Skating "Thumbs Up"

Over the weekend, we tried skating again and we were much more successful this time.

Samantha had a better time thanks to the brilliant idea of wearing snow pants while skating.

Samantha tried falling a couple times and laughed at those who fell around her.

Sarah watching the action from the side lines

Sarah didn't stay on the side lines for long.

And of course, Daddy gives the BEST skating rides

There's always a smile at the end of every one.

Five Things Friday

Five Things That Made Me Smile This Week

1. It's been less than Spring-like temperatures here in Boston for quite awhile now. But that doesn't stop us. Jeremy grilled Wednesday night's dinner on our gas grill. It's never too cold to grill at the Madore-ables house. As long as the snow isn't covering the grill, we'll use it no matter what the weather. I'm thinking positive...just about 3 weeks until Spring! Then we will be refilling our gas tank on a more consistant basis.
2. I've been getting incredibly itchy to get out and do some walking and training for my AWBC walk in May. I've been doing Wii workouts, which has been helping, but there's nothing like pavement. I'm looking forward to tomorrow as tomorrow is the first training walk. Sure it's going to be 30 degrees, but the snow is melting.
3. The Madore-ables and I are very excited. We don't get to see our friends Jimmy & Kerry and their daughter Shannon too often due to our schedules, and they work on the weekends. This week is school vacation in Massachusetts, so today we're having a playdate with Kerry and Shannon!
4. I don't know if it's me being sentimental, but both Madore-ables seem so grown up this week. Sarah's vocabulary and communication has been increasing and Samantha is getting dressed by herself in the morning and brushing her teeth (with a little bit of help) by herself. I can't put my finger on it though. The questions that Samantha asks are becoming more deep. Sarah is saying "I love you" followed by hugs and kisses.
5. I'm very excited that our photography business is getting busier by the month. Right now we have 5 weddings booked for the 2011 year. There's something about photographing a wedding. We're so honored to be a part of one of the most important days of a couple's life. I know there's so much more to it than the pretty white dress, and the yummy cake but to be behind the lens seeing what nobody else sees: the father standing off in the corner trying to hold back tears or seeing the flower girl playfully bouncing around waiting for the "big moment" of tossing those petals on the floor. It's just amazing.

Baking Date

Earlier this week, Sarah and I had a special date. When Samantha and I had our special date a few weeks back, we took the tour of the post office as well as officer safety. This week, Sarah did something fun: baking.

Each child received their own piece of dough with their name on it.

Sarah wasn't sure what to make of this white goo. I found it quite amusing that she was annoyed that it stuck to her hand.

Sarah decided to make a "S" bread cookie.

Sarah kept wrapping up her "S" cookie and opening it up and saying "surprise"

Then Sarah found out that we weren't done...

SPRINKLES!!

And more sprinkles

While we waited for the "S" cookie to bake...

Sarah had some water and didn't spill a drop.

DING! They're done!

When I asked Sarah how her cookie was, her response?

"Yum-ME"

One of the Mommies of the group just had a baby about a month ago. Sarah walked over to the baby's car seat carrier and each time she walked over, the baby was sleeping and Sarah would just come back and sit next to me. At one point, the baby let out this HUGE cry/scream, and Sarah bolted over just to go check things out. When the Mom pulled her out of the car seat, Sarah asked if she could "hold baby please?"

Needless to say, Sarah was in her element and had a great day : )

Skating Vs. "Sneaker Skating"

The Madore-ables, Jeremy and myself were very fortunate this past weekend. Our friends Jeremiah and his wife Heather invited us to go ice skating with them at another skating rink at one of the local schools. We had a great time, but Samantha for some reason didn't seem as excited to be on her skates as when we went skating last weekend.

Samantha introduced something new

"Sneaker skating"

In between "Sneaker Skating" laps, Daddy carried Sam

I don't know who had more fun being carried by Daddy.

Sarah laughed the entire length of the lap.

Sarah really liked Heather's scarf...I liked it to. It was fun to tickle Sarah's face.

Thank you Jeremiah & Heather :) (And to Susan too!)

It's Springtime...Just Kidding

Last week, Mother Nature played a cruel joke on us. Boston experienced something we haven't seen, or felt in months:

Warmth

Sunshine

"Spring-Like" temperatures

It. Was. AWESOME!

I worked last Thursday and drove home with the windows wide open, listening to some Fleetwood Mac. Then I drove to my Mom's house and found this in the driveway :)

We've Been Bitten

By the bug.

The Wii bug that is :)

With all the snow that we've received, it makes it quite impossible to get outside and train for my 39.3 mile Avon Walk for this coming May. So, instead of going to the gym, I just use my Wii Fit Plus right in the comforts of home to do my training. I try to do at least 20-30 minutes of activity everyday. I mainly just jog, but I try to switch it up and do boxing or hula hooping.

I love my Wii.

The Madore-ables have been participating in jogging alongside with me. When I announce that I'm going to "Wii" they go nuts and run around to find the necessary tools to complete their workouts:

Their Wii mat

Their "Wii remote" and the t.v remote so they can "switch" between Wii jogging and Super Why. (Because every Mommy who jogs with the Wii along with the t.v knows that the workout goes by so much quicker with something like Curious George or Super Why).

Samantha's turn...look at her burn those calories!

Go Sarah go!!!! You can do it!

I think it's great that my girls are so excited to have fun along with the Wii. I also think it's great that they're having fun and don't realize that they're still getting exercise.

You can follow my training progress on my "In it to end it" tab!

Five Things Friday

Five Things That Made Me Smile This Week

1. This past week Sarah has not only slept through the night, but she made a nice alarm clock to wake up to. Sarah seems to be singing all the time now. She sings "Shi-shine" (a.k.a "You Are My Sunshine") and "ABC's" in the morning. I can always tell when Samantha gets out of bed to go greet Sarah at Sarah's crib because I hear Sarah yelling out "HI SAMMY". It really is a nice way to wake up in the morning.
2. Jeremy hasn't been feeling too well this past week due to sinuses, so I've made several trips to the store for popsicles and Advil cold & sinus. While I was wandering the isles of CVS, I came across a fabulous incredible wonderful amazing marvelous awesome little section called the "clearance" section. I found all sorts of goodies for just $1.00. I felt like a kid in a candy store. Large bottle of brand name shampoo normally $5 elsewhere? Nope, a dollar. Eyelash curler normally $3 or $4? Nope, a dollar. Have I mentioned how much I love the clearance section?
3. So I did a very stupid thing earlier in the week...I dropped my glasses on the bathroom sink counter....completely shattered in 2 pieces. Luckily they broke so it look like I was wearing the "monocle" look. I primarily wear my contact lenses, so wearing glasses when I first woke up, or right before I went to bed didn't bother me, just more of annoyance. So I got a surprise call from my friend Molly on Wednesday saying that she didn't have any plans that day and would like to come down to visit. Well, I carpe diem'd and made an eye exam appointment for me and got fitted for some new glasses and frames. I'm looking forward to next week when they come in. I was told by the eye doctor that my eyesight in my left eye has improved since my last appointment...which is strange because I thought as you get older, your eyesight gets worse? I'm not complaining or anything :) Oh! Here my are my glasses :)
4. I am TOTALLY LOVING this 50-60 degree weather that Boston has been having the last few days. It was nice to drive with the windows down and it was also nice to see my girls out in the driveway at Nanny's house yesterday playing with sidewalk chalk. I also was able to go for a walk at lunch yesterday too with Jeremy while we were at work. (I work part time on Thursday at the same company Jeremy does). So we just dodged puddles from all the melting snow, but we managed to squeeze a mile out in fifteen minutes. I can't wait for more snow and ice to melt because I'm very itchy to get out to start walking and training for the my AWBC walk.
5. Today I'm really excited to have a play date with my friend Chrissy and her two daughters Abby & Marcella. Marcella was born in mid-January and this will be the first time we've seen her. Chrissy lives out in the Worcester area, so we don't get to see each other often. I haven't told Samantha yet, so I know she'll be really excited when she finds out she can play with Abby. Sarah is just obsessed with babies, so I know that she'll love to see Marcella.

Skating With Daddy

Last weekend we decided to christen Samantha's ice skates from Christmas...she was so excited from the time we announced that we were leaving the house to the point where Jeremy and Sam left the ice and wanted to know when she could skate again :)

Samantha did very well and hope to go back again this Saturday. Knowing that something as simple as ice skating could make her smile and be so happy was just awesome.

While Daddy and Sam were out on the ice, Sarah and I had a great time sitting on the bleachers, talking to the other parents; playing with the goodies that we brought in her backpack. Sarah's favorite part was walking by the door of the rink and watching the skaters going by. She especially loved watching Daddy and her big sister go by.

Samantha: Bad To the Bone

Last week, Samantha and I had two very special dates (or as I like to call them "Just Mommy and Sammy" dates). Date number one consisted of taking a tour of our local post office and got a behind the scenes tour of how the post office runs and what actually happens when we mail a letter. Most of it was over Samantha's head, but I completely found it fascinating. I will tell you one thing: I will never EVER complain again about the cost of a stamp. Those postal carriers really work hard.

Date number two was also just as fun. Samantha and I joined about 30 other children and parents and listened as a police officer explained the dangers of speaking to strangers, and holding Mommy and Daddy's hand while walking in a parking lot. At the end of the presentation, the officer asked the children if there were any questions. Samantha shot her arm straight up and yelled out "I do!". Samantha wanted to know how does the police officers turn on the bright blue lights and the loud siren. (I already knew this, but Samantha didn't) It was then that the police officer asked the children who would like to see the inside of the police car? You should have seen Samantha's face...

I unfortunately couldn't get a good photograph of Samantha's expression with the blue lights/siren running (there were a lot of children who also wanted to sit in the front seat). Although, on our way home I asked Samantha what her favorite part of the day was.

Samantha's answer?

"Sitting in the police officer's car was so neat Mommy!"

A Mommy No-No

I told myself that I would never

ever

ever

ever

ever

take photos of the girls in the tubby.

But Sarah was just so giggly and playful that I couldn't help myself.

Valentine's Day 2011

I love Valentine's Day. Why?

I love it that Jeremy doesn't buy me overpriced flowers.

I love it that Jeremy doesn't buy me jewlery with a high markup rate.

Instead, he gave me two of the cutest Valentine's I could ever ask for :)

Here's Samantha's past Valentine's Day

Here's Sarah's past Valentine's Day.

(Clearly in 2009, Sarah was really upset at Cupid for poking her with the arrow)

So instead of overpriced jewlery and overpriced flowers, we buy practical gifts for each other

like:

Cars

1968 Shelby Cobra...Jeremy's dream/"drool worthy" car

(The die cast model kind of course)

Canon camera lenses
24-105 mm 1:4
(The incredibly, fun, creative, "Why didn't I think of that" travel coffee mug kind of course)

(I assure you...it is a travel coffee mug)

Happy Valentine's Day!

May you be reminded how much you love others and how others love you.

Five Things Friday

Five things that made me smile this past week:

1. So this past weekend (as I mentioned from last Friday's post) Jeremy and I went skiing with our friends. It was my first time ever being on skis, and I'm proud to say that I lived through the experience and I'm looking forward to doing it again. I was able to get off the bunny slope, but didn't get on the lift. Kerry made an excellent ski instructor, and Jeremy really enjoyed snowboarding for the first time too. (Kerry's husband is actually a part time snowboard instructor up at Attitash in NH).
2. Earlier in the week I ran out for an errand and was able to find a draw string bag for my Avon Walk in May. Normally they run over $15.00, but I was able to find one for $8.00. I'm not cheap, but I definitely LOVE to find a bargain when there is one. An added bonus? It's PINK! (If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the AWBC, here is a link to my personal Avon page: www.avonwalk.org/goto/jennifer.madore
3. Both Madore-ables are trying out to be the youngest bi-lingual little girls. Both girls love Dora the Explorer which as you may know introduces English as well as Spanish. So Samantha has actually been shouting out random colors "Rojo" (red) and "Ama-ree-yo" (yellow) and "Azul" (blue). On the other side, Sarah has randomly shouted out "Uno-dos-traase".
4. This past week, I started my "one on one" dates with the girls. This week, I am starting with Samantha. This past Wednesday, Samantha and I went to the Post Office with the FCC and received a behind the scenes tour of how the P.O works and what they do. I never realized the actual process behind sorting the mail and what the U.S.P.S does to get the mail delivered. I will never ever complain again at the cost of a stamp. Today, I'm looking forward to another date with Sam. We'll be meeting with a police officer, and he's scheduled to talk about dialing 911, and what to do in an emergency. Next week, I will have my dates with Miss Sarah. The best part of it all? The FCC has lots of great programs for children 0-8 years old...mostly for FREE! Who doesn't like that? Feel free to check out their website if you're interested. Click here!
5. Yesterday, I renewed my driver's license. I renewed it right after Jeremy and I got married and changed my name. I can't believe it's been 5 years. The best part is that I didn't have to go to the crazy, usually busy DMV that's about 10 minutes away. I was able to go to the very small, never crazy busy DMV that's literally a 5 minute walk. I waited a total of 10 minutes, got myself a new pretty picture (which shows my twenty five pound weight loss in the last 5 years...so that felt pretty good) and was waited on by a very nice and friendly woman.

A Tip To Surviving Winter 2011

It's been over 48 hours since we last saw a snow flake...I'm wondering if Mother Nature is feeling ok.


We have been holding down the fort pretty well. When I wake up to days like this

I know that it's going to be a snow day for us too. I don't worry, because there's so much to do in

the house of Madore-able. Here's how we've been surviving. There's plenty of time for:

Baking and cooking

(Samantha is making Jell-O)

More baking and cooking
(Sarah is making chocolate pudding)

Lots of games
(Candy land, hide and seek with Daddy)

Quiet time and rest time

(For the Madore-ables and Elmo of course)

Exploring and storming the castle

And have I mentioned quiet time and rest time?

Four Letter Words

The Madore-ables have been saying a lot of 4-letter words these days.

I'm not ashamed to admit it.

4-letter words that Jeremy and I don't particularly care for in this house.

Words like:

Want

MINE

Don't like

[No] Work

[Go] Away

But they do say one other 4-letter word that we can't get enough of:

Love

Samantha's Make Over

Notice anything different with Samantha?

Over the weekend, Samantha went from this:

(By the way, she wasn't in time out...she was playing hide and seek)

To this:

Can anybody guess WHO cut Samantha's hair?

I Must Be Losing My Mind

A conversation that Sarah and I recently had at breakfast

Me: Sarah, would you like anything else to eat?





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





Me: Ok, would you like any mandarin oranges?





Sarah: No kay-q Mommy.





Me: Ok, well if you're all done then let's go wash your hands and you can go play.





Sarah: (Whimpering) I'm hungry Mommy!





Me: Oh, ok hunny. You're hungry?





Sarah: Yes Mommy.





Me: What would you like to eat then?





Sarah: Oranges please!

*Sigh*

Dear Sarah (26 Month Update)

Dear Sarah,

Today you turn 26 months old. Daddy and I look forward to each month reflecting back over the last month to see what new things you are doing.

Your vocabulary and speech expand by the day. You begin our day with singing songs in your crib, and saying "Hi Mommy!" "Hi Daddy!" Mommy especially loves hearing you yell out "Bye Daddy, have a good daaaaaaaaaaaaay!" when Daddy is leaving for work. We love that you're saying grace at the table, and even more we love the fact that you at times will yell "GRACE" as soon as you sit down. Although we do say Grace for all of our meals, it's nice to be reminded to be thankful for the meal we're about to have and although you may not understand right now why we do say Grace, it's good that you recognize it...even when we're at a restaurant. You're saying prayers at night before bedtime. You have the sweetest voice...except for the times you yell out at Samantha. I know it's hard sometimes, but please try to have patience for Sam. She's your big sister, and her intentions are good...I promise. Well, maybe except for the times she tries to trick you into picking another doll so she can have the one you really want, but that's besides the point. High or low decibels, we still love your voice.

You're back to sleeping through the night. You were getting up once or twice a night most of the time, and we just blamed it on your two year molars. Speaking of which, where are those molars by the way?

Your diet has expanded to the point where you're eating more than Samantha at some meals. You let us know when you're hungry. You LOVE mandarin oranges and yogurt, and all kinds of fruit. You just discovered raw carrots recently and discovered that they're not so bad. When we ask you what you want to eat, no matter what time of day you ask for chicken nuggets and fry-fry's. We don't always give you chicken nuggets and fry fry's, but it's good to know you know what we're saying and can communicate that back to us.

You're not just keeping us entertained in the house, but on the road and in the car as well. You get very excited when you see a bus, or a truck and proceed to yell out when you see them.

You're doing a great job at identifying colors and shapes. You're also yelling out letters and numbers too.

We're so proud of you and what you're learning. Your smile and laugh are just as contagious as Samantha's is, and it's just as cute to listen to you two play together, run around together and laugh and giggle together. Samantha has a lot to show you, and already you're doing so well with catching up with her. We love you so very much.

Love always,

Mommy & Daddy

Here are some photos of you from one year ago in February 2010

Here are some photos of you taken today in February 2011

Five Things Friday

Five Things That Made Me Smile This Week:

1. It's been a long time since I've learned to do anything in quite awhile. Tomorrow, I'm going to learn how to ski. Our friends Jimmy & Kerry have invited us to go skiing with them. Jeremy is hoping to learn how to snowboard and Kerry will be teaching me to ski. Boston has been hit with so much snow, that wouldn't you know we're going to be hit with yet another snow storm this Saturday. This should be interesting.


2. Not that I allow the girls to watch a lot of t.v, I do allow them to watch a little bit during the day. As you know, their favorite show is Dora the Explorer. Samantha especially has been very interested in learning some Spanish words. She knows most of her colors, and some important words like "Por favor" (which is please) and "Gracias" (thank you). It's very cute to hear. As a result, we've been speaking a lot of "spanglish" (Spanish + English) in the house this week. My favorite quote from Samantha this past week was, "Sarah! Could you please give me my toy back! (dramatic sigh) Por favor!". It was great. Totally made my day.


3. Due to Snowpocalypse 2011, we've spent a lot of time indoors so the Madore-ables have done quite the number of activities (which I will be blogging about soon!) Stuff like hide and seek, and baking/cooking, manicures/pedicures, and Wii'ing.


4. As much as I hate renting, it's come in handy especially this Winter because we don't have to shovel anything. Well, I shouldn't say that. Each storm we've had, Jeremy has shoveled out our front walk way, shoveled off my car and filled the gas tank, and has even helped the poor souls who have the misfortune of rear-wheeled driving become unstuck at the end of our driveway. My husband is just fabulous and has a heart the size of Bill Gates paycheck. That's why I love him :)


5. It's been nice having Jeremy home for Snowpocalypse 2011 rather than being trapped down in Washington DC for work. He was supposed to travel down there last week for work, but was told that he didn't need to. We miss Daddy during the day, so that would have especially been hard for the Madore-ables and I.

Dear Samantha (43 Month Update)

Dear Samantha,

Today you are exactly 43 months old. You keep growing up by the day it seems, and you've been keeping Daddy and I challenged and entertained these days.

One of the reasons that Mommy started this blog was because when you first started to develop your personality, I wanted to document what you (and eventually Sarah) were doing, and saying. I also wanted to keep any family and friends in the loop on what's going on with us.

You continue to be a huge help to Daddy and I around the house. You enjoy cleaning and helping Mommy with baking and cooking dinner each night. Now that Snowpocalypse 2011 has been happening, we've been doing some baking and we've found that making Jell-O and pudding is very entertaining for you...and very good entertainment for Mommy and Daddy's wallet :) We've been enjoying being "snowbound" with you too and exploring new forms of entertainment. We've found that you LOVE hide and seek. You can't seem to get enough of that game. Mommy also enjoys bringing you to the library for story hour/craft hour on Monday mornings. Hopefully sometime soon if this snow goes away, we'll be able to have some fun with fun field trips with Sarah's old EI group.

For Christmas, Mommy and Daddy bought you a Dora the Explorer Wii game. We don't allow you to play it everyday, but Daddy and I have found that each time you play it, you get better and better at "guiding" Dora through wherever it is she needs to "go". It shows that you're testing your independence. We've also noticed that you're also speaking a little "Spanglish". (Spanglish = English + Spanish). It's cute to hear you ask Mommy and Daddy for things and say "Por favor" ("Please" in Spanish). We're so proud of you for learning something new and a little bit challenging.

We are also reminded each day at how big your heart truly is. During one of our many recent snow storms, we watched outside the window as someone (sadly with rear-whell drive) get stuck at the end of our driveway in the snow. Without prompting you came up to Daddy and I and suggested that we say a prayer for the driver to become unstuck. Daddy and I were just so moved by that comment. Sometimes there are days where we wonder if we're doing a good job at teaching you things, but after that comment, you just reminded us that we're definitely on the right track.

Daddy and I are so proud of you, and we hope that you continue to learn as well as you have been. We need to remember that you are only 3 1/2 years old...sometimes you act older. We just hope that your argumentative side calms down a little bit. It's ok to not fight everything Mommy and Daddy say. Always know we love you. Thank you for challenging Daddy and I to be better parents. Thank you for all the happiness that you've brought to us. Thank you for your beautiful smile and your contagious laughter. Thank you for your spirit and your reminder for us to be good people and to pray for others. Thank you for always saying "thank you", especially for when you're really appreciative about something like when Mommy paints your toe nails.

When you're in doubt of how amazing you are, just ask us because you truly are amazing.


We love you,


Mommy & Daddy

Here's some photos that were taken of you one year ago in February 2010

Here is what you look like today in February 2011