Everyone is happy

We are getting ready for a big weekend in Chicago. We will be attending a family wedding (Kevin's cousin) and Madelyn is one of the flower girls. So she is big on telling everyone about that. Abigail is quick to chime in she also has a big weekend planned: staying at Nana and Pop's house all by herself. Today when we were picking up our CSA produce the girls were giving a woman the ear full about our weekend plans. The woman said, "oh be sure to bring photos to show me next week..." Madelyn smiled but it was Abigail who responded, "oh I will!" Since I felt a little bad about taking just Madelyn for the weekend that makes me so happy to know Abigail is equally (if not more!) excited. I have a feeling both girls will be basking in the glow of alone time with their grandparents. (Madelyn will get quite a bit of quality grandparent time too while in Chicago!)

Abigail goes mute

Well I guess we know how to get Abby to be quiet: take her to the pediatrician. That girl would not say a word for her doctor. How unusual for her to be speechless. All part of the check-up is the "show off" time when she is supposed to do her tricks: sing ABCs, stuff like that. But nothing came out but a few teeny tiny whispers. Humph. Of course when the nurse came back in to give them their FluMists, she could not stop singing. I hope the nurse will put that in the chart. Just another example of the hard and fast rule: kids are not show ponies. The rest of the check up---and the day for that matter---was perfect. I felt a little bit like Supermom what with the walking to and from school, homeschool-like activities with Abigail, playground time, science experiments (thanks CFA!) It was a good day.

School skipper

Madelyn had the day off of school yesterday. Abigail did not have the day off and we were going to take her to preschool but..... we decided to let her skip school and go to the movies with us! Oh the first day of skipping school. This is where it all begins. We had a great time though and went with a few friends to Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. Madelyn has been dying to see it since she saw the ad this summer. It was a hit for the kids and the grown-ups. Let's hope the school skipping will not become trend. Ha, ha.

Sailing with Pride

On Sunday afternoon Kevin, Jason, Kelly and I sailed on the Pride of Baltimore II. It was a cool experience with a little bit of history, a breezy ride, a few moments of hands-on participation and a few raindrops. It was especially neat to see the place where my dad and Jason spent a week crossing the Irish Sea (yikes!) on one of the Pride's world tours. Really cool.

Sleeping Beauty

I am not trying to make fun of our little girl here but seriously how can this be comfortable?


The crazy thing is this is not an uncommon way for her to finally fall asleep. She has some real sleep issues. Actually one night this week she absolutely insisted on sleeping on the (wood) floor. In fact when we moved her into her bed after she had fallen asleep she woke up shortly thereafter, crying, and got back on the floor.

Homework

I know the time will come in the not-so-distant future when homework will be a real drag. But when it is your first time receiving homework it is pretty exciting! Though she wanted to complete the assignment the minute she received it last week, they were given a few weeks so we took some time with it. The assignment was to make a pennant decorated with stuff "all about me." We completed it last night with the help of my scrapbooking materials, magazines, photos and her own drawings. It was fun to see all the things she wanted to include. I can see how parents get involved in doing their kids' assignments though......but I think I kept it pretty hands-0ff. We don't want it to look like Mommy and Daddy did the whole thing---and I certainly do not want her to say "My Mom did that!" when she presents it to the class. This is just one of many times I wish I could be a fly on the wall of her classroom. I am sure it would be quite interesting to see them all in action.

What's in an A?

Here's a hot financial tip: take out stock in the Magic Eraser. It seems to be our friend this week. We have a letter writing bandit in the house. She's like Zorro just quickly and deftly leaving her mark. It only takes a minute (as I found out the hard way) to have several places in the house branded with a permanent marker. This week we it was blue but previously it was red. The Scarlet Letter. Grrrrr. And really if you are going to do something so naughty as this you may want to learn your sister's letter...it would be a lot easier to pull off as "I did not do it." But we know exactly who did it and we have A's all over the house to prove it. The Magic Eraser did help with the hard surfaces (wall and table) but the couch is ruined (I have been thinking about getting a new one sometime soon anyway). Thank heavens for flipping cushions because we will get through for now. Note to self: never leave a girl who is very excited about writing her name alone, not even more than a second.

The markers are now well out of reach.

Catching up

I've been enjoying a little blog-vacation as we adjust to our new schedule. We are now very proudly two weeks or so into our new routine and we love it! It is great to have our mornings free. With bus stop pick-up at 12:10 we do not have much time to squeeze too much in so---miracle!---we don't try to. Sometimes we stay home all morning to play and even stay in our pjs until 10. This is all very new to us and we love it. The afternoons are kind of organized chaos. The rush to the bus stop if often a little frenzied. On Mondays and Fridays the frenzy continues a bit as I get Abigail down to her school but by 12:45 or so when I am back home or out doing whatever I am going to do, it is amazing the calm. It feels almost luxurious.

With school in full swing the activities are also under way. Both girls are taking dance. It's old hat for Madelyn but Abigail is pretty darn excited to be dancing. Like the summer session, the class started as mommy and me so I got to dance too! In yesterday's class the girls went in by themselves and reportedly did quite well. So I guess the dance cord has been cut. She is already talking about the stage, ie. recital, in May.

Madelyn has taken on a new activity this year: soccer. Kevin is an assistant coach so that is fun for all. We saw a new side of Madelyn last weekend at the first game/practice. She is competitive. This will be really good for her to learn to be a team player. There were tears, especially when she did not get the ball. But then minutes later when she did get the ball, and score a goal!, it was all smiles. It may be a bit of a roller coaster ride but it will be a fun fall being a soccer mom. The really funny thing is her team is orange--the very team color Kevin and I had when we first met playing soccer. How appropriate.

Last weekend we were busy with dogsitting Jason and Kelly's dog, Rockne. The girls totally want a dog now. While we are not considering it at this time, the girls were quite helpful and we had a great weekend. It sure helped that Rockne is expertly trained. He is a really good dog and on very predictable schedule. Abigail was especially fond of Rockne. It was cute how she was always talking to him like a baby. He was a good sport. I seriously thought she might try to dress him up and make him come to a tea party by the end of the weekend.

The last thing we added in to the schedule was this week, MOPS. I feel like I have been thinking and preparing for the first day all summer (in many ways I have!) It's been a lot of work. Going to MOPS on Tuesday reminded me of our wedding day. All the planning and preparing. Two of my co-duties were assigning people to tables and making centerpieces. As I looked around the room and saw everyone talking and seeming to be having a good time it felt like it was all coming together. This every other Tuesday event does mix it up in our schedule. It's our one full morning not free and a loooong day for Madelyn! (She actually told my mom, who is serving as a Mentor Mom in our group this year, "Sorry Nana, I cannot play today---I have a very busy day!" It's true.) But I think it will be a good year. They received a new CD with the music they will be singing and that has been a HUGE hit. The MOPPETS theme is fruits of the spirit and so far seems really amazing. I cannot wait until they get to the lessons on self-control. :)

We are surely off to a great start of a "new year."

Abigail's First Day of Preschool

So today was the big day for Abigail....her first official day of preschool! She was really excited (see below). All day long she talked about her teacher Miss Caitlin ("she has curly hair like me" <> with a big grin.) It was a bit of a whirlwind to get Madelyn on the bus and head on down to Abby's school (same for pick up). But it was all good! Even better for Kevin and I who had a mid-day date. That was really nice. A leisurely lunch of lobster grilled cheese for me and french dip for him and did some shopping. So indulgent--the meal and the afternoon to ourselves.

But Abigail seemed to do quite well, and more importantly, had fun. The big news was no accidents, in fact, there was a reported three trip to the rest room all by herself. Yahoo! Let's hope next week and the next and the next in the "Heart room" is as stellar as today.

9/11

Like so many people this date September 11th is etched in our brains forever. We cannot forget. So sad. While I was busy today with our first day of double preschool, Kevin's return home and a potential trip to the beach, I could not help but think of this day 8 years ago. Thoughts and prayers.

Our long day

Ok then. We are a tired band of people. First you have Kevin who flew in from Chicago last night and then back through Chicago this morning on a flight that departed at 6 a.m. for a work trip. He'll be back Friday morning.

Then you have me who could not go back to sleep after he left and decided to bake banana bread and prepare some of the produce that would soon be going bad in our refrig that froze mysteriously over the weekend (eggs and everything---weird!) I was just enjoying the silence of the really early morning.

Then you have Madelyn who has really been rocked by this school thing. One moment she is so great (out of the blue: "oh, oh I remember rule number 4......" "If I stay on the green tomorrow I get to visit the prize box!" So little tidbits of her day are trickling out slowly but mostly I am getting a lot of we did nothing or I can't remember. It starts so early. There was a little trepidation getting on the bus which of course left me feeling like I wanted to follow the bus and/or call the school. Such a flip from yesterday.

Then there is Miss Abigail who doesn't seem to need much sleep anyway so she is pretty much normal. Though she did take a nap every day I believe over the weekend so clearly she can take and still needs a nap. But we had fun today playing and going to the grocery store. Though I was over ambitious taking the car cart and doing self-checkout. What can I say I was feeling light. She had her first day of ballet today and was soooo excited. She is already talking about the recital, which will be in May! Yikes. It starts off as a mommy and me class so I was there to witness how little miss bossy she can be--telling people to go here and there. That can't last long.

The other major note of today is I finally made the call about Abigail's preschool. I decided enough obsessing, it's just preschool after all, and I chose what I thought is best for me/our schedule. I am sad they will not have the same preschool experience but I think we will all be saner for it. Plus the potty training is still iffy at best. Grrr. With that not looming honestly I feel so much better and I think in turn so will she. We'll eventually get it!

First Day of School, part 3

I think this was officially the last "first day of school" for Madelyn. Today was the full, half-day AND the bus ride. She was beyond excited with taking the bus. It totally cracked us up because once she was on all you could see were her eyes and bow. It surprised me how mixed I felt as the bus drove off. I kind of wanted to cry but I was also kind of excited. (Particularly since Abigail was still in Chicago and I had a completely free afternoon to myself in which I got a manicure and did some shopping.)


The day at school seemed like all went well. We made a little mistake in the car pool line picking up...she went over to where I had met her last week and she was supposed to stay with the group. But she was not in any danger. I did create a faux pas when I got out of my car....but it was all fine. We are learning! It seemed like a really great first real day. Good thing is we get to do it all again tomorrow and the next day and the next.

Whirlwind weekend

We were in Chicago this weekend...and South Bend. It was a whirlwind weekend for sure but we had so much fun. On Saturday Kevin, Uncle Jeff, Madelyn and I went to the Notre Dame/Nevada game. Big win for the Irish! It was Madelyn's first game. We did all the usual highlights: visit the grotto/light a candle, watch the band parade through campus to the game, ate a hot dog from one of the dorm-concessions, up-in-the-air push-ups for the number of points (Madelyn did 35!), Mass after the game....it was all great. I will say Madelyn did doze off a bit. like to call that the $70 nap. It seemed really odd not to have Abigail with us and the photo of us in front of the Dome seems to exemplify it. But she had a really fun and exciting day back in Chicago with Glamma and Grandpa that apparently included a English/Polish storytime, visiting with more fun family members for lunch and Rainbow Cone (legendary ice cream). It was a good day for all.






On Sunday we went to Kiddieland in Chicago. It is Chicago legend and has been for 80 years. However, at the end of the month they are closing for good. It was good we got to go one last time. I think Glamma and Grandpa had find memories of going there as children, I know Kevin did and now hopefully the girls will too. They had a blast and got to meet Dora, what a bonus!

Madelyn and I cut the weekend a little short in anticipation of her first day of school (part 3). It felt very odd traveling with just one child, incomplete, like I forgot the other two family members. I did not like that feeling much at all. But Kevin and Abigail just arrived home so all is back to normal....until tomorrow when Kevin is on a business trip for the rest of the week. Craziness continues.

New beginnings

Today was such an exciting day. We started the morning at one of Abigail's school choices. She attended the same room this summer but today was an opportunity to meet her new teacher, Miss Caitlin. She is adorable! Abigail was very impressed. I have to admit I did not take photos. Mainly she was so uninterested at first in going that I did not want to add another level. But you can bet I will have my camera out on her first day next week. It was a great intro. She is psyched!

Then back home to have a quick lunch and then on to the first day of Madelyn's pre-k, part 1. She was pretty darn excited. As we went out the door she hugged and kissed Abigail and waved a fond farewell to her and Nana. Very excited to be wearing her new backpack, which is definitely as big as she is (despite it's junior size status.)

We were running just a few mins. late (due to the long goodbye and the photos--ooops!) so when we got her stuff in her locker and got into the classroom, Mrs. Elliott was just getting started. Madelyn sat in the waaaay back and looked nervous. Mrs. Elliott spoke to them and asked them questions. Now mind you we already know half of the class from the neighborhood so it is not like these were strangers. Many of our friends/neighbors were very talkative. But I noticed a distinct difference in her.

The teacher asked all the children what they did over the summer. Some were eager, others were not. Madelyn (suprisingly) was one of the not. But it was so funny her response. I am not sure I can paint the picture with my words but I will try. When Mrs. Elliott asked her what she did this summer, Madelyn raised up both arms, outstretched them and rolled down to the floor, as if she were literally melting. Talk about a wilting flower! It was cute though and most unlike how I see her. I can totally appreciate the apprehension though and getting to know one's surroundings before showing one's true self.

Mrs. Elliott had a great first lesson surrounded by that terrific first day of school book, The Kissing Hand. So sweet. We all left with little red hearts in our hands.

As we left it was as if a light turned on and Madelyn could not stop sharing details with Mrs. Elliott.....a glimpse of the girl we know. So funny! She is going to be just fine. No, better than fine. She is going to be magnificent.

This is going to be a terrific year for Madelyn. We are off to a great start! We cut the cord tomorrow...no grown-ups tomorrow and from here on out.

Check out that locker!

So much for criss-cross applesauce...

Kissing Hand artwork

Lovin' the locker

With Noah, these two have known each other since they were 10 months old (now look at them!)

P.S. It looks like they are wearing hospital bracelets but they are not of course. It says something like we read The Kissing Hand today, ask me about it......

The big snip

For about a year I have been growing my hair out in order to donate it. I have been wanting to do this for even longer but in the last year I finally made the committment. It is a bucket list kind of thing. Anyway, today was the day of the big cut. My longest piece was the 10 inches needed for Locks of Love, however, Pantene Beautiful Lengths requires only 8 inches so I will be donating to that in order to provide a more substanial amount of hair. So I have a whole new look.....

Before:






During:




After:

School Daze

Today was step one for the gradual entry for Madelyn's new class. How exciting for us! We went to the classroom today for the group parent conference. I know I keep saying this but it is really big stuff. I am so amazed at all they will cover this year plus all the fun preschool things like crafts, painting and playtime. The teachers seem so excited and are ready for the year. We heard the PTA pitch, got schooled on proper hand washing from the school nurse and met the bus driver (what a character!) So we are gearing up. Tomorrow Madelyn and I will attend for a few hours so that should be fun. Then she will go alone for a few hours on Friday. Then next week we will jump right in with the bus and all.

I have to admit I am really stressing about the schedule. It seems positively crazy with running here and there with them in different schools and which times are best. Ahhh. I think Sept. will be nuts but we can try it all out and see what works for us.

Abigail and I stopping in to Christ Lutheran today. I thought maybe a visit and talk with Mrs. Feustle might help with the potty training (which has not been as stellar yesterday and today. Grrrr.) It was fun to see the classroom at this classic nursery school we have come to love so much. I was surprised to see there are THREE Abbys in her class. Oh my! I know it is a popular name but this is the part I do not like. Here goes the "Abigail N." and "Madelyn N." stuff. That's what we get for picking such pretty names. :)

Bus stop boogie

Yesterday we had such a fun day! I watched my friend Michelle's little girl (same age as Madelyn) and we had a blast. We played, picked up a few things at Target and had a picnic with McDonald's for lunch. The main highlight of the day was visiting the bus stop to see all the kids arriving home from school including Jillian's big sister, Alexa. Oh my goodness. Those little kindergartners (we have 5 in our neighborhood!) were sooooo excited about their first day. Madelyn and Abigail were pretty excited to see the bus unloading too. Hard to believe how close it is getting for us. This is the big time.

My first surgery

On Sunday when we were at Hersheypark Abigail got a splinter in her thumb. This is usually my dad's are of expertise: he is pretty darn good at getting splinters out! But this would be my first encounter. Since we got back so late on Sunday and the girls had fallen asleep in the car I figured I'd deal with it in the morning.

But Kelly gave me a good idea. She said she had read that if you smear a little of the inside of an egg shell on the area it helps draw the splinter out. We tried it. In the morning I got all my supplies: hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, a sterilized needle, Bactine, Antibacterial cream, a paste of baking soda and water (also helps to draw out a splinter according to resources on the internet)....and a lollipop for the patient and my assistant, Madelyn. {It was 7:30 am but desperate times called for desperate measures.}

I began the procedure and much to my surprise the thing pretty much popped right out. Wow! The egg shell thing and/or the baking soda paste really worked. Or possibly I summoned some of my dad's award-winning splinter removal energy.

Either was she was immediately better. Here's to pain-free splinter removal...and lollipops first thing in the morning.