April 26, 2012 - Princess Kite

Today Dad brought home a gift for Madeline.

We assemled it together in the driveway.

Then we went to the park to fly it.

Overall, it was a success.  We were all happy.  

April 23, 2012 - A day in the life

To break the monotomy of ordinary life, we try to throw in activities to keep the girls occupied.  During a typical week Madeline has two full days of Preschool, and Lucy has a class through Early Childhood Education called the "World of One-derful One's" once a week. Other ways their days are filled is with trips to Target, the library, the park, the mall for shopping and playtime, Target (oops I said that already).  Of course there is reading, coloring, singing, dancing (Madeline's favorite), swinging, nap time - for what it's worth with insomniac children, chalking, walking.  You get the point.  We're an ordinary family with extraordinary children in our opinion. 

A good example of this was on our walk to the park tonight.  Madeline spotted an American flag sticking out of some person's flower pot.

Madeline: Daddy, look.  It's a flag.
Daddy: Where?

Madeline: Over there (pointing across the street and down the block)
Daddy: It sure is.  Do you know what we do when we see an American flag. 

Keep in mind.  I'm thinking to myself that I'm going to use this as a moment to teach my daugther something I learned in grade school - and also to see if I remembered the words.

Daddy: We say the Pledge of Allegiance.  (I start recanting the pledge loudly as we walk down the street).  "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the ....."

I thought I heard Madeline saying something, but as I was going to tell her to listen to me, I heard this....

Daddy: "... of the United States of America.  And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

I stopped for a minute.  Unsure of what I had just heard.  Could a not yet 4-year old really know the Pledge of Allegiance? My jaw dropped as I suddenly broke into a proud gait to the park.  I was impressed.  In the world in which we live in, the pledge has become such a hot topic between religious and political opinion that some schools no longer say it, here was my 3.5 year old reciting the pledge verbatim. 

When I got home, I immediately shared this information with Jessica.  While equally impressed, she informed me that she learned the words at school.  The kids say it every morning before school.  In addition, she said Madeline also knows all the colors in sign language - we went through all of the colors.  Neither Jessica and I know how to sign colors, so there is our daughter teaching us sign language as we prepared dinner.  Before I know it, Madeline is going to be solving mathmatical theorems all before kindegarten.  Many kudos to you Primrose!

And for the visually stimulated, here are some pictures from our journey to the park:



Free enjoyment. Our girls love to swing, Madeline more than Lucy at this point. Madeline could literally spend all day swinging as she says, "Mommy, push me high into the sky."



Lucy better watch out. If she doesn't sleep through the night soon, we're going to lock her out. Kidding of course, kind of.



Our beloved pet, Jersey. She takes a beating full of love around the house. On this night, both girls wanted to take the Jerz on a walk through the kitchen.



Watching one of my favorites, Charlotte's Web, while in her makeshift floor bed in the playroom.

Reading books all by her bigself in the princess tent. 

April 22, 2012: The Minnesota Zoo

Often times, I like to think that we live in a zoo.  From the constant feeding times, to poopy diapers, to organized chaos, it can be somewhat comparable aside from the chain link fences that separate us from the rest of humanity.  Truthfully, we do not live in a zoo, nor did we buy a zoo - although the thought sometimes does seem intriguing.  Madeline after all wants to be a doctor when she grows up, so a veterinarian is pretty close.  And I digress, this morning we packed up our little and big babies to travel to the Minnesota Zoo for their farm babies exhibit.   

The following are some of our more candid snapshots from the day.





Of course we had to take this shot.  Minnesota Zoo is a long word, so the zoom was difficult to maneuver - hence why you can't the beaming smiles of Thing One and Thing Two.  If you look real close, you'll notice a foot in the lower left corner - that's mine.  I had to run out of the shot quickly while Jessica took the picture.  I'm happy to report that the girls didn't fall. 

Lucy is still getting "familiar" with slides, but Madeline was eager to bring her little sister down the slide.  Looks comfortable doesn't it?

There are always smiles in a play area - which not surprisingly, the girls didn't want to leave. 

Pure happiness in those eyes - or she seems a "cacha" which in english means cookie.  On a side note, Lucy's vocabulary is always improving.  She can say, 'Mommy sit down", "I want me Mommy", and "Jersey, down!" Soon, it will be "Daddy can I borrow $20."

Peace - if only for 7. seconds.  Lucy wanted no part of this family portrait with mom, but she did find the cow milk quite enjoyable.

Madeline tries to ride the little pig. She gets a lot of practice at home from either saddling up Jersey or her dad.  We are proud to report that no actual pigs were harmed during this stunt. 

Look, it's a hen laying eggs - that surprisingly look a lot like Madeline.

Not a "baaaaad" idea.  Let's pet and feed the billy goats.  Admittedly, this was the closest Lucy would get.  During most of the pen time with the goats, mom or dad were holding Lucy tight.

What's this?  A posed photo.  Precious. 

"Daddy, leopard's have long tails and smelly toots."

"Mommy, I'm boared" - pun intended here.

Yes, that is a grizzly bear behind Madeline.  And no, Madeline is not for lunch.  This was a really neat part of the trip though.  While we were there, the zoo keeper was dropping salmon down a spout to the bear behind Madeline.  The other Griz was hunting from land."

Growl. 

Sisters being silly but sweet...

The girls are always giving us reasons to smile....if only cameras were permanent fixtures to our limbs so we could catch all the sweet and silly moments.
Overall, the girls continue to get along remarkably, however, the older Lucy has grown the more trouble she gives her big sister Madeline...payback? No. Madeline has always been a sweetie of a sister. Sharing is okay, but the word "mine" is a favorite.
A few sweet and silly moments below......

Photos and more photos...

So many photos, so hard to choose. Here's a snapshot from the last month or two.

Madeline received a bike helmet from the easter bunny! The girls posing for a photo, which never happens! Bubble blowing. Lucy giving us the OMG look. Madeline and Brendan waiting in line for a ride at MOA. First time Madeline sat on a horse on the Merrry-go-round! Cousin Brendan and Madeline looking at the jelly fish at Sea Life at MOA. Trying to catch a feel of some starfish! Madeline and Kendra; Natalija and Lucy say CHEESE. Dad and Lucy in the bobcat. Coloring easter eggs and a quick photo before Disney on Ice began!

Weeeee'reeee baaaaaaaack....

After several months I hope to get this blog caught up and keep up! It's really hard though, so bare with us. I may need John (aka, husband and daddy) to help me write too! Stay tuned for more photo updates!

Madeline's Got Moves....

Every Saturday morning Madeline goes to Dance Class. She does a combo of tap and ballet and when they are all done, they do a bit of tumbling as well. A class that was once touch and go as far as her interest was concerned is now something she asks to go to on a regular basis. Music is a must in our house and she likes to show us her moves all....day.....long......

She has two adorable friends in her class, well, that we see outside of class anyway. She adores her teacher and dare I say, the teacher adores her.

Below are photos from our parent watch day several weeks ago. Lucy wanted to be out there so badly, so she was pouting from the sides for the duration.

Recital is scheduled for June 15th!