Practicing Cartwheels

Madelyn has been working really hard on getting her cartwheels right. For a long time she has been hesitant to even try, so tonight’s practice session in the living room was quite exciting, and pretty funny, too.

The video is fairly long (just under ten minutes), but the longer you watch, the funnier it gets. I promise.

School’s Out for Summer

Today was a bitter-sweet day for us. It’s hard to believe that Madelyn has finished preschool. This year has been such a huge growing experience for Madelyn. We have watched her grow from a toddler to a little girl full of knowledge and excitement for school. She is excited to be going to the COOP next year. COOP stands for Child Oriented Occupational Program, and it’s housed at several of our high schools. Chris and I had a hard time deciding if we would put her in the same preschool again for next year (we really LOVED the program) or give her a new experience. COOP will definitely be a new experience where she’ll get to meet many high school students (specially chosen for the program) who will be teaching lessons throughout the day. It’s always nerve-wracking making a change, but we feel confident that we are making the right decision after talking to many of our friends who also put their kids in the program.

Mrs. Bocconcelli, Madelyn, & Mrs. Molina

Madelyn & Mrs. Williams

We are looking forward to a fun, and hopefully relaxing summer. “New” Allyson will be our summer babysitter, and Madelyn couldn’t be more excited! They are so sweet together!

 

Sprinkler Time!

Livvy and Owen came over to hang out for a bit this weekend at Madelyn's request. She just can't get enough of her cousins. The weather has been getting real warm so we thought it would be fun to play in the sprinklers! It’s funny how something so simple can be the most fun! 

Chloe even got in the action....

  

Family Movie Night

We originally planned to take our first camping trip of the season this past weekend, however the weather proved to be much too cold at night for sleeping in a tent. Madelyn was extremely disappointed, so we improvised with a family movie night. 

This was an excellent idea that diverted Madelyn’s attention away from the cancelled camping trip, and focused her attention at the big air mattress in the living room! Score!

Madelyn had never seen The Wizard of Oz, so we decided it would be a great opportunity to snuggle up and watch a classic.

Madelyn really seemed to enjoy the movie, even though there were a couple “scary” parts. 

She even decided she wants to be Dorothy for Halloween. I told her that was a long way away, but we could definitely add it to the list of ideas. I am certain Grammy would make the perfect dress, so we’ll add it at the top. ;)

Even Chloe enjoyed hanging out, although I'm fairly certain she would have preferred being in the middle of the forrest. 

  

MOM Day

Several weeks ago, Chris was invited to FUDGE (Father’s, Uncles, Dad’s, Grandpa’s, Etc) Day at Madelyn’s preschool. He was so excited to be able to spend an afternoon with her at school. And I was a bit jealous. But, soon enough, I found out they would also be having MOM Day (I think MOM just stands for mom, but students could bring other women in their life if they wanted). I was equally as excited to get to spend the afternoon with Madelyn. They had lots of cute activities planned for the moms. Two of my favorites were, Hat Pictures and the Nail Painting Salon:

Madelyn was very particular about which hats we should wear.
Of course, she got the "girly" one.

Bunny's Retirement

Last Sunday night, Madelyn slept without Bunny for the very first time in over four years. I am typing this a week later because I thought surely this transition would not have gone so smoothly. But, I am happy to report I was wrong. :)

Madelyn recently developed an irritation on her eyelid, and Chris and I came to the conclusion that it was because she rubs her eye with Bunny's ear while she's sleeping. She has done this since she was just a baby. We didn't want the irritation to turn into an infection so we told Madelyn that she needed to sleep without him until her eye got better. We also reminded her that she is a big girl now, and it's probably time to try to sleep without him anyway. There was a little hesitation at first, but it was nothing a few snuggles couldn't cure. As a matter of fact, she was out like a light within three minutes!

Chris and I thought surely it would be a long night. In the past if she woke up and couldn't find Bunny, she'd call for us so we could help her find him. But once again, we were happily surprised that not only did she sleep through the night without Bunny, she didn't even wake up once. YIPPEE!

This has continued for the last seven nights with just as much success. We have found a quiet place, hidden deep in the closet where all bunnies can get some much needed rest. We have many bunnies:  House Bunny, Car Bunny, and Emergency Bunny. We even still have First Bunny, who for the last year or so has stayed comfortably tucked away in Madelyn's keepsake box. I think we are hanging on to all the other bunnies "just in case," but I think soon we will find new homes for all of them.

Today was the first time Madelyn asked about Bunny. She was feeling tired and just really wanted him. Chris and I told her we didn't have him anymore (liars), and she was sad for a moment or two, but then she said she had an idea. About 20 minutes later, she came into my bedroom and showed me this picture:

She said she drew this picture to help her remember Bunny when she's sad. Aww... it was almost enough for me to give her the real thing, but I held strong. ;) Hopefully we'll be officially Bunny-free by summer (as in no bunnies in the house).