November Catch Up - Part Two

In mid-November, we took a trip to visit Grandmama and Grandaddy. Uncle David showed up also and we had a huge lunch and playtime in the yard afterward.

That's the thing about growing up on a farm, anything and everything can be a toy. When I was little, there was lots of make-believe and pretending. I hope Maddie can grow up the same way.

Learning to ride the tricycle at Grandmama and Grandaddy's house. She's getting pretty good at it.


Mason is not a fan of hats these days. So what did we do? We put on a tobbogan that is adult-size, but for some reason didn't bother him as much as the smaller ones we try to cram on his noggin.

Of course, no trip home is complete without the golf cart rides. Uncle David let Maddie steer. Watch out cats and dogs!

And later, Mason and I put the golf cart to another good use, relaxing!

Wheelbarrow fun! Everyone had to take a turn pushing Maddie around the yard.


The week before Thanksgiving, Grandmama came to stay with us for a few days. I got some errands and appointments taken care of while she was there to help with Mason. He's smiling and laughing now at most anyone who will talk sweetly to him. He lights up and grins when Frank or Maddie or I'm around and talking. So much more fun than even a few weeks ago! Those first smiles are the best!


We found some dress up clothes in Maddie's closet while Grandmama was here (thanks Aunt Angie) and they finally fit. Actually, I think these are dance recital clothes from some unsuspecting little girl whose Mom covered her in sequins and polka-dots. But that is what Maddie is into these days, so.......She said she was a ballerina.

We've been doing serious sponge baths up until a few weeks ago, when Mason had his first real tub bath. The baby/toddler tub we have is huge and takes up most of the actual tub, which makes it a total pain to move in and out of the tub for Maddie and Mason alternately, but the infant recline part and sponge make it oh-so comfy for Mason.

Well, it was until Maddie decided to scrub, and I mean scrub, his face. Oh, and she was still in "ballerina" gear. "Poor little Mason," is said around our house a lot these days. If ever love could hurt, it will be with these two kids. Maddie loves him so much she doesn't know her own kissing and hugging and helping strength sometimes. But she really, truly loves him and runs to him first when she gets home from daycare. Too sweet!

To try to explain the photo below, the conversation went like this:
Maddie: Mommy, I can't get this off. (Translation: the toilet paper roll will not come off)
Me: Maddie, it isn't supposed to come off. What have you done??
Maddie: It won't come off!!
Me: I'm going to take a picture and show it to your boyfriend when you are 25. That's a Mom's only revenge.

To clarify: I made her use all the paper she'd rolled off onto the floor. It took about a week, but now it's "all gone."