A partial snow day!

Today we had a partial snow-day, unheard of in these parts! Kelly kids (and teachers) were sent home early due to a TON of snow up North - they were afraid we'd get stuck if we didn't leave early, and that's just no way to start the Thanksgiving break! Things weren't quite as nasty in town, but there's still quite a bit of snow.

After a little snow play this afternoon, we came in and had hot chocolate - Madelyn was besides herself, what a TREAT!;) The hermit crabs are home for the vacation and Madelyn's happy to have them visit again. They're not going to know what hit them- only 2 hours in our house and she's redone their tank, taken them out for play time, and asked to feed them about every little crumb she comes across!

What a performer!

Madelyn had an evening full of performing last night... she gave a piano concert, a puppet show, and then gave each stuffed animal a personal concert and lessons in clapping. Busy, but self entertained!

My favorite part in this clip is Madelyn personalizing each song for her animals - the doggy got "Bingo," Madelyn told Bunny that she new a song about getting carrots at the store, and Moose got a Papa moose song and clapping lessons with hooves. They were a great audience!

Back up and at 'em.

Have been out for the last week or so with a nasty cold... 17 conferences and a few nights of little sleep knocked me out and down I went. Mike and Madelyn were busy being super-heros to the sick these past few days...chicken soup, putting mama to bed early, lots of nap time...! Sorry no blog posts grandparents...

During that time, Laura and baby Catherine visited!! I was sorry I couldn't love them up properly, but it certainly didn't stop Madelyn - Woolfy, I hope you two made it home germ-free!! What a treat to get to visit, even in a sickened state. Madelyn could not get enough of Cate, she had been talking about exactly which blanket she would offer to Cate, what toys we might want to put out for their visit, etc. Not many pictures of the last week, but here are a few of Madelyn doing her best to manhandle Catherine into the bumbo!

Madelyn is "Star of the Week" at school this week. She gets to tell every on about her family and pets, likes, etc. Here she is posing with her pets, for the picture wall.


This morning Madelyn came waddling into our bedroom at 3:30 in the morning, peeping. I asked her what she was saying and she squeaked, "I'm a baby dinosaur!" and crawled into bed with us for the rest of the night. The 3:30am visits are tough, and we've never been great co-sleepers, but one of those moments I wouldn't trade for the world:)

Domino Fun

Madelyn pulled out her dominos tonight and had fun playing with Michael! I took a big long video of it for you grandparents... the word "fragile" is obviously something Madelyn hears frequently, as in, "please don't bang on that, it's fragile...." Those little sponges!

Goo-goo goggles!

I just took the quietest bath I've ever experienced with Madelyn! Because... she had on her goggles and was under the water for the majority of the time! We were at the pool a few days ago and a generous little girl let Madelyn try on her goggles - she was HOOKED! Michael brought home a pair as a surprise tonight, and right into the tub we went.

Here are a few family portraits of the last few days...