A Few of My Favorite Things

My favorite things have a tendency to change depending on what is going on in my life at the time so I thought I would take a minute and write a few of my current favorite things... not in any specific order....

1. The way Jimmy smells
2. Madeline's laugh
3. The way Lucas gives me a giant smile at three in the morning, every morning
4. The way Madeline walks around with a disposable camera telling everyone to say cheese and then when she "takes a picture" she says, "oh that's a good one."
5. The way Madeline talks to Boo and Ashes like they are her "real" brother and sister. "Hey guys want to play a game?" "Boo and Ashes want to come and eat?" "Boo and Ashes should we go for a ride?"
6. The sound of the puppies going nuts and Madeline squealing because it means that Jimmy just walked through the door.
7. The way Madeline grabs my arms and wraps them around her when she is trying to go to sleep.
8. My husband takes his shoes and socks off, whenever possible
9. Lucas blowing spit bubbles
10. The way Lucas' eyes light up when he smiles
11. Madeline saying, "tada!" or "I did it!!"
12. Papa Johns Pizza
13. The smell of baking bread
14. Warm bankets
15. Lazy Sundays
16. The sound of Skype ringing
17. Letters from Jimmy
18. Clean carpets
19. Surprises
20. Madeline's big squeezes and slobbery kisses
21. The way it feels to be hugged by Jimmy
22. Cooking
23. The way Madeline sputters and makes a disgusted face when she tastes something that she doesn't like.
24. The way Madeline says "I excited!"
25. When Madeline is refering to herself she will say "mama" So if she wants me to rub her back she will say, "Mommy, rub mama back." or if she wants her cookie she will say. "Want mama cookie." I love it.
26. Lucas learning how to laugh, it's the happiest sound in the world.
27. Madeline galloping around on the horse we made together
28. Lucas squealing and kicking and waving his arms.

Favorite Madeline Sayings

Mickey Cheese (chuck e. cheese)
tath bub (bath tub)
I want to hold you (I want you to hold me)
Boo bit you (boo bit me)
yeah, okay
I crazy
change my diaper
ride on the bus (she means the trolley)
I go sleep
Noisy peacocks (at the zoo the peacocks are always really loud)
I lub her (talking about Ashes)

Madeline woke me up at 2:30 a.m. to tell me that she likes strawberries and grapes.

Today I heard her say to Boo, "Want a treat buddy?"

She freaked out because there was a hole in the toe of her pj's. She now refuses to wear them.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

We miss Jimmy for so many reasons....

One of those reasons just happens to be his incredible chocolate chip cookies. We....or I have been going through withdrawls. I attempted to make some and they weren't even close to the goodness of the ones he makes. He is the official chocolate chip cookie baker in this house.

Madeline didn't seem to mind the ones I made. I guess they will do until daddy gets home anyway.

mmmmmmmm!!!!!

Body Art

Madeline loves to paint. I got out a big piece of

brown butcher paper and let her go at it.

She ended up painting herself. At least she had fun and

it's washable.

It's fun to be two!

Madeline really knows how to have a good time.

It is a rare moment that she is sitting still and quiet.

Most of the time you will find her jumping, climbing, running,

screaming, squealing, and laughing.

On this particular afternoon, she was chasing the puppies around

the kitchen with her "vacuum." Poor puppies,

they are good sports...most of the time.

And she was unraveling toilet paper...

She found a roll and ran throughout the house letting

it unravel behind her. She was having so much fun and then used

the roll as binoculars....

Oh to be two again.

Ko'Olina Beach Fun

We hadn't been to the beach in WAY too long.

I was a little nervous about packing two kids,

one being an infant and spending the day on the beach.

Was it going to be too hot? How will I keep Lucas

in the shade while trying to chase after Madeline?

blah, blah, blah, blah....

We finally went on Tuesday and it was
FANTASTIC!

We headed out to Ko'Olina.

Found a great shade tree right by the sand

and had a great morning.
We went early enough that it was still

cool. It was pretty much a great day at the beach.

Could have been perfect if Jimmy was there but

until then, we'll just call it great.

Madeline was so thrilled to be there.
She is a beach bum all the way.

There are lots of pictures...mostly for Daddy.

Remnants of her pb&j sandwich on her cheeks.

These next pictures were funny. She touched

the water and turned into an instant spaz.

She kept kicking and waving and dancing and running.

It was really funny to watch.

Laying down to catch the waves coming in.

Lucas just hung out and enjoyed the day

at the beach. He loved laying on a blanket

in the cool breeze. Lucky kid.

Climbing trees.

Hawaii is just awesome. I really feel thankful that we can live in

such a beautiful place with so many fun things to do. We are

spoiled and we are trying to take full advantage of it while we can!

Fruit Loop Necklaces

We made fruit loop necklaces in nursery

the other day and Madeline loved it.

We bought some supplies and

decided to make them again, only this time

we bought some twizzlers to use as the rope.

She loved that she could eat her necklace all gone.