Ballerina Girl

Madeline & Miss Elizabeth

Madeline is our little ballerina. She absolutely loves to dance. She dances and sings every day. Her original songs and moves are the best, but she also loves dance class. Her teacher, Miss Elizabeth, is wonderful. She had learned so much about ballet and tap this year. Thursday nights are dance nights and Madeline can't wait every week. Last night she was concerned about looking like a "real" ballerina. She always comes out happy and with all she had learned. I'm going to have to get a ballet dictionary before too long!

Peas, peas, and more peas

Peek!

Caroline's "I'm cute" pose

So sleepy

Caroline has finally taken off with her foods. She originally wanted nothing to do with it and would make the most awful faces every time she tasted anything. She was especially opposed to green things. Now she is really taking off and eats about anything that we give her. I am making all her food now that she eats and I think she likes it much better. Peas was the food of choice today and she really got into it...literally. Morning nap was very short, so she was getting very sleepy, but she wanted to keep eating. The peas did go in, but they also went everywhere else. I was trying to teach Caroline not to hit the spoon, so I would say no when she would swing at the spoon and laugh. Madeline, in her very Madeline way, said, "Why are you getting mad at her? It's actually pretty funny!" I tried to explain I was teaching her, but I had to admit it was funny, so I just let her go and got the camera instead.

Storytime

Madeline the Librarian

Counting our animals - 1, 2, 3...

Our friends

I decided not to go to storytime at the library today as it was cold and I'm trying to get Caroline to nap on her own and at the same time every day. I suggested we could have our own storytime, but I didn't realize it would have to be like the real storytime. Madeline wanted me to draw flannel board pictures for Brown Bear, Brown Bear and The Very Shy Kitten, so she could be the librarian and tell the story. It took all morning for us to get ready, but we finally had storytime with all our friends (babies and animals). Each one got to put something on the flannel board while she read the stories. The best part was the huge wad of gum she had in her mouth while she was reading. We even had book checkout at the end. These are the moments that make being home so wonderful!

Look at me!

The motivation for pulling up was this kleenex she saw on the ottoman.
She was so proud of herself.

Look at me...

Caroline has been moving around a lot and has pulled up a few times already, but this am was different. She was all alone in the living room and pretty soon I heard Madeline say, "Mommy, come look. Caroline is standing up!" I walked in and Caroline smiled the biggest grin I had ever seen. She was standing at the ottoman. She did not want to get down either. She stood there for a very long time just grinning and talking. About two hours later she also discovered she can walk using my hands. She doesn't just walk - she runs! When I had had enough, I put her down and she began sobbing because she wanted to walk some more. Why is that with your first child you encourage so much movement, but with the second one you wish they would hold still a little longer?! Ha!

Grocery Shopping

Getting out her money from her "checkbook."

Sandy the checkout person!

Madeline loves to play grocery store. She must have it complete with nametags with different names. Today we had real grocery lists and her name was Sandy. My name was Michelle. Auntie Mallory actually found this grocery stand at a garage sale for $2 a few years ago. It has gotten a lot of use!

Mom's Group

We had a small Mom's Group on Monday. It was a dress-up affair. Thanks to Crissy and Allison for making the drive to Kalona. The kids had fun playing with all the dress-up clothes. Carson even found a couple of outfits suitable for a boy. He was especially cute in the jack-o-lantern hat! Caroline even got to try on the Cinderella crown (see how much she liked it!). Rachel looked adorable as Snow White. Madeline of course had her moments of taking care of everyone and everything, but overall shared very well. She has been doing much better with Caroline and her friends! Our biggest challenge with her now is getting her to stop doing things just because she knows someone doesn't want her to. As I keep saying, 4 is a whole new game at our house!

A New Discovery

Now that Caroline is moving all over the house she continues to make new discoveries. The other morning she found the washer and dryer. She was mesmerized by the spinning. She just stared and stared at it. It was so cute how she just sat there for a long time. I guess I know how to keep her occupied now!

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