We're In!

Madeleine is all set to go to preschool next year! We are so excited! We found two preschools we really liked at the preschool fair last year and I have been in touch with the both since summer time. The whole process is a bit silly...I hate even saying the words, "Madeleine got into preschool"...this is not college people! But, even with the economy the way it is, this community continues to grow and there are A LOT of kids in this area and not that many preschools. So then comes waiting lists, down payments to hold your spot, ect. But, I can now breath a big sigh of relief because Madeleine is all set to go three mornings a week next year. She is going to love it! She is ready for it!

To the Dentist!

Now that Madeleine is 3, she can go to the dentist! We didn't waste any time getting her in for her 1st appointment. A few weeks ago we read "Show me your Smile, Dora goes to the Dentist" since Madeleine is OBSESSED with Dora the Explorer these days. I think reading the book helped a lot because Madeleine ROCKED her dentist appointment today! She did so good! She had her teeth cleaned, flossed, fluoride treated and then watched a movie and picked out a toy. When she left, she said, "I love the dentist"! Well I hope she continues to like it because her mama hates going to the dentist :-)

Dora, her new doll, came to the dentist too!

Happy 3rd Birthday Madeleine!

Princess, Princess, Princess was the theme for Madeleine's 3rd Birthday this year! Glitter, sparkles, pink, & purple was all we saw all day. We've sure got a girly girl on our hands. And the lucky little Princess herself got two parties...but that was our decision. Our house just isn't big enough to do one big party.

In the morning, all her little friends from my moms group and our neighborhood came over dressed up like a Princess (or Prince, or Fireman) and had breakfast cupcakes! They all played for awhile and then sang Madeleine Happy Birthday, ate breakfast and then everyone got to decorate a crown to take home. They also got a little wand to take home. Madeleine got a lot of neat presents too!

Make a wish!

Decorating the crowns with all kinds of stickers!

Everyone was excited to see what Madeleine got!

Later in the afternoon, my family and a couple of friends came over for a smaller celebration. The highlight was Madeleine's Princess ice-cream cake. Cinderella even lit-up! So fun!

We just can't believe she is already 3! Time has flown by. She is getting so big too. The words and thoughts that she expresses amaze us sometimes...as I know they do all parents. It is truly amazing to watch your child grow! We are having so much fun playing with her and teaching her new things. She seems to remember everything...which can be a good thing or a bad thing. She expresses how much she loves us...and doesn't like us sometimes but the hugs, kisses and sayings like "I love you so much" are more fun than the crying and slamming doors :-) Year 3 will be interesting! We love you Madeleine! Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Braden's Nursery!

Now that the Holidays are over, we've started to get Braden's nursery together....after all, he'll be here in 9 short weeks! We originally were going to do an airplane theme but all the aviator nursery bedding we liked was out of stock. Go figure. So, Jeff suggested a jungle theme instead since we already have some hand-painted jungle characters hanging in the nursery which also hung in Jeff's nursery when he was a baby!

Below is Braden's new bedding! Greens & blues...


See how spotless this room is? It wasn't this way a week ago. It had hand me down clothes and blankets EVERYWHERE. I went through everything and sorted all items into different piles. That is as far as I got, it was just too overwhelming. Jeff took over and literally did 12+ loads of laundry...and I'm talking he folded and put away everything too. I was SO THANKFUL! He cleaned & organized the room like a true engineer would :-) He is the best!

Now we just need to pick out our paint color and new curtains. We'll focus on that after Madeleine's big 3-year birthday party this weekend! I can't believe big sissy is already turning 3!!!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! We rang in 2011 with the Hallali family! We had a great time! We had dinner, played some Wii and watched the ball drop in NYC at 9pm our time and headed home before all the crazies were out driving around. Madeleine LOVES to play with the older girls...we didn't hear a peep from her the entire night. We went to check on her a few times through out the night to make sure she was okay but she was just happily playing with the girls. It gave Jeff & I some much needed adult time with friends! Happy New Year!

I got a Happy New Year's kiss from both Madeleine & Jeff!

Amy & I

The girls saying good-bye to Madeleine

Watching a movie :-)

Happy New Year!!!

Daddy gets a New Year's kiss too!

All the girls LOVED running outside to shout Happy New Years! So funny!

Almost 3!!!

Here is Madeleine enjoying her free birthday scoop of ice cream from Baskin Robbins! Yum!

Madeleine's 3-year photos!

We went to have Madeleine's 3-year photos done over the weekend! They turned out pretty cute! We also had some maternity ones done but they didn't turn out so well. Enjoy!