Drama Queens

Here's Matilda's Nutcracker debut as a Gingersnap....

One thing is for certain, she LOVES being on stage (and getting to wear make-up), which makes the amazing time commitment all worth it.  Here's some additional pictures of our little Gingersnap loving every minute of it...

 And Matilda is certainly not the only drama queen in the house...as we were decorating the tree on Friday, Miranda would take almost every ornament she was handed and exclaim, "Oh (ornaments name), I love you!  I missed you so much!"  And to emphasize the point, the ornament would receive a huge kiss.

What the heck?!?!

To borrow a phrase from Miranda:  What the heck?  Has it really been a month since I lasted posted?  November was a crazy, fun-filled month.  Miranda got her first haircut, turned 3 years old, enjoyed a Bubble Guppies birthday party, and had her 3 year well check (the stats:  37.5 inches - 65th%, 31lb, 4 oz - 58th%).  Then there was observation day at ballet for both girls and Thanksgiving, which included a performance by Matilda and her fellow classmates at school.  We are now busy getting ready for Christmas and Matilda's Nutcracker debut.  The fun and craziness never stops!  Hope you enjoy the videos below of our little ballerinas (and check out Miranda's wonderful fashion sense now that she's potty trained)!

Halloween Recap

The week leading up to a very wet (but warm) Halloween was filled with fun activities.  There were school parties, Boo at the Zoo and community events.  Thanks to the bad weather on

 Halloween, we did not have to go far for the girls to fill their Halloween buckets (heck, Miranda's was already filled from school!) as every house we visited gave them extra candy.  All in all, we had lots of fun this Halloween.

Wicked

While this is a word we are sometimes tempted to use when discussing Miranda, especially when she repeatedly comes out of her room at night, it is actually Miranda's favorite music right now.  She absolutely LOVES songs from the musical Wicked.  She will ask to watch the video of "Defining Gravity" and sing along!  I have also caught her singing the song "Popular."  Who knew almost 3-year olds could have such sophisticated taste in music?

Fall Farm Fun

 This past week we spent a lot of time at pumpkin farms.  Matilda had a field trip with her class to a pumpkin farm during the week.  I was lucky enough to tag along (I have no idea how her teacher does it, I was exhausted after 2 hours and only in charge of 5 kids!).  The class had fun going on a hay ride through a scarecrow village, playing in a straw jump yard/playground, and picking a pumpkin. 

The whole family visited a pumpkin farm over the weekend.  There were lots of fun activities, including a jump pillow, huge slide, pig train and corn maze.  The girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and so did mom and dad.

TWOoth for One

Last night. Matilda lost her first tooth.  Two minutes later, she lost her second tooth!  I was very surprised after I pulled the first, to find that the second one was just as loose (so of course I pulled that one too).  Matilda just giggled and giggled through the entire process, even though there was "bleed" in her mouth.  It's so fun to catch her staring in the mirror and checking out where her teeth used to be located.  And of course, the Tooth Fairy had to be EXTRA generous since there where 2 teeth (thankfully, although only initially prepared for one tooth, the Tooth Fairy was able to find the resources to trade for 2 teeth).

Big Goings On

 We have had some exciting things happening the past few weeks.  Miranda started climbing out of her crib consistently, so she has been moved to her "big girl" bed.  I have to admit, I am quite surprised she lasted this long in her crib as she LOVES to climb.  I am also very sad she is no longer in her crib, as nap and bed times are now even more difficult.  We'll just keep our fingers crossed that this phase quickly passes.

We have also done some big and little home improvement projects around the house.  Miranda got to help Matt repair the kitchen and she loved it! 

And not to be left out, Matilda has gotten her first loose tooth (well, actually teeth).  At her dentist appointment, he pointed out that Matilda's permanent teeth had already broken through behind her baby teeth.  Since then, Matilda has been wiggling and wiggling her teeth, along with complaining that she can't bite into foods, such as sandwiches, due to the loose teeth.  Heaven help us when they actually fall out!

It's Game Day....

Go Blue!

The Trip

 

 Over Labor Day weekend we made our annual trip up to Northern Michigan to visit family.  Matt and I were quite impressed with how well the girls behaved on the rides there and back.  The trip was filled of fun times, such as visiting with family, manual labor (Matt and Tilda helped trim some dead trees), a visit to the farmers' market, rides on a "Mule," face painting and a glitter tattoo.  While the visit was nice, I have to admit, the ride home was my favorite part as we stopped at the Christmas store and my alma matter.  :)

First Days of School!

I am happy to report we have thus far survived the first few days of school!  Miranda started on Monday.  She really seems to be enjoying school and her teachers report that she has wonderful days.  Unfortunately, we can't say the same for the evenings at home.  Not sure if its the adjusting, or her just being 2 and half, but she has been a HUGE challenge at night.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that whatever the reason, it passes quickly because I am not sure the rest of the family can take much more!

Matilda had her Kindergarten orientation on Tuesday and her first full day on Wednesday!  Thus far she LOVES Kindergarten, with the bus ride being the best part.  I find it so strange not to be able to call and check on her during the day like I can Miranda and I am amazed at how many papers they sent home on the first day (even after giving us papers to read at every meeting prior to the start of school)!  Who really has time to read all that stuff?!?  Here's hoping that things continue to go well next week, when both girls have to be dropped off at school in the morning and I have to be at work!