Sunday, November 26, 2017

Gobble Goddle


This Thanksgiving we were lucky to be a sick free household.  The day was full of fun, love and LOTS of laughter.  This year we even had a very special guest, my mother aka Grandma who is living with us now.

We woke up nice and early and started to play.  Nothing better than coffee, PJs and going crazy in the playroom.  With in the first hour I believe we read about 15 books (some might have been a repeat) and listened to Moana, "Your Welcome".  It was first Dominic's favorite song but now Madeline sings it all the time and she will ask for it.
 On the way to Nanas & Bampas. When we arrived at Nanas right away the boys went outside to play ninjas and karate.  This was perfect timing for Madeline went for a quick nap before we dug in.  The weather was so nice and warm.  Sun was shining and kids were having a great time until Alex was hit by the pricker bush.  After 5 mins he came back out and the boys took to running around with Ellie.
 


As soon as dinner was ready we came in and the boys took their shirts off and started to become guerrillas.  I thought this was great but we did need to place a hold on this till after we ate.  




 Dinner was so yummy and the kids did great on their own at their table.  Madeline was the only one that had seconds and thirds.  The boys were a little bit pickier and just wanted dessert.  After about 15 minutes I had to make Dominic his own jelly and cheese sandwich (his new favorite thing to eat).  After eating two... yes I said two he was able to have dessert.


 After dessert we all took to the den and boys took off their shirts and ran around like crazy kiddos.  Madeline never wants to be left out, so she joined in.  I am not sure at what point we need to tell her "no" but with a house of pretty much all boyz under the age 6 she follows.



PEEK A BOO under the table.  Since the boys like to chase each other.  Madeline likes to be sneaky and hide under the table.  Mommy wanted to join the fun and we scared the boys.







Happy Halloween 2017

I cannot believe Halloween came and went to quickly.  This year Dominic and Madeline were not in school for the Halloween celebration but they were totally fine with that because they went to SOOOO many houses this year.

Dominic decided to be Batman again and Madeline was his side kick, Bat girl. The weather was PERFECT, no jackets or gloves. We even had a special treat for Ms. Addy joined the fun.




We started off handing out candy to the neighbors for about 30 minutes then took off to get our goodies.  All the kids did a great job going up to each door and saying "trick er treat" followed by a "thank you".  Madeline was pretty quite but if you were you close to her you can hear it. Dominic was very loud and full of excitement along with Addy. At each house Dominic would also disguise his voice to sound 'DEEP' like batman.  He really became his character. We also had glow in the dark wands that were a hit and the kids loved waving them around and running with them.  They are a hit every year and the kids love'em.









We traveled up the hill and around the corner visiting about 20 houses saving the BEST for last. It is a ritual to do our surrounding neighbors and then home.  After we got our stash and went home it was off to being good kids and continue to hand out candy.  Dominic loved to see all of the costumes and hand out the goodies.  Madeline had no interest.  However, when we helped out Nana and Bampa when they were away she really enjoyed it.  Loved seeing the babies and handing out way to much candy.. the good ball.



Fall Fun with Family and Friends

Madeline has always taken to her big brother and now she LOVES to do everything he does.  From playing with cars, building towers to reading... she is busy.

Madeline is really starting to read on her own and show you what she is reading.  Since we have been reading out loud together the past few months the same books (pointing out animals and colors).  She's been reading to herself she has been converting the same things we read together.  The Elmo books she loves to point out the animals and Elmo.  We have the soft books with the dinosaur and rabbit where she likes me to read her the story and under her breath read to me.  In these books she there is a white mouse I ask her to point our and other animals on each page.  My all-time favorite book for both of my kids was the 'picture book'.  This is filled with hundreds of everyday items we use and is color coded.  We first start with the basics and then after she knows where to find them on the page we start with new pictures she may not recognize at first.  Watching her learn and grow is so beautiful.

After a few months, Madeline is really enjoying her classmates and his not sad as often when I leave her in the morning. We started to get breakfast (sometimes round 2) from the cafeteria in the mornings and I find this to be helpful.  We drop off Madeline first, go to her cubbie and then sit with her friends for breakfast.  She gives me a hug and kiss and says "bye bye mamma".  So proud of her.  The past few months she has gotten much better about sitting down for story time and listening.  She loves to help her friends but on their jackets, clean up their snack and lunches, share and give hugs.  I have also been told on many occasions that when there is music on this little girl can shake her botty.  At school, Madeline loves to play outside and ride in her car.  When its time to go in she is very sad and rather be outside than inside.

  









In early October we were noticing Madeline was taking interest in the potty.  It was quite early but we wanted to let he explore and be comfortable.  I broke out the potty for her and she loved it.  When she has to pee she will let us know about 50% of the time and want to sit on it.  Sometimes we need to be patient and I sing a silly song to keep her occupied.  When it comes to going number two she starts RUNNING to the potty.  She is more constant with making it to the potty on time for number two than number one.  However, sometimes she will fart and think she needs to poop.  It is the cutest thing and were trying to help her learn the difference.  We are so proud of her.

Some of the things Madeline has been up too are the following;

  • play with playdough
  • sing all the time
  • build with her soft blocks then knock them over
  • tackle her brother
  • climb on EVERYTHING
  • jump on the bed
  • read books
  • color (getting better at not eating the crayons)
  • bubbles
  • wear bows
  • kick the soccer ball
  • she can count to ten
  • working on her colors
  • hopping and skipping
  • brush her teeth
  • race cars
  • Anytime she gets a bump she asks for 'ice'
  • drink from a water fountain


Dominic also started Karate in early Fall and Madeline likes to watch her big brother follow his Sensai. Dominic enjoys the discipline for the most part and getting his tags on his belt.  But overall he listens and later that week brings up points in a conversation about listening and how his grandmasters say to listen to his parents and be kind to others.


Sweet shots from fun activities  



VERMONT FUN

Late October we took a family trip to VT with the May's.  We had a great time visiting Billings Farm and hiked the Gorge.  The kids had a blast and it was filled with laughter and smiles.  At home, we colored, played tea and cookies and build houses.  It was such a treat to have Madeline and Adelaide hang out.  However, it was interesting to hear and see Dominic so sweet to Adelaide and watch over her the whole weekend.












Maddy and Addy were so sweet together and played to well.  They shared pretty well and even took some bubble baths together.  Maddy was supper excited but Addy was more curious then excited.