Just like that he is "4"

Tuesday, January 3rd, Dominic turned 4 years old.  I went out that night with Madeline and we bought him a special balloon and treat. The next day, Dominic woke, saw his surprise and LOVED it.  In the morning we played and I made him a pancake in the shape of Splinter from Teenager Mutant Ninja Turtles. The day was filled with fun activities with Nana and his sister. Then at night, we celebrated with mom and dad. Saturday, we would celebrate with family and friends.

                                                                 

Saturday came, and we were getting a snow storm.  A few of our friends could not make it, but it was still a fun success with our friends and family that could attend. This was the second year Dominic choose a dinosaur theme party, BUT it was based off Dino King. Last year was it was the show from PBS, Dinosaur Train.  Just shows, he is getting bigger. Since we were having it at our house.  I turned the basement into a Dino Cave. When you came into the house, there were dino footprints that directed you to the basement.  Once you were down there, I draped a cover over the doorway that lead you into the cave.  Inside the cave was a dino egg toss (ping ball toss), feed T-Rex (bean bag game), tattoo section, books on dinosaurs and a photo booth where you could have your picture taken with T-Rex.  The kids went crazy and it was so fun to see all the kids play together and enjoy each others company.  One of the big hits was the dinosaur balloon daddy got that morning.  The kids chased each other around and screamed with delight.

~~Dominic helping me get ready and what a GREAT helper ~~

The CREW of kiddos

Tried to take a family pic

       


Later that afternoon, we gathered the family and friends and sang happy birthday. Dominic was smiling from ear to ear and eager to blow out the "4" candle on the cake. 


                 

Such a successful day surrounded by friends and family that love Dominic 

Baby its COLD outside

This year was a Christmas as a family of four. We knew it would be different, but in a much better way.  Madeline now, not only can keep up with her brother, but fights back and it is quite a playful fight to watch.  Unflortutley, Madeline woke up with a fever a few days before Christmas. So we ended up staying home on Christmas Eve with the kids, but that was okay.  We got in a P.J.s at 5 and just relaxed and played A LOT. Around 8 pm, we put out cookies and milk for Santa and apples for the reindeer.  Around 9 pm, after we had read MANY books and cuddled, it was time for bed so Santa could come.

 

Christmas Day started around 7 am for us this year, and it was so much fun.  Dominic turned on Christmas music as Mom and Dad got their coffee.  We were getting ready to embrace anything those two kids were going to get into. As Dominic was unwrapping his presents.  Madeline was very excited about all the wrapping paper and ribbon that fell to the ground.  This year, Dominic went from one toy to the next.  We had to slow him down and remind him that we take turns.  Last year, he would open a present and want to play with it right away.  This year, it was a whirl wind.  When it was Madeline's turn. She learned from watching her big brother, how to unwrap/tear wrapping paper.  She got a few books, puzzles, teddy bear and a gardening play set from Mom and Dad.  I was surprised on how much she loved her play set and how much Dominic did too.  Since she loves to try to walk, and scale the furniture.  This present, was perfect for where she is at this level.  One puzzle was one with a variety of locks so it keeps her hands very busy and really uses her motor skills.  Since the loves to touch and but everything in her mouth.  Her favorite books are the ones that are the "Touch Feel" books.  Her second favorite is the Elmo book with songs.  Overall, it was a success.  Dominic got books and a lot of puzzles (100+ pieces), basket ball and hoop. Sticker kit, games and Power Ranger toys.  He was very excited with each unwrapped toy.

       

Some things Madeline's been up too:

• She can say Dominic and Ellie very clear now
• Says shoe
• Peek a boo (she holds onto the coffee table, bends down and then pops up and smiles & giggles)
• Feeding herself with a spoon
• Drinking from a sippy cup with and without handles
• Putting blocks together and we have ones you stack on the holder
• giving kisses (actually has been doing this for over month)
• loves to be chased around and giggling
• She has been able to climb stairs now.  This past week she conquered going down just a few stairs
• Climbing underneath the kitchen table

This year our Christmas day afternoon, we attended our annual dinner at Nanas and Bampas.  The whole family was able to attend.  Which therefore entails a afternoon of crazy fun with kids running around and making memories with everyone.  A few months ago, Nana got the boys a bunk bed for when they sleep over.  So now, this is where the boys go to play ninjas and other marvel characters being boys.

Madeline would be looking for the boys and wanting to take part of the fun.  Once in awhile we would let Madeline crawl up the stairs to see the boys and chase then and giggle.

Madeline's 1st trip to BoBo's Indoor play and it was a BLAST.....

               

 Being very goofy  ...

             

ThanksGiving with these little munchkins

WOW! I am very behind on the updates with these two.  This past Thanksgiving ,we actually had 2 sick free kids.  We started off our day in our PJs and playing till we headed over to Nana's and Bampa's to celebrate with the family.  The day before Thanksgiving, we read a book about Thanksgiving so Dominic and Madeline made turkey crowns to wear and had a blast doing it. When we got to Nana's and Bampas.  The grand kids were crazy busy playing Power Ranges and running around.  Madeline had a blast trying to keep up with them as they ran around.

I was very surprised on how well Madeline did with eating at the adult table and how much she ate.  She LOVED the mash potatoes and turkey.   She just sat there eating and talking to us.
     

  

The past few months, Madeline has been very active and into everything.  She has been keeping not just me, but Nana very busy.  She has been talking/babbling a lot. You can tell she is trying to sound out the words you are saying and is very serious as she babbles.  Madeline has been able to sound out not just the "D" sound but "M, S anf G" sounds too.  She watches your lips and just smiles.

She is not walking yet, but sure is a fast crawler.  She loves to go into rooms that she knows shes not allowed in, such as the bathrooms.  If she sees the door open.  She takes a quick look at you then bolts to the door.  Even though she is not walking yet.  She can now use the play mower which is very hard to use because you have to really hold yourself up and walk.  We were really impressed and even Dominic said, "lets go mow Madeline".

November 20th Madeline turned 10 months

 She LOVES to

• Eat (loves fruit)
• Chase after her brother and all the animals (Pepper, Abe and Ellie)
• Be kissed from Ellie Bell
• Build with blocks
• Rolling the ball around with mommy and Dominic 
• Act shy
• Pull out her hair bows
• Crawl the stairs and under the kitchen table
• Talk and say momma, dadda, Da for Dominic and she can now say Ellie
• Head bang and dance 

At the beginning of December. We were very lucky enough
to have a special visit from Poppy.  He came for a week and that week was filled with LOTS of playing.  Dominic was very excited to show Poppy all of his Power Ranger ener-gems and figurines while Madeline would show off her crawling skills and babbling.

One fun trip we took, was too Dover Children's Museum.  At the museum we were postmen, race car drivers, paleontologist, flew helicopters, and played with trains.  It was a relaxing trip filled with bonding and laughter.

The kids also attended their 1st holiday parade.  We went to Manchester and watched firetrucks, police men, orchestras and cars decorated with holiday decor.  It was VERY cold, so we did not stay long, but long enough to drink hot chocolate and get in the holiday spirit.  Dominic loved the parade and Madeline enjoyed watching all the lights and music.

Now since were approaching December.  We ended up setting up our tree right after Thanksgiving.  This year we ended up putting up a "pretty" fake tree.  Mom was not sure how it would turn out, but it ended up very pretty and no one knew it was fake.  

Dominic and dad continued their tradition of baking cookies as mom got the tree all prepped.  As we were busy getting things set up.  Ms Madeline enjoyed watching mommy string the lights while playing on her keyboard and teethed in her teething ring.  

Madeline at Story Time