What do you do on a rainy day?

Smile silly for the camera

Jump on the couch, even though mommy tells you not to

Smile pretty for the camera

Relax and read a book

Wear mommy's shoes

Take a break ;) Happy cozy-fall Monday!

What?

You want me to simile for the camera? Oookkkkay!

This...

Is what Madeline wanted to wear around the house all night Tuesday. :) It was pretty adorable, so I let her twirl away until her hearts content.

Play Date with Olivia!

A few weeks ago, Olivia came over to play. We gave her mommy and daddy a night out to themselves before the arrival of Olivia's little sister, Isabel! The girls had a great night together, they played hard, and slept hard too! We started off with some fun in the basement with cars, and tents, moved it up to the bathtub, the doggie bed, and then ended with a showing of Disney's "UP." It was so fun, we can't wait to do it again!

Madeline even took a quick time-out to give a kiss to daddy.

If this doesn't look like fun, I don't know what does? I love that you can see Olivia's pink toe nails! :)

T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

Nemesis

With just under 2 weeks to go until my Half Marathon, my nemesis has shown it's true colors. ACORNS! Argh.

Nemesis

/ˈnɛməsɪs/ Show Spelled[nem-uh-sis]

–noun, plural

1. Something that a person cannot conquer, achieve, etc.
:The performance test proved to be my nemesis.

2. An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.

3. Classical Mythology. the goddess of divine retribution.

4. An agent or act of retribution or punishment.

Tap Class: Week Deux

This week's class went a tad better...Madeline still screamed after I walked her into class. But the teacher did say she did much better and that she only had to hold her for the first 2 minutes. After that it was a few unsure, whiny cries that she eventually got through. It helped when Olivia joined the class a few minutes later! Madeline perked up the minute she saw her. So sweet.

You, want me to go where? With out you? But mammmaaaa.....

My little tapper, she LOVED the new tutu I pulled out for her.
White with sparkles :)

End of Summer Fun

Last week we had one of our last hot summer days. So, Madeline and I took the afternoon off and relaxed in the backyard. We filled up MiMi, our pool as we affectionately call her, one last time, and stripped down to our diaper. It was a great afternoon.

First we discovered acorns! Collecting them has become a new passion of Madelines.

I love this photo...Love it.

WoW! These things are EVERYWHERE!!

And time for another cheesy photo shoot with mommy and the self-timer.

I know it's blurry, but I still think it's kind of cute.

First day of Tap Class!

Yesterday Madeline had her first tap class! That's right, it was finally time to break in the new Capizo's :) We had to get up a little early from our nap to make sure we were dressed and had a full belly. Class starts at 3:45 p.m. on the dot, okay not really, they are pretty lenient with the little ones. Anyway, we had a great snack of Greek Yogurt and some Graham Crackers and out the door to meet Miss. Olivia and the rest of the class. Madeline did great the first 5 minutes of the class until she started crying and the teacher, Megan, who was a doll, ended up holding her for about 10 minutes. Yikes! Anyway, she did pretty well even played in some circles and with some tambourines!

Madeline was happy to be done with class, and Olivia LOVED it. Their reactions when they came out were priceless...I have a feeling Madeline is going to be a soccer player, not a dancer. *Sigh* Honestly I am okay with it as long as she is in some activity.

And in case you are wondering, being on the other side of the glass is all too wierd. I am now the stalking parent, peering in on my child in class. I even got the "oh, parents can't come in to class with their kids." LOL, I feel like I was just saying that to my student's parents. And no, I wasn't trying to either.

Snack time, yummo!

Waiting for class to begin! Kind of looks like HSD colors girls doesn't it?

Bar time...tap, tap. tap....

And run in the circle and stomp your feet, run back out and stomp your feet. This was all too freaking cute.

Class ended with the tambourine. F-U-N!

Dinner with Baby Ellie

The other night Baby Ellie, and her parents came over for dinner! Well, okay Ben came over to help us seal our drive way and then as payment for his help we made them dinner. Ellie and Rachel came over in the afternoon so we got to hangout with them all day! Ellie is only two weeks old, so tiny, and completely perfect with a dark head of hair. I got to indulge and hold Ellie a good bit of the day, and Madeline really had no problems with her in terms of jealousy. She was interested and always wanted to know where "Baby" was. I think she said baby, baby, baby a dozen times.

Just before dinner the boys were reading a book about fireflies to the girls.

Madeline had to get a closer look at Ellie.

And then in for a kiss. Aw so sweet.

Potty Training

On Monday I decided to give potty training a go with Madeline. She is showing all of the signs that she is ready, yet, when we actually tried, not-so-much.

We woke up and got changed right into big girl underwear, pink Hello Kitty if you want the details. Then we went over how we pee-pee and poo-poo on the potty and we moved the potty into the living room so we could utilize it whenever necessary. The potty has been in the house for several weeks now, so Madeline was already familiar with it, and what to do with it. No accidents for the first two hours, then we went upstairs to put away laundry and wouldn't you know it. Pee-pee on Hello Kitty, and not much sign from Madeline other than the few drops on the floor. It didn't really bother her. Oh man. We got changed and into a pull up since we had to run errands, and that was the end of potty training that day. I think I might wait a few more weeks and give it another go.

HA! You want me to do what in this thing?

"Dry," ha, test run on the potty.

Making her actually "try" to pee-pee. This lasted all of 20 seconds.

Smartie Pants

FINALLY! A cure to Madeline's droopy drawers :) Madeline is a tad on the tall side, and A LOT on the skinny side, so the new 18-24 month and 2T pants she needs for her height slide right off of her around the waist. Argh. But this new company called Smartie Pants has devised a clip that attaches to the back of the pants, solving the problem! EUREKA!! In just a few days Madeline will be the new owner of the sample below. And what's even better is that each "belt" comes with two different sets of buttons, making for an oh-so-fashionable toddler. I am so happy I could cry. You must check them out: Smartie Pants.

Hello fall...we are ready for you.

Anyone who knows me, knows that fall is my favorite time of year...Absolutely hands down. I am patiently waiting for the leaves to change, the weather to cool down, apple cider and pumpkins to make their arrival, and FOOTBALL! Thank the lord Football is back...okay maybe it's just preseason, but still...FOOTBALL! Finally something fantastic to watch on Thursday, Saturday,Sunday, and Monday, that's four days of the week people!

And the past few days here in State College have been just what the doctor ordered for me...55-60 degrees at night, and 68-70 degrees during the day. Windows open, no sweating, and, drum roll please...online shopping! State College has very few stores and in turn, and no I am not happy about this, I've succumbed to ordering most of our clothing on line the last few years. Darn it. Anyway, I've been doing lots of fall shopping for Miss. Madeline and yesterday one of her big purchases came in the mail. New Uggs! We tried them on, and they are perfect! Madeline is ready to go when this chilly weather decides to stay. She loved them...wore them around the house for a good part of the evening. Unfortunately it really makes me want to buy another pair for myself. I....Must....Resist....We'll see how that goes.

My cute little model.

Adorable little Uggs...they make me smile.
Though not as much as the little girl who is wearing them :)

Colyer Lake, Take Two

On Saturday we headed back to Colyer lake to see if we could erase the trauma caused by our last trip. Okay, maybe I was the only one traumatized, but none-the-less we headed back. I am happy to report that we made it back with both dogs, one toddler, and all of the cameras! Mainly because I didn't take any camera's this time...just my phone. Whew! The girls all had a great time, Sadie took many trips into the lake to retrieve her frisbe, Hanna wandered around the waters edge, occasionally dipping in to cool off her toes, and Madeline had a blast throwing rocks...the entire time. I'm not kidding either. Looking forward to another trip back to the lake, especially when the leaves start to change :)

Madeline and Daddy.

Sadie taking a break.

Madeline throwing rocks with daddy, if you listen closely you can hear her say "thank you," and give a nod after every rock Brad gives her.

Tap, Tap, Tippity Tap

Since Madeline and Olivia's tap class starts in less than three weeks, and Olivia's little sister could be here any day (yay!), Kelly and I decided to take the girls to get their tap shoes this past Friday. We had a great lunch at Faccia Luna, and then headed to the Pysique Botique for their gear. Once we got the shoes on them, there was no stopping them. It was seriously the cutest thing ever. They ran around the store like the two little giddy girls that they are, and I could not stop smiling. Completely, completely adorable. Cannot wait to see these two in class together.

The cutest pair of size 6 patent leather Mary Jane tap shoes you will ever see in your life. I am NEVER throwing these out. :)

Sizing up the shoes.

Two VERY happy girls. And no, we didn't plan to dress them alike, but it worked out ;)

Annnnnd their off...

They loved looking at themselves in the mirror. Go figure.

Mommy and Madeline and their babies

The last post of Madeline with her baby reminded me of a photo from my childhood. I loved my baby, and it looks like Madeline does too.

Feeding baby

The other day Madeline was playing with her baby. So I asked her if she thought maybe baby was hungry and would like a bottle? She promptly answered yes, and since I don't have bottles down anymore, I got her a sippy cup for baby. She knew just what to do with it. Madeline fed baby and then kept asking for more for her. Then she took baby on a walk, and even stopped to make sure the sippy cup didn't fall. Too cute.

Feeding baby...

Checking on baby to make sure she has sippy cup.