from the woman who owns a bakery empire.
- She manages the family's chicken coop.
- She handles the "watering schedule" for a massive collection of houseplants.
- She’s developed a "plant lady" reputation that rivals any professional botanist.
Growing Up Under the Magnolia Spotlight
It’s no secret that Chip and Jo have pulled back the curtain on their kids' lives over the last few years. They want them to have a "normal" childhood, or as normal as it gets when your house is a tourist destination.
In 2023, Emmie Kay Gaines remained the bridge between the "big kids" and little Crew. She’s the middle-ground sibling. You’d often see her in the background of Joanna’s Instagram stories, either baking or helping Crew with a project. There’s a specific kind of responsibility that comes with being the youngest daughter, and 2023 seemed to be the year she stepped into that role with more confidence.
People always ask: Is she going to be on TV?
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Well, she already is, technically. Between the Magnolia Network specials and Magnolia Table, she’s a frequent flyer. But in 2023, her appearances felt less like "kid cameo" and more like "active participant." She has this quiet, creative energy. She isn't loud like Chip, but she has his fearlessness.
The Driving Milestone and Shifting Dynamics
Even though her 15th birthday (and the subsequent permit drama) didn't hit until early 2025, the preparation for that "grown-up" life was all over 2023. Joanna wrote a lot that year about the "tension of holding on and letting go."
Watching Emmie Kay in 2023 was like watching the final chapter of the "little kid" era at the farm. With Drake gone to college, the family dynamic shifted. The house got quieter. Emmie became more of a companion to Joanna. They go to antique shops together. They hit the plant nurseries. It’s a rhythm that Joanna clearly treasures, especially as the nest starts to empty.
Honestly, the most relatable part of Emmie's 2023 was her "life is simple" philosophy. Joanna once shared a story about asking Emmie for New Year's inspiration. Her response? "Just be nice. To everyone. And unicorns if they are alive."
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Why Emmie Kay Gaines Mattered in 2023
You might wonder why people are so invested in a teenager’s year. It's because the Gaines family represents a specific kind of American dream—one rooted in dirt, hard work, and shiplap. Emmie Kay is the living proof of that "slow living" brand.
In a year where most kids were glued to screens, she was seen:
- Learning the art of pottery with her sister.
- Hiking through St. Lucia with her family (sans phones).
- Developing a signature cookie recipe through trial and error.
She’s a reminder that you can be "famous" and still spend your Saturday morning cleaning out a chicken coop. It's refreshing.
Actionable Insights from the Gaines Family Approach
If you’re looking to channel some of that Emmie Kay energy in your own life, start with these small shifts:
- Micro-moments matter: Joanna often talks about "micro-moments" with the kids. Don’t wait for a big vacation; find 10 minutes to bake or garden.
- Encourage "Boredom" Entrepreneurship: Let your kids (or yourself) start a small, tangible project. Whether it’s selling eggs or making stickers, the act of "doing" beats "watching" every time.
- The "No Phone" Rule: The Gaines family is strict about tech during family time. Try implementing a "toss the schedule" day where the only goal is to be present.
Emmie Kay Gaines’ 2023 was a year of quiet growth. No scandals, no giant headlines—just a kid becoming a person. In the world of celebrity children, that’s probably the biggest success story there is.