Five Things Friday

Five Things That Made Me Smile This Past Week

1. Jeremy had this past Monday off so we got to spend a lot of time together. We just relaxed around the house and did a whole lot of nothing as a family. Oh wait, that's not true. We actually left the house for awhile and did some errands. It was nice to just not have any schedules.


2. The local library started Monday and Tuesday story time followed by a small craft. The Madore-ables absolutely loved it. This week's theme was books about snow men. Afterwards the girls colored pre-cut out snow men and added accessories: shoe laces for a scarf and buttons for, well...snow men have buttons :) Either way, the girls had a BLAST and we can't wait for next week. Plus, we've been taking out books to borrow and returning them. The girls have a great time putting the books on the conveyor belt and waving "bye bye" when we return them.


3. Working out has been going extremely well this week. I'm going on day 5 of working out and that includes waking up 1 hour earlier than the girls so I can get my Wii jog in. I've been trying hard to reach for a piece of fruit every time I want to snack. It's only been 5 days, but I seriously feel so much better and I have so much more energy. Endorphins are pretty awesome! I feel like a different person.


4. Molly, one of my best friends came down to visit on Tuesday. We weren't able to see each other before Christmas, so Molly brought Christmas to us. Molly brought a "few" gifts for the girls, but one of them has provided more entertainment in the last few days than ANY of their toys. The Madore-ables have had so much fun with this castle that I'm sure it will definitely be part of the blog eventually : )


5. Samantha received a few games for Christmas...so starting this past week after dinner we've had "Family Game Night". We can tell Sam has been enjoying it because first thing in the morning, she asks me if we can have "Game time like last night". Then after lunch, Sam asks when Daddy will be home so he can play a game with her.

A Madore-able New Year!

Jeremy was fortunate to have last Friday off from work, so we left our house after breakfast to head up to Orr's Island, Maine and spent New Years with my sister in law, Jessica and her fiancee at his home. We really enjoy going to visit for the company and for the lovely views of the ocean.

Our weekend started last Friday morning after breakfast. Jeremy and I packed us up and got into our car to head on our merry way. Well, I use "merry" very loosely. What should have been about a 1 hour 45 minute car trip turned into about a 3 hour ride complete with car sickness and lots of whining, and complaining. It was one of those car rides that Jeremy and I kept asking "Are we there yet?"

Luckily the weekend was a LOT more fun than the ride up on Friday. New Year's eve we played a fun little game called "Cranium" and had a glass or two wine. It was boys vs. girls...and I just have to point out that that girls won. WOO HOO!

New Years Day we had a very relaxing day, full of well...FUN! When you're on the island, it brings new meaning to the phrase "Island Time". No schedules. No time frame. Just fun. Watching the Madore-ables certainly reminds us to just to just relax.

While we were visiting, my brother in law, Christian and my sister in law Kate and their children came over for dinner. We had a great visit with them. We were able to see our little niece Clara who we haven't been able to see since the Fall when she was about 3 weeks old. Time flies when we don't see our sweet nieces and nephews. Now Clara is holding her head up and full of smiles.

Slumber Party At Nanny's

Last week Jeremy had to fly to Washington D.C for a business trip. So while Daddy was away, the Madore-ables and I played at Nanny's house! We had a pre-New Year's eve sleep over and went out in style...Madore-able style of course ; )

The Madore-ables Were All Packed And Ready To Go!

Sarah All Ready To Go To Nanny's

"Go Mommy! Go!"

Sarah Being Silly With Nanny

Time For Lunch!

Sarah Pouring Afternoon Tea

Time For Baking Cookies!



Sarah Stirring The Cookie Dough

Samantha Taking A Turn

Samantha Lining Up the Cookie Sheets


"Mommy! The Cookies Are Getting Flat!"

Sarah Starting To Get Sleepy...

Does that mean we're ready for bed?

No silly rabbits! It's a sleep over!

Time for movie time!

Time for the necessary refreshments!

Mmmmmmmmmmmm...yummy!

What movie was playing that evening?

Why Elmo's Bedtime of course

After the movie was over, the Madore-ables went right to sleep.

Playing, tea parties, baking and watching movies is really hard work!

So you might be asking, what did Nanny and I do after the Madore-ables went to sleep?

Well, we had our own "tea party".

"Tea Party" = Kahlua Sombreros

We didn't have a movie marathon, but instead....

Game started at 8:00pm

Game finished at 11:52pm

Dear Sarah (25 Month Update)

Dear Sarah,

Today you are 25 months old and are acting like you are so much older on some days. You have accomplished so much and continue to amaze both Daddy, myself and everyone around you.

In the last month, you've really increased your vocabulary. You are really communicating very well these days and letting Mommy and Daddy know what you're looking for. Although, we're hoping you learn very soon what the word "wait" means. It doesn't mean "no" it just means "not right at this exact nano-second". I assure you, Daddy and I will get whatever it is you're looking for to you...it just may take about ten seconds or so. Daddy and I think that you're newest phase is very funny. You've brought "peek a boo" to a new level. Instead, now you're saying in the cutest, and the most quietest of voices, "Iiiiiii seeeeeeeeeee yoooooooooooou". I only wish that I had a way to record you, but it's really cute and funny.

I'm very sorry to say that you're finally sprouting your 2nd year molars in the last few weeks. We're a little surprised seeing you started sprouting your baby teeth at just 4 months old (that's you below at 4 months old in April 2009). It's helpful now that you're talking, you do try to let Mommy know that your teeth are hurting.

You've taken a liking to a lot of the things that your big sister is into these days. I just recently introduced you to baking recently. You were a huge help when it came to baking cookies for Christmas. I definitely have to keep ingredients for cookies inside the house when it gets too cold to go outside. You are having a great time playing with your Little People farm set. We need to work on sharing toys, but we know that will come in time.

We are also going on our third week of "project no nap". You've done a fantastic job and Mommy enjoys not being tied down to any sort of schedules. The local library has story times that we can go to and you've been doing a great job sitting down to listen. You're also doing a great job at saying "grace" at the table, and saying prayers before you go to bed. You're especially doing a great job while we're at church. It's very cute that you like to shake everyone's hand during the passing of the peace. It's also very cute that you yell out "A Bob" (Father Bob) whenever you see him during Mass. Although, Daddy and I wish that you would not choose the most quietest moments of Mass to pick fights with Samantha or with Mommy and Daddy if we need to take your Sippy Cup away or something.

Always know that Daddy and I love you so very much and we want everything for you that we couldn't or didn't have.

You make us proud, remember that.

Love Mommy & Daddy

This is what you looked like one year ago in January 2010

This is what you look like now in January 2011

Dear Samantha (42 Month Update)

Dear Samantha,

Happy 1/2 birthday! It's hard to believe that just six months ago we were sitting in the sunshine and the heat celebrating your birthday at Nanny's house. We've had so much fun since then haven't we? Thinking of warm weather makes me want Spring to arrive soon!

So, we just celebrated your 4th Christmas and this year you were quite excited over the things that you received underneath the tree. Namely your slippers and your ice skates. Daddy and I are very excited to take you out for your first skating lesson. You've been practicing your skating quite nicely on the kitchen floor in your socks. In fact, I know Angelina Ballerina would be quite impressed with your pirouettes.

You received some other great Christmas gifts this year, such as the Brain Quest flash cards from Nanny. You've already gone through one stack. According to the box of cards, it's ages 4-5, but every time Mommy and Daddy show you the cards, you just fly right on through and answer the questions. It's great to see you actually think before you say the answer. Some of them you need help on, but really the majority you answer all by yourself.

You continue to be independent on many of your daily tasks. We love the fact that you enjoy helping Mommy and Daddy around the house by cleaning. I know you're not going to enjoy that in a few years, so Mommy is enjoying this time and hope it lasts a long time! Your Uncle Chris gave you a toy broom and mop set and you are just so considerate to clean my kitchen floor all the time. We also love the fact that when you wake in the morning, if Sarah is still sleeping, you sneak downstairs to play with your toys until Mommy and Sarah wake up. That's quite the treat for Mommy.

You're teaching a lot to Sarah these days not too mention that you're doing a great job being the big sister. I think you're responsible for a lot of Sarah's new vocabulary these days. I know she drives you crazy most days, but I say this all the time...it's ok to share your toys with your sister and it's ok to play by yourself. You don't always have to play together.

Thank you for continuing to entertain us; thank you for continuing to show us to be better parents and thank you for continuing to show us that it truly is the little things in life that are worth getting excited over like a pair of slippers underneath the Christmas tree.

I should also point out that it was this day 4 years ago that your Daddy and I realized that we were pregnant with you. I'll never forget the day when I went to my OBGYN's office to see what was going on with me. I was so exhausted and tired all the time...I thought I had mono. (Plus, I was never regular, so that came as no shock.) Expecting to hear that there's nothing wrong and just make sure you go to bed early, nope. Then that's when they told me that we were pregnant and they shoo'd me down to the ultrasound room seeing that I was 13 weeks along. The Ultra Sound tech told me that you were perfect and everything looked great!

We love you and always will love you. Love always, Mommy & Daddy

This is what you looked like 1 year ago in January 2010

Here's what you look like today in January 2011

Happy New Year! An End To 2010

I feel like 2010 just began and here we are at the end of another year. 2010 is coming to a close and in less than 12 hours. New years to me means new beginnings; new growth; a fresh chance to start over.

As with any new year, I come up with my list of New Years resolutions. (Which I'm sure you have to). Instead of coming up with a huge list that I know I'm never going to accomplish in the next 365 days, I'm just going to have a few on my list: (1) Mail birthday cards to my nieces and nephews (2) Lose weight, and continue down my road of being healthy. I have my sister in law's wedding in May and want to look nice and feel good about myself too. We've certainly had an amazing year. Some tough times, but overall the majority of the year was truly an amazing and a blessed one. It had to be a great year because I'm still here!

I took some time to find out what I am truly grateful for from this year:

(In no particular order)

1. My wonderful, loving, handsome, helpful, supportive, kind husband, Jeremy
2. My adorable Madore-ables, Samantha & Sarah
3. My family (Sims & Thompson side)
4. My in-law family (Madore, Burnham & Ramsden)
5. My faith
6. Sarah's Occupational Therapist coming to the house once a week for therapy
7. Free early intervention programs for Sarah
8. No more early intervention needed for Sarah
9. No more trips to Boston Children's Hospital for Sarah
10. The girls saying "please" and "thank you"
11. My friends
12. New friends
13. Old friends
14. My blog
15. Netflix
16. Pandora
17. Wii Fit
18. My weight loss
19. Being introduced to my friends on the Charlie's Angels walking team
20. My weight loss
21. Being able to get rid of a ton of my "old" clothing as a result of my weight loss
22. Friends becoming engaged
23. Friends becoming married
24. Family members becoming parents again
25. Friends becoming parents
26. My part time job
27. Having some extra income coming into the house
28. Having a savings account at our bank for the first time in six years
29. Our new flat screen t.v
30. My new stock pot from my Mom
31. Asking to be Matron of Honor in my sister in law's wedding in May
32. Sarah expanding her vocabulary by the day
33. The success of our photography business
34. Library story time
35. FCC children's programming
36. A working vehicle
37. All the Freecycle items we've obtained...especially the girls clothing
38. All the Freecycle items we've disposed of. Love cleaning my house!
39. One of our student loans has such a low balance, we can use our 2010 tax return to pay it off!
40. Finally finding an great fantastic amazing wonderful awesome babysitter for our Madore-ables!

Here are some of my favorite photos of the Madore-ables from 2010

So, I hope this year you have had fun reading up on our Madore-able adventures. Only because I have received so much positive feedback (and also, because I enjoy writing these blog entries) I'll continue the blog for next year too ; ) For now, I do have to tell you that this is the official last blog entry for 2010...plenty of new adventures of the Madore's and the Madore-ables coming up for 2011.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!!!!!

Welcome 2011!!!!

Five Things Friday

Five Things That Made Me Smile This Week

1. I spend every day with my Madore-ables, but with the snow storm that we had last weekend I spent a lot of time with the girls during the week. I told Jeremy to take my car with him to work which left me home for 2 days without a car. We spent a lot of time playing with every toy that the girls received for Christmas. Of course, this also helped me brainstorm for more Madore-able blog ideas ; )
2. Heading to Maine this coming weekend for New Years. We'll be staying with my future brother in law at his beautiful beach house. I have to laugh at how my tastes have changed over the years. When I was younger I wanted so much to head down to Boston for New Years "First Night" to help ring in the new year, but looking back I'm so glad that didn't happen. I was able to stay home in a warm house...who wants to be out in freezing temperatures and smooshed with all those crowds of people? No thank you! Give me a comfy couch and a television to watch Dick Clark's Rocking New Years Eve party.
3. This past week has been especially long on Jeremy as he's put in a lot of long hours and also traveled to Washington D.C for a business trip. As of last night, he's home safe and sound and we're happy to have him back home : )
4. Training has gone extremely well this past week. I've seen and heard a few of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer commercials, and I'm getting excited! To see how I've been doing, feel free to take a look at my Training Page or you can click on the "In It To End It" tab at the top of this page.
5. I know it sounds strange, but we received a Christmas gift from our landlord: a new faucet for our kitchen sink. We noticed about a year ago that there was a small leak underneath our sink, and we mentioned something to our landlord. Well, he never made his way over to our apartment until last week. So after a lot of persistence and patience, my landlord finally came over with a gorgeous, shiny, new faucet and boy does it look good!