Snow Day

We finally got some snow here in Cary! When we looked outisde this morning Madi said "look Dad the cars are all snowed up." Last year, Madi lasted about ten minutes outside before she fell down and got her hands soaking wet and freezing. I thought for sure this year would be different...but it wasn't really. She lasted about the same ten minutes after having spent 20 minutes getting everyone ready to go outside. She refused again to wear gloves and had fun for the first five minutes but then fell and got her hands soaking wet and freezing - I could have predicted all of this but I said nothing thinking it would be a good lesson for her. After pitching a fit because her gloves would not fit just right we came inside. A few hours later we geared up to go outside and try it again - she told us she would not cry this time and she would wear her gloves. She did not really come through on either promise. She whined about the gloves being crooked the whole time but for a few minutes got very distracted by a group of sledders. She loved watching them go down the street and come back up again. I think if we had had a sled it would have made all the difference. She would have forgotten about the cold and the gloves and just had fun flying down the hills. We need to just go ahead and invest in a sled - or at least a boogie board - for these rare occasions.

Little Boy Blue

Since most of you enjoyed hearing Madi sing a while back I thought you might also enjoy hearing her read. I am sure she just has the books memorized but it is entertaining none the less!

Wee Willie Winkie

A couple thoughts to read before you watch this video.... 1. Madi has no pants on because she is potty training and she does not have accidents at the house when she has nothing on. 2. Her shirt is rolled up because when she sits on the potty she does not like it to touch the toilet

Madi and Avry

You never know what to expect when these two girls get together but they did really well together all day last week while Avry was at our house. We made Valentine "sleep shirts" (because they were huge), Valentine cards and walked to the park. They spent a lot of time playing chase and grocery shopping around the house. We also spent a lot of time talking about how the Bible tells us to "not provoke one another to anger." These girls are smart and they know when they are "provoking" one another by taking the other person's toy. It was funny because every time Madi would take something from Avry she would say "Ms. Kel, she is hurting my anger." Of course, then I had to explain that just because the other person helps make us angry we are still responsible for our anger and have to hve self-control - we cannot hit or push just becuase they provoke us. It was a long day of lessons like those but hopefully we will reap the fruit of it in the days to come!

Little Dishwasher

I have yet to find anything that Ash does not like to eat. Here she is tearing up a tray of chicken chili. It was her first time eating beans and she really liked them. Unfortunately, When I went in to get her out of her crib the next morning she had thrown up everything she had eaten for dinner. Poor thing - she never even woke up crying so we could have gone in and cleaned her up. This happened one more time that afternoon and that was it thankfully except for a little fever and cough. Three days later Madison started with the same deal - except for 3 rounds of throw up. Today is Saturday and I think we are well again. I always thought families made up this thing about cycling through sicknesses during the winter but I am finding it to be very true. The other day Daniel said "maybe we should just have 2" (mostly because he has been sick for like a month straight) but I assured him he did not mean that and that this too shall pass!

Ash's 1st Playdate

Ash usually gets dragged around to all Madison's playdates but last week I got to keep little Ruby Mehaffie who is like 3 weeks younger than Ash for a few hours and so Ash got to have her first playdate. After looking through these pictures I realized that I proabbly look like a terrible Mom becuase at one point they all had marble eggs in their mouths - probably not the safest thing if they were to drop them - but I think becuase they were hard and cold the girls loved "chewing" on them. (Alinna, please forgive me and let me keep Ruby again!) Both girls are also drooling like crazy as you can tell from Ash's soping wet bib. I think they had a good time together!

Ballet Jammies

I realized the other night that both girls had on ballet jammies so I thought it would be cute to get pictures. So there went my like 100th try at getting pictures of the girls together and both looking towards the camera. I don't even worry anymore if they are smiling or not - I just want them looking. Madi has gotten really into saying cheese but it has a little too much effort behind it and almost makes herself look mean! Oh well...maybe when they are 8 and 10 I can get some good shots of them together - at least they were having fun with each other.

Forward or Goalie?

What do you think - will she be a forward or goalie? I guess we will know next Fall when she starts playing! (The video is a little too long so sorry about the boring ending!)

Circus Acrobat

I wonder if the circus is in her future? Or maybe just a future crossfitter?

No Longer

Two weeks ago I got a gym membership at the YMCA and it as been so fun for me. They will keep the girls for up to 2 hours everyday if I want. The girls will no longer have to bundle up in a hundred blankets and coats so that I can get a run in outside!

All Dressed Up

I never would have guessed that Madison whom I sometimes call "the boy that God has not yet given us" would love dress up but she does. She especially loves the "heel highs" as she calls them and earrings. Unfortunately, her skin is so sensitive that every time she puts one of the costumes on she gets a big rash so I need to wash them. She asks me all the time if I have done it yet - I need to add that to my to-do list for tomorrow.

More Christmas

Let the Opening Begin

We decided that since 3 presents were good enough for Jesus, three presents would be good enough for our kids this year so that is what thye got(not counting stocking stuffers of course cause those are really fun to buy). Well, that's not the whole truth cause didn't really get anything for Ash since she slept through most of the morning and had no idea what was going on anyways. Don't worry we won't leave her out next year! I got new pots and pans which I was really excited about and have loved using and Daniel of course ordered himself some kind of woodworking tool online and spoiled all the fun of ever getting to pick something out for him!

Christmas at Our House FINALLY

For the first time ever we woke up on Christmas morning at our house and I must say even though I love being home wiht all of our family it was really nice and relaxing. It was also fun to start some new Christmas traditions. We started off the morning with a little birthday party for Jesus (hints the party hats) and ate green pancakes which I thought were great but as you can tell from Madi's face she was not too excited about them - as she would say "these are not my favorite." Then, Daniel made a big fire and read the Christmas story to Madison. She sat still for it mostly because she had a sucker but whatever works!

Christmas at Dad and Vickie's

We spent Christmas Eve at Vickie's mom's house. I have never seen so many presents in my life and good food! Madi decided that Christian - her "cousin" would be her best friend and full time playmate the moment he walked in. It was hilarious - she would not leave him alone. My dad was sporting his Santa suspenders - a usual Christmas tradition - sure beats seeing him in his Christmas boxers which he alos likes to wear!

Christmas at Gigi's

New Toys

The girls both got way more than they even knew what to do with. As I am posting this now I am watching Madison and a friend take every single toy in the den out one at a time - yikes!! Oh well , it will give me soemthing to do while they sleep - if they sleep that is!Here's a few of the highlights - a scooter, dress up clothes, and big girl jeans for Ash.