Titanoboa!!

Addy was thrilled to see the 48 foot long snake at Morrill Hall this weekend. Cally and I were less excited but Addy's enthusiasm was a little contagious! 

Dance recital picture shoot

We had quite a busy weekend for recitals and recital prep. Here is a quick sneak peek at the girls dance costumes. 

The Mighty Tumblers

Addy and Cally did a fantastic job in their first tumbling recital! 

I wish I had snapped a photo of them before the recital but I didn't realize everyone would be given  a t-shirt. Very cute either way, they both loved the whole experience. Cally was a bit nervous on the ride to the recital but after she said she didn't even notice the audience. We will have a video of the recital so if you come visit us, I am sure the girls will be happy to let you watch it 45 times with them. :)

Cally's take on life...

Cally is always good for a smile if not a belly chuckle. She told me today, "I like being your children, Mom". I quite appreciated the message!

Just yesterday at the zoo, while the girls were playing on a jeep that is displayed for kids to play on, a girl came up and demanded a turn driving. Addy happened to be driving and quickly turned over the steering wheel to the newcomer. All three girls played happily for a few minutes until I herded them onto the next great adventure. As we were leaving Cally shouted back to the girl, "It was nice to meet you!".

Dragon Fever

We have been hit HARD with dragon fever!! David and I are a bit at a loss about how to treat dragon fever. So far, only Addy has been infected but it is a pretty bad infection. 

The infection started innocently enough when one of Addy's classmates was chatting with her during one of the many indoor recesses they had this winter about a free Ipad app called School of Dragons. We now refer to the game as SOD. The infection spread pretty quickly once this game was downloaded to our Ipad. Initially, I was able to slow the sickness by restricting access to the Ipad. 

We had a decent amount of meltdowns and poor attitude so that week long Ipad groundings were merited. However, as cooperation increased so did Ipad access. Soon SOD and dragon fever were taking root more strongly.

Addy's friend who introduced her to SOD taught her secrets to the game. Even David played with Addy a little bit. Then one day the infection became serious.

Addy came home with a book called Dragonolgy last Friday. Her buddy loaned it to her for the weekend and since Addy had only two days to read it, she wasted no time. By Saturday she knew all the names and relevant information about all the dragons detailed in the book.

I became alarmed at the insane amount of information Addy was committing to memory about a completely made up 'creature'. Addy was SHOCKED to hear me wonder aloud if dragons were real. Something had to be done!

Addy's solution was to draft a letter with a 5 step plan to the author of Dragonology. In the 5 step plan she answered dragon-care questions. Addy's plan calls for her dragon to live in the downstairs bathroom. We will have to remodel a tiny bit to fire-proof the room. Addy figured two new metal doors will do the trick. Also, Addy decided what she will do with her dragon when she leaves for college (fair warning, she will release it into the mountains). The highlight of the letter was that Addy asked for a specific-type of dragon egg.

Now if we are going into any store Addy reminds us to keep our eyes open for any dragon eggs to buy. David said he didn't think that Walmart could safely sell dragon eggs because what if they hatched in the store and baby dragons started the store on fire. Addy only laughed at David and informed him that it takes 3 long years for dragons to hatch! 

Dragon fever is firmly entrenched in poor Addy. David and I have found ourselves searching Amazon for dragon eggs. We have a tentative plan to hide a dragon egg in with the Easter egg hunt. It sounds like we have at least three years before the egg should hatch so we will be looking for a cure for dragon fever until then! 

Humphrey the Hamster

Cally and Humphrey! Humphrey is a famous hamster from a series of books for grade school kids. They are really great books and we are enjoying reading all about Humphrey. Sadly, David is 'allergic' to hamsters so the girls will not be able to win Humphrey at school. ;)

Recitals are approaching!!!

Cally's dance recital costume was ready to try on. Of you can't tell she is the cutest little poodle ever! 

 

Model fun!

Addy was in an American Girl Doll fashion show this past Sunday. She was super nervous and regretting agreeing to be in it, but when it was over she begged to do it every year. 

The girls had their hair done by hair stylist students. Addy loved her curls so much she wore them the next day.

Cally loved the gift all children received with their tickets. She spent hours dressing up and playing with the paper dolls and their sticker clothes. Cally will be old enough to walk in the show next year. :)

David's first 10k

David joined me for a St. Patrick's day themed race. It is a fun event and we both had a good time.  

The picture was taken post-race. We were both still smiling and upright. A successful afternoon! 

Spring Fever

The girls have a short two day break for spring. We spent a sunny afternoon at a local arboretum. We hiked the trails and read a couple of chapters of our current read aloud book.

The girls were not impressed with litter we came across. Addy was putting some in Cally's bag so we could throw it away. 

Beautiful blue sky and Cally's smiling face. 

My Cat in the Hat!

Read Across America week ended with dress up as your favorite Dr Suess character day. I used scraps to make the hat and Addy crafted her belly. Both girls loved all the activity and fun of the special week. 

As told by Cally...

Cally is a character, all kids are, but the things that come out of her mouth are pretty entertaining. Today she asked me why I make her and Addy throw up in the potty?! In the potty of all places! She fell out of her chair laughing when I told her that is where everyone throws up. 

After catching her breath and climbing back into her chair she told me that she wishes she had a boyfriend. I asked who her boyfriend would be and she just giggled and told me, 'Girl Scout cookies!'. 

I can't help but think of how boring lunch will be without Cally next year. 

A Pair of Whack-a-doodles!

In celebration of Read Across America week today is Wacky Wednesday for Addy and Cally. 

Addy's wackiness from the back

Addy had planned for me to put the final braid in the back into a bun and then use yarn to spell out 'Wacky Wednesday'. Unfortunately Addy's hair isn't long enough for the bun and my embroidery skills are subpar so she had to go with a more tame version of her plan. 

Three different patterns and mismatched colors are pretty wacky in our house! 

Cally literally could not stop laughing when she saw her wacky hair and clothes!

Cally's wackiness was just as cute from the back as the front. 

Addy and her favorite one

When you teach a child to write....

They will ban their sister from their room... 

Cally's note read, 'No Addy in my room'. Although Cally's 'd's look like 'b's, she got her meaning across. Addy immediately made and posted her own retaliatory sign. These are the years.... ;)

TV Thursday

David was the lucky recepient of a brand new TV. It was his Christmas, birthday, valentines and anniversary gift all rolled into one expensive rectangle. :) He was thrilled and while Addy says the new TV is too fancy (poor girl takes after me and shuns change) she thought the box and packaging were perfect! ;)

We gifted the old TV (it belonged to the old owners of our house) on David's work intranet. Our living room looks so much bigger without that monster taking up a quarter of it. First world problems, right?

A sweet Valentines...

One of the perks of a small school is that there is no issue with bringing a younger sibling to a class party. Truthfully, Cally hasn't missed many of Addy's class parties. Addy does a great job of including Cally too. :)

Here is David during our sweet Valentine's Day meal. We had a wonderful evening out while the girls enjoyed a kids' night out at the zoo.

 

Dress up fun!

Addy and Cally attended a super fun dress up birthday party. The girls all got to choose a fancy dress, accessories and nail polish (other girls chose a little make up too). Their party favors were a 4x6 photo in a card that was used to collect autographs from the other party guests. It was such a simple idea but so well carried out! 

Cally's pose, I love that her bright red dress totally suits her personality. All the girls posed to Katy Perry's song Roar, so that is why they look ready to attack! 

Addy's picture totally reminds me of a little old lady who was transported back into time to her youth. I love both of their pictures! 

Medals

Addy loves her pin collection. She has discovered that it is actually not very comfortable to wear while sleeping. 

Cally wanted me to document her nighttime attire as well. :) Love these two characters... It is nuts how fast they are growing up! 

Before school cuddle time

Addy and Fluffy have quite the morning routine. Cally devotes her attention to Bandit. Poor Jiffy wanders back and forth between the girls sneaking pets. 

Sleepover magic!

Or was it sleepover madness? Addy and Cally had their first non-family sleepover this weekend. I wasn't sure how it would go, but I have to say it went really well! The girls all had a great time and David and I were super impressed wth how fantastic the girls were. 

Cally was a 'little' tired that afternoon. ;)

Blissful Peace

Addy was reading for HAL and Cally was working on her math app. I was basking in the peace. What a wonderful moment. :)

Cally and Mama

Killing time while Addy masters the side stroke. :) Cally keeps insisting that she should NOT be addressed as Bear in any way. David and I are heartbroken but she will be 5 in a few months.

David and his loves

I had to snap a picture of David and the girls in front of one of David's dream cars. Addy displayed the appropriate amount of awe but Cally was more impressed with balloonie. ;)

Another highlight of the car show for David was having the QB who threw the famed pass his past season autograph a picture for 'Addie'and Cally. Exciting times for us Mussertons.