Trike Time

Loves the bug helmet, loves the bell, loves the bike.

Grandma's Visit

Another fun-filled week with Grandma!  It's always wonderful to have my mom come to visit us, and this past week was no exception.  We had a great mix of fun activities paired with relaxing times to talk and play.  Thanks for coming to California, we can't wait to see you again in January!!



Grandma and Madelyn having fun at the farm!




Snuggle time with Grandma!



Mother and Daughter

  We planned this visit around the weekend of the annual Navy Hawkeye Ball so we could take advantage of the world's best babysitter (who also happens to work for free!) and enjoy our first overnight away from home since Maddie was born.  It was definitely fun to get dressed up and see my hubby looking handsome in his uniform, and it was incredibly refreshing to be kidless for a few hours.  :)
 

Hawkeye Ball 2011





View from our room at the hotel in Ventura



Is it just me....

or does my little girl look incredibly grown up in this picture?

16 Months

Baskets

Madelyn has developed a love of climbing into baskets.  Sometimes it takes me a minute to find her amongst all the toys. 

Sorry for the bluriness and zoom in/out, but I had to capture the giggles coming from this cutie pie-

Kindergarten

As I am writing this, Zoe is starting her third week of Kindergarten.  It is going really well.  To quote the school girl, kindergarten is "awesome".  I really had no doubts that my little book worm would love school, but I was definitely worried about how I would do leaving my baby at the door.  I am proud to say that, although there was a huge lump in my throat, I did not cry.  The transition has gone better than expected for all of us.  Our morning routines have changed a bit (as in I can no longer sip my coffee in my pjs while the girls play) and some mornings we barely make it out the door on time, but overall it hasn't been too stressful.  The first two weeks the kindergarten was on a half day schedule, so Zoe went from 8:15-11:15.  This felt pretty much like preschool- drop her off and before you know it, time to go pick her up again.  Starting this week, she will stay until noon and have lunch at school.  In two weeks, they will begin their regular full day schedule, 8:15-2:20.  I am really going to miss my girl when she is gone all day. 

Zoe's classroom is Room 2 and her teacher is Mrs. Harrah.  I have heard good things about her and so far have been impressed.  There are 27 kids in her class (gulp!) which I find to be a little bit crazy, but due to budget cuts in CA, that's pretty much standard.   I am hoping to be able to get in the classroom and volunteer a couple times a month, which I will admit is somewhat selfishly motivated by wanting to see what is going on in her room and how Zoe is doing.   

Zoe, our hopes for you this year is that you are challenged academically but more importantly that you grow socially and enjoy every day.  Have a great year, Kindergartener!!

Some pictures from the first day...

So thankful Darryl was able to go in late to work so he could take Zoe on her first day.



 

Front door shot- I had one of these every year growing up!



I wonder what she is thinking in this picture



Testing out the new playground



All lined up, ready to start her first day!

15 Months

15 month facts about this little lady:

* weight: 22 lbs.11 oz. (50th %tile)
* height: 31" (75th %tile)

* Size 4 diapers, but not for much longer

* size 18-24 month clothes

* loves to climb, and is learning that we sit on chairs, not stand

* still a good eater, but slowing down a bit

* transitioning from 2 naps a day to only one

* not a great car rider

* responding to "no" and goes to things she knows she can't touch and says "no"

* starting to scribble and use stickers

* likes to brush her teeth, hates when it's mommy's turn

* brings us books, turns around, and backs up into our laps (sweetness)

* gives great spontaneous hugs

* new words: water (wa-er), rock, back, walk, towel, owl, toe, tickle, off, car,  AND Zoe!! (hearing her say her sister's name is the cutest ever)

* loves to stack objects, read books (often upside down), set up toys in a row (especially ponies), play outside, find bugs and ants on the ground, and snuggle with stuffed animals
* says "ow" when something falls, including her sippy cup of milk that she loves to throw from the high chair
* is a ball of fun and energy

Love you, sweet Madelyn!!

This girl LOVES the beach!

Sitting like a big girl at the table.

Trying to catch a peek at Elmo.

Maddie loves to say hi to bugs and other critters.

Having fun at the water table.

Just discovered the joy of light switches...on, off, on, off...