Three things

I found this in my drafts folder from way back in the spring some time.





I can't recall what we were making.  I can however assure you of three things:

1. It probably involved chocolate.
2. They probably ate a lot of it.
3. They totally made a mess of my kitchen.

Three things I love about this photo you may not have noticed:

1. Lydia and Madeline are standing on the same chair.
2. Madeline's chef's hat is down over one of her eyes because that is the only way it will stay on her head.
3. Madeline is wearing a ballet leotard and skirt over her clothes but under her apron.

Three things you can't see but I know because I was there:

1. Madeline and Lydia's aprons are from my childhood.
2. One says "This sure beats the hell out of reality" but I always tell them it says "It sure is a good day to make (insert name of item we are baking that day)"
3. The other says "Eat, Drink and Be Quiet".  That one speaks for itself.

Happy Birthday Lydia! Love, Your Sister

Madeline was more excited about Lydia's birthday than she was.  She sang Lydia Happy Birthday 20 times today.

I wish I could say that is why her voice is horse, but that would be the cough/fever combo she's been fighting. :(

Did ya miss me?

Did ya miss me?

Aww. That's sweet!  I missed you too!

So I have heard you.  (I'm talking specifically to Aint B, Sue, Deb and Jenny!)  I have started to blog too many times to count just to get interrupted or not knowing what to say.  I look at that last photo of Lydia I posted and I am shocked by how quickly she is growing up even just since early July. 

I started this blog as a way to keep a running journal of our life.  Which in the begining was super boring.  That is until Mads showed up!

Mom, my audience deserves better than this!

I love being able to look back on those early days of parenthood and see how much our life has changed.  But maybe the neglecting of the blog is just as much a representation of how our life has changed.  I have said it before: I want to keep up with recording our life.  I want a record of our daily life, not just the milestones the girls reach.  I want that. 


Whether or not that will happen, that is another story. :) 

Happy Fourth of July

Madeline + heat + two hours in a bounce house - a nap + crowds + mud - close toed shoes + two hours past her bed time = massive freak out on side of the road

I guess we will try fireworks again next year.

Third time is the charm, right?

Read about FoJ 2010 here.

A world full of awesome

I am currently blogging while sitting at the pool. Madeline is taking the last class of four weeks of lessons (she's the blur with the orange noodle in the above photo) and I am roasting on the pool deck.

I am so excited this mobile blogging thing worked. I mean now I can blog about how the pool deck social structure reminds me of an sixth grade lunch table WHILE sitting at a table ALONE. Honestly. Why have social situations gotten no less awkward as I age? And I am super extroverted and will talk to ANYONE! Just ask my husband, I drive him nuts sometimes with my ability to go to the super market for cheese and come home with a new BFF.

Ok, I exaggerate... A little.

Why is it that the pool deck, or playdates or play grounds can magically transport me back to junior high?

See?!?! This phone blogging thing is going to be legen...wait for it...dary!!!

Madeline is 4, part 1

So over a month ago Madeline turned four. Yeah, I'm behind. Like very very very behind. Don't remind me.

So although I never intended it this way it seems we have a tradition of going to the zoo to celebrate Madeline's birthday! This is the third year in a row we've spend her birthday at the zoo with friends. (Read about her second and third birthdays by clicking on the links.)

We started the day on the carousel. I should have cropped these photos better than I did, but click on it to see her HUGE smile a little better.

And did you see Lydia's terrified expression? I'll wait while you go back to look.

Totally worth a second look huh? Comedy gold I tell ya!

And because I am posting this way after the fact but just a few days after father's day I wanted to post this photo because if that expression isn't the look of love I don't know what is.

Good God I love that man!

Back to the zoo....

As soon as I snapped this photo I remembered a similar photo I took almost three years earlier. This girl needs to stop growing up so fast. Stop it I tell ya!

Although Madeline loved the zoo animals there was one person who really made her day:

This is Scott, Kevin's best friend and Madeline's birthday buddy. He and his wife and brand new baby girl (eep!) just happen to be in town for Madeline's birthday (which also happens to be Scott's birthday). This might just be one of my favorite photos of Madeline ever. She and Scott have a very special bond and the love and admiration is mutual.

A huge thank you to Anna, Madeline and Cullen and Scott, Becky and Eliza for joining us in celebration of Madeline's 4th birthday! It was a great day and I am so glad she got to share part of it with you!

Well hello there!

You ARE still there, right?

I've had conversations with a few of you (my mother and mother-in-law, auntie B, Michelle, Adrienne, etc...) and heard through the grapevine (am looking at you Deb!) that there are still a few of you out there looking in on our little bligity blog.

Life is crazy but I am here to give you what you really want:


I like to think I am witty and clever*, but I know the reason y'all are here is for those little smileys.

With faces like this


and this


I simply can't blame you.

I have the pleasure of seeing these lovely faces each and every day. Why wouldn't I share?

I also know that I should be blogging the ridiculous stories of my life. Like how Madeline is enjoying swimming lessons while I stand on the side of the pool deck with the other mothers feeling like I am back in Jr.High as one of the uncool kids. Or regaling you will all of the hilarious stuff that comes out of Madeline's mouth on a DAILY BASIS! Instead I am going to bed at 10pm and silently kicking myself for leaving my laptop cord out where the cat could chew on it and (yet again) short it out.**

Oh, and just to show how on top of things I am today (yeah me!) today is the summer solstice and the official start to summer. In celebration! I give you, A BRAND SPANKIN' NEW HEADER! (Click here if you are using a reader!)

So until we meet again, which I hope won't be so very long!

__________
*Why is it that I can't type clever without first typing cleaver. I should cut that out. {insert cheesy rim shot here} Cleaver, cut that out, get it? Yeah, I didn't think so.
** I won't use that as an excuse because I wasn't blogging before she got her pointy little teeth on it but I soooo want to!

25 questions: Madeline, age 4

I started this tradition last year and I love seeing how her answers change (or don't change).


1. What is your Name? Madeline Lastname

2. What is your favorite color? Purple

3. What is your favorite book? Curious George Goes to the Hospital

4. What is your favorite movie? Harold and the Purple Crayon (Which was her answer last year and probably haven't watched it since about this time last year. We don't watch many movies and I guess it shows.)

5. What is your favorite food? Shrimp and Bratwurst

6. What is your favorite TV show? Fresh Beat Band, but also Olivia and Wonder Pets

7. What is your favorite song? ABCD...

8. What will you do when you grow up? A zoo keeper, and when I am not at work I'll be an artist.

9. What is your least favorite food? brussel sprouts

10. Now that you are 3 what do you think you'll do? (what is your goal) Bake!

11. What is your favorite thing to do with mom? Making projects and baking

12. What is your favorite thing to do with dad? Playing Mario Kart

13. What is your favorite store? The one with the little carts (Trader Joes)

14. Who are your best friends? Sara* but not Stanley* (those are two kiddos in her preschool class)

15. What does Mommy say? No. (hmmm...)

16. What does Daddy say? No and Yes.

17. Where is your favorite place to go? The Magic House

18. What is your favorite restaurant? Bread Company

19. What makes you laugh? Jokes

20. What is your nickname? Maddy

21. What is your favorite toy? The Caterpillar that sings. (which I think is her favorite because it is her sisters favorite right now...)

22. What is your favorite thing to do with your sister? Play with the Elmo toy.

23. What makes you sad? Pulling and pushing.

24. What is your favorite thing to drink? Lemonade

25. What is your favorite thing about school? singing with Mrs. A

____________

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent!

4 Years

Today my big girl turned 4 years old. Her Golden Birthday*! It was an amazing day spent with wonderful friends. Four years seems like a long time but trust me when I say it has passed in a flash.

Dear Madeline,

Happiest of birthdays to you my little Loula Belle. You are amazing and I love you more each day.

Love Forever and Always,
Your Momma

__________
*Turning 4 on the 4th**!
** Which reminds me, May the 4th be with you***)
***That goes out especially to my loving (yet geeky) husband and my awesome(ly geekier) brother Elliot.

Madeline's very big day

I skipped the Tuesday Ten this week for a very important reason.

Madeline had her spring concert.

Now if you have never been to a preschool concert you have never fully lived. Why you ask? Because the 40+ kiddos in Madeline's school invite their 200+ family members and we all crowd into the sanctuary of church to watch our little darlings sing songs and fidget with their clothing.

And they there are the mama and paparazzi, aka. the swarm of parents trying to get the money shot of their child. You know the one. Where they are smiling adorably and don't have a finger up their nose. Yep, that's the one.

Then the 40+ preschoolers and their 200+ family members crowd into the fellowship hall where these hyped up 2-5 year olds are then presented with a table full of sweets just minutes from bed time. (or after bedtime in the case of my little sleepy darlings!)

OH and the PUNCH!! It isn't a church function without punch! Red punch which ends up mostly on the carpet or clothing. I don't know if I've ever ACTUALLY tasted church punch... Hmmmm...

It is truly a cultural experience.

But I digress... This post is about Madeline right? Right.

To say that Madeline was excited about her concert was an understatement. Kevin and I have learned when it comes to events it is best to give Madeline very few details and general time frames.

For example: Her birthday is coming up so we keep telling her it is next week but give her no more details than that.

But this concert was the talk of the classroom and she was amped up to the max for it. She started asking the previous week when her concert was and if we could go now and who was going to be there and what she was going to wear and what treats we were going to bring and if there were other parents and if they were all there to watch her and if she could wear tights and what the temperature was going to be and if all her friends would be there and what color the carpet was and how long we would all stay and and and

Catch my drift?

By 2pm the day of the concert Madeline was already in full on crazy mode. Jumping up and down, talking non stop and asking the above questions just at the rate of the micro machines guy.

By 3pm she took it upon herself to get dressed in her "fancies." Even after I explained that she had to STOP JUMPING UP AND DOWN if she was going to be wearing fancy clothes. (This kinda worked.)

By 4pm she was pacing the floors and asking every 20 to 30 seconds when we were going to be leaving.

At 5pm we were having dinner and she temporarily forgot about the excitement to come but by 6pm she was back in full out BRING IT! mode. (It is imporant to note that during dinner Madeline went the the bathroom three times.)

At 6:30pm (after visiting the rest room one more time) we left her in her classroom with her teacher who afterwards told Kevin that she was literally bouncing off of the furniture. (The teacher made note of this because this unusual behavior for Madeline at school... at home all bets are off.)

At 7pm the program started.




skidamarinky dinky dink, skidamarinky do

I love you!



I don't know if you can tell from her flailing hands, but Lydia was impressed and very entertained!

It is at this point, a little more than half way through her program that Madeline runs out the side door with her teacher. Why? So she can go to the bathroom! Ugh.

But she returned to finish the show with flair!


Madeline was fantastic.

By 7:10pm it was all over.

We stayed just long enough to eat a cookie and thank her teachers and then we were out of there. Madeline was so proud of herself but not as proud as we were. It is amazing to see how fearless she is. She knows no stranger and loves to perform with her class mates. What an amazing love for life this girl has. She teaches me more about living each and every day. Amazing.

Oh and what did 8pm look like?

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone!


Today we:

• let Madeline climb into bed with us so we could squeeze a little more sleep out of our morning (it didn't work)
• hunted eggs filled with 'um-nums' (Lydia's word for M&Ms) left by the Easter bunny
• ate bacon and eggs for breakfast
• had a "lazy" morning around the house with sugared up squirrels running from room to room
• spent lunch with Kevin's family and had a truly lovely time as the girls were spoiled and sugared up
  
• ate ham
  
• went straight to dinner with my family where the girls were spoiled some more and given more sugar
• ate more ham
• AND I got a photo of the four of us! This is HUGE. (for me at least...)
  

I'd say it was a pretty awesome day.

How did you celebrate this wonderful day?

Adios Sugar Maple

Note: I have no idea why but I can't get the captions to format near the pictures so I apologize in advance.

Way back in the day, otherwise known as early March, our house was caught in a pretty strong wind storm that took out a large portion of a large maple tree in our back yard. After consulting with a few tree guys it was determined that it would be best if the tree was removed. We hated to see it go, but without yearly maintenance it was unsafe to leave up. It fell on the play set in March and the parts left were the ones that would have fallen on either the house/deck, or our cars. We got lucky the first time and we didn't want to tempt fate. The tree removal was a multi-day process and kept the girlies more entertained than I would have imagined.

We knew the tree was big but it wasn't until the stump was exposed that we realized just HOW large it was.

Once the tree came down Madeline asked me how old it was. When I told her I didn't know she told me we needed to go out side and count its annual rings. I had no idea she even knew about the rings on a tree so I was impressed. Kids really are sponges and take in way more information that we give them credit for. Poppy was kind enough to help us count them. Our estimation was about 85 years old!






























































































We are sad to see it go. It provided way more shade and wind protection than we realized. We have plans to plant another tree but in a different spot. Any suggestions? I want it big, Kevin isn't so sure... any thoughts?

Why yes, I did let them dress themselves.

Why do you ask?

Technically I dressed Lydia. She is wearing her pajamas but the rest she chose for herself.


Madeline, on the other hand, picked 100% of her outfit.


Holiday socks scream March to me. Don't they?



And the sweat pants under the terry shorts... fashion genius.


Who says more than two patterns is a no no? They never saw Madeline in her two different sets of horizontal stripes! Runway ready!

As for Lydia, need an easy way to change your outfit for the different seasons? Fleece vest on top for the cooler weather months... (and don't forget to exercise!)


and sandals on your feet for the spring and summer.

Oooooh La la!

And no, we did not leave the house. Although I guess posting these on the internet is actually worse... but they can resent me in 10 years if they want!

The Tuesday Twenty, vol. XIII and XIV

I missed last week, so I am going to try to do twenty this week.

Wish me luck.

-1-
After weeks and weeks and weeks of illness I finally feel like we are all mostly healthy. The girls still have slight coughs and I worry about Lydia because she can't tell me if she is feeling unwell, but I really just think we all need a few more good nights sleep and we'll have kicked this junk out the door.

-2-
I recently bought a pair of shoes that are biodegradable. I was worried they'd melt in the first rain, but they are surprisingly sturdy. :)

-3-
I am watching What Not to Wear on TLC and although I'd love to go on that show I am realizing that I am not nearly enough of a mess to be a guest. Although the idea of having money and guidance to build a whole new wardrobe is a fantasy.

-4-
Saturday was Olive's 9th birthday. It is hard to believe that she has been our kitty for 7 years. (We got her when she was *estimated* two years old.) Madeline and Lydia picked out some treats for her and I gave her a very thorough brushing, her favorite.

-5-
Our best friends had a baby a week ago and she is totally adorable. (See for yourself.) It is taking all of my restraint to not pack up this circus and head for Georgia.

-6-
My next 48 hours is crazy busy and I am kinda stressed out. But it is all fun stuff and I just can't let go and enjoy it. I have about 12 hours to start having fun. I need to get with the program.

-7-
Madeline's birthday is fast approaching. I have been working on her friend party (her first one, eep!) invitations and I am beyond excited about them. I love party planning.

-8-
What to assure your children develop hearing loss? Buy them this toy. Madeline played with it today and I am pretty sure she is now partially deaf. It will be re-hidden in the closet asap.

-9-
Speaking of which, my master closet is eating at me. I have a one foot square to stand in there. It is about time for yet another clean out. Anyone else have one area of their house that is the catch all for the stuff you don't know where to go to when you have guests over? No. just me huh?

-10-
TEN! I'm half way there! I can do this... maybe!

-11-
I am kinda obsessed with Harvest Cheddar Sunchips. They are delicious.

-12-
My feet are freezing.

-13-
I got this book in the mail today. I am very excited to start reading it, but I know I am going to need Kleenex nearby!

-14-
I recently got a new to me sewing machine and am really enjoying the simple projects I've been able to create with it. That being said, I need to work on some new projects but I feel like I've maxed out my skill set. I bought a pattern to make dresses for the girls, but I am so confused by it. It is intimidating.

-15-
I only have 24 minutes to publish this. Eeep!

-16-
When Madeline was little her hair was super curly. This meant it stayed out of her face without much fuss. Lydia on the other hand has very little curl in her hair. I am constantly swiping it out of her eyes. Why not put a bow on her? Because it ends up in her mouth. I think, no, I know, she does it to get my goat. This little stinkas know how to push momma's buttons early.

-17-
Do you watch Jimmy Fallon? I wish he wasn't on so late. He is freakin' hilarious! He's the reason I am not going to post this before midnight.

-18-
I have at least 5 loads of laundry in need of folding. Two are left over from last week. I hate laundry.

-19-
I discovered the instagram app for my phone this week. I am obsessed. I'll have to do a post with my favorite photos soon. They are awesome.

-20-
There you go... the Tuesday Twenty. I hope I never have to do this again!

Sickapaloosa 2011

I started this blog what seems like ages ago and barely blogged. Then we had Madeline and I began my life as a stay at home mom. I blogged a lot. (Well a lot more than I did in the beginning.) Then Lydia was born and life kind of got in the way of me blogging. I try, but I just don't know where my time goes most days.

Back when I was a mother of one and a much more frequent blogger I used this space as a journal of our life. Our life as we know it. Right here. Right now. These days will fly by faster than I can remember them and I want to remember them. The good, the bad, the sick, the healthy, all of it.

I want to get back to that. I feel like I need to get back to that. I make no promises, other than the promise to my self to try to do a better job of recording our lives. Because some day I will want to remember this.

Even this,


We are all still sick. Monday will mark two full weeks of illness in our house and if the girls' colds last as long as mine and Kevin's we are in it for a while longer.

After my Tuesday Ten post Lydia's rash got worse and the next morning I took her into the doctor where they confirmed the rash was probably an allergic reaction the antibiotic she'd been taking since the previous Monday. She hadn't yet developed hives so the nurse practitioner suggested I continue giving her the medication.

I refused.

I am so glad that I did.

Later Wednesday and all day Thursday my baby was miserable because the "benign" rash turned into full out hives. What if I had continued the medicine? How much worse could it have gotten? Parenting is full of really hard choices and I am so very glad to have listened to my instincts and to have guidance from some really awesome friends (wink, wink) and an amazing husband to stand beside me.

As of yesterday I thought we were, again, on the mend. So, being awesome I sent the girlies to spend the night at my parents. Sorry Granny and Poppy. I hope you sleep better tonight! :)

When I collected them today, Lydia, who had been ok according to Granny and Poppy was a clingy, crying, miserable mess. See the above photo for proof. She stayed that way until bedtime.

Madeline, well it seems that this cold virus has finally caught up to my high spirited big girl. When I got to my parents Madeline was taking a nap. Yep, a nap. As in the first nap that girl has willingly taken since July 2009. And get this, she ASKED to go back to bed. HUGE RED FLAG that my home girl is S.I.C.K.

When we got home she had a low fever and spent most of the day sacked out or playing quietly. Totally, not herself. At bed time she had an even lower fever and was starting to get some of her normal spunk back, but she also didn't fight the bedtime routine at all (not normal) and fell asleep quickly.

So we will see how my squirrels are doing in the morning. Kevin is still hacking up a lung, but feels better. I am coughing but not with the intensity or frequency of my husband. I have my fingers crossed that if the girls really do get this funk that it is quick and less severe than Kevin and I had it.

Will you cross your finger's too?

I'd like to leave my house for something other than doctors visits, medicine and popsicles. Please?

The Tuesday Ten, vol. XII

Week of sickness edition

-1-
Last Monday Lydia was seen by the doctor and started on a round of antibiotics for a sinus infection.

-2-
Tuesday I was ready to say we are all better. The sky was rosy. All was well.

-3-
Wednesday I ended the day with a sore throat but blamed it on the fact that I taught my first class since before Christmas and talked almost non-stop for four hours. I was wrong.

-4-
Thursday I feel pretty crappy. It was St. Patrick's day and I wanted to head to the parade but decided to go for a walk and then rest in the afternoon hoping my throat would feel better. Then when I picked Madeline up from school I noticed she had junk in her eye and it was red.

-5-
Back to the Dr for the second time that week to have her diagnosed with... pink eye. When I asked if this was the same eye problem Lydia had the Dr explained that it was, to which I told him that I was seriously upset that he wasn't clear about this earlier in the week because who knows who we may have exposed that too... ugh.

-6-
Have you ever tried to put eye drops in a 3 1/2 year old's eyes? My 3 1/2 year old makes noises that might lead you to believe she was being tortured. I guess you could argue that it was torture. I know she would.

-7-
Friday, I am still feeling cruddy, but I decide I don't feel bad enough to go to the doctor. I'll just ride it out. Famous last words. I end up at a Walgreen's Clinic Saturday morning because I feel like heck. My diagnosis, a virus that will run its course in 7-10 days.

-8-
I feel worse every hour for the next two days only made worse by a stomach bug that is seriously unpleasant. Oh, and Kevin starts with a sore throat on Saturday. Sunday night the girlies spent the night at my in-laws. I slept horribly and didn't even get out of bed until 10am. Madeline and Lydia came home happy and super tired. By bedtime Madeline had a little cough and Lydia was running a fever and had broken out in a rash and low and behold... her pink eye is back.

-9-
Do you know what is worse than giving eye drops to a 3 1/2 year old? Giving eye drops to a 1 1/2 year old.

-10-
Today, Madeline is doing fine. Lydia's fever is hanging tough but she seems mostly unaffected by it. I am feeling better, not awesome, but better. And Kevin, well he's in it for the long haul.

My words of wisdom for the week: don't visit without a face mask and hand sanitizer. Deep cleaning will commence as soon as possible.

The Tuesday Ten, vol. XI

-1-
Lydia woke up 110% better than she was yesterday. Her eyes have cleared up and she was a happy smiley girl all day long.

-2-
I cut my finger whilst making myself a sandwich, yep a sandwich. I am trying to type with a band-aid on my finger and it is stupid difficult.

-3-
We are currently watching a history channel show about if a presidential book of secrets exists. They can't say presidential book of secrets without sounding ridiculously dramatic. I giggle every time.

-4-
The Warblers sang Blackbird, one of my favorite songs of all time, on Glee tonight. It was lovely. Not as good as the original, but I liked it.

-5-
Yep, I watch Glee.

-6-
I'm ok with that.

-7-
It snowed yesterday only confirming my desire, no need, for spring. Like, now.

-8-
The only problem is that my feet are totally NOT ready for flip flop weather. I just last week removed the last of the toe nail polish that was applied on August 4th of last year. It was a sliver of paint, but still. I want a pedicure like no body's business! If I had unlimited funds that is totally something I would treat myself to. I love having my nails done (both feet and hands) but can't justify the expense. Maybe some day.

-9-
Madeline has been talking about taking swimming lessons lately and informed me today that she can't go swimming until she has lessons. Why? Because it is against the rules and just wouldn't be safe. That girl is so much my daughter it is scary sometimes. She's my little rule follower.

-10-
I feel like sewing something, but I have no idea what project to start. Any suggestions?

Facebook Friday

I realized recently that part of the reason I have neglected this blog is because I have been using Facebook a whole lot more. It is just so simple to get online, get what ever is in my brain out quickly and move on.

So I thought it would be a good idea to record some of what I've posted on Facebook during the week. That way it is recorded here for all of posterity as well as on Facebook.

I am not going to re-post everything. Some things need not be repeated. Anything that is notable, or any photos I post I will re-post here.

So let's get started!

March 4 at 12:09pm
Kev is doubting my sensibility because of the way Lydia is dressed today. I'll admit she is a little bold with her colors but the hat was all her idea.


March 4 at 3:02pm
I just had a new (to me) sewing machine brought to my house by a dear friend. Let the fun begin!

March 7 at 10:41am
I guess Lydia's still feeling crummy. She just asked to nap two hours early and passed out almost as soon as I put her down. Worried what this means for the rest of the day!!!

March 7 at 6:00pm
Me: I love you Madeline.
Madeline: I love that rug.

March 9 at 10:08am
Dear Sun,
It was fun while it lasted. Could you please come out again soon? Like, now?
Love, Maureen

March 11 at 2:35pm
Conversation at the park is going something like this: "Up!" So I put her up. Immediately she says "down" so I take her down. "Up!" "Down!" "Up!" "Down!" When will I learn?