Smiles For Miles

Last week the Madore-ables and I were heading out to do some errands. I thought it would be a good idea if we headed out after breakfast. Full tummies = happy mommy = occupied children = fun car ride.

So after I get them all "winterized" (spending 20 minutes putting on the winter coat, plus the hat plus the mittens plus the boots) we made our way outside to the car. After I buckled up the girls, I had told Samantha how proud of her I was that she finished her breakfast, and what a good girl she was being that morning. I told her that she was making Mommy very happy and that my heart was smiling.

Samantha of course was beaming from ear to ear, and what was her response?

"God must be smiling too Mommy! He must be proud."

He's not the only one Sam :)

Five Things Friday

5 Things That Made Me Smile This Past Week

1. The Madore-ables and I had several snow days this past week. We had quite the amount of fun activities.
2. Jeremy and I did our 2010 taxes and found out that we're getting a return. We also found out that it's enough to pay off one of our student loans and to upgrade our camera equipment. Woot woot!
3. I've been going through the Madore-ables clothing...all the clothing that Sarah has outgrown, all the clothing that Samantha has outgrown. The amount of clothing the girls have is just crazy. I seriously have about 5 big diaper sized boxes just full of clothes sitting in my room right now. The Madore-ables have more of a wardrobe than I do!
4. Tomorrow kicks off Charlie's Angels training walking down in Boston. An 8 mile walk is scheduled. I am a little nervous however, seeing that we have been getting slammed with snow storms. It's not the length of the walk that scares me, nor the cold. The only thing that makes me nervous is the ice. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone from my team and to meet those from other teams. I know that it's going to be a great time and I can't wait to be reminded why I'm doing this.
5. Samantha has been talking about being a junior bridesmaid/flower girl for my sister in law, Jessica this past week. The wedding isn't until May, but Sam is so excited and I can tell because she keeps bringing it up. My dress for the wedding has been hanging in my closet since Christmas time, so whenever Samantha comes into my bedroom closet, she sees it and starts talking about how pretty her dress is going to be and how she gets to walk down the isle with one of her cousins. The smile on her face is so cute. I hope her dress comes in soon...I know Samantha is looking forward to it!

Sarah's Dictionary Addendum

From the moment Sarah wakes up until the moment she falls asleep at night, she's constantly saying something.

"HAT" (a.k.a. PBS's "The Cat In the Hat")

Ty-nen-ol (a.k.a "Tylenol")

"Poopywet" (do I need to explain this one?)

"I do it I do it I do it" (a.k.a "I can do it Mommy/Daddy")

"Grace" (a.k.a saying "Grace" before each meal or saying prayers at night before going to sleep)

"Pow!" (a.k.a a snow plow....which have been working hard and diligently these last few weeks with the snow storms we've been receiving)

Sarah's A Dictionary

Sarah is becoming a little dictionary during the day.

Adding all sorts of new vocabulary to the pages.


Her favorite sayings during the day?

"O-Dokey!" (a.k.a "Okey dokey")

"Kay-q" (a.k.a "Thank you")

"No kay-q" (a.k.a "No thank you")

"P.G's" (a.k.a "PJ's" or "Pajamas")

"Frack-le Feet" (a.k.a "Freckle on my feet")

"Ahhhhhh-men!" (a.k.a "Amen")

and of course, every 2-year old's favorite word,

"No" (a.k.a "No")

Paparazzi

My little paparazzi

She takes after her Mommy & Daddy

(her Grandfather & her Great-Grandmother too)

What are we taking pictures of you ask?

Well, Fashion Week came a little early this year.

And it didn't go to Milan.

Or Paris.

Or New York.

Or London.

Nope.

It came to the Madore-able's living room.

Strike a pose!

Bad Hair Day?

I never have to worry about keeping my Madore-ables entertained. Entertainment is just around the corner...in our hair accessories basket.

Sarah thought it would be fun to use

every

single

piece

of hair elastic, hair bow and hair clip that we own.

She kept handing them to me

And I kept putting them on...

Until there was no more room

(And no more accessories)

Five Things Friday

Five Things That Made Me Smile This Past Week

1. Working out and training is continuing to go very well. Believe me, there are mornings where it's hard to leave a nice cozy, warm bed. But, once I get those endorphines going, it's totally worth it.
2. Jeremy introduced me to a new word recently: "Passion". I love many things, but I'm passionate with just a few things in my life: I'm passionate about building my relationship with my husband. I'm passionate about being a great Mom. I'm passionate about training and getting ready for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I'm passionate about fundraising and talking to the media about my walking team's FUNdraisers. It's such an overwhelming rush of adrenaline from the beginning to the end of the weekend of the walk. In my first week, heck my first 3 days, I'm just a few hundred dollars shy of my obligated amount of $1800. Someone asked me recently, "Isn't it a lot of work to do that?" I would rather walk 39.3 miles in the course of two days than be sick and have to deal with radiation and chemo therapy. I'm honored to walk for those who need me. I'm honored to walk for our Madore-ables so they don't have to when they are of age. Have you heard about this story of a toddler who is known as the youngest person to survive Breast Cancer? GOOO ALEISHA!
3. Jeremy told me today that he doesn't have to go back to Washington D.C next weekend. Can I get a big YEE HAAAAAW!
4. I became an Aunt again this past week. My brother in law and sister in law gave birth to a baby girl named Hannah :) Congratulations to big brothers Samuel, Daniel, and Jacob.
5. I'm very thankful for everything in my life. My faith, my hubby and my girls definitely make me well aware of all that I should say "thank you" to. I find myself thinking throughout the week what I should mention for my "5 Things Friday". I only wish I had started this blog sooner than I did. I find in times of stress (i.e - when a certain two little girls want to play with the same toy at the same exact time) I take my "mommy time out" and come up with at least 2 (sometimes 3 - it all depends on how "serious" the fight for the toy is) things that I am most grateful for. This blog has certainly helped me to stay grounded, to build my faith and remind myself just how great my life is.

Oh The Sweet Things Kids Will Say

Samantha's thoughts always amaze me. Not only what she says, but just the fact that she thinks it.

So this past week at breakfast, the Madore-ables are sitting very quietly eating their breakfast. Normally, the rule at the table is to keep the talking to minimal to concentrate on eating. When talking is involved, the eating part is usually forgotten. This is the time when Samantha's best questions come to life. It usually comes right after the 4th bite of oatmeal and before the piece of toast with crunchy peanut butter.

"Mommy? Are there streets in heaven?"

"Streets in heaven? What do you mean hunny?"

"Well, when we go visit Grammy Rose there's a street to drive by her grave and there's rows and rows of people who are with her." [Just a side note, "Grammy Rose" was my grandmother and the Madore-ables Great-Grandmother who passed away April 2010].

When my Grandmother passed away, the hardest part of receiving the news on the telephone was explaining what happened to Samantha who was just barely 3 years old at the time. I explained to Samantha that Grammy Rose's mind, and her soul a.k.a "tummy" to a 3 year old goes to live with Jesus, but her body stays here on Earth and in the ground. That's the way Jesus wanted it to be. I also explained it to Samantha that my Grandmother is not only surrounded by the people who come to visit her and bring her flowers, but she is surrounded by the other people who are buried near her too.

I asked Sam where did she get the idea of streets in heaven, and her answer was from watching Dora and from Sarah's backpack she received from Christmas. Samantha then pointed out to me the map that was attached to Sarah's backpack has a street on it that leads from one point, to the next, etc. She thought that the road on the map looked like the road that was in the cemetary. I really think she feels that the pretend path that's on the Dora backpack is similar to the road that we take to visit my Grandmother's grave.

Have I mentioned how amazing I think Samantha is?

It's All Fun and Games!

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm going to anyway. Keep bringing on the snow! I don't mind staying snow bound inside our house. We have plenty of toys to play with. Plenty of books to read. Who has time for television in our house?

We've been having a great time playing with all sorts of toys.

Recently, Samantha and I have been playing games during the day...her most favorite is Candy Land.

Sam gets very excited when she lands on the "Candy Cane" or the "Lolli Pop"

Samantha was able to play 3 consecutive games before she got tired of playing. So, Samantha found a more fun use for the Gingerbread men pieces of Candy Land:

She decided that it was time for a spontaneous dance party for the Gingerbread men pieces.

Then Sarah became interested in what this intriguing game called Candy Land was.

She liked the idea of this spontaneous dance party.

With a little bit of peek a boo

A Mommy No-No

Since becoming a parent, I've learned several things, but one thing above all: no matter how much you try to avoid it, one way or another you will become your parents.

Whether it be something verbal like, "Wait until your father comes home!" (which I must let you know that is never said in our house) or "Do not make me stop this car!" (which I am a little embarrassed to admit has been said in our car).

Well, I feel the need to confess something...I broke the "I will never do that...EVER" rule this past weekend...and I just have to say that I hope Sarah forgives me one day.

So this past Sunday morning, Jeremy made us a yummy breakfast of French Toast before we went to church. Our church service is at 11:30 am and we were finished with breakfast by 9:45. SCORE! I had enough time to get myself ready, plus get the girls ready. They were really all set, but I was referring to a diaper change for Sarah; getting the girls hair ready and of course preparing the beloved sippy cups.

So we arrive 10 minutes early before church begins, and everything continues to go well. Then we're in the middle of mass and it's then I notice Sarah's little face has some sticky, maple syrup on her cheek. It's then I realize, "Shoot! I forgot to wipe Sarah's face before we left"

Without thinking, I licked my thumb...and what do you think I did?








Yup.

Boston's BIG Snow Storm 2011

So last Wednesday the Boston weather men/women predicted a snow storm and they were 100% spot on. Mother Nature certainly delivered.

We live just outside of Boston, and I think we were hit with about 15" of the white, pretty frozen product. We weren't able to go out the first few days, but we certainly went out on Friday at Nanny's. Over the weekend we christened the new sleds that Mamere & Papere gave the Madore-ables for Christmas and went sledding with our friend Joe and his son Brandon.

Samantha already loves the outdoors. It was freezing out on Friday, and she didn't seem to care. She just wanted to shovel Nanny's back porch. Sarah had fun, but couldn't figure the snow out. Before anyone comments, I would like to mention that if you do not see any mittens on Sarah's little hands in the pictures, that's because she was not interested in wearing any. She fought me left and right. Let me just say that Sarah's playtime in the snow was short lived because her hands were cold.

Otherwise, here's a few pictures of the day :)

Five Things Friday

Here Are 5 Things That Made Me Smile This Past Week

1. I absolutely love the fact that Samantha is old enough now to play board games. Jeremy and I have had such a great time playing Candy Land and Bingo. Samantha also received a Dora the Explorer Wii game for Christmas. We've only played it once since receiving it as we limit the amount of television that the girls watch during the day. It's a good feeling to know that Samantha chooses the board games over the Wii/television. Jeremy and I also think it's a good idea to give Samantha some one on one time.
2. I've been doing so well this past week with working out with my Wii and training. I do have to admit that it's so difficult to wake up early to squeeze that exercise in, but I tell you it's so worth it once I'm all done. My goal is begin and end my days with a Wii jog. Feel free to follow my progress on my "In It To End It" tab.
3. I LOVE snow...but I love my 4-wheel drive Jeep Cherokee more. Need I say more? Wednesday, Boston got hit very hard by a snow storm. We received about 13-15" where we live. It was so bad that I just stayed home with the girls and watched the snow plows drive by and watch all the non-all wheel drive cars try their best to get to the top of the hill. It truly was a great feeling yesterday morning to just slip the car into 4X4 and attack the hill like there wasn't any snow.
4. Sarah singing the ABC's sounds so cute. She's really enunciating every letter...well, everything except for "L-M-N-O-P" which comes out as "L-O-P". It's so nice to hear her speaking so well.
5. I just found out late last night that my best friend Christine and her husband Scott just delivered their second child...a GIRL! Congratulations Scott, Chrissy and BIG sister Abbey! Happy Birthday Marcella...welcome to the world.

When Samantha Grows Up

The other day, Samantha and I were talking about what Jeremy does for work. I explained to her that Daddy does marketing [for a food service company], and makes pretty posters with a computer [advertising for upcoming promotions]. (I'll also mention that Jeremy does a whole lot more than that. I just explained the easy stuff to her...what 3 1/2 year old understands a purchase requisition?) I also explained to Sam that Daddy works very hard and leaves the house each morning so that I can stay home and so we can pay our bills, etc.

So, just for the heck of it, I asked Samantha, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

So Samantha thought about it and here's the list that she's come up with so far. *NOTE - I should mention that since I've written this blog entry, Sam keeps reminding me what she wants to be when she grows up and is still adding dreams and aspirations.*


Here is Samantha's "wish list" on what she would like to be when she grows up. In no particular order:

An explorer (I'm thinking she got this from Dora and not the Ford SUV)

A teacher (Mamere Madore would be happy with this one)

A cooker (I think she meant baker)

A reader (Said right after we came home from the library)

A hockey player (Jim & Alannah would be proud of this one)

A Writer (Sam is very excited to go to school someday)

And a Mommy

I know I'm very proud of the last one :)

Oh The Sweet Things Kids Will Say

At dinner recently, Samantha had mentioned that she enjoyed what she was eating and proceeded to rub her tummy to say,

"Hmmmmm...this is yummy!"

Jeremy and I gave her a little bigger portion than what we normally give, but she willingly ate everything on her plate. We were shocked at the amount of food she was putting away. So I asked her,

"Where is all that food going?"

Samantha replied without missing a beat,

"God is in my heart with all of my food".

I think my heart melted : )

Oh The Funny Things Kids Will Say

So if you don't know by now, or couldn't tell from my Facebook status messages, the Madore-ables are going through a phase that I would give my right arm to skip over. It is called the "Terrible 2's" and the "Terrible 3's", perhaps you've heard of them? I have also been informed that this is only the beginning. Oh dear.

It's a comfort to know that I am not the only full time, stay at home Mom who is going through this. There are many days where I feel like this:

And there are many days where I get to the end of the day and I realize, "Wow, what a great day!" And I stop and think, "I wish there were more of these!"

Over the weekend, I was trying to get us ready for church and the Madore-ables just weren't cooperating for me at all. Every time I'd put something into the diaper bag, they'd pull it out, or I'd be ready to put on their shoes and their coats and they decided that now would be the perfect time to play a game of "Run away from Mommy". Or better yet, Sarah would decide that moment would be the perfect time to uhh, well build some projects in her diaper. I just remember standing there half laughing and half thinking "I'm going out of my mind". So I decided to start some conversation with Samantha to see if that would help get her mind back on track and focus on what I needed her to do. And if Samantha was putting her shoes on, then Sarah would do the same.

"Samantha, have you seen Mommy's mind? I seem to have lost it"

And Samantha of course, without missing a beat,

"Your mind is in the basement Mommy. I can't get it for you now, but maybe after church".

Oh...that's not all.

A minute passes by and Samantha says,

"Mommy, I FOUND IT!"

"Found what Sam?" (I actually forgot what we were talking about)

"I found your mind Mommy!" And she proceeds to come over to me with this imaginary "mind" in her hand and and asks me to skooch down so she can tap this imaginary "mind" onto the top of my head. The whole time I'm laughing, and before I can say anything to her, she responds with:

"You're welcome Mommy!"

So, it may not always be Camp Sunshine here at the Madore-able compound during the day, sometimes it's Camp Partly Cloudy. I can always guarantee that my Madore-ables will keep me laughing and entertained. You have to go through the rain to get to the rainbows. I just need to remember to be consistent when discipline needs to be made and give surprises and treats only when they are truly deserved. Being Mommy is the best job I have ever had here at Camp Sunshine. I try to look at each day as a learning experience. It just makes me feel good to know that I am not alone.

A Playdate In Boston

Saturday was quite an exciting day: not only for Jeremy and myself but for the Madore-ables. We set up quite a huge enormous gigantic copious monster play date not only for adults, but for the kids too.

Jeremy and I met up with our friends Jerome, Caroline and their daughter Jasmine. We haven't seen them in over a year, and thanks to Facebook we've been able to keep in touch. Unfortunately this play date was bittersweet. It was a great way to meet and catch up on the past year's events, but it also meant that this would be the last time we see them for a long time as they are moving to France very soon. We had a wonderful time with them and the girls of course loved having a new playmate.

For the adults, we decided to take a tour of the Sam Adams beery brewery. I'm not a beer drinker at all (and I'm sure I just lost a few readers after that last line) but the story behind how Jim Koch came to be was pretty fascinating. Plus, John the tour guide was very comical and kept the crowd well entertained. For the girls we went to the Boston Children's Museum.

We decided not to tell Samantha about what we were doing until the girls were dressed, but to no avail she heard Jeremy talking on the phone to Jerome planning the day's details. Samantha heard "Boston" and it was all done there. She was very giddy with excitement. What we didn't tell her was that we were going to drive to Alewife Station and then take the T into the city. Sam has been on the train before, but not since she was a year old. I don't think she remembers it...but she certainly keeps talking about her train ride on Saturday. Sam was so excited, I can't even begin to tell you. It really was very cute. She kept saying "thank you for the train ride" even after we got home.

We had a fantastic time and the only thing that disappointed us was that there just wasn't enough time to explore the entire Children's Museum. So, we'll just have to go back and visit again...I don't think Samantha or Sarah will seem to mind.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the day:

Samantha couldn't stay still she was SO excited!

Sam thought the trains were really loud...so she blocked her ears.

This smile is only the beginning...

Sarah had a lot of fun exploring the T...

Sarah LOVED standing up on Mommy's lap. She's not quiet often, but you know her mind was racing with all of the sights and sounds that were happening.

"Daddy! We're going really fast!"

Sam could not stop smiling...this was just the T. We hadn't even gotten to the fun part yet.

I wish I knew what was going through her mind exactly.

The Sam Adams brewery tour and maybe a small sample ; )

Sarah at the Children's Museum. This was the "Bubble Room"

Samantha looking at the turtle display

Exploring with Daddy

Sarah was in awe of the displays

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Samantha and I cranking out some energy in the "Electrical/Power" area

Come on Sarah! Let's go explore the next floor!

We were just so happy that the girls had such a wonderful time...and happier that Samantha was saying "Thank you Mommy & Daddy" and "this is so much FUN!".

Thank you to Jerome and Caroline and Jasmine for making the trip down to Boston. It was wonderful to see you! Good luck as you move to France. We hope to see you very soon. Bon voyage! Au revoir!