Anna Kate's Christmas Program

On the last day of preschool before break, Anna Kate had a Christmas program. She and her class had been practicing for weeks, and she had proven at home to be capable of singing the songs and I had caught her a few times even doing hand motions to go along. All in all, we did not expect our little introvert to jump up on stage and give a big performance. Really, we wouldn't have been all that surprised had she refused to go on stage, cried, or any of the other semi-typical behaviors of her age group and personality type. I am happy to report there were no tears. Or singing. But she did get on the stage! And she smiled when she found us in the crowd, and then proceeded to try to not smile at us, because.. she is a stubborn little thing at times.

I have a really long version of the performance from Mark's GoPro, but here are some photos of her up on the stage. And some photos of Madison being cute. Madison sang along some, but she didn't seem to know the words. We will get there.

This kid is a mess.

Nana, Daddy, and Gigi came to see the program!

Look at that cute little donkey!

She was trying not to smile at us, haha. She heard her daddy say "Hee haw!"

And, here is a long video of the program and Anna Kate not singing. The following videos are of her singing at home... just so you know, she absolutely knew the songs. I would even catch her doing the motions at home as well!

Madison & Her Puppies

Another photo shoot to fulfill a spot in my Christmas project, I only had one picture of Madison with the dogs. Since our playroom is on the second floor and I don't let the dogs upstairs, Madison doesn't get too much face time with them, despite her longing to play with them from the high chair. She does intermittently watch them eat their meals from the bumbo, just like Anna Kate used to. So I got out the camera and took some cute pictures!

Betcha can't tell I was holding a treat above the camera...

Hey dog!

Smiling with my pup!

"Oh hey, I didn't know you were there!"

Family Photos

By now, you hopefully have a Christmas card in your hands if you are on my Christmas card list. And if you don't have one and want one, just let me know! We had the opportunity to have more family photos taken this fall with a friend from my moms group (Pix by Shannon, now Shannon Anderson Photography). We won a half price session, and despite having just had pictures taken, I had to take the opportunity! I am so very glad I did, they turned out great!

Everyone is looking! Everyone but Madison is smiling! Win.

Baby Madison, approximately 6 months.

We sure love these girls!

Where did my baby go?!

I believe in the future this may be what leads to wrestling and crying. But for now, Madison loves her sister's "snuggles".

My girls.

Our family.

Park Play Day!

One of my projects for Christmas was to make Madison an ABC book like Avery and Anna Kate (I owe ya, Carter). As I went through pictures I realized a few things... first, the second child really doesn't have near as many photos. Second, I was missing a picture of Madison with Uncle Ben! So, Ben and Madison got to have their own photo shoot at the playground while Anna ran around playing and Nana stopped by on her way home from the barn to play too. I got some pretty cute pictures while I was there and a video of Madison in her first park swing!

Anna at the top of the super tall slide!!

Uncle Ben and Madison!

"oh, hey mom."

"Uncle Ben, what's on your face?"

Big girl on the swing!

Happy baby!

My girls with their Nana!

Madison Leigh, 7 Months!

Well November went by in a flash, and all of a sudden we have a SEVEN month old. As in, she is more than half a year old. As in, she is eating. And trying to crawl. And sitting up. What is this?!

Well, as I shared above- this month, Madison has taken on eating all of the things. She is not terribly fond of eating off of a spoon or eating any purees, but she loves "real" solid foods and feeding herself. This month some of her favorites included: apples, Gigi's green beans, banana, peas, puffs, cheese shreds, and some other bites off of Mommy's plate. Madison is a full on sitter now, though she can't get to that position herself, she can get down from it so she can move around. She is army crawling, and rocking back and forth on her hands and knees. Which means I really have to up the baby proofing. We only let her down on the floor upstairs, so we just need to get things up and away in the girls room and playroom. She is starting to investigate all of Anna Kate's toys, so we have also had discussions with AK about keeping things picked up.

This past month Madison enjoyed her first Thanksgiving, two trips to the Greensboro Science Center, and not sleeping through the night. As I type this, she did sleep through the night last night (Dec 1), so we are hopefully headed for consistency there. I feel like it has a lot to do with eating, since it is hard to get food into her when she generally refuses the spoon and doesn't have the dexterity to get "real" food to her mouth.

On with the photos!

Ready to take on seven months like a boss.

Ahhh! This girl!

But seriously.

Perfectly precious.

Big sister had to join in this time. Here, they are both smiling. And not looking at the camera.

Snuggle hugs and kisses. While Madison tries to escape.

They're both smiling! One is looking!

Madison was over it. As was Anna Kate.

This picture!

Polar Express Day!

Last week at preschool Anna Kate had "Polar Express Day". What does that mean? Well, first it meant we had to find the book, The Polar Express, because she had not read it. And since I wasn't sure what all the day would entail, I figured she should be a little prepared by what the story was about. Turns out, she thought they were going on a real polar express train and tried to refuse to go with the class. Oops. I forgot to mention to her that she wouldn't be taking any long train rides without me at school.

Before school, in her PAJAMAS! (She was really excited about this) Also, her "cold" face. Because you all know that Mommy insisted she wear the Cinderella nightgown instead of any one of her many warm fleece pajamas. 

Her school always does some little cute photo props on special days!

Madison joined in on the fun. As Uncle Robert told me when he saw this picture, "It will be a really cold ride to the North Pole without socks on." Don't worry everyone, it was 65 degrees on the first of December.

And, a series of happy, sitting up, cloth diaper, Madison.

November Phone Photos

Time for a wrap up of all of the random photos I took on my phone in November!!

My beautiful, silly girl. She is now into, "Mom take a picture of me doing ____"

I love babies playing. We have been doing a weekly playdate at our friend's house, and Madison and Abby are a little less than a month apart, so they are fun to see together. When they are both awake. Which is rare. So it's a mommy play date, because Anna Kate is at preschool.

I mean, come on. Look at these cuties!

Playing in the leaves at Mrs. Elyse's and a selfie for Daddy!

We went to the Veteran's Day Parade with a packed lunch. It was pretty short, but a nice way to get out.

Madison was mesmerized. And patriotic.

Then we visited a playground!

Maddie and I took silly pictures while Anna Kate played!

This was not posed. She had seriously stopped on our walk to talk on her phone while pushing her baby. Mark asked her if that was what Mommy really did on our afternoon walks. He will never know!

Birkdale Christmas Tree lighting with Aunt Lisa and Uncle Ben!

Little ham!

Messy dinner followed by a sink bath!

Maddie vs banana and Maddie vs Mamaroo. Hint, she beat both.

Anna Kate's "Corncake Feast" at school- pancakes, applesauce, and red Jell-o. I don't get it either. Neither did Anna because she asked if we were going to have lunch.

Lunch out and a fountain visit one day. It was a good day.

You can see what Madison has been focused on this month..

A visit to Great Grandma Marshall's is not complete without talking to the cows!

Gummy grin and pudgy hands. I can't keep count of the times I kiss those cheeks!

Silly hats for all!

Waiting for sister and driving the van! That's all, folks!