A few of my favorite things

Some of my favorite things: A product that allows Madison to be a "big gurwell" and turn on and off the light and a few booger related items.

I bought Madison a light switch extender months ago, she could barely reach it when we first put it on. But she has since become a pro and I have installed a second one in her room in the reading corner as well as her bathroom. She loves them and insists on being the one to turn off her light after we read. If she isn't finished reading, I say "The light is going OFF, do you want to turn it off or have Momma do it." I never get to do it!

The ones I found are called Kidswitch and they glow in the dark and have a moon shape that happens to go really well in Madison's room. She is facinated with the moon but that is for another post. Below is a photo of her illustrating how it works! (the best price I found was on Amazon and in a three pack) The first one I bought was at a specialy baby store and I paid 2X+ the amount as I did for the three pack online. Lesson Learned.

No one told me when I become a Mom that one of my primary responsibilities would be sucking so much snot! People tell you about all kinds of gross things you will do as a Mom and most are related to bathroom activities and barf (at least the ones that I had the fortune of having shared with me)....I don't remember anyone telling me about all the boogers. I have heard about 'snot nosed kids' but I never knew what a reality that would become for me. I swore I would NEVER have a kid with snot running down her face. Yea right, just like the kid that I refused to have that has a pacifier! UGG. I am fortunate though that Madison HATES having a runny nose and will say "Nose runnin' again." to get you to wipe it as soon as she feels it! While this is annoying after about the 50th time, it is helpful in keeping with my desire to not have her let it run and lick it off! Hey, I warned you this was gross.

I read somewhere to expect your child to get 10 colds a year! Are you kidding me? That is nearly 1 every month. When you take into account the sniffles prior to the cold, the height of the snot production mid cold and the post cold drips, that is A LOT OF SNOT for a lot of weeks! And if you are really lucky you get to experience that thick snot that gags your baby resulting in the all offensive barfing episode.

Did you keep that 'bulb syringe' from the hospital? For us, it was the only one that worked even remotely well and I know because I bought EVERY ONE I could find (Even the battery operated automatic music playing one - that was a BIG no go!) I often thought of going to the hospital to steal another one. I snuck several receiving blankets out but it never dawned on me to request a spare booger getter!

I was lucky, Madison was 14 months old before she got her first cold, Christmas #2. I think it is a tradition, we BOTH had one for Christmas #3. But let me tell you, she has made up for it this last year. Let's just say, I hate SNOT.

Actually I have 2 favorite BOOGER related products. The first are Boogie Wipes, wipes soaked in saline. The grape ones smell great and the product is Mom invented and I think that is cool. Madison likes them and will tell me "I need get a Boogie wipe" when she has a 'GIANT booger' she wants me to get out. She HATES having boogers. You can get them at Target and Amazon (the wipes, not the boogers...well depending on your store:-) and I have seen them at Baby's R Us as well. Madison did tell me the 'menthol' ones 'hurt' her once but then tried them again and they were fine. Makes sense though, especially if the nose is raw from wiping already.

I found this next product on Amazon and read about it several months prior to purchasing it. I remember telling my Mom "Hey I found you a booger getter to try. I'll buy it, you try it, and if it works, I will try it." It is called NoseFrida and is a nasal aspirator where YOU are the SUCKER, literally! There is 'filter' that keeps you from actually sucking the boogers in your mouth, but I still had my Mom try it before I would believe it! She became an instant believer and I followed suit soon after.

It is so much easier than the hospital syringe, cleaner, less abrasive, quick, and best of all EFFECTIVE! It is made in Switzerland and also available on Amazon and Target. Below are a few photos of Madison illustrating how it works. See, so easy a 2 year old can do it! While she doesn't REALLY do it, it does illustrate that she doesn't MIND it and grasps the concept of how Mommy does it. (Depending on the severity of the snot situation, I sometimes will premoisten her nose with either saline drops or saline mist.) On my wish list for our "never going to happen house renovation" is a steam shower. I think it is a medical necessity with all this snot production!

Yes, Santa brought her some Piggy Paint in her stocking. WHAT was HE thinking? :-)

Madison Swimming Videos from Summer

These videos were taken during Madison's Infant Swim Resource (ISR) testing that was done after 7 weeks of 10 minute lessons, 5 days a week this Summer. (Better late than never). I have blogged about it and posted photos but really wanted to post the three days of testing videos to show how far she had come and I just think it is cool to watch. She is more 'water safe' at 19 months than I was when I was 6 years old. While some might see this method of 'swim lessons' as extreme or over the top, I was confident in my choice of instructor and method. And while difficult to watch at times, it was an extraordinary experience for all of us.

Since ISR is based on teaching 'drowning prevention skills' rather than typical 'swimming lessons' there are three days of testing after the lessons are completed, one with Summer clothes, one with Winter clothes and lastly back to swim suit for 'reset'.

The idea is to think about what they would likely be wearing if they wandered near the pool and fell in, anytime of year. The sensation of being wet fully clothed is so much different than when wearing a swim suit and the children need to be exposed to that sensation so they can learn adjust their 'float' accordingly. If they usually carry a lovey or have a pacifier all of the time, it is recommended they test with those items as well.

Each video is the length of a typical lesson (about 10 min) so if you only have time for one, I recommend the Winter one (#2) and the end especially when she is jumping in from the edge and comes up to a float.

Summer Clothes: TShirt/Shorts/Crocs/PullUp. A rather unfortunate reality of falling into the water with clothes on is that you are likely to have something covering your face at some point. At one point during testing, Rebekah removes Madison's shirt and places it over her face to be sure she has the skill to pull it off her face.

Winter Clothes: Undershirt/Long Sleeve Shirt/Jeans/PullUp/Socks/Tennies/Fleece Lined Jacket (Hey we live in California! What are the chances she'll accidentally fall in the pool with a down snow suit on?)

Last day of testing, swimming reset back to swim suit. I got in the pool on the last day so Rebekah could show me how to work with her when we went swimming.

(Click here if you would like to learn more about the lessons and research behind ISR. Click here for more local Modesto information.)

Madison's ABCD's

I heard Madison in her room saying the ABCD's and she did the WHOLE thing THREE times without missing a letter. I asked her if she would do it again for the camera and she said "SURE!". (miracle in itself)

I took three videos and she missed some each time but was very proud of herself as was I.

The first one was the best ABCD's and the second one was cute because of the LMNO part. (no that isn't text lingo for lauging anything off.)

I turned the camera so I could get her whole outfit and nervous jig moves thinking I could turn it later like with photos but I couldn't figure it out. Sorry.

This was Thanksgiving and she was wearing the dress Papa picked out for her birthday. When I put it on her she twirled and said "I beautiful!". The sweater was also a birthday gift from a friend.

Zoe found her calling: Ghostbuster

So much has gone on since I posted last...I have such good intentions...I hate posting without pictures and I while I am good about making sure I TAKE pictures I am not so good about getting them on the computer.

Future blogs with photos to include:
Madison's 2nd Birthday and Two Year check up stats
Halloween and pumpkin carving
Trip to Monterey
Madison's first hair cut
Potty training update

In the meantime I had a Madison/Zoe story to share and I have some pictures of Madison and Roxy playing outside in the dark one evening before it got too cold.

Zoe and Madison have a love/hate relationship. Madison loves Zoe and I hate that I have to keep them separated for both of their safety. It isn't all bad, Madison knows not to touch her and Zoe knows to steer clear. Things have gotten much more relaxed now that Madison has control of her movements and walking steady etc. We just make sure Zoe doesn't get cornered and forced to choose fight over flight. Unfortunately there is a lot of "Go lay down Zoe" "Don't touch Zoe" "Zoe down" "Zoe leave Madison's food alone" talk around our house. I feel guilty sometimes but we manage. Don't get me wrong, Zoe gets her play time in with Mom and Dad and Roxy too.

Well tonight I think we found Zoe's purpose in Madison's eyes and it was fun. Madison came into the kitchen tonight and here is how the conversation played out:

Mad: "Ghost coming"
Mom: "What? Did you say ghost?"
Mad: "Yea, ghost right dare! Scare me."
Mom: (Inside my head: Imagination here we come) "Where is the ghost?" {calm}
Mad: "In da window right dare!" (She ran behind my legs to hide).
Mom: (I had to think on the fly. My gut told me that Daddy would protect us, but he is leaving for WY in the morning and with her memory the way it is I didn't want to risk hearing tomorrow "Daddy not here, ghost coming." So I thought of Zoe. "Madison, show me where the ghost is. [she pointed to the wall] Watch this. Zoe come. {Zoe came and I leaned down and whispered in Zoe's ear "what's that" and she perked up, on cue and barked her head off and ran out ran outside to 'chase the ghost'.
Mad: "Where Zoe go?"
Mom: "She is making sure the ghost is gone."
Mad: "Zoe come ear! Zoe good girwel. I yuv you Zoe." {heart melt}
{She leaned in to hug her and we were back to normal conversation again}
Mom: "No touch Zoe."
Mad: "Touch Roxy."
Mom: "Yes you can touch Roxy."
Mad: "I yuv you too Rox."
Life is good.

It was so sweet. It was as if Madison was so proud of Zoe protecting her and we were both glad that Zoe is a little more assertive than Roxy. Zoe seemed proud too. I have to chuckle to myself thinking that now Madison and Zoe have something in common, an active imagination. Zoe is always chasing off imaginary 'ghosts'. Now I don't want any comments about real ghosts. My dog and daughter come by their active imaginations naturally!

I think God spoke to me today

The strangest thing happened to me today. This post isn't about Madison, one of only a few but I wanted to document it none the less and this seemed like an easy way to express myself.

I know when asked, I often talk about being an only child and that is mainly because in general conversation it is easier to say than explain I had a half sister with whom I grew up with but who died before we could be adults together. But the truth is, I did have a sister who loved and tormented me during my young years.  Her name was Christina and she would have turned 47 next month.

My sister is buried in a beautiful cemetery in Sonora just up the road from my dentist. I have been there with my Mom a few times to put out a new flag for the season and I have gone a few times alone to take flowers for the deer or just to sit quietly and look over the tiny city from the hill.  

I had a dental appointment today and for some reason she was on my mind as I drove through town. I thought it would be nice to take some flowers and then I realized I didn't know where to buy any.  After my unpleasant dentist appointment, I was still thinking of her and so I looked around and decided on a nice natural wreath with pine cones on it.  It smelled great.  She was very crafty and would have enjoyed it. I drove up the hill and put it on her stone. I stopped and looked over the hill and quietly thought about her and I when we were children and how I longed for her to be here with me now as adults.  I also thought of her adult son who I recently heard is expecting his own child. The thought of her being a grandma while I am a new Mom made me smile wondering what that might have been like.

I didn't stay long and drove on down the hill, back to work.  I am not sure why she was on my mind so much, I admit it doesn't happen often.   

Here is the strange part: When I am in the car I often look at the plates on other cars and wonder what the personalizations mean.  As I was driving back to work, I looked over at the car next to me and the license plate read: 

"LV USIS". 

 At first I was like "Who would pay $X extra a year to say that?" 

Then it hit me.  Maybe God put that message there just for me to see. Was she thinking of me too, or perhaps saying "Thank you" for the wreath? I shook it off, thinking I was being crazy, as if God was too busy to talk to little 'ol me.  I actually rolled my eyes at myself.  But then I thought, 'Why not me?'

We can choose to believe whatever we want, and I am choosing that she spoke to me through Him and it warmed my heart overwhelmingly, once I allowed it to.

Here are some of the things I remembered today: She was a great cook, she could make the best things out of NOTHING, and even when something didn't turn out she could turn it into something else. I remember one time she burnt up a batch of biscuits and then proceeded to pull out the paints and made a flower sculpture!  She could drive somewhere once and always know how to get there again without a map (0r GPS for that matter).  She taught me how to tie my shoes, helped me have the courage to take my earrings out after the required 6 week wait time (aka forced me to), and she told my Mom when she caught me using her razor shaving my leg for the first time, (I refused to shave the other one because I thought I was in trouble).  I remember her fighting for her right to watch soaps when I wanted to watch Sesame Street, (She was 6.5 years older than me), and she loved animals.  She used to hold me down on the floor and kiss me all sloppy all over my face while I screamed.  I hated it then and do it to Madison now.  She was who I hunted Easter baskets with and who I walked out with to see what Santa had brought us.

Thank you for the message Chris, I heard you, I love you and I miss you.

Rock Skipping Lesson with Grandma

All in a day's fun

I was looking for something fun to do over Labor Day weekend and what was supposed to be a nice day watching hot air balloons turned into four hours in the car with a bunch of fun packed in between.

When you ask Madison about this day she talks about: Rode Thomas, High Five Doggie, High Five Giraffe, and the Horsie. Her memory amazes me everyday.  

Our day started out at 6am.  The annual Color the Skies fundraiser for the Children's Hospital was happening just up the road from us and I thought Madison would think that would be fun. There was LOTS to do, but EARLY!  

It was far from what I imagined.  I don't do crowds but decided to venture out in the name of Madison having a good day.  When we got there, first we were in a line of 300 hundred to get in.  Then we had the pleasure of parking in a field of goat heads.  The car tires, our shoes and the stroller tires were FILLED. I was less than thrilled.  When we finally got to the actual location, there were people EVERYWHERE!  

It was a great showing of how the economy is keeping folks local over a three day weekend I think.  We went to get in line for the pancake breakfast and that is when we learned that it was too windy and there would be no hot air balloons that day.  The hundreds of people broke from the field and headed for the pancake line. NOPE, skipping it.   We tried to watch the wild animal show but it was so crowded we couldn't see or hear anything.  

I wanted to leave immediately.  This is precisely when Madison spotted "Thomas" the train ride.  She is fascinated by trains these days.  I agreed because she was so excited.  In line, we did see a friend we made during signing class, Leanne and Emily and that was a special highlight. 

Daddy was a good sport and rode on the train with Madison. He does all the adventurous stuff like the kiddy rides.

Daddy said she waved at everyone as she went by and really had a good time.

Yes, above was the LINE for the TRAIN.  (the line for the food was 3X as long, no joke) What Madison taught me during this experience was that waiting in line isn't all that bad with a toddler. I think she enjoyed the 20+ times she got to see the train come and go each time much more than she actually did while ON the train.  It really changed my perspective and reminded me to see the silver lining.  She clapped and sang each time she heard him coming/going and then waved as hard as she could as he went by. 

We came across the Giraffe that was the mascot for the Children's Hospital and she usually is afraid of these characters but she gave him a high five and wanted to see him more.

The Giraffe was quickly 'old news' when she 'spotted' the Ripon Fire Department's mascot, Sparky I think was his name.  She did the high five and still talks about him.

All this fun and guess what? It was only 830 am!  I wanted so badly to have a fun family day and this was turning into a bust so I convinced Rick to drive up the road a ways to Lodi to a small animal zoo, Micke Grove.  I hadn't been there since I was a kid and wasn't really sure what to expect but knew it couldn't be worse than the goat heads.  She was asleep when we got there so Rick and I visited in the car while she rested and picked goat heads points out of our shoes.  What sweet family time.

The highlight of the day and worth the trip were the Lorikeets. You can buy nectar and watch them eat (and unknown to Rick, he volunteered to hold it not knowing they would fly on him, he thought he would hold it to them and they would drink, I told you he does all the adventure stuff). I wish I had gotten a picture of his face when he realized they were landing ON HIM.  We went into the tent type area and they were EVERYWHERE flying and sitting around.  They were chirping loudly and Madison's first words were "TOO MANY BIRDS!"

Well we walked around for about 20 minutes and saw all there was to see. Again, I was bummed.  I remembered it being so much larger when I was a kid. They did have a huge section shut down because they were building a new otter and snow leopard area so that will be cool later I hope. We tried to see the birds again and they were closed for a break, good thing we got to see them when we did! 

We left and it was still really early and I didn't want to go home to laundry or go grocery/target shopping like every other weekend!  I read in the paper on the way there that Old Town Sacramento was having their annual Historic Pioneer Days and again convinced Rick to drive more up North for more fun.  He is such a good sport, not to mention tolerant of me!

They poured tons of dirt on the roads of Old Sac and had horse buggy rides and gun fighting in the streets.  We found a pony ride and Madison was game. 

The highlight of the entire day had to be the Steam Train ride.  We stood in line for the 3:00 and I am not kidding when I stepped up to the window and was told "SOLD OUT till 4pm".  I about had a heart attack. I heard someone say, what about 1st class?  I was then like, yea, what about 1st class!?  Oh yea, they had those tickets, just $7 more. I would have done that regardless once I learned how much better it was!  

Heck I guess it all worked out. We were in an AIR CONDITIONED car, got served a GIANT cookie and a drink and there were only three other people in there with us.  We got a personal story told to us about the train we were on and had HUGE windows for an awesome view of the Sacramento River on our 40 minute tour.  It was great and Madison had a great time. It was the perfect ending to our day.  

Conductor punching Madison's ticket.

I told you she was having fun.

This is a train on display and not the one we went on but cool.  

We took a break and at a chocolate covered strawberry as we watched the gun fighters and horses and got messy with strawberries and melted chocolate. 

We came home tired and ready for bed. We stayed home all day on Sunday and didn't do much at all but rest.  Spontaneous marathon one day road trips are hard on these old bones.  We then made it to Grandma's and Papa's on Monday for BBQ pork chops and fun in the water. Photos of that day to follow soon.

Life doesn't get much better than this.

Wordless Wednesday

"NASTICS!"

Sometimes Madison just stays in one place and dances but this particular day she was all over the place wanting to try everything out.   

I hope they make you smile.

"BIG" uneven bars

In the PIT. She jumps in on her own!

Balance Beam

After she climbed the tower, ARMS UP! Good Job!

Madison's all time favorite: THE SWING! They don't have this every week but when she sees it when we walk in she says "EXCITING!". 

A Girly Girl's day at the park....

Just the PEEK, no BOO! Mom was too slow.

If you look close at this one you will see a small butterfly on Rick's watch.  She was very interested in it, until that is, it flew up in her face at which point she started swatting at it, running and saying "scary buttyfwy".  (Scary is her new word/feeling.)  We were reading, several nights later, and there was a butterfly in her book and she looked up at me wide eyed and said, "Daddy watch....scary buttyfwy ".  This kid's memory never ceases to amaze me.

I have often experienced God's sense of humor but never so much so as when he chose a girly girl for me as my daughter.  I painted her toenails several weeks ago and she now requests "pretty toenails" regularly and if some comes off, she says "broke, fix it momma".  She even made me paint MINE tonight. YIKES. 

The whole hair thing is hilarious.  I am no good at it but I keep trying because she so likes to look at herself in the mirror and see how "pretty" she is and I haven't found a place to cut her hair yet and when I do, I have no idea how to cut it.  My Mom can get a good pony on top because of her years of experiences putting top knots on my Yorkie Fursisters. Those tiny rubber bands are a trick to master, especially with a squirmy busy body little girl.  She is getting better at holding still and I am getting faster but it still cracks me up. I spend more time on her hair than I do my own, which isn't much by any means unfortunately!

She loves PINK.  Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about pink and for those who don't know, I bet you can guess it is not my favorite color.  I was so anti pink when I found out I was having a girl.  We are now saturated with pink, especially now that Madison is old enough to express her likes and dislikes. I like it now because she likes it so much.  I can just imagine God smiling down on me.

(You may happen to notice she is in high water pants....a function of potty training on the go and NOT remembering to switch out the backup outfit with a set that fit!) 

And I thought the Electric Slide was a dance?!

This is one of those fountains that is on a timer and every once in a while water will come shooting up. We however did not KNOW this yet.  Hence several days later, trying to figure out what "Scary Water" and subsequent crying meant.  It finally dawned on me what she was remembering.  

She is truly the love of my life and I so enjoy experiencing life through her eyes.

Back to the 50's

These pictures are from the American Graffiti car show in Modesto.  We went and hung out with Mamo and PaPa and got to play in Mamo's '55 T-bird.  Madison LOVED it.  I think people thought my Mom and Dad were crazy for letting this little squirt jump up and down on the driver's seat! 

My Dad's friend was encouraging Madison to put her hands all over the bumper of my Dad's blacker than black '37 Chevy pickup.  He even tried to get her to sign "frog" while looking at her reflection in the tailgate (FROG is signed by darting your tongue in and out repeatedly). It was very funny.  PaPa didn't mind whatsoever, Madison can do no wrong in his eyes, at least for now. :-)

1st time on the boat!

It has been WAY too long since I have blogged.  I got addicted to 3F's (Facebook/Farmtown/Farkle) but I am back I hope.  I just downloaded 240 new pictures from the camera FINALLY. I can't wait that long anymore! I now have plenty to share with photos.

We finally took a trip in Daddy's boat (AKA Mamo's and PaPa's boat).  We were kind of nervous about how she would do actually ON the water with it moving but she did great.  Leading up to the actual trip, she loved getting in the boat and beeping the horn.  We bought her a life jacket and if she wanted to beep the horn she had to put on her vest.  This worked out great to get her used to having it on so she didn't fight it when we went on the boat for real!  (They aren't the most comfortable things to wear).

Rick's good friend Danny came with us for our first launch.  Madison LOVES Danny and really enjoyed having him join us.  We walked down the ramp to the dock and she saw the boat bobbing up and down in the water.  She wasn't too thrilled at first but she didn't protest once Mommy was in the boat.  She surprisingly had great sea legs and bobbed right along with the boat movement. She kept saying "faster Daddy" and "Wind".  She LOVED it.  We were relieved.

Here are some photos of the day.

One of my new favorite Maddie & Daddie photos.

Yes...even a Mommy photo...She kept saying "IN" "Swim". 

Mad was hanging on to both bars and saying "FASTER!" It was so cute. 

Loves of my life.

Mad & Dad

Swimming, Swimming, Swimming

Rebekah's Mom was in the pool during lessons on Friday and she just sent me this photo!  I LOVE IT!  The photo just looks like she went under and looked at the camera to pose but this was taken after floating, then turning (roll back), then swimming to the diamonds.  Maybe she saw her in the water and looked over!

Things have been busy at home during vacation with the flu and then brother Conrad here so I haven't posted much. I have lots of photos but I had to share this one as soon as it arrived!

I hope it brings a smile to your day.

Exorcist and Daddy of the Year Badge

Tonight was rough.  I was working late and I got a phone call from my dear husband asking me to come home right away.  Madison was screaming in the background and all Rick could say was "projectile vomit".  I said "WHAT?" and he repeated, needless to say I hung up and rushed home.

Madison has never been sick before, at least not the vomit kind of sick.  She has had two colds but nothing of this nature.  

When I got home I found Rick shirtless and holding a naked crying baby.  Rick said he put her down for bed after dinner/bath/book routine and he was watching her on the video monitor making sure she was settling in.  She stood up, cried out and then BAM, just like the exorcist, vomit came shooting out across the room.  He ran into the room to find a crying baby with barf all over her and the floor. 

I got home and scooped her up and got her dressed and soothed her while Rick proceeded to earn his Daddy of the Year badge and cleaned up the barf.  It was awful! I kept thinking of Alysun's 'in the car both kids puking story' and kept telling myself "we can do this".  All the while, hoping RICK CAN DO IT because I was so thankful that Madison wanted me and that he was here to clean it up.  

Madison said her tummy hurt and then said poop so we were headed into the bathroom when she hurled again.  I undressed her and put her in the tub, hey it was convenient while I changed my own clothes and cleaned up the floor and bathroom wall. So much for me getting out of cleaning up barf, she saved some for me. Lucky me.

Lucky me is right because my Dear Husband took care of everything while I tended to Madison. I took her back in the bathroom because she was acting like it was going to happen again to find Rick in there preparing to be sick! OH NO, not him too!  He didn't get sick and neither have I, YET, but I am anticipating it.  I guess a child at day care got sick today and so it could be that or maybe her dinner didn't sit well with her.

We got her settled and back to sleep, back in her clean bed with clean carpets and blankets, got the three loads of laundry done, including our own clothes and now we wait and see.

We have our fingers crossed we don't get sick and that this is an isolated incident.  I have had nightmares about this happening and imagining what I would do.  I just count my blessings I have gotten this far without her being sick.  

I love my husband and he even comforted me when I started crying after I was beating myself up for being at work and not at home when my daughter got sick.  I am thankful she was with him and I thank God for him extra special today.

"Gymnastics" AKA Jump/Dance/Climb

Since I haven't gotten the "I can SWIM Week 3" video uploaded I figured I would post some photos Rick took at GymStars recently.  We joined a local gymnastics group that has an under 2 year old class called GymBabies.  They play the Wiggles music, have circle time twice and sing songs and then free play twice.  Madison mostly likes to stand and dance to the music!  Every week they have one 'apparatus' they introduce to the babes and it is cute. We bought Madison a little leotard with a skirt at Target this weekend so she could to 'turns' when she dances. She said "pretty" when we put it on her and it was so cute.  Daddy picked it out and it is black of course!  Dad was far away because the class was full and there was only room for one parent, so the photos are kinda dark and grainy but they get the fun across I think.

Above: Trying out the balance beam

Above: Took her two weeks before she would go on/through anything!

Above: Week 3 she finally let me put her in the 'pit'. There is a trampoline under the foam blocks and it is bouncy and fun. Yes, I got in and was terrified I wasn't going to be able to get my fat butt out!  She went in again this week and do did Daddy!  We bounced around.  This is the pit at the end of the trampoline run that they do their tumbling runs on and then fly in the air into the pit. Very cool.  Madison's favorite is the trampoline and jumping but Daddy couldn't see it from the outside so I didn't get a picture.

Above: This is a picture of "circle time". They do this at the beginning after a few minutes of free play and then again at the end. They sing the same songs each time and it didn't take Madison long to learn what to do. She isn't shy about getting right in the middle of the circle and do the songs all on her own.  This is her 'touching her toes'.  All the other kids stay with their parents in their laps mostly and my Miss Madison gets in the middle where she can see the teacher and do all the motions.  They do bubbles at the end and they all run around and pop them. It is very cute.