Another Kings Dominion trip

We went to Kings Dominion again - this time with Kim & Kyle and their son Carter. They live next door and we're so lucky to have them as neighbors. We're convinced that some day Madelyn will be sneaking over into Carters window, since she already walks herself over and helps herself inside!

The weather was great, even got in a water ride on The Log Flume, which Madelyn LOVED!

Heeeeere's Carter!

Week two a success

Well, Madelyn's second week of preschool is done and overwith! Whew! She adjusted pretty quick, surprising both Ben and I. Tuesday at the dinner table, she said "today is Tuesday"...and then she said September. She's going to have so much fun, I know.

I've had fun playing with my camera the past few days...got some really sweet pictures.

Madelyn decided to dress up her little sister!

I think this is by far one of my very favorite

pictures of Miss Madelyn

Madelyn

Madelyn sure has been busy lately! She started preschool this week...AAHH! I can't believe it! She cried a few boo-hoos but then warmed up to it after a few minutes.

The preschool offeres a "social" type thing for the first time parents on the first day, so we all gathered there and drank....coffee. (I could've used something a little stronger though!) The director offered to go to each childs class and take pictures so we could see how they were doing. What a great idea! So far, we are thrilled with this school - they have a great curriculum, structured (if you know ME...structure is mandatory!) activities, and just fun things for the kids to do. Madelyn's teachers are Mrs.Lee and Mrs.Swift - aka Mrs.Wee and Mrs.Thwif...they are so enthusiastic and caring. We're not so worried about Madelyn starting her education right now...it's more about socialization, and learning to follow directions, and just having FUN! We're so very proud of our BIG little girl!

First day...

She thinks like her Daddy...

with that tongue!

This must mean something....this is how she lines

up her monkeys! A genius??? Or maybe just OCD :)

Peanut Butter song:

Leaving the house for her first day:

Mrs.Swift getting Madelyn for school:

Ok...I'll be honest here - after I drove off and saw
Miss Madelyn walking up the steps to her new
school, the lump in my throat burst and so
did the tears! But HAPPY tears :)

Emily at 5 months

It's so hard to believe Emily is almost 5 and a half months old! It's going by faster than I imagined it would! She is such a good baby, so content and tolerates any abuse her big sister blesses her with! She's still breastfed, and about a month ago we started oat cereal, this week we started peas and applesauce - so far so good! I remembered when Madelyn started on foods, it sure did change the way things "came out"! haha We're use to Emily's sticky, cutsie, baby poop...then all of a sudden it has become more solid and very stinky! How great it was when Madelyn was able to go #2 on the toilet...soon she'll be showing Em how to do it!

She is an amazing sleeper, both our girls were - thank GOD! Emily takes one loooong nap in the morning, and one loooong nap in the afternoon. Then she sleeps from about 6:30pm to about 7 or 8am - can't complain about that! Wouldn't that be a hard life! I have a feeling if she didn't have that delicious thumb of hers, she might not sleep as soundly, though! Lately she loves to suck her big toes, and she gets pretty frustrated if they are zipped up in her PJs!

I just love this smiley girl!

End of summer days

The summer has drawn to an end and the school buses are in high gear again. Last week when school started around here, I was a little nervous for all the kids. I remember getting nervous before the first day, trying to pick out what to wear and making sure I woke up on time. I was a little restless that night before school last week, and I wasn't sending anyone off on the school bus!






End of summer means FAIRS!!! We hit the Chesterfield County Fair AND the Amelia County Fair where Ben's parents and sister live. We had a fun time - Madelyn can finally ride the loud, jerky, should I really put my kid on this thing rides! Seriously, I can't help but look at every rod, bolt and gear when the ride is in motion...why is that piece not moving, is that suppose to bounce up and down, why is that red light flashing...Not to mention the operators, surely they are all degreed in engineering, and they must be mechanics so they can fix the ancient ride, and they also know CPR and will bring my child a barf bag when she is sick -- right! The Virginia State Fair is coming up at the end of the month, that will be the best one yet, can't wait for that!
(PS - Kim - lets meet there, Madelyn would LOVE to ride with Jake and Rudy!!)

Chesterfield Fair:







We couldn't leave the fair without an overpriced
loud, flashy toy!



Amelia Fair: