Medicine

Tonight as we rocked and tucked the girls in Madison said she needed medicine to make her legs stop hurting. We told her sleep would probably make them feel better.
After Madison said her prayers, rocked with Mommy (a special time we hope is not soon outgrown) and snuggled into bed, Daddy began rocking Kennedy and Mommy started to leave the room.
Madison called out softly, 'Snuggle, Mommy?'
I turned right around and curled up next to Madison.
She nestled into me and said, 'Mommy, my legs feel better. You are the medicine I needed to make my legs stop hurting'
I melted- right there into her bed.
Moments like that make all the daily madness of two strong willed little girls disappear.

Summer Cuts and Shopping Lists

 Kennedy's hair was getting a little scraggly. Yes, she was finally getting some length, but the top is still so short we were back to little girl mullet.

Yesterday, Mommy took her to get a new summer cut after school.

 Miss Wendy gave Kennedy a cute little bob and trimmed up her bangs.

 Now we just need to grow the rest of the top out a little so it's not always in her eyes. Hopefully she will leave clips and headbands in her hair in the meantime.

After our haircuts we met Daddy down at Costco. Mommy had a list, so the girls wanted them, too.

 Oh, did I mention I gave Madison a summer trim, too? Her slightly wavy hair is much more forgiving than Kennedy's board straight locks.

Mommy's two little Mini-mes.

Summer bobs and grocery lists.

Love it.

Not so

The girls are at school today. I'm at home.
It's my 'mommy day'.
Summer is fast approaching. Time to finally move more shorts into the drawers than pants.
As I sat in the girls room a few minutes ago going through Madison's clothes it hit me.
My little girl.
My first born.
The reason I became a Mommy.
She's not so little anymore.
Nearly all her size 4s are too small.
Some of the size 5s, too. Where did my little girl go?
As I pack away all Kennedy's size 2s, and even some size 3s...where did my baby go?
It's very likely the last time Kennedy wore those clothes will be the last time they are worn in this house. by one of our children. My heart breaks.
I can't seem to stop the tears. Where did my babies go?
Where has the time gone?
How did this happen so fast?
I want my babies back.

Love

Sitting at the dinner table tonight Madison says...

"Mommy, I love everyone in the whole world, even Tristan when he's not listening to Miss Elizabeth."

Matthew almost spit out his bite. Out of nowhere, Madison refers to the, eh hem, the not so nice boy in class.

Then she asked for a piece of chalk to write her favorite words on the chalkboard.
She sounded them out and wrote them ALL my herself!

BOX
FOX
MOMMY

When did our girl get so grown up?!

Thanks, Uncle Dan

For teaching this sweet girl

This silly thing

 ah- loser

 

Easter

 Here are a few Easter pics to tickle your taste buds until I have time to post all the details.

 Kennedy- after throwing a royal fit because she didn't want to take pictures.

 Mommy and the girls being as nice as possible.

 And the truth comes out- sillies.

 Mmmm...Easter cupcakes!

 Daddy looking bored- Girls being girls.

 Kisses for Daddy!

 Tickles for the girls.

 Pretending to be sweet- with a big owie on her lower lip.

 There's the wild child we know!

 These two are my faves. Personality totally comes out!

The wild woman and the 'Monster'

Happy Easter!

Two Little Ladybugs

 

My new favorite photo of my littlest ladybug!

Thanks to Spring our yard is FULL of ladybugs to play with. Both girls play with them, but Kennedy has a special love for her tiny red and black friends!

This one crawled off her finger, onto her arm, up to her collar and onto her cheek! 

Ladybug Kisses!

Friday

Madison's teacher sent me a text message this evening- a perk of working at the school!

Miss Elizabeth: I forgot to tell you. Today Madison told me tomorrow is Friday. That's the day the Prince gets married to the Princess. I'm assuming she's talking about the Royal Wedding?

Mommy: Oh yes. She's been so excited about a princess wedding since I first told her. She will not be staying up to watch. I'll show her pictures.

Miss Elizabeth: Only your daughter. You two are funny.
***

My mom and I used to stay up to watch the Miss America pageant every year. The way I see it- this is the Miss America pageant of the CENTURY! If I wasn't running a 101 degree fever, coughing, sneezing, achy all over, I might go get her out of bed and camp out on the sofa for the next 5 hours!
Here's to William and Kate and a little girl dreaming of a Princess Wedding!

Reason #752 why it's fun to be a Daddy

At the dinner table tonight:
"Hey, Madison- I bet you can't lick your elbow"

Who is sillier- Daddy? or Madison?
*disclaimer: the girls had to ditch dress up to eat- so they ate sans shirts tonight*

On the way home from school

Today was a great one.

Madison: 'Mommy, Why don't angels fly in a straight line so we can follow them?'

Mommy:, 'Well, Angels fly all over the place. Some fly in a straight line, but they are invisible so we can't see them.'

Madison: 'I can see them with my ears'

Mommy: 'How can you see them with your ears?'

Madison: 'I have eyes in my ears but they are invisible'

Mommy: 'Ahh...How do you see with the eyes in your ears?'

Madison: 'Like this' (opening eyes super wide and stretching face extra long) 'See, Mommy?'

Oh, it's all so much clearer to me now. Eyes in her ears. Got it.

My Baby

Kennedy: 'Mommy, will you hold me like a baby?'

Mommy: scooping Kennedy up and cradling her, 'Sure-I miss my little baby'

Kennedy: 'Can you put me in you tummy lika baby?'

Mommy: 'No, but I will keep holding you like a baby as long as you will let me'

Kennedy: 'OK, Mommy- I luz you'

Glad she didn't put up much fight on that one. I miss my sweet baby girls- but not enough to put them back! And I will keep cradling them- as long as they will let me.

Clarity

I found a new blog this weekend.
She hosts something called embrace the camera on the 10th of each month encouraging mama's to get IN the photo instead of behind the lens.
Upon reviewing a bit of her blog I found something.
The perfect explaination of how I often feel on this little blog.
From now on, I will be blogging moments, not events.
Read here to understand....sounds just like me, huh? The posting part, anyway.
(But don't worry, Aunt Darlene- I'm still going back to post those Halloween pics you never got to see!)

Disappointed

Madison: 'Mommy, my teach me how to read (aka Leapfrog Tag Reader) said I earned another reward. Can I Pu-LEASE have my reward now'

Mommy: 'Sure- let's go get the cord and plug it in, but it's not what you think. You are going to be disappointed.'

Kennedy: 'I want to be disappointed, TOOOoooo'.

Ah- What one wants, the other wants. Even when it is ridiculous.

October 4, 2010-In Training?

October 4th, our friends Gargi and baby Maya came over to help cook and set up for Monday Night Football. Kennedy immediately fell into the 'Big Sister' roll.
As the mommies prepared dinner, Kennedy helped Maya with her snack.

She thought it was great fun to feed Maya- and Miss Maya played along.

The girls also put their new 'baby sister' in their play stroller and pushed her around the living room. We weren't concerned for Maya's safety, as Kennedy sits in the stroller all the time- so we knew it was plenty strong enough for Maya.

Look at the joy on Madison's face.

They talked for weeks about having a new baby sister after Maya's play date.
I wonder if they would love a permanent sibling as much as they do one that goes home at bedtime.

Last fall I took this photo of Madison.

Just like her mama used to do-Madison made individual beds for each of her animals.
Like mother-like daughter

Apple Picking-October 1, 2010

Back in October, Madison had a field trip to Tehachapi to go apple picking.
Parents were encouraged to go and siblings were welcome so we made it a day.
Kennedy wore Mommy's old name belt.

When we arrived at the apple orchard, the kids had a small instructional lesson from the orchard owner. Because it was near the end of the season, he said any trees were free for the picking- and sampling was encouraged.
We had our choice of red delicious and golden delicious- typically not our favorites- but we went to town picking anyway.

Madison had some help from the director's 13 year old son- Mr Dominick. He was one of our helpers during vacation bible school and the girls just love him.

It didn't take long for her learn the twist and pull method.

Kennedy had a little help from Miss Jayne.

She had a bit tougher time pulling her apples off the tree.

After her lessons from Miss Jayne, Kennedy moved onto the golden apples

she managed 'all by herself'- (see Miss Jayne holding the branch a little lower for her?)

she was so proud

when all the bags were full, the girls stopped to let me take a quick photo

then we grouped all the classes together.
Madison settled under a tree with some of her friends- they are so cute all lined up together.

Madison's teacher managed to snap a photo of Mommy with the girls before we walked over to our picnic lunch site down the street.

After picking more apples than any small village could possibly consume- we walked down the dirt road to another small orchard. They had a nice outdoor picnic area and plenty of running room for all the kids.
The girls woofed down their lunches and took off playing with their friends.
Kennedy stood at this fence post and watched the kids run in circles past her.

She stepped up, then down, up then down- what felt like a hundred times.

Doesn't she look so grown up?

Madison loved running across the field with her classmates.

After a few minutes of free time, the orchard owners fired up their old circus calliope.

It was beautiful and perfectly maintained

It reminded me of Main Street at Walt Disney World as a child.

After marching to the music, the kids were back to running-Kennedy looked so sassy

So much energy- so much fun

and determination-that's Madison's friend Maddison reaching for her

When the kids were thoroughly worn out, it was time to head back to school

but not before an impromptu game of ring around the rosy while we waited in line at the potty

ashes, ashes we all

fall down

Miss Jayne stayed with Kennedy and her little friends while Mommy took Madison potty.
When we returned, Kennedy was rocking and sharing her teddy grahams with some new friends.

On the walk back to our car, the girls posed for a few photos

Kennedy was less than thrilled about her sisters 'love hold' on her neck

It was such a gorgeous day picking apples. We loaded into the car just as the storm clouds rolled in, and drove home in the drizzle.

We're hoping we are still here next fall so we can catch the season a little earlier.