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...