This weekend was a busy one by our standards. We had a fun family event each day and laughed so much it hurt!
Friday night was the annual Christmas play for Maddie's daycare center. Before the play, we met Robin and Waylon and their little boy, Noah, and Amy and her little girl, Stella Dot, for some yummy food at a local kid-friendly eatery! Silliness ensued after the kids were finished.....but we managed to untangle them, stuff them in coats and drive them to the church where the Christmas play was being held. Robin has some funny pics of this on her blog.
Imagine 100 boys and girls in their holiday best marching to the front of a sanctuary, standing more still than wiggly, and trying to sing Christmas carols. It was so sweet!
Maddie and her little friends were supposed to sing, but we think it was mostly the other kids and teachers singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
Yep, that's Maddie wedged in her teacher's lap.
After the play, we hung out for a while with Maddie's buds, Noah and Stella Dot and their parents. And there were cookies.....
Why is this kid smiling??
The cookie is as big as she is -- Stella Dot and Noah plan their attack!
Saturday meant a trip to the shoe store for Maddie and Mama. The line was L-O-N-G but we got our two pair and shared some goldfish snacks on the ride home. That night, we joined Noah and Stella Dot and their parents again for a casual night in. Thanks to Robin and Waylon for letting us have the run of your house!! Maddie had such an awesome time with her friends. She has to be the center of attention most of the time, but with six adults and two other little ones, there was always someone to play with.
Maddie and Stella Dot are caught in the act!
All it takes is for one to sit on my lap...then they all pile on! Noah has the coolest books!
Our church's Christmas Cantata was Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. We managed to get dressed and ready and make it on time. Amy and Stella Dot met us there so we could all enjoy the Christmas choir and band together. The cantata was really beautiful, but the girls kept egging each other on to be silly -- OK, it was mostly Maddie -- but they lasted 30 minutes before we had to move their little party to the nursery. At one point, Maddie was doing the motions to "Wheels on the Bus" while the choir was singing.....probably not the same tune. But her heart was in it!!
We rested and relaxed for the rest of Sunday, wrapping presents and eating and listening to music. That's what the holidays are really about, right?
Grandmama sent Maddie a doggie Christmas card!
Jazz hands :)
We are so proud of Madelyn! She used her potty for the first time last night!
*Warning: The following detailed account of events may be graphic and potentially harmful to non-parental readers!!*
We have been trying hard not to push her into potty training, but we have been letting her sit and play on her potty daily so it's a normal, non-threatening routine. She normally lets us know after the event(s) have passed. I was even thinking about buying some pull-up diapers soon so she can practice pulling them up and down by herself.
She must have read my mind. Last night we were playing after dinner and she became quiet and said "poopy." I asked her if she wanted to go to the potty -- and to my amazement she said "yes" instead of her usual head-shaking "no."
We rushed there and made it in time. She settled right in and we hung out and read books together. Then, in a voice an anxious parent can appreciate, she said "all done." And meant it!!!
Sure enough, she was! I called for Frank and we clapped and hugged her and told her what a big girl she was. I even gave her a BIG Dora sticker and a Fig Newton! Everything short of a parade, I know.
It may not happen again for a long time, or it could happen again soon. But we are so proud of her for becoming more vocal about her needs and recognizing what goes where (smile)!
Guest Blogger Frank, aka Daddy writes:
Another week in the life of our sugar pea went by quicker that you can say "Don't do that!" Actually Maddie was a real angel these past few days, very loving and for the most part low maintenance. You often hear about the "phases" but hardly anyone ever talks about the good ones. The little wiggles get a bad rap undeservedly. Here we show her chillin' with Dad watching Youtube kitty videos.
Maddie says, "Mo' Kitty cat."
Friday night, Janet Christmas shopped until she almost dropped. While she was gone, Maddie was literally horsing around and injured her other eye on her wooden rocking horse......but like all cowgirls, she saddled up again -- after a cookie!
Saturday morning we went to experience "Breakfast with Santa" at our church. It's a nice kids' event where they get to eat Santa pancakes, do some crafts and hang with Santa (or not). 
Santa pancakes
Merry Christmas and a safe return home.
After all the distractions, anxiety and frustration of having to wait for yet another three wiggles to have their turn, it was finally time to meet Santa.........or was it? The fuzzy, red-robed, jolly big fellow was met with skepticism and no amount of cajoling, jingling bells or other silly tricks convinced Maddie to touch him with a ten foot pole......aaaackkkk!
After the Santa (non)experience and a good nap it was time to get things moving again. Below Maddie demonstrates her new dance moves. Rock on, Wiggles! We're not yet sure if we want to take credit for her rhythm.
Yep, that's Maddie wedged in her teacher's lap.
Why is this kid smiling??
The cookie is as big as she is -- Stella Dot and Noah plan their attack!
Maddie and Stella Dot are caught in the act!
All it takes is for one to sit on my lap...then they all pile on! Noah has the coolest books!
Grandmama sent Maddie a doggie Christmas card!
Jazz hands :)
