Photo Dump

Just a collection of photos taken by my Cell Phone...

School Daze

Guess who did amazing on her Kindergarten screening and is heading to Kindergarten this Fall?

This girl!

We now present Samantha, class of 2025!

We'll find out on 8/17 who Samantha has for a teacher, and then

her first day of school will be on 9/6.

Five Things Friday

Five Things That Happened This Past Week That Made Me Smile:

1. As of March, Samantha is registered for Kindergarten for Fall 2012.  As of yesterday, Samantha was screened for Kindergarten this Fall and she passed.  She did very well and scored a 90/80.  I'm not 100% sure what that means, but when the teacher brought Samantha back into the room where I was waiting, she told me that "Samantha is beyond ready for Kindergarten this Fall".  We're so proud!
2. The Madore-ables are ready for Summer.  Samantha's last day of school is Friday, 6/15 complete with a graduation ceremony, and Sam will start in the Fall on 9/6.  The majority of their Winter clothing is folded and put away ready to be brought to the consignment shop to be sold.  I thought for sure that I would have to buy Summer clothing this year.  Well, it turns out, that I don't really have to buy much if anything at all! 
3. Last weekend as you know was my Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Boston.  The walk went amazingly.  No blisters.  Perfect weather.  I've gone through all of my pictures and there are so many to choose from to make my slide show.  Hopefully I can start on that this weekend.  There are such great stories behind each one of them.  I just completed my 3rd year, and I've started quite the collection on Avon shirts and walking gear.  I just may need a separate dresser/closet to hold everything!  Ha ha.  Everything is all folded and put away for the Fall when I begin my training and my fundraising.  Thank you so much to everyone who donated to my walk this year.  Thanks to you I was able to raise $2557.50 this year :) 
4. So, last night I got home after work pretty tired from a long night.  I get home only to find out that the front screen door is locked and everyone is in bed.  I spent about 5 minutes tapping on the window, but to no avail.  I try calling Jeremy's cell phone, which is on vibrate and sitting on the desk across the room lighting up like a Christmas tree.  So none of my plans are working at all, and the entire time I'm doing this, I'm hoping that there are no surprise animals in the area, like skunks.  So, as I'm about to call the house phone and possibly wake everyone up at 11:00pm, I realized something that is the only part of this story that made me smile:  I realized that my key not works in the front door, but also works out back too.  SAVED!
5. I usually get out of bed just after Jeremy leaves for work.  I like being up and awake when the girls wake up to come get me downstairs.  While I'm waiting for the girls to get up, I usually turn on my laptop and check my email or whip up a quick blog post.  If Sarah sees that the lap top is on when she comes downstairs, she knows that I will put on her favorite video.  I love watching Sarah watch this video.  Just her smiling and giggling alone could put a smile on any one's face.

Here is the video that Sarah (and Sam) absolutely love and giggle over:

Here is Sarah's reaction:

Old MacDonald Had A Farm

Last week, the Madore-ables were introduced to the Nevins Farm/MSPCA in Methuen.  We had never gone, and I thought the girls would love to see all the animals.

Sarah thought that the ducks and geese "talking amongst themselves" was pretty funny

These poor horses were in quarentine because before they came to Nevins Farm, they were malnourished.  Now that they are at Nevins, they look SO much healthier.  Sarah named them "Jenn", "Apple Jack" and couldn't decide on the last name so went between "Lunchbox" and "Peggy".

Sarah meeting "Oliver"

Samantha couldn't believe how soft Oliver's fur was

We also met a 2-week old kitten.  The girls were so fascinated with how small he was

Sarah looks so sad here, but I assure you, she was having such a great time feeding the 2-week old kitty cat.



Tea For Two and 15 For Tea

Last Friday, Samantha's preschool class invited all the Mommies to a "Mother's Tea".  I do have to say, it wasn't with the Queen, but I certainly feel like I received the royal treatment!

By invite only!  We must be a pretty big deal.

Follow the glitter path road

The Playbill

Front row seating!

Sunflowers was the theme of the day

Yummy goodies and tea and coffee were served

Singing "If All the Raindrops Were Lemon Drops and Gum Drops"

(Sam is at the "Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah" part)

Singing "Mud"

             Samantha and her classmates planted sunflower seeds.  They're growing like flowers!



 

 Samantha's class mate, Julia

 Sarah was fascinated with Samantha's hat

Home At Last

So, as many of you know this past weekend was my 39.3 mile, 2 day Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.  The last 7 months of fundraising and training all come to a peak in one weekend.  I just completed my 3rd year, and I tell you, it never gets old.  There's a new friend to walk with every step.  There's a new story to laugh at or cry at.  There's a moment of exhaustion and suddenly in the same breath a moment of inspiration.  I had many of those moments, and as I look at the photographs that I took, and that were taken of me and posted on Facebook, I can think back to exactly what mile it was.  I can think back to whom I was walking with.  I may not know my own name sometimes, but I love what these walks have done for me.  The exhaustion and the tired achy (and sometimes blistery) feet are completely and totally worth it.

Everything about the weekend was perfect.  The weather.  The crowds cheering us on.  The food and snacks.  Even the grape Gatorade.  The hot shower.  0 blisters.  The sunrise on Sunday morning.  But you know what my favorite part about the walk weekend was?

Walking from mile 38 to mile 39 and seeing Jeremy, my Mom and these little sweethearts at the very end.

(I will have more photos and more stories to post about soon!)

Five Things Friday

Five Things That Happened This Past Week That Made Me Smile:

1. This past week, I've done about 4 loads of laundry.  (For those of you who really know me, this will be a big deal).  I love love doing laundry, but I hate hate folding it and putting it away just as much.  I'm happy to say that I folded all 4 loads of laundry and put it away.  Yay!
2. Today marks Samantha's "Mother's Tea" at her preschool.  The theme I've heard all week is "wear yellow" and sunflowers.  Samantha said she's been practicing hard all week for her musical performance.  She's just excited to wear a sunflower dress.
3. Earlier this week was my father's Birthday, so the Madore-ables and I made a surprise lunch visit.  We also stopped by a store to pick up some balloons for his Birthday too.  I tell you, have you ever transported 7 balloons and 2 children in the backseat of your car?  Just listening to the giggles is beyond awesome-ness.
4. Today marks "Event Eve" which is the Friday before the weekend of my Avon Walk.  Tonight, my team will meet in Boston to turn in any last minute donations that we may have received.  We also meet at a restaurant and have a "Carb Party".  As if we need an excuse to get together and eat good food, right?  If you would like to make a donation, you're not too late.  Go online to www.avonwalk.org/goto/Jennifer.Madore
5. The weather for this coming weekend's walk looks AMAZING!  Living in New England, I always get nervous, but we're in for sunny skies and warm temperatures!  So happy!