VIDEO Post - M's Hat Dance

On Friday M had her first performance on a stage for an audience!

It was International Week at her school, and her class learned about Mexico for the week. On Friday I was able to watch her and her class perform their "Mexican Hat Dance."

Enjoy!


How cute is she?!?!?
My favorite part is when she realizes she's crowding the little girl next to her, but quickly finds and gets back to her blue spot on the floor.

M knows "The Pledge of Allegiance"

Wanted to save/share this here, too.

"And justice for August."

My favorite line!

Videos - Jumping Rope and Soccer (And Pics)

Just a couple videos from yesterday. And some pictures, too...why not?! I know if you're reading this blog you know I'm kinda overboard about pictures...oh well.

(Also, I wanted to share them here so Josh can see them while he's in WI, too!)

M has been begging me for a jump rope for a while. I finally gave in since Target had them for $1.

I can't believe I said, "jump roping." I think I should have said, "jumping rope!" Oops!!!

I love her hair-action-shot! Of course Jengo had to check out the new jump rope.

Also, M was doing great dribbling the soccer ball yesterday at the park. She really surprised me! SG did great at kicking the ball!

Ellie and I already discussed our girls joining a soccer team together when they're older! :)

Oh, and I should also add that our girls kinda argued over who would use M's Dora ball all afternoon. For the most part, I made M share it with SG since it's our ball and M could use it all the time at home. M was not really happy about it, but did share it. However...by the end of the afternoon, this resulted in M purposefully stepping on SG's fingers while SG was crouched down holding the Dora ball. :(
Oh, M!!!!!



So, for the last time on the field, Ellie told SG that it was now M's turn to use the Dora ball, and I told M now it was her turn to use her Dora ball! Yay...M should be happy, right!? Well, we got them out of the swings, and magically, M wanted to use SG's soccer ball and was totally ok with SG using her Dora ball.

*SIGH* Oh 2 year olds!!!

Savages, Savages!

A video of M signing along to her favorite song in, Pocahontas. She usually sings even more, but was being a little shy since she knew I was recording her.



P.S. I know that some day I have A LOT to explain to her about this song and movie!

VIDEO - Madison Tuckpointing!

Madison has watched Josh tuckpoint a few times. A while ago Josh told me she tries to do it on her own. So I wanted to catch her on video and wanted to share.

I hope you enjoy them! (And, please ignore my voice.)

She was just pretending to have mud (mortor) on her hawk and she tried using dried up mortor crumbs, but Josh told me that he wants to mix her some real mud and let her really try and do it!

Ski Trip 2013

Josh mentioned to me last December that he wanted to take M skiing this winter. I thought he was being ridiculous...but agreed to try it out after calling the ski resort and discovering they did have ski boots in her size (the smallest size they offered). We both didn't have too high of expectations, but our little M really surprised us with her balance and bravery!

So, on Tuesday morning we headed to Chestnut Mountain Resort (about 90 minutes North of the QC) in Galena, IL. We were happy to have Grandma Tracy AND Great Grandma Bev join us. After what seemed like FOREVER to get all ready we were all finally ready to hit the slopes! It was a beautiful day out (I think around 40 degrees). We were so lucky!

Her TINY skis were SO adorable! Josh was SO excited!

Tracy and Bev were super excited, too.

Her first time down was slow (obviously)...and she fell. :( She wasn't too sure, and while she didn't cry, she kinda whined just a bit. We were on the bunny hill. I left and tried skiing down once myself to get my bearings.

But she made it and even went up the flat escalator thingy back to the top.


She fell again the second time down. :( And she was crying so Josh decided to just sit with her and let her watch her Mama and Grandmas ski down a couple tmes.

And then...she was at it again! :)

 After that, M went inside to get lunch and to hang out with the Grandmas for a while. Josh and I went down Old Main a couple times by ourselves (I was too scared to go down it again), and we went down Rookie's Ridge, and then headed in as well for a lunch break.

After lunch, I was on Madison duty for a while so that the Grandmas and Josh could ski down Old Main a few times. Josh and I had discovered that Rookie's Ridge was actually less crowded than the bunny hill, and it had an area that was not super sloped. So I let M try and 'ski' and follow me (chase) and SHE loved that!

Then, we were all able to help her ski down the small slope at the top of the hill a few times. Here are a couple videos. We were all so proud of M, and at this point, she was truly having fun and laughing as she skied.

This one wasn't on FB. Plus, you get to see Josh ski backwards!




She even went down Rookie's Ridge several times, too, with Josh. He's fancy and went down BACKWARDS so he could help her the whole way down! She was obsessed with the chair lift and requested several times, "Me go round and round and round on big chair!?" I was of course SUPER NERVOUS...but I knew that Josh would protect her. Although, I did scream, "JOSH. You hold on to her!" the first time she rode it up. (Later Josh told me that I was really loud, too. Oh well.)

Here they are skiing off the chair and coming to me!

Seriously. How sweet is this picture!?

After a while we were all tired, and headed to our hotel (we didn't stay at the resort) to check in and change, and then we went to a nice dinner in Galena.

Back at the hotel we hung out for a bit before all trying to go to sleep. M was awake for about 2 hours talking and playing in the bed with us. It was miserable. :) But funny. She said things like:
"Oohhh...what's that noise???" (once Tracy and Bev began their snoring.) "Too loud!"
"Daddy. Be quiet. Time for night-night." (obviously)
"Mama. I want blueberries and yogurt for breakfast."
"MAMA! Bunny fell! Bunny fell! Bunny fell!" (For the record...her bunny was just on the other side of Josh.)

Also, she sang made-up songs. Faked snored. Kicked me and elbowed me multiple times...all night. And, tried repeatedly to take the rubber band out of my ponytail. But...I was thankful that once she was asleep she stayed asleep (despite the snoring of our roommates). I did not. :)

**It was a FANTASTIC MEMORABLE experience for all of us.**

We plan on going skiing again next Winter for sure. Who's coming with us?!

Brown Bear, Brown Bear,...

M 'reading' to Piggy and Bunny. This was last week. She's actually gotten even more accurate since then as this is her favorite book right now, and she loves to read it all by herself.

It's a bit long...but I love her exclamation of, "Too many!" when she gets to the end.

Tunnel Slide VIDEO!

This past week M has decided she is no longer scared of tunnels at the parks. She used to only go in one quarter circle tunnel at the park at Veteran's Memorial Park in Bettendorf. However...she's expanding her horizons and getting brave about trying all the tunnels there.

She even willingly went down the small tunnel slide!

Over and over and over...so I decided to catch her on video.

My favorite part is when she repeats after me, "tunnel slide." And, her 'skipping' is pretty sweet too!

Knock Knock

M has learned her first 'knock-knock' joke.
Enjoy. :)

M Pedaling Her Trike!!!

Last evening M learned to pedal her trike all by herself!

Surprisingly, I caught it on video!


P.S. Please ignore my annoyingly high pitched voice...I think I was more excited than her! :)

M In Action!

Just a random video of M playing from earlier today.
I wanted to capture what she's like and how she moves and plays at this age.



My reaction after watching it back:
1) I estimate she loses about half her water while traveling.
2) We should probably move that empty keg. It is just for root beer...but yes, my kid plays with a keg on an almost daily basis.
3) Her 'careful walking' makes her look like she's moving in slow motion. And, I can't believe she actually listened to me!
4) I can't believe she kicked the cat...but then again...I do that, too...so...
5) Ew. Sorry for my sniffles at the end.

Music Class!

*There's a cute video of M in action at the end of this post! :)*

Anyways, M has been enrolled in a Toddler Music class through the Eastern Iowa Community College's Continuing Ed. department. The class (for 1.5 yr. old to 2.5 yr. old) met once a week for an hour. She started back in January, and has now completed 3 six-week sessions. There was another class for older children after ours.

A lot of family and friends have asked about the class, so here's my 2 cents. The teacher was SO great about guiding the children, but also being firm with repetition and helping the kids learn to share and to follow direction. She always started with circle time where she read/sang a book. Then, she introduced an instrument, followed by a variety of activities (singing, dancing, parachute, activities with balls, bean bags, scarves, etc.), and finished with a closing of dancing and learning to "freeze." And of course, the children got stamps from her...M loved it all! 

The teacher was also helpful in talking/teaching the parents about ways to engage our children and or/explaining why she does what she does. I've really seen Madison grow and learn so much from these simple yet fun 1 hour sessions, and it was nice to interact with other children and make new friends. 

I'm SO thankful an old friend of mine told me about the classes and encouraged us to sign up. (That's my friend (we were besties elementary) in the picture with her son, the teacher, "Miss Tina," M, and her classmate and classmate's older sister. This last session had a small class...but the other two sessions had probably 8-10 children.)

Josh observed us 2 weeks ago and got a few great pictures.

She loved looking in the tunnel...but refused to ever go through it!

For her last class, I only had my cell...but I managed to get a few good pictures.

  

She's not doing so great here in sharing and passing the bean bags...but she did give them up...eventually. :)

 Oh, and here's that video. During class, the kids listen to a song that teaches them to engage in different movements to different music (walking, running, tip toeing, galloping, etc.) M has her own little side-step way of "galloping" that everyone in class got a kick out of! Here she is!

The next session will be this fall. Depending on our schedule, we may sign up again. We loved it! M will surely miss Music Class this summer. Up next for us is SWIMMING LESSONS! Yikes! Not sure how M will react...should be interesting. :)

M Learning Her ABCs!

The past couple weeks I've been teaching M her ABCs. I finally captured her on video, and wanted to share it with you all! Yes, the lighting is horrible. Sorry.



Obviously, we have a ways to go. But it's SO cute to hear her repeat me.

She doesn't like saying "F" and always skips to "G." She also doesn't like "H" and skips to "I" and doesn't say "S" and skips to "T." Silly girl.

I also can't get her to say "U." She always says, "Meeee," since she thinks I'm saying "you." Cracks me up everytime!

We probably only practice 1 or 2 times a day. I need to work on the end of the alphabet more. And of course she has no concept of matching the sounds to the letters yet. But hey...ya gotta start somewhere.

Josh and I are very proud of our little girl!

Potty Training - Day 1

So I bought M a potty today. I'm not necessarily trying to rush her to potty train...but I have started thinking about it, and decided to at least buy her a potty chair so she could practice sitting on it.

This is what happened once we got home, and I showed her the potty. (She carried it in the kitchen herself.)

Yes, she ran away, and I found her in her room...with a fresh poopy diaper.

Maybe she is ready? But, I don't think I am!!!

(She's gonna love me for this video someday...right?!)

Yay! Fun Videos!

1) M can climb...I'm in trouble!

Look what our little Monkey can do now!

Don't worry...I was really close to her. I first watched her do it once this morning. And, being the wonderful Mom I am, I asked her if she could climb up the chair to get her water (for the video of course), and like a good little girl, she did as she was told. :)

2) Hiccups!

This is too funny...in my opinion, anyways!

I always say this...but I really do need to use my video camera more!!! Someone please remind me of this...so that my next video post isn't in 3 more months!!!

Video Overload

3...that's right 3 videos of our awesome Madison for your viewing pleasure!

1) This one's from FOREVER ago...ok, like probably 6 months ago. It was before she could walk so it seems like FOREVER ago! But, she's just SO cute in it that I had to share!

I love the sound she makes at the 20 sec. mark while contemplating what she should do next.

2) Here she is 'feeding' herself. It works best to keep shoveling it in while she does it herself...otherwise, it'd take FOREVER. :) I was glad Gpa was there so I could catch it on video.

She's acting pretty silly in this video...she actually does ok right now dipping her spoon and getting it into her mouth...just needs to learn how to scoop next....

3) Showin' off her new skills of getting in and out of her car ALL BY HERSELF. She actually enjoys getting in and out over and over more than being pushed around!

Is it wrong that I silently laughed when she fell the first time?!

How Old Are You?

I've been filming M on and off...most of the time she doesn't do what I want her to once she sees the video camera...anyways, today Josh and I finally caught her showing off some of her new skillzzzzzz...

A few fun notes:

We are SO excited she started saying, "Da-Da," more regularly now!

Notice how she says, "DOGS," kinda loud and forceful...she's definitely been listening to her Mama!

Her teeth are the first body part she learned...since she 'brushes' her teeth with me in the mornings (she has a little toothbrush that we just put in her mouth). Then she learned her feet and then her ear...I'm trying to teach her where her belly is now.

Notice how she NEVER stops moving...she's like this ALL day!

She is listening to the video with me now and repeating everything she hears! Too funny!!!

Yes...Another Video...

Yes, I've become that obnoxious Mom that posts too many videos of her child. :)

This video shows M displaying a bunch of her "tricks." She just learned to shake her head yesterday. In this video she's also walking, hugging, waving, and making her "scrunchie" face. Too bad we didn't ask her to show off her dancing, too.

Wow...I'm kinda demanding, huh?!

Josh and I are just SO proud of her! Enjoy! :)

2 Videos of the Cutest Baby Ever!

Yes...I said it. M is the cutest baby ever. :) See video proof below.

Video 1) Feeding Winky

Don't ya love how she brings her hand to her mouth to fake eat the cheerio before throwing it down for Winky!!! :)

We now have to keep the doggies out of the kitchen when she's eating, or all she'll do is share her food with them! Drives me crazy!!!

Video 2) Kissing Her Book

Seriously, is this not so sweet!?!

So, would you agree...isn't she the cutest?! (Or if you love several babies out there...she's one of the cutest, right?!)

Madison Walking!

(Wow...I really need to work on more creative titles for my posts....)

I had to stay up late (yes, 10:30pm is late for me!) to make sure I posted this tonight!

I'm so glad I caught her on video...finally. I've been trying to for days...normally she just drops to her knees and crawls to me to try and get the camera.

Look at our baby girl go! :)

She's still a bit wobbly, but she practices all day, so I'm sure in no time she'll be running...maybe I should resume working out so I can get in better shape to run after her.

Notice Winky playing dead on the sofa...I'm pretty sure he did a motion-less happy dance when she decided to walk instead of torment try and hug him.

Yes, that is a Kai-Lan doll...we make her watch Kai-Lan instead of Dora. :)

Normally she wears clothes...but she was being punished (KIDDING) for managing to unscrew the top of her sippy cup a few minutes earlier and dumping water all over herself.

I don't know how to end this post...so...that's it. Night!