Five Things Friday

5 Things That Happened This Week That Made Me Smile

1. Last night, Jeremy and I celebrated our Valentine's Day a little early. Zorvino Vineyards in Sandown, N.H hosted a night of wine tasting and chocolate tasting. There were 2 appetizers and a dessert, then paired up with several glasses of wine with each. It was the most relaxing, most delicious meal i have had in a very long time. It was nice just to sit down and have some conversation with some adults and enjoy some absoultely amazing food without having to run to the potty with the girls, or asking them to finish their meal. It was wonderful to sit down with my hubby for a few hours and just talk and enjoy each other's company.



2. Boston has experienced some warmer than normal temperatures, so the girls have been able to spend some time outside. Granted, it's been chilly, so we've had to wear jackets, but it's been nice to take the bikes out to ride around.



3. I received Samantha's letter in the mail earlier in the week acknowledging that she would be starting Kindergarten this coming Fall. I'm a little overwhelmed at the process...there's so much paperwork to fill out! I guess I should start it now so I'm ready for registration night next month.



4. Next week, the local consignment shop that I go to is having a "fit anything into a bag for $10". I am very excited by this information!



5. Next weekend, Jeremy and I are participating in a Bridal Expo in Nashua, N.H. It's being hosted by a former client of ours, so we're really excited about just meeting new people. Jeremy really worked hard this past week redesigning our business cards, and pamphlets to hand out. So, if you're a soon to be bride, click here! Becky is donating all the proceeds from the Expo to the ALS foundation.

Oh The Cute Things Kids Will Say

Sarah has been singing "Dominic the Donkey" since Christmas time. She totally fell in love with the song, and does a great job at singing it on her own too.



She asks me quite a bit these days when we're out doing errands in the car, if I can put the "Dominic the Donkey" song. Unfortunately, I have to remind her that we've put all the Christmas music away.




So it wasn't a surprise to me when over the weekend Sarah asked me repeatedly, "Mommy? Can we watch the Dominic the Donkey movie?" I figured she wanted to watch the video on YouTube or something, but everytime she asked, it was time for lunch, or it was time for dinner and we just forgot about it. Finally, Sarah asked me one last time with a very nice "pleeeeeeeeeeeease? It's just downstairs!". I of course was very confused, and asked her to go get me what she was looking for. Here's what Sarah showed me:

Anytime Sarah sees a donkey, she's calls it a "Dominic the Donkey"

Oh The Cute Things Kids Will Say

Over the weekend, Samantha was invited to her first "big girl" birthday party for one Samantha's friends from her preschool class. Little did Samantha know, that there was going to be a special guest: Princess Jasmine! "Princess Jasmine" came in the house, said her hellos to all the kids and sat down to read the kids a story.

While "Jasmine" was introducing the book, and getting comfy in a chair to read to the guests, Samantha was right at her feet with this look of awe and amazement on her face. I was on the other side of the room, but I could still hear Samantha saying to "Jasmine" with a very serious face,

"You are so pretty! I didn't know you were really alive. I just thought you were in books".

Dear Sarah (38 Month Update)

Dear Sarah,



Today you turn 38 months. You're growing up so quickly and are talking so much. You are having absolutely no troubles keeping up with your older sister. It's amazing how much you have progressed and how strong you are now.


Mommy and Daddy are amazed at how well you are eating. There is nothing wrong with your appetite. We are very fortunate that you love just about anything and everything. When I say anything and everything I mean, you eat all the healthy things. If we go out to a restaurant for dinner, you will order chicken nuggets, but you will choose broccoli or apples over french fries. We still find it funny that you would rather plain milk over chocolate. Not that we're complaining or anything...



You have taken a HUGE interest in singing. It doesn't matter what it is. You're still singing "Dominic the Donkey" even in February. You LOVE Adele's "Rolling in the Deep", Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" and The Killers "Human".




You're really getting interested in writing your letters. So far, you've mastered the letter "H" (which is a great start seeing that you'll be using that letter for the rest of your life) and the letter "J". Just a little secret though...we should really write our letters on pieces of paper at the kitchen table and not on the bedroom wall. (Author's Note: thankfully it was in pencil).



Recently, we started having a weekly play date with Nanny's minister's wife and their daughter. You look forward to Sunday nights when it's bedtime because you know the next morning when you wake up, it's playtime with Maddie! You are now going on about a month of wearing no diapers. You're waking up in the middle of the night to go potty. Some nights, you don't wake up at all and sleep straight through. We're so proud of you!




You are such a happy girl. Even first thing in the morning, you have a big smile on your face and are always ready for a big morning hug. The perfect way to start the day. We are so blessed and so fortunate that you are so healthy, and have shown no signs of any aspiration since 2010. You're a growing, thriving, happy, beautiful girl with so much life and spirit in you. We pray that you are always this happy.

We love you Sarah. Dream big. Always.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

This is what you looked like one year ago in February of 2011

Dear Samantha (55 Month Update)

Dear Samantha,

Today is February 3, 2012 which means you are exactly 55 months old. Mommy enjoys sitting down each month reflecting on what you've been doing for the last 30 days.

Preschool continues to go very well. You really enjoy your teachers, and you show so much excitement each day that you go. Each class, you're bringing home papers that you've colored and we're just amazed at the progress in how you write your name and how well you color inside the lines. You're making friends so easily. You're learning the value of friendships. In just about a month, Mommy will need to go register you for kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year. Umm, when did that happen?

Lately, you are really intersted in writing names down on paper, namely family members and the boys and girls in your class. You're also sounding out words and spelling words too. In fact, Mommy and Daddy are trying to come up with a secret language because our "spelling days" in front of you are over.

When we're in the car together, you like to play things like, "I Spy (With my Little Eyes)" and "The Rhyming Game". Certainly makes the trips go by quickly and they're quite enjoyable. You've inhertited Mommy's gene in identifying songs on Mommy's cd's and the radio sometimes.

We're so proud of you Sam. You're doing such an amazing job at wanting to help out at home. Daddy and I need to learn to be patient knowing that you're learning still. We're so happy that you're coming up to us and asking questions. It shows that you are listening...even when we think you're not.

We love you Samantha. Even at 4 1/2 years old, you amaze us with your knowledge and the young girl you're becoming. You continue to bless our days and our lives and we're so glad that you're here with us.

Love you always,

Mommy & Daddy

This is what you looked like one year ago today in February 2011

Five Things Friday

Five Things That Happened This Week That Made Me Smile

1. One of the things that I find really hard about working 2nd shift is the fact that I have to say "goodnight" to the Madore-ables at 2:30 in the afternoon. (Which is when I leave the house to go to work). I know they are well cared for, but it makes me sad to hear things like, when the girls are scared of the dark and I can't be there for them. So, yesterday afternoon, I went to my absolutely favorite store on this Earth (Target) and bought the girls some glow in the dark star/planet stickers. Jeremy and I started to put them up while the girls were taking their bath. We didn't get far of course, but once the girls were dressed and went to their room to check out their surprise, their smiles were enough for me. Now to hang up the other 200 stickers...






2. This past week, I've noticed while playing the game "Uno Moo" that Samantha even at 4 1/2 understands what strategy is in order to win the game...and therefore continues to kick my bum and beat me in the game.






3. As I mentioned in my Five Things post last Friday, Jeremy and I have set up a "Penny Rewards" system for the Madore-ables. Everytime they share a toy, or just do a really nice act of kindness they are rewarded with pennies. Once their jar is filled up, they have a choice of what they would like to do. I am excited to announce that Sarah has filled up her little bucket and will be heading over to Imajine That (or "Magic Mat") as she calls it very soon.




4. In my post from this past Monday, last weekend Jeremy took a very last minute trip up to Maine to photograph Congressman Ron Paul's campaign. The Madore-ables were able to spend some time with my mother-in-law and my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and their cousins. The Madore-ables were also celebrities for a little while too...they landed inside the Lewiston Sun Journal! (I posted pictures in the Monday post, so feel free to check it out!)


5. **TOOTING MY OWN HORN ALERT!*** This past week, I received my six month review at work a little bit early. I received a nice raise in my paycheck, and also received some really nice feedback. Working in retail is difficult sometimes, but hearing that I'm doing a great job makes me feel good :)

I Heart Faces

Dear God,

I thank you for everything you have blessed me with. A very supportive, hard working, husband. Two little girls who have the biggest hearts, hugs, and the most beautiful of smiles. A busy photography business, and our full time daytime/nighttime jobs. My mother who is able to watch the Madore-ables when I have left to go to work so we can avoid daycare all together.

But out of all the things that I am greatful for, I am most greatful for one thing...


Actually two things...

The Madore-ables faces.

Love, Jenn