Hallowen

November 1- Today was probably one of M's most favorite days ever. She got one on one time with both parents. She and dada spent the morning together while E and I were at Fossil class, and then she and I got some one on one time while E and dada went to church. The thing I think M liked most about the day was getting to play with and walk our neighbor's dog. She absolutely loved holding the leash, and walking with the dog. We played together inside for awhile, she pretended to feed E's baby doll, and then made a nice picture out of glitter glue.

It was also a first today, the first time that she has insisted on wearing a dress up dress.

October 31- We did quite a bit of Halloween celebrating today. We started the day with Halloween pancakes at IHOP with Ama and Ada and then the girls went to their house for the day. They got to go to the Children's Museum for the second day in a row, which E thought was amazing. M had a great time in the water room, and apparently got completely soaked.

We picked the girls up early, grabbed dinner and costumes, and went to trick or treat at the mall with A and A. The girls got tons of candy, and had a great time. M liked choosing candy from the big bowl, and wandering around the mall.

Then, we got home, put on warmer clothes, and went out to the nieghborhood. M lost interest after two houses, so she and dada went home, E, R, A, and A kept going and made a big loop around the neighborhood.

October 30- E didn't have school today, so she spent the day with Ama and Ada, they said they loved getting the chance to spend the day with her. Grandma and Grandpa dropped off a Halloween cake, and the girls decorated it. E had a hard time putting on the frosting, but they both liked putting on the sprinkles.

We had to go out tonight to get E new shoes, she wore holes through her other pair, and refuses to wear the tennis shoes she and dada got at the end of the summer. She picked boots, and looks adorable in them. However, she refused to get a second pair of shoes. She had her heart set on the boots, and every other pair made her fall down. We had dinner at the food court and played in Build a Bear and the play area.

October 29- The girls started out the day with breakfast at Mickies (and I spent the whole day thinking it was Thursday, since that is our regular breakfast day). Then M had a playdate with the grandson of Ama and Ada's friend. In the evening, Ada and I took the girls to trick or treat on State Street. It only took M a few stores to get the idea of trick or treating, she started walking right up to bowls and grabbing candy. She had such a big smile, and was so cute in her costume, no one cared that she took more then one piece. We made it from the Historical Society to the Overture Center where we watched a magic show before heading back. I have never seen E enjoy a show like that one, it was so fun to watch her.

E had her class Halloween party today, she wore her costume all day, and they participated in a costume parade and had lots of snacks.

October 28- Tonight we had the little girls to play at our house, and they had a good time with each other. We have two cash registers, which helped because they were able to each use one. We decided that M would be  a monkey for Halloween since she it was a warm costume. She loved being a monkey and even wore the costume while playing with A. M and ada have been heading to the park as much as possible this week to make the most of the nice weather.

October 27- The weather was beautiful today and M and Ada went to the park. I dropped E off at school this morning, it was nice to see all her classmates again. We are working to get back in the swing of things, but we got out of the house as best as we could.

M has been so into these Halloween decorations, she is always very gentle with them, and likes to make sure they are matched up just right.

October 26- The weather was great today, we had a very nice family day. The girls and I had an outside picnic for lunch today, not something I expected in late October. We carved pumpkins before dinner. E was so excited to do this and couldn't wait to get started. She made a great pumpkin, although she didn't want to touch the insides. M liked drawing on her pumpkin, and tried to use a child knife to carve. In the end, she played while I finished hers.

October 16- Today was a beautiful fall day, so M, Ama and Ada got to spent a lot of time outside. M and Ama went to play at Hoyt, and M really enjoyed being with the other kids. After work today, M and I took a quick walk to stare at our neighbor's cat Gracie. Gracie likes to look out the window between the two sections of blinds which M find amusing.

After that we headed for dinner at Costco, as usual, M ate a great meal, she loved wandering the store. E picked out a few great Halloween costumes for her. But we decided to hold off.

In the picture above, the girls are fighting over the soda we got at Costco, they were trying to alternate after 2 sips each. But, M doesn't understand alternating, and E isn't shy about ripping it out of her sister's hand.

October 15- Today dada took E to gymnastics, so M and I had a nice hour together. We played all over the house (with nothing longer then 3 minutes) then we took a walk. Right before the walk I asked M if she wanted a snack. She nodded yes, and then said "affle" (apple). This is really one of the first times M has used words in that way. Generally, she just identifies things and points them out. Her words so far are: key, pool, balloon (booo), momma, dada, sissy, Ama, and Boppa.

We had a nice family dinner, and then the girls took a tubby were M tried to eat all the bubbles with a spoon.

M has also discovered our dryer balls. she now loves helping me fold clothes (where she tries to reach in and grab the balls), and putting the wet clothes into the dryer.

October 14- Tonight the big girls played at our house while M and her friend A played at R's house. M had a great time, and R's mom reports that she was very sweet, at one point choosing to stop playing and help cook.

E and the big girls had a good time too. We did a few different art projects, they are also getting pretty good at entertaining themselves, which is nice. One of my favorite parts of the evening was listening to them talk to each other, and listening to how they felt things were run at our house.

October 13- M has a new favorite thing, her Mickey Mouse music box. As soon as she wakes up, she calls for Sissy to turn it on. She likes it to be playing while she nurses, during diaper changes, and pretty much any time we are in her room. M and Ada came to coffee break today, M is starting to get braver at break, she points to each person around the table, and for a minute today, I thought she was going to ask to be on someone else's lap!

October 12- M got a new car seat for grandma and grandpa's car, and E had the idea to color on the box the seat came in. Both girls had a great time working on that project. M and dada got some nice time together today, since E and I went to the Packer Party at her school. During the beginning of the game we made sandwiches to be delivered to a shelter. Despite being 4, I think E was one of the hardest workers there. She was originally in charge of scooping jelly onto bread. After doing that for a little while, she switched to putting sandwiches in paper bags. She filled bags faster then I could open them.

In the evening, the girls went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house. I overhead a funny exchange on the way out. After Grandma told E they were having spaghetti, E said "well then M has to eat naked babies" and Grandma told her she didn't think people should be naked at the table. Well, E was right, M came home covered in sauce!

October 11- Today was our friend A's birthday, she had an amazing Frozen themed party. E has decided she wants the same party in March. Both girls went to the party, and they both had a lot of fun. E liked all the activities, and M liked being around the big kids and being part of the fun. At one point, I tried to take M home, and she followed me right back to the party!

In the afternoon, E and I made cookie bars (she has been asking to make cookies for a long time now) and we played outside to take advantage of the beautiful fall day.

October 10- Today was a bit different, E didn't have school today, so we started out the day with a leisurely breakfast at home. Then M had her 18 month check up and E was scheduled for a flu shot. Both girls were amazing at the doctor. M didn't cry (she used to cry from the second she saw the doctor) and E entertained herself for the most part. 

M continues to be a nice, normal size. Although I'm not sure how tall she is, the first time they measured her it was clearly short, and the second time seems to tall. She weights 21.8 pounds.

After the doctor, both girls went to M's school. E has been so curious about M's school and has asked lots of great questions about it, so it was really nice for her to see it. Then after lunch, E got to march in dada's school's homecoming parade (and M got to watch). E really liked the parade, and got lots of candy. Then, in the evening, the girls, Dada, and Ada had dinner together while Ama and I went to a resale.

October 9- We started out the day with breakfast at Mickies, M and E have started splitting the kids meal, which still leaves LOTS of leftovers. M even wore her Anna hat for most of breakfast. Today M made a wonderful discovery, "toast sprinkle." E has been eating toast sprinkle for a while now (its just white sugar sprinkled on toast) but M hasn't noticed. Today she did, and wasn't really fooled by the tiny amount of sprinkle I gave her!

She went to Hoyt for the first time this fall, and had a great time climbing on everything. And, she successfully used the potty twice today! After work, she and I had some nice time together, we played outside with a few neighbor kids and then went for a walk (we even saw a dog).

E and dada got to have a little daddy daughter time today, which E has been missing. They had a nice hour, just the two of them.

October 8- Today Ada and M played at the Randall playground for a while in the morning. They do a very nice job of getting outside everyday. After work, she and I headed outside. In the past week, M has fallen in love with A, and A's mom. She spends her time outside walking up their front walk hoping to get them to come outside. Or, hoping to be invited in to play with their cat! Today, she was in luck, and even better, the cat got to come out on a leash to play.

E and I want to gymnastics, while we were their dada and M kept playing with friends. E had a great time at gymnastics, she is getting really good at the monkey bars, and did very well with her rolls, and her half cart-wheels.

M has been really into writing lately, any time she sees a pen she has to try it.

October 7- Today M helped Ada with errands, and got to go to library story hour. We spent most of the evening around the house today, E asked if she could measure things, so of course monkey-do had to measure too.

October 6- Today M and Ada visited Great Gramma, and had a nice morning with her. Ada says that M is getting more comfortable with Great Gramma and is starting to feel familiar with her house. They took a long walk together and had lunch together.  M even sat on Great Gramma's lap and looked at a wall hanging and identified the "woo wooo" (actually a deer) and some other things on it.

Tonight, M and I took a nice walk before dinner, we played on the swings, and M had a new game, she would pretend to hand me my keys, and then when I reached for them, pulled them away and laughed. E and I went to the library (where E got a library card) and dada and M went for a long walk to practice for a 5K fund raiser for E's schol.

October 5- Today we went to Pecks and Hecks farms for pumpkins and fall fun. We started at Pecks, and were sad to see that they had taken away the kid play area. M and E had a great time picking pumpkins and pulling wagons through the field. E was having a bit of a rough day, she wasn't in the best mood, which made things a little difficult.

M had her first bouncy house experience and she LOVED it, she didn't want to leave, and then she wanted a second turn. E and I did the horse and carriage ride,

After quiet time, we went to A's house to watch Frozen and make snowflakes for A's birthday party. M fell in love with their cat and spent most of the movie petting and chasing it.

October 4- This morning, M and E had swimming lessons. It was M's first swimming lesson, she wasn't sure about it at first, but warmed up. During E's lesson, she kept trying to get back into the pool. After swimming, E and I went to my work for awhile, so that dada and M could go to the grocery store, and take a nap.

After quiet time, E and I went to church, and M went to Ama and Ada's (dada wasn't feeling well, so he took a nap). After church we had dinner with Ama and Ada at McDonalds, and the girls got a little play time in the playland. M went much further in the tunnel then she ever has before.

For the first time in a long time tonight, M woke up in the middle of the night, it took about 3 hours to get her back down, making for tired parents.

October 3- M went to school today, she had a great time, and is making friends. Ama says that M really likes her school.  When we picked up E today, she was absolutely amazed to hear that M had been to school and was full of questions about it.

October 2- This morning, the girls and I had breakfast with Ada, and M got to play with both grandparents for the day. After work, dada took them to Costco for shopping and dinner. They did a good job, so the three of us got to split what E calls "that brown ice cream"

A big day for Miss. M

October 1- Today Miss M had a big day. She and Ada set out to spend as much time outside as possible, and they did. They went to the park right after breakfast, and were the first ones there, and the last to leave! They played at Randall School, and throughout the morning, their were different kids their to play with. Ada reports that M is very social, and tried to engage the other kids.

Tonight, E had gymnastics, and M went along to watch. Then tonight, M did to things that were new. First, she went potty on the potty. She has been funny about the potty, she is very interested, and really likes to sit on it like her sister. It has been a while since she successfully went, but today she did it. The second thing she did was roar like a lion when asked. She pointed to a lion and I said, "Lion, rooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrr" then I asked "what does a lion say" and M said "rooaaarr"

September 30- Today dada and I were responsible for the "big girls" we joined up with the "little girls" for a trip to the mall to see Anna, Elsa, and Olaf, and participate in some kid activities. Only A and R were brave enough to stand near the characters. Both little girls were scared of Olaf, and E still doesn't really like people in costume.

The girls all did a craft project, and then had dinner at the food court. After dinner, they all played at the play land. I think M really enjoyed being part of the crowd. She had a great time in the play area. Back at home, she got to take a solo tubby, which is a little rare for her.

This morning, M and Ada came to meet me at coffee break. M was a big hit with all my co-workers, and took turns pointing around the table at everyone.

September 29- Tonight when we got home from work and school, we tried to play outside right away. It was an interesting night, while we were outside, the temperature dropped significantly, and we are back to fall. Tonight at dinner, M was sitting nicely in her chair, but suddenly had to get out. Turns out that she wanted to sit with dada.

For the last couple weeks, M has been amazing at bed time, she has started being able to put herself down to sleep with no (or a few) tears. She also has a Mickey Mouse music box, and she has to have it turned on during rocking and stories, and usually first thing in the morning.

September 28- Today we had a lovely family day. The morning was filled with the Zoo Run, which E and dada participated in. M did a nice job wandering around and waiting, and then cheering on her family. She was absolutely in love with looking at Henry, the zoo's mascot. She didn't want to touch him, or stand by him, but she wanted to be held near him, and point and wave. She has developed a new wave, using just her last three fingers.

After the race, we had a picnic at the zoo and then looked at the animals. After quite time we ran a few errands, and then had some play time in "Leaf Wonderland" (what E is calling our front yard).

September 27-  While dada parked cars this morning, the girls and I went to the Badger Bash and Union South. Dada met us there, and we tried Mt. Dew, played bean bag toss, and spun the prize wheel for the book store (E won lollipops for herself and M). Then E got a feather in her hair.

We had lunch at the Sett, and watched a little bit of the game. At home, E and I took a nap together, while dada held M for her nap. After quite time the girls and I played outside in all the freshly fallen leaves..

September 26- Dada had a TON of grading to do tonight, so the girls and I were on our own. We started the evening with a picnic in Leaf Wonderland, and then went to Hilldale. We got E her Buckey Badger shirt, played at the toy store, got M's bangs cut, and had popcorn and smoothie at Target. Then, we went to JoAnn's so that E could pick out Elsa colored yarn for a craft project.

September 25- E woke me up very early this morning with the dreaded "mommy, I throwed up" so we spent a good part of the night cleaning up. So, she and I stayed home from work/school this morning. Ama came over in the afternoon so that I was able to go work for a little bit. It doesn't seem like M is sick (knock on wood). M had a great time playing at the park today, there was another little girl slightly younger then her there and they actually played together.

After work, she and I went for a walk and she was crazy to see "Ah-wa" (her name for E's friend A) so we got to stop in a visit with A and A, and then play on the swings.

September 24- E and I went to gymnastics today while M stayed home and helped dada cook. While she was with Boppa today, M had a real puzzle breakthrough, she was able to match up the pieces of her animal puzzle and get them to fit all by herself (or with very minimal intervention). This is a very new skill for her.

September 23- We had a more normal evening at home as you can see with the pile on dada!

September 22- Today I achieved my parenting rock star status! Dada had to go back to work, so he hurried home to get dinner for us. He left, and the girls and I played outside for a while and then had a movie party with popcorn and Brave. For the first time, I successfully put both girls to bed! I nursed M, then read to E, then nursed M again. When she was done, I put M down and said "night night" she fussed for a minute and then was quiet. I went back to read E a last "fairy chapter book" chapter, and M was asleep when I was done. E was out before dada came home.

M did have her first official tantrum tonight, it was the kind were nothing made her happy, we tried snacks, juice, and lots of other things, but she basically just needed to feel sad for awhile.

September 21- We went to pick apples today, which was very important to E to accomplish this fall. We went to Epplegarden like usual, and had better luck finding low apples then we usually do. E really had a great time picking apples and so did M. Although M kept trying to pick them up off the ground! Both girls liked munching apples while we walked and picked, and we definitely got a good haul. E and I even made apple crisp for dessert (although E didn't eat any).

Grandma and Grandpa watched the girls tonight so that dada and I could go out. The girls had a great time at their house, and even took a tubby.

September 20- We had quite a day today, we started by parking cars for the Badger game, and having a lemonade stand. E wasn't as excited about lemonade as she was last week, and refused to yell "lemonade and wata for sale." She was also much more interested in drinking lemonade this week! We had planned to go get lunch by the stadium, like usual, but Ama and Ada's neighbor's gave us tickets to the game. We walked down to the stadium and M got to see her first Badger game. E got to see her first regular season game! Both girls seemed to really enjoy it. M even got to add Camp Randall stadium to the list of places she nursed :)

We spent the afternoon playing outside with friends and E went to a classmate's birthday party. Needless to say, both girls were completely wiped out by bedtime!

September 19- M and I were home alone for a little while tonight, and she was looking in the fridge. She found this coffee creamer and started carrying it around and calling it baby. We even went outside and played sidewalk chalk with her "baby."

September 18- The girls went back to Mickie's today, sadly I couldn't join them. This was the first visit to Mickies with E at 4K, and it seemed to work pretty well.

September 17- M has to brush her teeth each night, just like big sissy does. She's noticed that E gets toothpaste, so now she needs it too. Fortunately, she's too little to realize that we are just pretending to put some on her brush.

E has started gymnastics again, so M and dada got some nice time to explore outside together tonight while E and I were at gymnastics.

September 16- Today we had a different morning, E, M and I went to Ama and Ada's house, but they were out for breakfast. E was upset by the change in her routine, so we went for donuts, E was convinced that they would be home when we got back. But, they weren't. After she ate, E decided to wait until Ada was home before going to school. Fortunately, he made it home before we had to go! M and Ada came for coffee break today, which was great. M ate most of my yogurt, and a chocolate cookie (I offered her half, but she knew better and took a whole one)

After school today, we had little A over. We are rotating child care with our neighbors, and the little girls and big girls will travel in a pack, so M got to have a friend over, they played pretty well together, M did a little pushing. M found a new baby doll today, and was in love it with. We'll see how long it lasts.

September 15- M and Ada went to visit great gramma today, and they took her out for breakfast. After breakfast, M had a nice time playing with great gramma. M has been wearing this crown all the time. We're not totally sure why, E has never really been a fan, so she hasn't gotten it from her.

September 14- We had  a nice family Sunday today, with each parent getting some one on one with with each girl. E and I went to a soccer themed birthday party for one of her class-mates, while dada and M played at home and took a nap together. After quiet time, E and dada went to a football party (dada won beer, E was very excited for him). M and I took the time to go to the playground at the community center near our house. We used to go to this park all the time with E, so I was very happy to get the chance to play there with M.

September 13- We all slept in this morning, which was strange, but great! I started out the day at a clothing resale, so dada took the girls to the Monroe Street Festival. E got "W"s on her face, and a balloon poodle, M didn't get her face painted, and popped her balloon animal. They also got a giant bag of kettle corn. After the festival, we had lunch with Ama and Ada at HyVee and then E got a chance to play with her friend R.

M helped me make pizza for dinner. She got to stand on a chair in the kitchen one time, and now she seems to think its a normal thing.

September 12- I was out this evening doing a busy bag swap, so dada was on his own with the girls. The girls had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and then program and playtime with dada. M is starting to say lots of words, she can say: Ama, Bappa, Momma, Dada, Sissy, Woof Woof (Dog), Waffle, Awa (any girl friend), and shoe.

September 11-

September 10- Although we tell E not to climb on the couch, I couldn't resist!

September 9- We spent the afternoon playing outside with our friends. Once we were inside, the girls took turns playing on this step stool.

September 8- Dada was out for awhile this evening, and bedtime was a disaster with just me, E wanted to be with me when I was trying to put M down, and M wanted to be running around when I was trying to put E down.

September 7

September 6- It was the first Badger game of the season today, and at long last E got to have her lemonade stand! It was a huge success. Turns out people like to buy lemonade and water from a young girl who yell "lemonade and wata for sale" over and over and over! Once the game started, our whole family walked down to campus for lunch and to see the festivities. We had a wonderful picnic and family time.