Saturday, May 31, 2008

TV Time Before Bed

How Old Are They Now?

Today we went to the annual NYS LEAH (Homeschool) Convention in Rochester. Madison went with us, and she did exceptionally well for being out all day long. She caught only one 30-min. cat nap and still was in a pleasant mood most of the day. It gives me hope for when we spend a day at Seabreeze next month! As always, the presentations and teachings at convention were excellent. It was also great to see so many familiar faces, especially after being out of the state for 3 years.

The funny thing about seeing people after a number of years is you lose all concept of time and how old they are now. This is especially true when you're talking about kids. Some I hadn't seen for a few years because of being away; others I hadn't seen because I've been out of school for over a decade & so am not involved in the same activities anymore. Some of the 'kids' I knew in both categories caused me to do a double take this weekend. Kids that I think of as 5 or 6 or 7 are now teenagers or graduating or in college! Granted if you do the math and that's what they were 10 years ago, of course that's where they'd be now. But despite that, you still don't expect it somehow & it surprises you. Crazy.

All of this also made me realize, I don't know many 'kids' anymore! Except everyone's babies that are suddenly becoming kids! Even crazier.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Finally! Gotcha!

Light Meal?

Well, so much for having a small meal after our weekend of grilling & feasting...

Monkey Update


"Weeee, this is fun! But boy is it bright!"

Thought I'd give a quick update and also prayer request for Madison. My cold is pretty much gone but her cold is just hanging on with no end in sight. The poor little thing still has a nose running like a faucet and seems like she's going to cough up a lung every few minutes. She did pretty well this past weekend but was definitely not her usual social self. Today she seems better, back at home where it's quiet & the activity has died down. Even still, she's pretty fussy & miserable overall. Please pray that her tiny little body will rid itself of this cold soon!

On a lighter note, the Little Monkey continues to crawl everywhere at lightning speeds and pull herself up anywhere she can. If she's standing up to the couch or coffee table, she will make side steps. She will also take a few walking steps if you hold both of her hands and stand her up.

Her biggest feat lately is she is standing on her own, unsupported! She just started the end of last week. I looked into the dining room from the kitchen, and there she was in the doorway, rising from a squat position, holding on to nothing with her arms out to steady herself. My jaw literally fell open! It's so cute but also looks so funny to see since she is such a tiny little thing. Since then she continues to practice her new act throughout each day. I have yet to capture it on film though. Every time she does it, I grab the camera, whip it out of the case, turn it on, focus it on her.... and she sits back down. :-P But I'll get a picture as soon as I can!

P.S. 10 months today & no teeth yet!

Memorial Day Weekend on the Lake

Spent a beautiful 3-day Memorial Day weekend on the lake at my parents' place. Had a wonderful time of fun, food, family, friends, and fellowship. And food -- Did I say food??!


More Memorial Day photos on Picasa









Memorial Day Weekend: The Gardens

So much in bloom...
See more garden photos on Picasa








Thursday, May 22, 2008

Godzilla Baby

On one end of our coffee table there are 2 piles of books, magazines & Bibles that Madison has been trained not to touch -- and usually she does pretty good. The other end of the coffee table has a little pile of Madison's books along with a little box of her toys, which she is allowed to touch. Her daily routine has become standing at the coffee table (she loves to stand) and dropping every book and toy onto the floor. Then when she naps I pick them up... and once she gets up, she comes out and drops them all onto the floor again. It's so cute. For now. ;-)

Sniffles

Madison & I both came down with a cold yesterday. It's one of those 'I feel 100 pounds heavier' fatigue colds. I've spent the past 2 days sacked out on the couch, wiping our drippy noses. Fun. We hope to be better soon so we can enjoy the holiday weekend!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Blind Bunny

"Hey! Who turned out the lights?!"



"Where am I going anyway?"

"Oh here I am!"

Monday, May 19, 2008

Musicians

Matt playing guitar for his favorite audience. Madison LOVES it when he plays; she gets all smiley, giggly and starts dancing.

Just Hair

Hi... I dunno, I thought this picture was better of my short haircut than the previous picture I posted, taken the day it was cut. Of course now it's grown out some so I'm a little late in posting the 'new do'.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Lunch by Matt

I'm not sure what all is in it... but strange as it looks, doesn't it look good?

Thursday, May 15, 2008

The Great Gas Depression

*sigh* I knew our gas spending would go up with our move to NY, but as these prices continue to climb with no end in sight, it's just getting depressing. I thought I'd go back and see what we were spending in Nebraska (walking to work and driving only a mile to church - so not driving much at all). In Nebraska we spent an average of $64/month on gas. So far in NY we're spending an average of $177/month. I know everyone's going through this but UGH it makes me sick.

I'm Awake!

No joke -- I went in to get her and she said, "I'm awake!" Now maybe it was just a coincidence, but I know I heard it!! This is how I find her anymore when I go in to get her up -- standing with her mouth on the edge of the pack'n'play.

American Idol: Final Two

Well, it's down to the two Davids on American Idol. We called these guys as the top two from way back in the top twenty, I think! David A. was our top favorite right away, but as time has gone on, I think we both really want David C. to win. It seems to be the 'year of the rocker' -- a rocker has yet to win, and David C's talent & versatility have been amazing.

So that's our prediction... however, with these two as finalists, we'll be thrilled to have either of them win. They are both great talents & seem to be genuinely nice guys.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Buddies

Lily calls Madison "Buddy" --

Mother's Day Dessert

Fruit pizza --

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Olive Garden Baby

Madison is officially an Olive Garden fan. We went last night, which wasn't her first time there, but it was the first time she was interested in eating the food. Each time the waitress brought food to our table, Madison would fuss & reach for what we were eating. We did bring Cheerios for her, but when we gave them to her, she was like "What? You're giving me this and keeping the good stuff all to yourself?!" So we'd give her little pieces of our chicken and breadsticks, and she was lovin' it!

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Alyssa's Gardens

Things are just starting to bloom -


Friday, May 2, 2008

Squats

This girl is way too clever. Less than a week ago, she started pulling herself up. She started out wobbly while standing & eventually falling over, often bonking her head. In just a couple days, she's figured out that from a standing position she needs to slowly squat, feeling for the floor beneath her, than plopping down on her bottom when she's close. I can't believe she figured that out - and so quickly!




Hungry Anyone?


Pumpkin, avocado, diced tomato, and whole wheat elbow macaroni.... Mm Mmmm. Hey, Madison likes it!!