Monday Story Time

Just about every Monday, the girls and I go to toddler story time. This is not your typical sit down and listen to a librarian read stories story time. Instead, the kids sing songs with bodily movement, or use rhythm sticks, play silks, and bells to follow along with songs and music. Miss Laurie, the librarian, is great with the kids and knows good activities that are developmentally appropriate. We often meet up with Holly and Henry, and our friends Lauren and Emmitt (They are part of our Tuesday Play Group). Recently, even my friend, Beth, and her kids, Ben and Leah, have been joining us!

Miss Laurie using the felt board to dress Teddy. Normally throughout the class, the kids sit in a circle with their parents, but they like to move up close to see Teddy.

Elsie doing a great job following along with the movement. She often just likes to sit and watch.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear wave good bye. (Even her pig, Fat Percy, gets to sing along!)

Brown's Family Farm

Last Saturday we took our annual trip to Brown's Family Farm to get pumpkins. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny, fall day! We had Elsie's cousin, Alahna, with us for the day, and we met the Donleys there, as well.

Creepy, crawly girlies.

She asked to pull the pumpkins.

Hitchin' a ride with Henry from Uncle Alex.

"Hey, Mom, the sun's right in my eyes!"

Miss Madelyn ~ 9 months

Since Madelyn's birthday is on the 31st, I often find myself in a hard place at the end of months that don't have a 31st: do I call the 30th or 1st of the next month her monthly birthday? Regardless, Madelyn is now a solid 9 months! Can you believe it?!?

Last week, we saw the doctor for Madelyn's check up (no shots this time!). She is measuring in at close to 24 lbs. and 27 inches. She is still above the 95th percentile for weight and around the 75th for height. It was at this point that Elsie slowed down in the growth department, so we will see how Madelyn compares. Nevertheless, this girl is wearing 12 and 18 month clothing - clothes I was just buying for Elsie last fall and winter!

Madelyn loves being down, exploring her world from the ground and pulling herself up on whatever she can (which now includes smashing her fingers in drawers). Just about everything goes in her mouth, and she doesn't go down with out a fight when you try to take it out! She has finally sprouted her bottom 2 teeth! She especially loves being outside. She is a charmer and makes friends everywhere we go, smiling, waving, and clapping at strangers. Her dimpled smile makes it hard for others not to stop and say hi. Madelyn is also a noise maker! She loves to babble and putter through her cheeks. She also loves her thumb, food, being tickled, her big sister, and the dogs.