Carousel

Molly and I took Madeleine and Lauren out to dinner Friday night and then to Hull to ride the carousel and have ice cream. Madeleine absolutely loved the carousel. She had the biggest smile on her face the whole time.

Whatever Works

Madeleine needed to quickly take a shower because she was covered in dirt and sweat and there was no seat readily available for Claire to go in. So I grabbed a pillow and threw it in the laundry basket. Claire did not seem to mind but you know you are the second child when your mother puts you in a laundry basket.

Finger Paint

Madeleine had a blast finger painting this morning. She started off doing it on the easel and then moved onto a rock and then on a big piece of paper on the ground.

Claire slept through all of the finger painting fun.

Family Fun Day

Every year the town of Hingham has a free Family Fun Day with various activities. The police and fire departments help sponsor it so there were all sorts of fun vehicles to explore. The kids were little grumpy when we first got there so they did not go in the fie truck or army vehicles. Katharine was brave enough to try out the motorcycle.

Hopefully this is the only time she is in a police car!

It took a while to get Madeleine to go in the bouncy house but once she was in she loved it.

Katharine got a whale painted on her face.

Madeleine loved the turtles.

After we ate lunch all the kids started playing with the caution tape. It is amazing what kids find entertaining.

Yum cookie! The kids got to decorate their own cookies.

Great Book Series

I am a big fan of the Ladybug Girl books. They are a great series for girls because the character, Lulu, is a little bit of a tomboy who saves the day. Madeleine really likes the beach one and she is super excited to be a ladybug this Halloween (we already have the costume because it is a hand me down).

The Girls this week

Here are some pictures I have taken this week.

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Madeleine in her PJs.

Claire lounging

Madeleine still loves to read. She has memorized a lot of her books and will sit there and say the story. If you didn't know better you would think she was actually reading. She probably spends a total of almost 2 hours a day looking at books. It is by far her favorite thing to do.

Deep in thought.

Sleeping in the sunroom. She seemed to like being under the fan listening to the wind chime.

Almost looks like she is smiling in this one. I snapped this right as she was drifting off to sleep.

Claire managed to grab hold of this toy and get some of it in her mouth.

Looking like Daddy. I saw her sitting like this and immediately thought of Paul.

Jump Jump Pop Pop

All kids love these things!

Madeleine had a blast Jumping on the packing bubbles (or whatever they are called).

Big Girl

Claire had her one month pediatrician appointment today. She weighs 11 pounds 6 ounces and is 23 3/4 inches long. She is in the 97 percentile for height and the Dr. said she is probably going to be tall. She said she will have a harder time doing things like rolling over and sitting up b/c she is so tall. She suggested lots of tummy time to develop her muscles.

Big sis in action

I was sitting with Claire on the couch and she started to cry. Madeleine immediately jumped up and and tried to make her happy.

She thought if she got really close Claire would stop crying... it didn't work.

Madeleine is such a good big sister. She has not been at all jealous or had any negative reactions to Claire. She takes some interest in Claire and what she is doing but she also gives her space. She has also been really understanding when I have to do something for Claire and she has to wait. There have been a handful of times when she has asked me to put Claire down and if I can I will. I have to say the only "bad" thing is that she takes anything and everything that is for Claire. So far I have only been able to keep one stuffed dog away from her. So really I can't complain because of course a two year old is going to want any new toy that comes into the house and think any present is for her.

Little People

Madeleine has a ton of Little People and accessories and today we got them ALL out and created a village. We had a school, an ocean, airport, hospital, Amusement park, house, farm, and a restaurant.

Madeleine has a couple of little people who she has always called the same name.

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This is Benjamin... not sure why the little guy holding coffee is Benjamin but he always has been.

This is Katie because it is the bride and Katie and Brian were getting married around the time we got them. Sorry Brian, we lost the groom.

Grammy and Granddad. Granddad is holding his Iphone.

And this is Laura (her nanny).

Rug Love

So excited about our new rug for the sunroom! I have been eyeing this rug for years :)

One month old

Where did the past month go??!! It is so hard to believe that Claire is already a month old. She has grown so much and is much more alert and aware of her surroundings. She still sleeps a lot during the day and is not doing all that great at night. She sleeps well from about 8-12 and then until 3:00 ish but then she is awake every hour. Hopefully she will get on a better schedule over the next month.

Madeleine is still being a great big sister. She has not been jealous and she is patient when I have to do something for Claire and can't give her attention. Laura, our nanny, took care of both kids for about an hour while I went for a run and before I left I heard Madeleine telling Laura what to do for Claire. She said, "I think you need to feed her." the she said, "she needs a new diaper." It was very cute to hear her watching out for her lil sis.

Moms night out and Dads night in

On Monday a few of my friends and I went out and some of the Dads came over to our house and watched the kids and had dinner. Paul took some pictures...

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At least fruit is being consumed!

Looks like Rich is cleaning the slide...?

hmmm why is madeleine playing with plastic in the background and where did the giant thing of plastic come from?

Looks like Rich is entertaining the kids with his cell phone.

They look very intrigued

Boys will be boys

I use to think that boys and girls acted/played differently because of nurture. But now that I have spent a lot of time around toddlers and babies I really believe that nature plays a big role in it. Madeleine's friend Colin came over on Sunday to play and he definitely plays differently than madeleine and her girl friends. Madeleine had a blast playing with him and it is so good for her to be around a real boys boy.

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Colin used the soccer goal pieces as a drum on Rody.

Madeleine joined in.

Paul enjoys having a boy in the house whenever Colin comes over. Colin is so cute because he always calls for Paul when he wants something or wants to show him something. One day we had Colin and Lauren over to play and Colin ditched the girls and went and "helped" Paul in the garage.

Throwing and chasing balls. They spent a good hour throwing balls down the driveway and then chasing them. I think Madeleine learned to run faster trying to keep up with Colin.

Checking out the car.

Throwing balls down the slide.

Colin had no fear going down our very fast slide.