MLK Weekend

We had a fun-filled long weekend with the family. Auntie Kim, Mac, and Ethan arrived in Phoenix on Friday, and the fun continued for the next three days.

On Saturday, we decided to spice things up a bit by taking the kids bowling. This proved to be a great idea as all the kids had a super time. Madelyn had experienced bowling once before, but it was fairly short-lived, so this experience gave her an opportunity to truly give it a try.

 

 

She especially liked the fan on the ball carousel. We told her she looked like a super model. :)

Later that evening it was time for the Packer game, so the Nielsens put on their jerseys and got ready to cheer. Mac, Ethan, and Auntie Kim aren't really fans, but they were good sports. Auntie Kim even made me my first mojito (and several more).  Grammy & Papa even joined us for the second half of the game so we had a great crowd, all cheering for the Pack!

On Sunday evening everyone came over to our house and hung out. We had dinner and played Wii Pictionary (a new favorite) and had root beer floats. It was extra special because there were no formal plans, and everyone was able to just relax and spend time together.

On Monday, our last day together, we decided to heat up the pool because it was a gorgeous 77 degrees outside! The kids had a blast!

After dinner on Monday, Mac gave us a fabulous violin concert. He's been practicing for his big concert, so we tried to be a very good, polite audience. Madelyn was so interested in his music. She kept wanting more, more, more. Finally, as a special treat for her, Mac played "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" one of Madelyn's favorites). Click here to listen to his rendition.

 

How the Grinch Stole Madelyn

So, we have officially entered the terrible “threes.” Two months short of turning three, Madelyn has turned into a different child. She is, of course, still our little superstar. However, with those superstar powers come the ability to go from sweet to naughty in a matter of seconds. She often catches us off guard with this conversion as one minute she’ll be happily singing a song to us, and the next she’ll have thrown herself on the floor wailing for no apparent reason. Chris and I have mastered the what-the-heck-are-you-doing look, and often feel like we have lost all control.

Last month Papa was sick and in the hospital, so Madelyn spent the month at home, with a different person in charge every few days. The absence of her normal routine truly did a number on her attitude. There were moments when we literally had to walk away from her, letting her scream at the top of her lungs. There were moments when I was certain CPS would be knocking on our door. Her screams were so loud and so piercing that surely that neighbors thought we were beating her to death.

This lasted about two straight weeks in December, right around the holidays. I was sure the Grinch had taken over her body. Fortunately, the week after the New Year began, she was headed back to Grammy & Papa’s house. I was so excited to send her away, I mean, get her back into her routine. Monday morning came with all the usual hiccups, and I was leery the transition back to her grandparents would even be enough. On this morning, she decided enough was enough and perhaps to better get my attention she should strip naked in protest. My response: complete and utter shock. Really, child? Naked? So, not really knowing what to do, I gathered all the bags for the day and headed to the car. Yes. I left her standing naked in the kitchen and proceeded to pack the car, thinking she’d snap out of it and follow me. Nope. Then I got in the car and started it. Then I paused, thinking she’d be popping out into the garage any moment. Not a sign of her. Then I began to back the car out of the garage, and right as this happened, here she came SCREAMING for me not to leave. After I got her dressed we talked about why she was so frustrated. She had no clue, but responded with, “I think my Papa will make me feel better.” Sigh.

But, this too, did pass. Her first week back to Grammy & Papa’s house proved to be the perfect cure for her naughtiness. She is back to her normal self, with a bit of sassiness from time to time, but nothing like we saw in December. Thank goodness!

  

Polar Express 2010

This year we made plans with our cousins to go up to Munds Park for a couple days so we could enjoy the Polar Express together. Olivia and Owen have never taken this magical trip, so we were excited to share this time with them.

We rented our favorite cabin in Munds Park, and enjoyed time relaxing, playing Wii, playing in the crisp, cool air outdoors, and building gingerbread trains.

Madelyn was very excited to make her first gingerbread train, or gingerbread anything, for that matter. She waited (somewhat) patiently until everyone was ready to build their trains. Daddy was a big help getting it put together as Madelyn told him what to do. ;)

Once the gingerbread trains were put together (some trains were a little more complete than others), we all got ready for our drive to Williams to ride the Polar Express. We all had matching jammies, although Uncle Rick forgot to pack his. He was feeling sad that he wasn't going to match us, but we told him it was okay because we'd all be wearing them again on Christmas morning, and could take more pictures then.

The train ride to the North Pole was so much fun. This was our third year to make the trip, and it was just a great as usual. Although it was definitely more special having our cousins, Auntie Kristin, and Uncle Rick with us.

After the train ride to the North Pole, the kids decided they wanted to get a picture with Santa. Madelyn knew she hadn't told Santa what she wanted for Christmas, and Mommy and Daddy reminded her that she should probably go see him. With the help of her cousins, she was convinced. This was a big change from last year when she refused anything to do with Santa.

They posed for a couple pictures and then Madelyn leaned in to tell him exactly what she wanted for Christmas: a BIG dollhouse. Santa said he would do his best, but that she still needed to be a good girl for a couple more days. She agreed she would indeed be a good girl, and gave him a big smile.

Click here to see all the pictures from the trip.

Yo Gabba Gabba

On Saturday we had a fun family night out with two other families. Our ultimate goal was to go see Yo Gabba Gabba Live downtown, but we ended up getting more bang for our buck!

We all met up at Scout's house, where we walked to the Valley Metro Light Rail. All three girls were as cute as can be, each walking with their parents. Once we got to the boarding station, however, they were less attached at the hip, and ready to get their groove on. Unfortunately, we missed the light rail by literally a couple seconds. We ran and we ran, but the light rail isn't like your ordinary bus stop. There's no driver who's willing to wait as three families run faster and faster to try and catch this ride. Nope. We had to wait for about 20 minutes for the next train to come, which was fine because it gave us time to actually buy our tickets and let the girls get reacquainted.

Of course, it didn't take long for the girls to start talking and running around together. It was cute to see them all lined up waiting for the train. They were quite patient.

Once the next train came down the track the girls squealed with excitement! This was Madelyn's first time riding the light rail and she had no idea what this was all about, but since she watched the last train wiz by so fast, she couldn't wait!

Fortunately, the train wasn't real full, so the girls were able to sit next to each other, checking out all there was to see.

Our first stop was the Old Spaghetti Factory. This was another first for the Nielsens, and we were pleasantly surprised. Madelyn was much too excited to eat her dinner, but Chris and I had no troubles devouring our delicious meals. And did I mention wine? You can't have Italian food without some red wine, so the mommies and daddies enjoyed a bottle (or two). Yum.

Then it was back aboard the light rail to the Comerica Theater where DJ Lance and the rest of the crew would be waiting for us.

We finally made it to the theater, and got settled in our seats. Did you know they also sell wine at kids' shows? Well they do. And beer, too. I thought this was very interesting, and indulged myself in one more glass of wine. That's about the time I realized why red wine and kids' shows really don't mix.... Yep. Little hands are quick to knock wine right into the people in front of you. Oops. Nothing 20 bucks for dry cleaning can't fix. Sorry, strange man.

Eva and Lorisa getting excited for the show!

Madelyn could hardly wait!

The show was a big success! It was so fun to watch Madelyn sing and dance to the songs she knows so well. She had a great time...

...rockin' it DJ Lance style!

But, the show was a little longer than anticipated, and well, when you're two an hour and a half is a real long time. So by the time Intermission came, Madelyn was ready to go home. When she mentioned this to me, I looked at her very strangely and said, "Really? You want to go home? Right now?" And she said, "No. I want to go to Scout's house. Right now." Well apparently she didn't like it when I told her I wanted to stay and dance some more because after scratching me (new fun thing to do to Mommy when you're mad) and yelling at the top of her lungs (although who could really hear?) this is where she ended up:

Yep. Time Out. I have learned as a parent there is no place on Earth where you can't find a spot for time out. And Madelyn has learned that her parents mean business when she breaks the rules.

"Wait a minute. Why are they still dancing? I am in time out."

Fortunately, the melt down didn't last long because Chris and I continued to enjoy the show, and she eventually pulled herself together.

We had another adventurous ride on the light rail, where we headed back to Krista and Dave's house. We even walked an extra block so the girls could look at some Christmas lights.

 This picture makes me laugh out loud every time I look at it. Poor Eva. 

She's reaching out to Scout as if to say, " Get this girl off of me!" 

And Scout, on the other hand, is like, "Nope. You have to deal with her."

 We finally made it back to Krista and Dave's place for the after party. (Thanks guys for opening your house to us!) The girls had a great time playing together in Scout's room while the adults actually got to enjoy some adult conversations.