A month of firsts

Maddy had a very eventful month. She started attending Rainbows at church- this is the preschool class for 3 & 4 years on Wednesday nights which is the prep for
M-Pact (a girl scout like group where the kids ages 5-12 earn badges). Although she won't be 3 until next month, they allowed her to start as they began the new session after the holidays. She is so excited each Wednesday to go!

Maddy also started in preschool/day care last week. It's at a small church not too far from us & they have a wonderful program. She has really liked going and is so proud to come home each day with what she did & tell us what she learned.

Lastly, Maddy started a Chinese dance class for 2-4 year olds. She likes going but once she is there isn't all that interested in actually listening to the teacher. They have a recital in the spring but the jury will be out for a while as to whether or not she will be in the performance. It's fun because many of the kids in the class are our Red Thread friends, but it's a new teacher this year who doesn't seem to have worked with this age group much.

First Day of Pre-school:

A Rainbow at last!
Dance Class :

Call to prayer for our friends who have kids in Haiti they are adopting

We have friends that are in the process of adopting from Haiti. Their kid's orphanage has sent word that things have deteriored rapidly (no clean water, food supplies being stolen, etc.) Please visit here for more info: http://thesheltonfamily.blogspot.com/2010/01/desperate-plea-from-our-orphanage-in.html

Thankful Thursday- 2009 in Pictures

January:

February:

March:

April:

May:

June:

July:

August:

September:

October:

November:

December:

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

Yes, Maddy was responsible

Christmas 2009

Matt's side of the family welcomed a new addition on the night before Christmas Eve so much of the time for his family celebration was spent sending shifts to the hospital to see our new nephew. Unfortunately I forgot my camera when I went so sadly, I have no pictures to upload of the almost 10 pound cutie.

The snowstorm we had for Christmas this year made things very memorable. We postponed our Christmas Day plans w/my family due to weather but I have to say it was a rather enjoyable day. We had a leisurely family breakfast after opening gifts and then went outside for sledding, snowman building & a snow fort 'competition' between Matt & I (with Maddy's help of course).

We tried to do fairly minimal gifts & placed a greater focus on the meaning of Christmas. One thing that we did in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day was an advent calendar. In addition to the nightly door opening, we chose one character from the Christmas Nativity & told Maddy the story about who they were & what part they played. She really looked forward to both the treasure she found in the door (candy, stickers or money) and the evening story time. I would be remiss if I didn't say that Mom & Dad enjoyed it too :).

Loot from her stocking

Coloring w/Mom in her new Kai Lan book

' That is the biggest candy stick I have ever seen in my life' says Dad

Dad made an igloo for his fort (show off : )

Helping Mom w/the the 'Princess Castle' Fort

Photo opp w/Grandma & Cousin River

Cookies!

Maddy & I made gingerbread cookies again this year. I cheated this year & bought a kit that came with everything you needed (except water, honey & butter). We made gingerbread men last year but it was a lot of work so I was grateful to find a cheater kit.

We've been reading the Gingerbread Man story a lot lately & it's amazing to see what details she notices in the book now that she didn't before. I thought it would be fun to see this years & last year's photos of her making the cookies:






And last year:

34 months old today

Well, we only have 2 more months of a 2 year old on our hands. Maddy is officially 34 months (going on 17 some days :).

Here she is ready to put the star on the top of the Christmas tree. She even said: 'Mommy, take my picture.'