The teacher in me . . .

The teacher in me . . .

Just had to introduce "playing school" to Madison!

And she LOVES it!

We play twice a day for anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour.

I try to change things up each time.

If this interest keeps up, then I'm going to have to find more resources!

But thankfully for now she seems content with what I've planned.

We first made a sheet of paper with each color's name and she picked the crayon and marker that matched the color. She got most right but likes to confuse orange with red sometimes. Since my dad and nephew Tripp are color deficient I'm a little over concerned with her knowing colors. But luckily colors are not that important overall. Matt doesn't think she has a problem since she gets them all right most of the time.

Next school activity was with the letter blocks. She's been able to spell her name and recognize all the letters in her name for quite a while now but I wasn't sure how she'd do with this activity I planned. I first showed her name spelled out correctly then jumbled the letters and asked her to put them in order again. She did great! She picked the "s" before the "i" one time but otherwise was right on!

When I first asked her if she wanted to play school she said "yes, and get my backpack?" So I guess we'll be getting a backpack soon too. The best part of picking up her cousin Tripp from school for her is getting to carry or wear his big kid backpack!

Park Playdate!!!

Nora and Madi being silly up on the playground equipment!

Nora was jumping from dot to dot.

Madi is such the climber and loves the rock wall.

Lydia was so proud to be at the very top of the structure with no plans to come down anytime soon!

Hopefully the sun will come out soon so we can have more outside time!

More Playdates!

We've tried to have a few more playdates than normal with all the rain keeping us from our normal daily outing to the pool.

So we were thrilled when Cheryl and the kids met us at the mall and for lunch yesterday.

Here's Nora, Madison and Lydia being silly for the camera.

It's IMPOSSIBLE to get all 3 to look at the camera at the same time.

Miss Lydia

(Just like Tucker will always look and smile at the camera for me!)
Nora loves to show you how she fell down!

Silly girls!

Our second attempt at a picture of all 3!

Nora and Madi on the hippo's back!

Lydia sitting on the hippo's back!

Driving the ice cream truck!

We used to be spoiled before Madi learned what these rides were in the middle of the mall.

Now she wants to stop and ride them everytime we pass by.

This morning we went and saw Charlotte's Web at the movie theater with Cheryl and the girls and Kennedy and Keegan. I've NEVER see that show before or read the book. I've always heard about it so I just assumed I had seen it as a child but the story was new to me. So we really all enjoyed the movie.

Then we made it to the pool for the first time in a week but only for 1.5 hours before it closed due to the weather.

I guess as long as the rain keeps . . . MORE PLAYDATES here we come!

4th of July!

We went to my parents' house at the lake for the 4th of July.

It was neat that my brother and sister and family also came along without any planning.

It was rainy and a little cold so we all look a little rough but we had a lot of fun!

Here's Madison posing before the fireworks Friday night.

We saw fireworks all three nights. For such a small town, Colorado City puts on a GREAT fireworks show.

Resting outside on the swing Saturday morning. I'm pretty sure she stayed in her pajamas all day Saturday. They were warmer than the clothes I brought for her.
Funny story - We told Madi to go put her shoes up when we came inside Friday night. At home, she goes straight to her closet and puts them away. Guess she wasn't sure where they went at the lake so she found a little cubby for them and there they went ALL weekend. The fridge looks dirty in this picture for some reason but it's not that bad in person.

Every time we visit Grandma and Grandpa's house Madi has to help Grandma fill the bird feeders. Even if they are already full of birdseed.

Scooping the birdseed . . .

Scooping some more . . .

Cheese . . .

Put back in the tree . . .

Now to fill the other bird feeder . . . Not sure what this face is all about!

So proud of herself!

While the guys played golf Saturday morning Grandma, Madi and I went for a ride in the paddleboat. It was a little windy and cold but we managed to have fun!
At first, she's not too sure what to think.

Then once we let her steer she's all better.

Yep, still in our pajamas!

She did NOT want to get out of the boat when we got back to shore.

Lining up all the fireworks Daddy bought.

The girl had NO idea what she was helping with!

My two loves!

He takes fireworks VERY seriously!

Tuck and Uncle Cody

This is the typical lake outfit . . . as comfortable as possible.

Tripp had so much fun playing at the lake. They can just run and run with no worries (well almost no worries)!

Madi was not a fan of the fireworks the first night. She kept saying "I go night-night. I go inside." Anything to not watch the fireworks! She was too funny!

But she was content the next two nights as long as she was in someone's lap.

Tuck and Aunt Shelle

Before church Sunday morning.

Tripp snapped this pic of us before it started raining too much. Pretty good!

Naked Wii tournaments . . . a new family tradition!

Madi and Tucker love the sandbox.

They were both so filty every night. The sand just filled the tub!

Poor Tuck wanted out and nobody would open the door for him! Mean ole Aunt Sherre!

Petting Storme, Matt's favorite cat of my parents. He's about twice the size of each of our dogs. He's HUGE for a cat!

Brushing Chicke. Fur was flying everywhere.

We were sad to leave but had to get back to reality! Can't wait for Labor Day!