Pre Weekend Entry

While Madison was checking out the bird nest in her play house, I noticed a black snake only feet away.  Who would have known he was pulling up to the slide-in-window to get dinner!

Festival and Hiking

Madison didn't have time to get bored THIS weekend!  Saturday the weather was so very cold (around 55 degrees) and she must have been confused as to what season it was by the outfit she put on...A snowflake dress and candy cane leggings!!!  

There had been many times we've tried to get her face painted and she didn't want any part of it.  All it took was babysteps.  She talked about it all morning and couldn't wait to get her face done.  A little rainbow and a flower to brighten the cloudy day.

Saturday's outings ended with her swimming class.  I'm looking forward to the summer when she is able to get in the water as often as possible to practice those moves.

With the weather still not warming up and the threat of rain most of the day, we got out early for a quick hike and a search for letterboxes.  Madison had her own agenda.  In school this week they were learning about amphibians and wanted to find tadpoles.  Little did she know that there was a slim chance we were going to find them, BUT it did get her out and she LOVED the hikes today.  BTW...we didn't find those tadpoles!...We looked and looked and looked.

It's a shame that people choose to carve into the bark of trees...even in the middle of the woods they can't help but defacing them.  :-(  We named the tree the Alphabet Tree!

We go to a second park to find the letterboxes.  It was two for two today!  That doesn't happen very often. There are times we aren't able to find even one.  With no complaining and having a really good time on the trails, Madison was still able to find the energy to play on the playground for a bit.  There was a VERY cute video; however, I was not able to get it to load.  As soon as I'm able to get it figured out, I'll try to get it downloaded to share with everyone!  Have a great week.  We are praying for a bit more sunshine and warmth in NC considering it's MAY!!!!

 

Our little gardener!

Last week and this week at school, Madison is learning about parts of the plants and different types of plants.  The class is starting a vegetable garden and by the looks of it, Madison is the Head Gardener!

Adding JUST the right amount of dirt

Making sure that they all get a fair start!

Our weekend was really uneventful for her.  Mom and dad got quite a bit ticked off their "TO DO" list.  She did get swimming in on Saturday and then a lot of outside time on Sunday despite the slightly chilly weather.

Babies, Babies, Babies...

Thought I forgot didn't you ....

Madison got her fair share of babies this weekend.  Saturday afternoon we had a get together with Missy and ALL her boys as well as Lisa, Allie, and Jeff.  The newest addition to our neighborhood family is Nicholas!  He's five weeks old and Madison is already in love with him!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Missy won't have to ask her twice if she wants to hold him!

Sunday was the first time in a LONG time that we were able to get together with Emma and her family.  And this is the first time Jeff and I got to meet Emma's baby brother, Grant!  Madison had met him a couple of times at school and couldn't wait to see him again.  Didn't get pictures but just replace the ones above with another baby boy just three weeks old!

A Two Part Weekend

Okay...We're back!  I've heard the comments and I'm going to try my best to keep everyone up to date on Madison's activities.  It will be a bit easier since the weather has turned and we will be spending more time doing fun activities outside!

The weekend started on Thursday for Madison as she went up to NoVa with Nana and Papa to get an extra day of spending time with Mackenzie and Parker. 

Saturday was Parker's second birthday. He's always had a thing for tools and he wanted to share some of his skills with all his friends.  Check out that tool belt around the #2!!!

Activity One...Madison, Parker, Mackenzie, Will and Lily decorating birdhouses.

Activity Two...Playdough (well almost) shaping.

In between all the activities, the children took time to eat their lunch knowing that the
 best part of the afternoon was only minutes away!!!
CUPCAKES!!!

Cupcakes then led to running around the backyard and playing on the swing set. 

Playing then led to a good hard nap!

Parker woke from his nap ready to open his gifts.  

At our house, Sunday mornings means "coffee".
Uncle Mark was so gracious to oblige and I think Mackenzie was okay with that.

The second part of our weekend started when we got home.  Madison and I started a few seeds a couple of weekends ago and it was WAY time to transplant.

Madison helping to build the raised bed frame.

A little soil to give the seedlings a fighting chance.

Emptying the soil into the frame.
Thank goodness she is not too worried about getting her feet dirty!

And it's even more fun kicking around in dirt with a really good friend! 

It's JUST the start of Spring and there is so much more to do!  

Happy Birthday Parker and Happy Spring!!!

Baking, Baking, Baking

I can't pull the mixer out nowadays without a 4 year old with blonde hair and a seven year old covered in fur being in the kitchen!  Madison has really taken to helping me out with baking and even a bit of dinner preparations from time to time.  And of course, I can't step into the kitchen w/o Bullpen being under foot.  Between walking over him (he lays out in the kitchen and takes up the WHOLE kitchen floor) and trying to remember to walk around Madison's stool, it's a mine field in my kitchen when I'm in there baking or cooking!

First, she helped me bake Jeffry a birthday cake...

And that was just the start.  Seems we have been baking every weekend since then!

The weekend before we were in the kitchen making Christmas ornaments for Madison's teachers.  She loved running the mixer and making sure that everything was mixed up JUST right.

Then there is the rolling of the dough.

This past weekend, she and I were off to a Christmas Cookie Exchange playdate.  I picked the cookie, she helped me make them.   Her most favorite part was putting the Hershey Kiss on top!  One for the cookie...one for her :-) (Not really, but almost).

We are all looking forward to next week starting a LONG vacation!  Madison and I are getting 11 whole days together with my mom and dad coming for Christmas and then Jeff's parents coming for New Year's!  It's going to be a very festive ELEVEN days!!!

Parade and Winterfest

Saturday was a VERY busy day for us.  The day started with decorating the house for Christmas and then it was down to Garner to watch the small town parade!  We had a really great time with our friends from down the street.  And the best part was watching the look on the children's faces when Santa finally came down the street.



With the parade behind us, it was time to head down to the city of Raleigh for the Winterfest activities.  Ice skating rink, ferris wheel, carousel, and food vendors all over the place! 

Our first stop was the ferris wheel.  This was Madison's first time... 

"It takes THIS many tickets for the two of us to ride this!"

 The anticipation continued to build (it took awhile since the line was so long).

And the moment finally arrives!!!

She looks like she is having fun on the first go around and then Jeff said she got bored rather quickly.  Guess there was not enough excitement on that ride for her.

The rest of the eventing was spent with friends and checking out the sites.  Another first for Madison that evening was watching a movie on a big screen outside.  She thought that was way too cool!

Happy December everyone!!!