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.