Princess Party

Madelyn had her very first Sweet & Sassy Birthday Party Experience! Chesley, one of her preschool classmates, invited her to her birthday party on Saturday. What an experience it was! THE perfect girly girl place . . .

We were the first to arrive. Here is a picture of her and Breanna (another girl from school). . .

They first picked out their Princess dress and then started getting all glammed up! Hair was first . . .
My favorite part - spray on glitter!
Sweet and Sassy . . .

Next it was nails . . .
then make-up . . .
She was all set! Here she is with the birthday girl all "Princessed-out" . . .
Forming a train to walk through the salon for Chesley's birthday . . .

After officially crowning them all as Princesses, complete with wand and crown, they got a group photo . . .

Becoming a Princess is exhausting! Time for cake! The birthday girl and her mom . . . notice her outfit . . .
. . . one of the Island Princess Barbies we got her (far right) was the exact outfit that she was wearing!!

Here is a video clip of my little Princess dancing . . .

What a day!

A special thanks to Brian and Jessica for watching Marek at the last minute! Daddy had a meeting (yep - on Saturday!) and they agreed to watch my little man so that I could focus on my girl! We had a great mother/daughter day with lunch at Mi Cocina's to top it off! We met daddy and Marek at home and took some long naps!

Self Discovery Part II

Erin, Asher and Asa - this is for you - I know you like the video clips! I love you!

This is from November - I took a video clip of Marek and turned the screen so he could see himself. It's funny to see him figuring out that it's him and then studying himself . . .

My favorite is him checking out how he looks sucking his thumb(s). :)

My big girl

This afternoon, Madelyn called me upstairs - she had gone "pee pee and poo poo" and needed my assistance for the wiping. She's very self sufficient if it's #1 but when it's #2 or #1 and #2 - that's when mommy comes in. I decided this afternoon to tell her that she's a big enough girl now to do it on her own. I guess I'd been holding on to that since she does just about everything else on her own. Maybe I could have picked something less dirty . . . Anyway, surprisingly, she met my comment with much excitement . . .

Madelyn: "ok! Yes, I am a big girl now mommy - I can
wipe my poo poo myself"

Mommy: "I think that's a great idea - you are a big
girl, Lu"

Madelyn: (very matter-of-factly) "and when I get bigger, and
bigger, and bigger . . . I'll be your age."

I nearly split my seams laughing and she did her forced laugh like she does when she knows that she said something funny but doesn't really understand what . . . I love my little Lu. . .

I didn't realize how much that little thing would mean to her. She's told everyone that walked through the door tonight about how she's a big girl now and can wipe her own poo poo.

I love potty talk . . .

Christmas Excitement!

More like Christmas Chaos!

I love the pure excitement in her face and voice . . .

I am so thankful to the Lord for my most precious gifts.

New Toys

My little speed racer . . .

Happy Birthday Jesus!

What just happened? It's amazing what goes into getting ready for Christmas and then it's over with the blink of an eye!

We started off with Christmas Eve at Nana and Papa's house with the Post family. Kelly was hosting Christmas Eve for the Whisenants at her house. I let Madelyn and Marek open one of the 20 presents I got them before anyone arrived . .

After weeks of hearing "don't touch that" it was now time for Marek to rip away!
Marek testing out his new remote controlled car!
We headed off to church with the Posts - no midnight mass for us - we went to the 4:00 pm mass. Nana and Papa got there at 3:15 and saved us some seats. We arrived at about 3:30 and there was NO room in the Inn! It was a packed mass.

Back at Nana and Papa's, we ate and then the kids got into their pjs. Madelyn and Ashlynn both kept running up to Papa pretending he was Santa and telling them what they wanted . . .

Before the Posts left, we poured the reindeer food on the lawn to ensure Santa would come!
CHRISTMAS DAY!

Christmas morning was amazing! Santa left so many presents for the kids - he went WAY overboard this year.

He got Marek a new Go Kart and Madelyn a Princess Barbie house with about 6 Barbies! They also got tons of books, games, a Star Station, etc, etc . . . Not to mention all the goodies in their stockings . . .

Daddy was in charge of getting the Barbies and toys out of the packages - it's really not an easy task!

Madelyn trying on her new cooking attire!

It was crazy - presents, wrapping paper, and bows flying everywhere!
Madelyn and Ashlynn both got singing Hannah Montana barbie dolls from Nana and Papa. They couldn't have been more happy . . .
Dylan and Chase playing with their new Transformers!
The new cooking and food cutting set I got for Madelyn was a huge hit!

After singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, the kids ate cupcakes and ice cream!

We needed to burn off some sugar so we all headed outside. Time to test out some toys and run around. . .
Tackle football, of course . . .
It's true what they say about plain boxes. You spend all the time searching for the perfect gift and it's the empty box that it comes in that gives them the most enjoyment!

I hope your Christmas was Merry and Bright!

Center of Attention

Madelyn loves the spotlight - especially when it comes to being on camera. She is a drama queen to the core. Marek is definitely following in her shoes . . . minus the "queen" part :)

Warning - he's LOUD!

Green Peppers

He loves them. My kids surprise me with something new every day . . .

Birthday Party for Jesus!

Madelyn's school had a Birthday party for Jesus last Thursday.

It was complete with pizza . . .

singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus", cupcakes . . .the making of reindeer food (to ensure that Santa comes) . . .
and dancing!

My little man LOVES music and to dance. He's such a party animal! All three of us were exhausted when we got home!

Snuggling with Papa

Lunch Dates

Last Wednesday we didn't have dance because of the holidays. Instead, we met up with some friends for lunch. Sarah (with her husband and daughter, Matt and Anna Grace), Becky Webb and Dick Boucher - all Siecor/Corning friends. We attempt to get together throughout the year but end up meeting once a year at Christmas time!

Anna Graces birthday is one day before Marek's - we were in the same hospital at the same time and didn't know until we were home! Marek was trying to show off for little AG the entire lunch. She just gave him these blank stares! Good girl - daddy is teaching her well! She is so precious!

Here's Marek hugging Anna Grace. He tried hugging Matt about a dozen times with his dirty little hands and face. I think he was trying to get in with his good graces . . . (pun intended!)

AG knows just what to do when she sees a camera!

Madelyn sat on the other side of me by Dick and talked his ear off. She's really come out of her shell lately.

Although I don't remember exactly what happend at lunch or what was talked about - it goes so fast with kids and chaos - it's always great seeing old friends!

Preschool Christmas Program

The triplets had their Christmas program at school last Tuesday (18th).

Marek and Madelyn before the program . . .

Landon was striking many poses up on the stage before the festivities! He's normally very reserved but he came right out of his shell!

Our little Bears were first out with "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". They were great!
They were the only class that had a costume change! They got into their pjs and went back out on stage for a Christmas Story.
Ms. Tonia . . .
Ms. Lisa

They're getting so big - it's hard to believe . . .

Ready-Set-GO!

Cars, food, whatever . . .

Santa - AGAIN!

Madelyn got to sit on Santa's lap again! He was at her school last Tuesday so she got all dressed up to see him yet again!

Marek doesn't like to be left out of any pictures . . .

not camera shy . . .

She asked for something new from this Santa. Thankfully, I - er Santa - had already purchased this item. I really hope that was the last time she will see Santa this year because if not, we'll go broke! :)

Copy Cat

Marek has to do whatever his sister is doing all of the time. She gets juice - he gets juice. She gets a big girl cup - he MUST have a big boy cup! I have a feeling this will never change . . .