Five Things Friday

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

1. I'm really getting excited for my Pampered Chef Party fundraiser next week.  Seeing we're doing a cooking show, I just putting the finishing touches on our menu, but other than that it looks like it's going to be a great show.
2. This past Tuesday, Sarah's Preschool class went apple picking.  We had such a great time.  Sarah just absolutely loves her class and her teachers, and the fact that I got to see her interact with her school friends was just adorable.
3. I'm a little sad that Summer is ending, but I went ahead and rotated the Madore-ables clothing from sleeveless, 90 degree hot day outfits to long sleeved t-shirts and pants.  I'm not quite ready to get the sweaters out just yet, but I know that day is coming soon!
4. Jeremy attended a Chamber of Commerce Event in Lowell yesterday and ran a head shots photobooth.  The response he received was quite positive, so we're really excited about the opportunities we receive as a result of attending these events.
5. I'm just amazed at Samantha's knack for her drawing abilities and Sarah's knack for memorizing things.  Already at 3 1/2 years old, Sarah is memorizing prayers/responses that we say at Mass on Sundays and also memorizing music.  So proud of our girls.

Sarah's First Field Trip

Yesterday, Sarah had another milestone in her little life:  she went on her first field trip with her pre-school class.  Sarah's class and the parents went to Smolak Farms in North Andover and were very fortunate to have a ride on a tractor/wagon ride to the apple field AND a cider donut and a apple cider juice box. I must add that Smolak's cider donuts are totally worth the drive for ; )

Sarah held her hands together the entire wagon ride.



So many apples, so little time.

Sarah just figured out what's happening after the wagon/hayride...

And after cider juice boxes were emptied and cider donuts were floating around in the kids tummies, Sarah and I walked over to the little playground where we found Sarah's friends.

Mommy found one quarter in her wallet and Sarah decided to feed some deer because 

(and I quote)

"They have freckles Mommy!"  

So we gave the freckled deer some corn feed.  Feed the freckled folk!

Apple Picking 2012

Over the weekend was the PERFECT weather to go apple picking.  Unfortunately, everyone had the same idea where we originally were going to go.  Luckily, our town is a HUGE farm town and therefore we have a plethora of apple picking places. 

The girls LOVED it and had a great time.  I enjoy my Sundays off from work and spending it with my favorite family of 4.

And what will we do with all these apples that we have picked today?

We make a pie of course!

Side note (and true story too!):  Samantha asked why I made "vents" in the top of the crust.  I explained to her that the heat can escape the pie.  She told me it looked like a cross.  Right afterwards, Samantha said I should put a heart in the middle because that's where Jesus' heart is:  it's in the center of the cross.

Five Things Friday

Five Things That Made Me Smile This Past Week:

1. Jeremy and I took the Madore-ables to their first movie theater experience on Sunday:  Finding Nemo in 3D.  Sarah kept turning around and saying, "Daddy, this is AWESOME!".  We had such a great time, and because it was 3D, the girls loved the 3D glasses.
2. Sarah only has school two days a week.  On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, I will go into the girls room to get them up about 6:45 to and ready for school and I find that Sarah is already sitting up with a cute little smile on her face.  "Mommy?  Is today a schoooool day?"   You can just hear and see the excitement in her voice and see it on her face.  Picking up Sarah at school is the same thing.  The parents have to wait in line to pick up their child.  One parent at a time, that way there's no chaos and children running around.  It's very organized.  Also, if the teacher has to talk to the parent or vice versa, there's some time to do that too.  I love waiting in line for Sarah and just seeing her sweet little smile.  It's as much fun dropping off as it is picking up!  We're so happy that Sarah loves school so much.  I think the only thing she's disappointed with is the fact she only goes 2 days a week!  Ha ha.
3. After I dropped off Sarah at school yesterday, I went on a 3.2 mile walk yesterday.  Gearing up for another year of Avon!
4. Monday, Samantha didn't have school due to Rosh Hashana.  Thank goodness for Pinterest.  I was able to find a "Fun Mud" recipe.  The girls absolutely LOVED it.
5. Jeremy and I get to photograph together tonight for Will & Kristen's wedding.  Not only do I get to meet some amazing people and witness an amazing event, but I get to spend some time with the hubs :)

Moose Sighting!

Over the Summer, Samantha expressed interest in playing soccer.  We then found out that the husband of one of the Mom's who was in Samantha's preschool class was the coach of a youth soccer team here in town.  So, a lot of the parents from Sam's preschool class also enrolled their children, so Samantha gets to play with many of her friends.

We've only had 2 weeks of practice, but already Samantha has mentioned a hundred times or so at how excited she is to see her friends that she doesn't get to see at school during the week. 

Jeremy was able to capture some shots during Samantha's last practice.  I'd say she's enjoying herself.

This season, Samantha is playing on Team Moose!

My Name Is Mud

If you haven't figured out by now, there are 3 loves of my life:

1. Jeremy and the Madore-ables
2. Target
3. Pinterest

I recently found something on Pinterest that I just knew that the Madore-ables would absolutely love.

I call it

Magic Mud! 

2 cups of corn starch
1 cup of water
If you want to color it, add a few drops of food coloring!  (Add the food coloring to the water before you add the cornstarch).  Mix in a bowl for just a few minutes.  The consistency is not going to change.  I was told that when you're done with it, do not dump it down the drain otherwise, you'll clog it.  If you do decide to keep it, keep it in a covered container!

If you touch it with your hand it immediately turns into a solid, instead of splashing or moving. If you move it slowly, it reacts like a liquid....



Samantha loved it from the beginning.  You could just see the wheels turning.

"How is this happening?"

Sarah was very wierded out at first (lower left photograph) but after about 30 seconds, she realized that it was ok to get "dirty" and that it was easy to clean it off.

Oh The Sweet Things Kids Will Say

While dropping Sarah off at pre-school recently, Sarah and I were talking about Samantha being on the soccer team and how she had practice coming up this past weekend.  So Sarah informed me:

"Mommy? When I'm all grown up, I will be on Sammy's soccer team too!"


(The sweet thing Sarah doesn't realize is, the girls are almost 18 months apart and by the time Sarah gets to Samantha's age group for soccer, Sam will have already moved on to another group).

Oh the Sweet Things Kids Will Say

The Madore-ables have been saying some sweet things the last week or so.  I feel the need to write them down otherwise someday I may not remember.  I also wanted to share them so the girls can look back on this blog one day and remember just how thoughtful they truly are and just how proud Mommy and Daddy are of them.


Sam:

(1)  On Samantha's first day of school, I woke up early to find Samantha already dressed and ready to go and she was also sitting very quietly at the table eating her breakfast.  She then told me,

"Mommy?  I was too excited to sleep anything later than 7:00 (during the Summer, I told Sam that she needed to stay in bed until at least 7:00 or when she heard Jeremy leaving to go to work).  I wanted to let you sleep in a little bit, so I got my own breakfast together by myself, but the only thing I couldn't do was get my juice because the gallon in the fridge is just too heavy.  Would you get it for me?".

(2)  Samantha's new thing is writing letters, and notes.  This includes pieces of paper left on Jeremy's or my pillow, and also written in chalk just at the bottom of the stairs.  Sam loves to write "I love you" because (according to Sam) "It's important to say it and I want you to be reminded just how much I love you.  So that's why I write those notes all the time!".

Five Things Friday

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

1. Sarah started preschool earlier this week.  She absolutely LOVES it.  She had no problem when Jeremy and I left the classroom.  When I picked her up, she was all smiles.  In fact, 3:00am the following morning, she woke up to ask me if she could go to school that day.  So, yeah, I'd say she's pretty happy there.  Sarah is also very excited to go on her first field trip in a few weeks to go apple picking.
2. We're only on day 6 of being back in "back to school mode", but already we're on a great routine.  I wake up a few minutes early to get something to eat and then get the girls up and running.  I can honestly say that I've woken up all this week without a cup of coffee.  (Yes, folks.  It really can be done).  I really enjoy walking Samantha over to school in the morning.  So far, she's had one homework assignment and we turned it in a day early.  I'm hoping this getting stuff done continues.  I LOVE IT!
3. I'm trying my hardest to not procrastinate.  I'm keeping to my "to do" list.  I'm finding some great ideas on Pinterest on how to stay organized.
4. Samantha started a youth soccer program earlier last week.  She has several friends from her pre-school class from last year on her team.  So I guess it's safe to say that I'm a soccer Mom now!  Minus the mini-van.
5. The house process is still continuing to go very well.  Jeremy and I found out yesterday that we are pre-approved.  So this time next year, we hope to be home owners!  Now we're really putting our noses to the grindstone and just saving saving saving.

Oh The Funny Things Kids Will Say

Recently I was getting ready for work, and I heard Sarah yelling out in an excited voice,


"Mommy!  Mommy!  GPS is here!  GPS is here!"


I of course was thinking, what are you talking about?


Then I realized.  That a certain brown delivery truck was out in front of our house.

"Sarah, do you mean UPS?"

"Yes Mommy!"

The Class Of 2027!

Sarah has now added a new milestone to her life as of yesterday:

She is now in Pre-School!

Last week, Sarah had her orientation day.

Mommy?  Put the camera down and let's go to school!

Sarah missed her furry 4-legged friend "Yetti" over the Summer. 

He was waiting for her when we arrived for orientation.

Sarah talking to her teacher

Sarah in "circle time" and singing songs

Sarah was beaming the entire morning of orientation.  And it wasn't even the first day yet!

Sarah's 1st OFFICIAL day of Pre-School

(Samantha had just enough time to sit with her sister before she had to go to school)

Proud Mommy

Walking inside to school

Such a little ham!

Hanging up the backpack.

Congratulations Sarah!

Today a Pre-Schooler.  Tomorrow a college graduate.

Welcome to the class of 2027!

Our All Star Kindergartener

Samantha has a new milestone in her life:  she's a Kindergartener!  We've been talking about this day for months and it's finally here.

The day before Samantha started, she attended an orientation where we were able to go in and see her classroom, and her locker.  Sam didn't say much while we were there which made me nervous, but I'm learning that just because Sam is not saying something, doesn't mean she's not happy.  When we left the school to go home, Sam completely "switched off" her quiet mode and "turned on" her chatter mode.  It was so amazing to see the wheels just turning, and the smiles.

Samantha Waiting Patiently To Go See Her Class Room For the First Time!

Samantha Walking To Her Classroom By Herself!

Samantha's Locker For the 2012-2013 Year!

She Can Barely Contain Her Excitement Here.  Sam Didn't Realize She Would Have a Locker!

Samantha Working On Her "1st Homework Assignment"

Samantha's Mailbox

Samantha's 1st Official Day!

My Favorite Family Of 4