Madelyn is crazy!

Over the course of the two days that we spent at the waterpark, Madelyn did not get much of a chance for a nap. Needless to say she kind of hit her wall by the time we were ready to head home. She was carrying a couple suckers in her hand on the way out to the van. Matt took them out of her hands to get her buckled. This set off the tantrum. She started arching her back and kicking and screaming. Matt forced her in the seat and handed her back the sucker. She threw it on the floor in an angry rage. The next thing you know she is scratching at her face with both hands until blood is literally dripping down her cheeks. Collin and Ella both started crying and I was speechless. Matt asks, "What is going on in there"? "Madelyn is clawing her face off" was the best I could come up with. These pictures are from three days after the incident.

Those sweet little eyes sure don't tell the whole story of our little spitfire!

We spent a night with the Slipkas in Eau Claire at the Metropolis hotel and water park. We had a great time. Collin and Ella were able to go down 2 of the big water slides - they really liked the tube one in the dark. Collin seemed to really like the lazy river too. Madelyn had a blast. She loved playing in the water, swimming in the big pool and even going down some of the water slides all by herself!

Some video of Madelyn on the water slides!

Spring is Here!

We have had some unusually warm spring weather this week. The kids have absolutely LOVED being outside again. As the snow melts it has been very wet and messy - making it that much more fun for a bunch of kids. The other day the kids played outside literally all day! By the time they came in they were soaked from their feet up past their knees (through snowpants and boots)! But they played just about everything they could think of....basketball, riding bikes, snowball fights, tag, street hockey, scooters, skateboards....and it just keeps going. Apparently it has been a long winter and they were ready to get outside!

Madelyn's 2nd Birthday

Madelyn had a great birthday. Ella picked out her balloons and brought them up to her crib in the morning - she was so happy. She came down to see her presents and cake. She was so cute, and loved her cake, she kept wanting to look at it! As little as she is, she could tell that it was her special day and she was a very excited little girl all day!!

As the years go by, mommy has to keep getting more and more creative on the cake.

This year a bunch of people went together and Madelyn got a jumpy castle! She LOVES it. She wasn't sure what it was at first, but once it blew up a little she was literally jumping for joy. She begs almost every day to go "jump in jumpy castle".

Some video clips from Madelyn's birthday. As you can see the kids were NOT at all excited about the new jumpy castle!!

Madelyn turns 2!!

Now that Madelyn is 2....what is she up to. She is a handful that's for sure. She is by far our most spirited child! She knows how to be super happy, and how to be super mad. She is very stubborn, and often can wear even mommy down. She has been known to throw a 30 minute temper tantrum over wearing a certain jacket or pair of shoes, and don't even get me started on what happens when she doesn't get her way. On the flip side, she is so easy to get to laugh, and she has a true love for life and the people around her. She gave up her high chair and sippy cup months ago, for a stool at the island and big girl cup! She refuses to accept help with most things, as the words "do it" and "self" have become popular words in her vocabulary. Speaking of vocabulary, she has a pretty good one. She can speak in 3-4 word sentences (probably to get all those opinions across clearly), and learned to count to 10 before her 2nd birthday. Daddy has been working on singing the ABCs with her. The one thing she has not given up is her crib and her "nukie". These two things go hand in hand and have helped to keep her a great sleeper, she often begs to go to bed or to a nap - simply to have her "nukie and blankie" - works for me!! The one thing that mommy has not given up is that night-time bottle - I know, I know...but I just can't give up that snuggle time with my baby. Madelyn loves smooches, snuggling and having her back rubbed. It has been such a joy watching her grow and learn this year.

Elizabeth's Birthday

We had so much fun at Elizabeth's Birthday! It has been so fun recently to watch the three girls form a special friendship. I think they might be trouble in a few more years!

Ella swimming

Ella has been doing swimming lessons all winter. She is just finishing Middle 3 level for the second time. She is doing great - in with mostly kindergarteners (5 or 6 year olds). She can't quite keep up, but she sure tries! Her teacher just commented this week again, that she is the youngest he has ever had in this level!!

Here's 3 video clips of her latest accomplishments!

My helper

Collin has recently started being my little helper in the morning. On mornings when we are running a little behind schedule, Collin goes up to Madelyn's room (okay who are we kidding the laundry room where Madelyn sleeps) and gets her out of her crib, brings her downstairs and feeds her a bottle. Now if I could just get him to change her diaper!!

Playing on the pond

We finally got a chance to get outside and play on the pond in the neighborhood. It was a great night, warm and a bright full moon. Collin and Ella put on skates and played a little hockey with Connor and Cole and the daddies. Of course they mostly ran around and played in the weeds and snow. We ended the night with some sledding and snowboarding....even mommy gave it a try!