New Traditions and Routines

 With Madison starting Kindergarten at our church next week we've decided to also start some new traditions and routines to go along with the new adventure! 

I got this idea from another mom in my bible study last spring.

She reads the daily devotional especially for kids (for girls!) on the way to school each morning.  Of course, we will only do this when we are not driving.  :) 

She said it made for great conversations and a calm start to the day.

Madi has been so excited to start this one!

  We also have a neat personalized clothes holder for each day of the school week. 

On Sundays, we are going to get her clothes, shoes, bows, etc. ready for the week so mornings will be less rushed.

 Madi has always been great about helping out and cleaning but I thought a specific chore chart would be even better.  As she completes her chores she moves the clothes pin from "Not Done" to the "Done" side.

We are all excited about the new adventures about to begin! 

Hopefully, we all stay that way. :)

Family Day

 We had a little family day the Saturday before Matt started back to school.

First, we went to lunch at our favorite Firehouse!

And we ate outside per Madi's request.

  Then we headed to see Ice Age 4.  

 Madi and Daddy in the theater!

 That evening we took a walk with the puppies (not Sue!) after dinner.

 I'm not sure why but I was laughing at all the shadows. 

Chicke's shadow looks like a scary wolf!

 Then Madi wanted a shadow picture of her and Noodle.

 A shadow family picture . . .

It was a great way to celebrate the last weekend of summer!

My two loves . . .

 I've been on Instagram for a while now and love the effects on my pictures.

It's making me take more pictures of my two loves . . .

 I just don't think either one could be any cuter! 

 My mom got this cute little wagon to put plants in for our new patio, but someone thinks it's a ride for her puppies.

She takes Noodle for a ride every time we're outside.  I just don't have the heart to tell her it's supposed to hold plants!  :)

Legacy Play Village

 Shelle and I took the kids to Legacy Play Village since it was too cold for the pool.  I love the cooler weather but we only have a few more pool days left! 

Madi & Tripp

 Maci loves being big enough to play with the other kiddos!

 There was a new spinning thing at the park this time.  Here they are spinning (hence the funny faces)!

 And a little farther back to show the "ride."  They all loved it.

Tripp is back to school this coming Monday and Madi starts the following week.

Goodbye Summertime!

Our Family

I'm trying to take more pictures of ALL of us when I can.  So one night after coming home from dinner I used the timer on my camera and snapped a few pictures.

This one was pretty cute so I printed it in sepia and framed it for our mantle.  

I'm going to try and do this a few times a year.

Celebrating!

 Last weekend, we celebrated my cousin Kirk's 40th birthday at My Aunt Bev and Uncle Douge's house.  

Kirk catered the event with fajitas and my aunt had a superhero theme.  She decorated with some of Kirk's baby clothes.  It was fun to see how tiny his clothes were. 

 There was a pinata for the kids! 

Tripp's turn . . . 

 Then Madi's . . .

 And Tucker's turn . . .

 There were other kiddos there but I didn't get any of their pictures.  

The food was amazing and the company was even better!

Clare & Madison

This was just a sweet picture I snapped of Madi and her friend on a playdate to the park last week.

Jump 'n Jungle

 Last week, we met the Foley's at Jump 'n Jungle.

{Madi, Tucker & Allison}

 We've been to birthday parties there but never to their open jump time.

 It's just a huge warehouse with a bunch of bounce houses. 

{Jessica}

 So basically it's a kid's dream place to play! 

They even had a smaller section for the littlest kiddos like Maci.

 Matthew thought Maci was pretty fun to play with too!

 We couldn't keep up with all the kids.  They'd run from one place to another.

 Eventually we'd find them and even go on a few of the slides ourselves.

Some of the slides were steep and the climb up wasn't easy so needless to say we all took a great nap that afternoon!

If you're happy and you know it . . .

 Posing at Chick-fila while we wait for Aunt Shelle and kids for our weekly lunch date.

 

 Then off to Chuck E. Cheese.

If you're happy and you know it . . .

Clap your hands!

 Stomp your feet!

 Shout hooray!

 Maci followed all the kids around and did everything they did.

 She got a little bored at times, but she was a trooper!

 Riding in the monster truck!

 Maci & Madi

Both these girls just love this butterfly ride.

No Training Wheels!

Madi asked if her training wheels could be taken off one afternoon last week. 

 So when Daddy got home he took them off and the real training began!

We've only practiced that one night so we have a little way to go, but she did really well for her first time riding without training wheels.

Soon-to-be Kindergartener!

 Madi is getting excited to start Kindergarten (a year early) at our church this fall in preparation for REAL Kinder next year.

 I wrote our "Kindergarten" while Madi and I were playing with sidewalk chalk.

And of course, I had to take a picture of it like I saw on Pinterest. A good way to document! 

Matt and I still can't believe that our little four year is getting ready for school!

Swingin'

Pretty much every morning (that we let her) you can find Madison just like this . . .

Just a swingin'!

Little Fish

 I realized that I haven't taken many pictures of the pool this year.  And I really need to document what a great little fish Madi has become.

 She can jump off the diving board and swim to the shallow end all by herself. 

 I told Matt the other day that I can't believe we already have a kid old enough to play in the deep end by herself.

 It's quite a site to find Madi and a bunch of pre-teens all in the deep end playing.

 She seems right at home like she fits in perfectly!

Tucker has become quite the little fish as well in just the past few weeks.  Now we have two swimmers to watch out for!