Wisconsin Trip - Sept 19-24-2011 Part 2

While in WI we were lucky enough to spend an entire day at the Milwaukee Zoo with my brother and his girls. I l-o-v-e my nieces more than anything and so it was really special to see them for more than just a dinner.

Cheylyn Maddie and Kyleigh... three peas in a pod!

The new "smile"

Monkey see, monkey do!

My brother Tim and the girls

Kyleigh has the most energy I've ever seen! It's amazing how she keeps going and going... and with a gorgeous smile!

Maddie really enjoyed feeding the goats!

Cheylyn... she's such a smart girl! She recites the funniest facts about everything!

My mom! She arranged this zoo trip, thanks mom!

So gross but we were witness to a giraffe drinking the other giraffe's pee... uh, yuck!

GGRRRRR

Kyleigh showing no fear!

All tuckered out and ready for a nap!

Wisconsin Trip - Sept 19-24- Part 1

Early on Sept 19th we were off to the airport for our trip to Wisconsin. We went in 2009 just before Maddie's 1st birthday so this trip was important for her to "meet" everyone all over again. We talked a lot about her cousins Kyleigh and Cheylyn and Grandma Doris, Grandpa Frank and Great-Grandma Marie before our trip so she was familiar with names and would feel comfortable around them.

Overall we had a GREAT trip. It only rained on our last day. It was long sleeve t-shirt/sweatshirt weather. To save money and get more visiting in, we stayed at my grandma's house. Maddie actually slept very well on this trip, enjoying my niece's bed that my mom lent to us. I think the Tinkerbell sheets helped!

We had a few issues with our portable DVD player (ended up buying a new one at Walmart while on vacation) but Mommy had a few tricks up her sleeve. We gave her a new "Jessie" doll from Toy Story 2. She was VERY excited to have a new friend.

Before meeting up with my parents the day after we arrived, we made a stop at Culver's for lunch and frozen custard. If you've never had custard, you're missing out. It's SUPER rich and creamy, oh boy!! Definitely not a diet food. Then again, who goes to WI to go on a diet? While I'm at it, who goes on VACATION and expects to diet?!

At my parent's house, we checked out their garden.

They found a caterpillar

And a carrot, AND a potato!

Here's my Grandma Marie (my dad's mom), me, my mom Doris, and Maddie

My dad, Frank and Maddie

Once Maddie found my niece's dress up clothes.. it was all over! She wore the Snow White top back to my grandma's and insisted on wearing it the entire next day. No problem! We were on vacation!

Princess Maddie

The Princess Cousins- no wicked stepsisters here!

Princess Maddie and her Prince Charming (this one might make her wedding slideshow) :)

Me and my oldest niece Cheylyn

Maddie and her cousin Kyleigh

Gosh I miss these girls and seeing them grow up!! That's the hardest part about living so far away.. That and not seeing my grandma. At least I can Skype with my parents. Chey and I keep in touch via Facebook every once in awhile but it's just not the same as a hug in person!









My Dad and brother, Tim

Stay tuned for our trip to the Milwaukee Zoo!

Homemade Pizza, Yum!

Back on September 16th (It must have been a Friday because we almost always have pizza on a Friday night), I decided it might be fun to make our own pizza. I did purchase the whole wheat dough from Trader Joes as a time cheat and I'm glad I did... Am I the only person in the world that can't make a circular pizza. I've tried a few times over the years and they always turn into a shrinking mess that I usually manage to get into a rectangle or something that would pass as such.

This time was no different. I'm not a big fan of cornmeal on the bottom of my crust so I just sprayed a little pam on some aluminum foil and placed on a cookie sheet. This was really about Maddie adding her own toppings so I guess that didn't really matter.

If you were to ask Maddie what kind of pizza she likes best, she'll tell you "pepperoni pizza without the pepperoni". "Pepperoni is too spicy for me". If you ask if she'd like a cheese pizza, she'll just repeat the same. :)

Here we are with all the topping choices

She spread the sauce

And found the black olives.. one for the pizza, two for her fingers!

Here's mommy and daddy's... looks semi healthy before I dumped on the mozzarella!

Give Maddie a little shake

And voila, dinner is served!

The experience of making it together was better than any frozen pizza or delivery any day!

Rapunzel?

Has anyone seen Rapunzel? After finding this craft online, I took some paper and created a crown for Maddie to decorate. She makes a very cute princess... too bad the cat loves to eat paper and it's now in need of repair! Darn cat!

1st Day of Preschool!

Today was Maddie's very first day of Preschool. She's attending the Pleasant Valley Co-op. A program that is mostly parent ran. I'll be a working parent at the school 2-3 days out of the month and I'm also the "Craft Mom"! Right up my alley!

Maddie had a great first day. She painted a picture using a truck/car rolled in paint. She enjoyed snack time, circle time, and played outside. At the end of the day I met her inside for another short circle time and then if was off to home for lunch. Just one hour later, she was sleeping peacefully! Yay!

I had really mixed feelings when I left her this morning. I knew she'd be fine but was anxious just the same. She gave me a great big hug just a few minutes into the day and we said goodbye. I did shed two tears or so as I walked to my car but pulled myself together before leaving the parking lot and enjoyed the next two hours running errands.

Thursday I'll be at school with her. I'm the "drink mom" for that day so I'll get to see all the fun she has at her new school!

I'm looking forward to seeing her love for school grow and create friendships that may last a lifetime!