To What My Wondering Eyes Shall Appear

Sarah has been fascinated with this miniature snow globe Christmas ornament.  I decided to photograph her while she was just staring at it.  She didn't speak much, just watched the snow float to the bottom each time and then she would smirk as she gave it a little shake.

I would love to know what was going through her mind...

Christmas 2012

This year for Christmas, we kept it pretty low-key and quiet.  The weekend before, we celebrated with Jeremy's family in Maine.

This is 22 of the 26 Madore grandchildren present.  The 4 who couldn't be with us live out in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and couldn't join us this year.  The oldest is 12 and the youngest is 4 months old.  17 girls and 9 boys.

This is Matthew, the youngest of the Madore kidlettes.

Passing out presents is quite the feat, but Papere did a great job keeping everyone entertained.

On Christmas eve, we attended church with my Mom, and then our Christmas mass too.  The Madore-ables did FANTASTIC not only sitting in 1 full church service, but 2 services.  

After we got home, the girls opened up one present each.  It's a tradition we started when Sarah was just a baby, and we plan on keeping it up as long as we can.

The girls were extra giggly and extra silly before going to bed

We found out at Sarah's 4 year old Pedi appointment that she was now tall enough and weighed enough to retire her car seat, and be upgraded to a booster seat!  Needless to say, Sarah was very excited to see her present.

Anticipating the Arrival

While we wait for Christmas to arrive, the girls have been anxiously playing with their Little People manger scene.  Their imaginations certainly fly while they are playing with this.

When I asked Sarah why the Gorilla wasn't a part of the celebration for Jesus being born in the stable, Sarah responded with, "Mommy!  There were no gorillas back when Jesus was born".  To which Samantha replied with, "Yeah Mommy!  I've never heard of a gorilla being there when Jesus was born.  Maybe they just didn't live in Bethlehem".


Ok, that's a valid statement.

However, when I went back to look at who was in line to pay their respects to Mary and Joseph and pay homage to the new baby, I couldn't help but start humming, "One of these things is just not like the other" from Sesame Street.

I'm glad to know that Bethlehem was safe from rogue gorillas.  But someone tell me, who invited Dora and Rainbow Dash?

(I should let you know that I left the room for a few minutes, and when I came back, I heard the girls singing.   They abandoned their toy for a little bit, and this is how they left it).

Photo Dump

Looks like it's time for another Photo dump!  I need to clear the photos off of my cell phone!

12/2012 - Sarah at a friend's Birthday party at Imajine That.

12/2012 - Samantha's first Orange Leaf experience

12/2012 - Sarah gobbled her ice cream right up too!

12/2012 - Daddy downloaded a Checkers app onto the iPad.  The girls LOVE it!

Is it me, or is Samantha's chalk drawing bear some sort of resemblence to the Mahnamana Muppet?

11/2012 - It was very hard to not take him home with us.  

I said there was room, but Daddy said "no".

10/2012 - A little Halloween magic on Sarah's cheek

Sarah Visits the Pediatrician

This afternoon Jeremy and I took Sarah to her 4 year old pediatrician appointment. Sarah's Pedi and I are so excited about Sarah's progress. Sarah was able to:

• - Identify shapes and colors
• - Count from 1 to 25

We also found out today that Sarah is now tall enough to ride in a booster seat.  No more car seats for this growing girl!

Sarah unfortunately has caught the bad cold/flu that seems to be going around lately.  She had a fever earlier in the week and just has a dry, naggy cough that has been left behind.  It didn't dampen Sarah's spirits, but the Pediatrician could definitely tell Sarah was not feeling well.  So, since Sarah needed her 4 year old shots, Sarah's Pedi thought it might be best to wait until next week.  (Sarah didn't seem to mind that at all).

*Note:  (Mommy wrote this one week after on 12/27/12).  Let it be known that when Sarah received her shots today, that she didn't cry one bit.  Such a brave little girl!

Check out Sarah's growth progression:

December 2010 (2 year appointment) 34.5" tall and 28.9 lbs

December 2011 (3 year appointment) 38" tall and 33 lbs

December 2012 (4 year appointment) 40.5" tall and 38 lbs
(and excellent blood pressure of 86/48!)

Preparing For Christmas

Christmas has to be my favorite holiday.  I love getting everything ready.

Jeremy and the Madore-ables started off the season by going out to buy our tree while I was working.  What a nice surprise to come home too!  (Plus, the house smells awesome).

Jeremy is also super fabulous and brought the camera with him seeing I was just finishing up with my shift at work.

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Sarah turned the big 4 yesterday!  And what a day she had from beginning to end.

She started off the day with going to school with cupcakes in hand and was greeted with a crown made for a princess...a Birthday princess that is.

Then after the Madore-ables got out of school, Daddy took the girls to go Christmas tree shopping!

Then afterwards, we played some games and had Bapa over for dinner and celebrated with cake and ice cream and of course, presents ;).

This was Sarah's reaction to a new box of crayons.  I can't imagine what it would be if it was a new car.

Sarah is absolutely infatuated with the Llama llama series.

Samantha reading the title of the book to Sarah.

(Yes, Samantha is actually sounding out words now and reading short sentences).

Samantha asked Bapa if he could show her how to play the piano...

We Have a Birthday Girl! Sarah Is the Big 4!

Dear Sarah,

Today you turn 4 years old.  It's been awhile since Mommy has written a monthly update, so this will be quite the update.  We cannot believe that you are four today.  It just seems like yesterday that I met you for the first time.   You came one day before your actual due date.  My water broke at my doctor's office, and you were born just about two and a half hours later.  Things just moved so quickly, there was no time for an epidural even if Mommy wanted one.

Today, you are in your first year of preschool and loving it.  It really makes Mommy and Daddy so very happy to know that you're learning so much each time you go.  You especially LOVE getting assigned a job.  Your favorite jobs are "Weather girl" and "Song selector".  Each time Mommy comes home from work, you let me know right away if you were assigned a job, and if you weren't, then you've learned that you'll just have a turn the next time you go to class.  Music is really one of your favorites.  Lately, you've been singing "Acorn Brown" and "This Day Is Going To Be Perfect" from My Little Pony.

The amount of information you can store in your brain just blows us away.  You memorize songs and sing them all day long.  Some moments, you don't care who's listening and you just go to town America Idol style.  Not only do you memorize songs, but you have memorized quite the amount of prayers at church.  Just when we think you're not listening, you turn around and can recite the Nicene Creed, or The Lord's Prayer.  You don't just say them at church.  Mommy will be getting dinner ready, and I'll hear you in the toy room with your pretend toys playing church.  Mommy and Daddy are just so proud of you.

We recently drove about (a total of in 2 days) 24 hours from Boston, Massachusetts to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to visit Uncle Josh and Aunt Lindsay.  While we prepared our long journey, you moved the "car" along the map to find out where we were located.  So, instead of asking "Are we there yet?" you just looked at the map that Daddy made.  You slept a good portion of the drive down.  You shared and played very well with your sister.  You were content and complained very little.  Daddy and I are so impressed with your ability to drive in the car for long distances.  Which is ironic, because you're not so patient with your sister.  (But that is a whole other blog entry)...

Daddy has recently taught you the game of checkers.  In fact, we downloaded a free game app onto our iPad.  You're starting to get the concept of jumping your opponent.  Planning and strategizing your moves will come much much later.  You love Pokeno, Dominoes, Uno, and Sorry.  You ESPECIALLY love the game of Memory.  Every time you play Mommy, Mommy seems to lose.

You've got quite the appetite, and love to eat your meals.  Thankfully your throat issues never came back, so all is well in that department.  Daddy and I are still trying to figure out things, for example, you love tomatoes, but don't like tomato sauce.  I guess we can't complain.  You eat a great portion of veggies and your fruits. 

This past weekend, we celebrated your Birthday party with some of your friends.  I think you had more fun playing with the loads of tissue paper and tossing it into the air rather than the gifts.  Daddy and I hope you had a nice Birthday party.  Tonight, we'll celebrate your Birthday with Bapa, which I know you're very excited about.

A very Happy Birthday to the girl with the smile that matches her hugs.  We are just so blessed and so fortunate that God has blessed us with you in our lives.  Keep giggling at the little things.  May you always be pure at heart.  A very Happy Birthday to our sweet girl.

We love you.  We love you.

Mommy and Daddy.

Here is what you looked like on your past Birthdays

(Mommy will blog soon about your actual Birthday).

Five Things Friday

Things have been very busy here at Camp Madore-able.  So busy in fact that it's been hard to sit down and post blog posts on the daily comings and goings of the Madore-ables.  So, here is a recap of what's going on with the 4 of us.

1. Jeremy is now self-employed.  He has resigned from his Marketing Manager position that he's held for almost 5 years now and will be going full tilt with our Captured in Moments Photography business.  Already, 2013 is looking mighty busy for weddings, so we're really excited!  Jeremy begins his first day as a full time photographer today and already he's busy busy with Networking meetings and setting up photoshoots.  So, if you are in need of a photographer, whether it be for weddings, engagement portraits, head shots for marketing material for your business, maternity and family portraits, give us a call!
2. As a result of Jeremy's new schedule, I will no longer be just a sales associate at Panera Bread, and instead have been offered the Catering Coordinator position just for my store.  I'm really excited about the opportunity, and this allows me several advantages:  (1)  I don't have to work nights anymore (2) I can work just mornings and be home by 2pm.  (3)  I can actually have a hot dinner with my family.  (4)  I can put the Madore-ables to bed.  I'm nervous with the new position, but really excited about the timing and everything going on now.
3. We just came back from a roadtrip to visit Jeremy's brother and his wife out in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  The Madore-ables did an EXCELLENT job during the cumulative 24 hour trip.  Seriously, God has certainly blessed us.  I've heard nightmare stories, but great music, and games and ideas from Pinterest really saved us.
4. Jeremy and I started our Christmas shopping early this year.  Even though we bought just a few things for some people, I feel that much ahead of the game.  Usually we wait until last minute, but I do have to say that our planning has gotten much better over the last few years.
5. I'm just blown away by Samantha's knowledge with things. For example, lately, she's been observing addition and subtraction. She told me the other day "Mommy, 1 plus 1 is the same as 2 minus 1". Sam just sat there looking at me and said this without hesitation, and her voice full of confidence.
6. Sarah is equally the same way as her big sister: especially with music and prayers from church. I'm amazed at how she memorizes songs and lyrics. It's really cute to hear Sarah in the back seat of the car singing John Lennon's "Watching the Wheels" or even reciting the Nicene Creed from church. (I kid you not).
7. Jeremy entered himself into a video contest, and we found out today that we won first place!  Completely unexpected, and very excited!  Here is the video that won us our 1st place trophy:

Thanksgiving 2012

For Thanksgiving this year, we decided to take a little drive for some turkey.  We took a drive to Pittsburgh to visit Jeremy's brother and his wife and family.  We left last Tuesday night at 10:30pm and drove all night.  We stopped for breakfast about 6am on Wedesday morning and arrived at our destination at about lunch time on Wednesday.

I've heard horror stories of parents who road trip with their young children and their response is, "Never again will I do that".  Jeremy and I were so fortunate and had a long drive, but it was overall a very pleasant drive.  I found lots of fun things on Pinterest.  I had an extra packed iPod full of good tunes.  We had a plethora of entertainment, and didn't even have to invest in a portable DVD player.  Seriously, we would totally do another road trip.

Sarah being silly as we were packing and getting ready to leave Massachusetts.

Jeremy printed off an 11 X 14 poster of the route of our trip to prevent any "Are we there yet?"   We could show the girls exactly where we were at that moment.

Lamar, Pennsylvania - About 8 hours into the trip.

While waiting for the red light, Samantha shrieked from the backseat, "Daddy!  Look!"

Samantha, Sarah and their cousins being giggly and having a good time.