Tree Huggers!

Last week, the Madore-ables and I celebrated Arbor Day with the Mayor by planting a tree. Before the ceremony, the tree was dedicated, and mostly all of the children were able to get a turn with the Mayor by shoveling dirt around the new tree.

I should also point out that Samantha is already taking after me when it comes to her schmoozing with strangers. Samantha had no problem raising her hand nice and high when she wanted a turn to shovel the dirt, and when the Mayor called her on, she stood up and immediately started to talk about her Easter egg hunt at Nanny's house and how she's going to be a flower girl in her Aunt Jessica's wedding. (I kid you not).

The Mayor dedicating the tree and explaining the importance of why we celebrate Arbor Day

Samantha helping out the Mayor

Sarah had so much fun helping out!

After we planted the tree, we all went inside and created our own "Arboretum".

Sarah loves loves LOVES glue sticks

Happy Arbor Day!!

Remember Me

Today marks the one year anniversary of my Grandmother's passing. It's hard to believe that a year has passed. Where has the time gone?


I've been thinking recently how things have changed, not only in the year since my grandmother's death, but just since I was Samantha & Sarah's age. Whenever I do things with the girls, thoughts and memories come back to me of things my Grandmother did for me. For example, whenever I think of my grandmother, I remember what an AMAZING cook she was. She could make egg noodles taste like a 5-star restaurant cooked them. I remember she would reward me with the most simple of things: if I finished my dinner, I would get a semi-frozen juice box and tear the top open for a slushy treat. These are the simple things that Jeremy and I are teaching the Madore-ables.


The more time I spend with my girls, the more I realize that that was exactly how my Grandmother felt about me. It's so easy to remember my grandmother and the kind things she did for me and others. I wonder what things the Madore-ables will remember about me?






Will they remember me for:

• Picnic lunches on our deck in nice weather?


• Making silly voices during story time?


• Scavenger hunts at the grocery store?


• Playing Train's "Hey Soul Sister" and Jars of Clay's "Two Hands" on repeat in the car?


• Cooking and baking?


• Blowing bubbles and sidewalk chalk?


• Hugs and kisses


• Fun field trips with the local playgroup?

There are so many things to remember my Grandmother for. Too many to mention here, but I do know that she was always happy to see her grandchildren when we came to visit...and she was even more happy to see her great-grandchildren.

Thank you for the good memories Grammy...we miss you.

I miss you.

9/19/1924 ~ 4/30/2010

Five Things Friday

Five Things That Happened This Week That Made Me Smile:

1. The girls and I have had quite the amount of time playing outside with chalk and bubbles. We've also been able to start using our "Outdoor Kiddie Kafe' (a.k.a sitting outside on our back deck on the picnic table).




2. Training continues to go well. Today marks two weeks before my walk. Tonight my walking team and I are putting on a potluck dinner. Really looking forward to it!




3. Jeremy had a meeting pretty much every night this past week meeting with potential and already scheduled wedding clients. Captured in Moments has a very busy wedding season ahead of us. We will start our wedding season starting next week for my sister in law, Jessica and her fiancee Paul.




4. Samantha is very excited to be the flower girl in her Aunt Jessica and Uncle Paul's wedding next week. She shared some concerns last week when we explained to her what exactly she would be doing for the wedding. She first asked Jeremy and I if it was ok to make a mess [with the rose petals] inside the church, and then asked who would clean up her mess if she wasn't going to? Such a thoughtful girl :)




5. Lately, the girls have entered a new stage in their life: creative playing. I love listening to them having their little dolls/Little People/toys interact with each other.

Play Ball!

Boston was introduced to something we haven't felt in awhile.

Sunny, warm temperatures.

So if we were to convert this into a math problem:

Sunny(warm temperatures) + 2 children (who become bored very easily) = Lots of fresh air and playing outside.

So that is what we did. We went down to my Mom's house for the afternoon and had an afternoon of fun in the sun.

Sarah testing out her new t-ball set from Nanny. The most stylish t-ball player out there!



Nanny coaching Sarah on where to hit the ball

Go for a home run!

Playing t-ball is hard work. In the dugout and resting with a popsicle.

Sarah took her time...she really loves popsicles.

I'd love to know what they're thinking here...

Samantha didn't go for the t-ball much today...she was more into the bubbles.

Pop Goes The Popcorn

I recently introduced the Madore-ables to something amazing.

It's the best thing since sliced bread.

It's the best thing since the invention of the wheel.

It's the best thing since, well...

Popcorn!

The popcorn popper has been plugged in, now let the fun begin!

Concentration...

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

"POPCORN MOMMY!!!!!!"


Daddy was called away last night for an after work meeting, so that left the Madore-ables and I to find some entertainment. After a visit from my friend Rachael, we went onto our back porch to blow bubbles. Even though it was a little chilly, we had a picnic dinner and followed up with a "slumber party".

Easter 2011

For Easter this year, we celebrated the day at my Mom's house along with my brother. Mom cooked us a very yummy meal, and for the first time in a long time, we decided not to have ham this year. Instead, we went out on a limb and decided to go with something less traditional: a barbeque. You heard me correctly. Marinated steak tips and boneless pork ribs. Yummm. I'm hungry again just thinking about it.

Easter was also special this year for a second reason, as it was Jeremy's birthday. We had a really fun day. The day started off with candles and singing Happy Birthday and the day ended with us singing Happy Birthday.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the day:

Hunting for eggs around Nanny's yard. I think there were over 3 dozen eggs hidden for both the Madore-ables...they were excited over every one! There were some goodies that didn't fit inside the eggs, so Mommy left a special note inside the egg to come see her...

The girls were really excited about their new Dora the Explorer sunglasses, Play Doh & Samantha was especially excited over her new Hello Kitty rain boots. Mommy & Daddy were excited about the jelly beans and the Reese's butter eggs. YUM!

My very handsome husband and my two beautiful girls for a family Easter portrait
(It's SO hard to get both the girls to smile and look at the camera at the same time)
Samantha - 3 years & 9 months

Sarah - 2 years & 4 months

The Madore-ables, Jeremy, myself with my Mother & brother

A Penny For Your Thoughts

Lately the Madore-ables have discovered something:

Pennies

Until now, I thought that they were the most irritating thing, but Jeremy and I have found that we can reward the Madore-ables with pennies. We have also found that the girls seem to understand being rewarded for good behavior rather than having something taken away. Who would have thought?

Now the meals are being gobbled up, their behavior has improved significantly and their piggy banks are filling up rather quickly. Needless to say Mommy and Daddy are very pleased.

We give 5 pennies for every meal finished, and 10 pennies for anything that has to do with diapers or potty :) We have a feeling that this will come in especially handy when Sarah starts potty training this Summer.

Sarah showing the Piggy some hugs and some love.

Thank you pennies :)