Saturday, January 8, 2011

First Milestone of the New Year!

Last week, on January 1, we made the decision to get rid of Maddie's crib.  For one thing, the poor crib had been through at least 4 children, and was showing the wear and tear, in the form of a critical screw that kept falling out. (This being the screw that allowed the drop side to move up and down, or stay in place.  Like I said, critical!)

So, we took the offending furniture out, loaded it into the truck, and carted it off to the dump.  Then, Don came home and took Katie's bed apart, and installed it in Madison's room.  While he was occupied elsewhere, I rearranged the furniture.  That room now houses a twin bed, a twin bed that pulls out to a king size, a dresser/changing table, stand alone wardrobe, bookcase, and chair.  Miraculously, it all fits in with room to spare, and there are no bits of furniture near the railing, which is VERY important!

That left Katie without a bed, which she was strangely ok with.  She talked briefly about sharing a room with Maddie, and was quite upbeat about having given up her bed.  Then, we mentioned that we bought her a set of bunk beds, which quite changed her tune!  Don assembled them in the bedroom, not without some difficulty!  That room is home to all 3 girls, and so now includes 2 sets of bunk beds, 3 dressers, 3 hampers, and LOTS of little girl clothes, shoes, toys, etc.  But, Don made it work, because that's the kind of guy he is!

I resisted writing a post about this until now, because I didn't want to push our luck.  Jinx the whole idea of Madison in a "big girl" bed, if you will.  On the first night, I sat in her room with her, but out of sight.  She was asleep within 15 minutes, and didn't get out of bed once!  Yay!!  Then, 2 am rolled around.  I could hear her, pulling on the baby gate that blocks off her room.  GROAN!  I went in and laid down with her, and was asleep again before she was.  But, she didn't get out of bed again, and did fall asleep.  We've had no problems with her at all since, and even nap times go smoothly.  Hooray, I guess she was ready!

And now, here are the pictures of the new arrangements:

Maddie, in her new bed, on the first night.


Maddie, after I rearranged her a little bit.  She began to stir, so I beat a hasty retreat!






Katie, in her new top bunk.



The empty bunk, which Maddie will move into eventually.



 
Abby in the top bunk, Emma in the bottom.







So you can see, we have a ridiculous amount of beds and beddings in our house!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year!

Wow, I've been away for a long time!  I've had the best intentions....every week, the item "write new blog" appears on my "to do" list, but this holiday season appears to have really knocked my best intentions all out of whack!

We've had a busy last couple of weeks.  Some of the our family activities, in no particular order, include kindergarten class parties (4 of them in one week, not counting the winter carnival!), performing for the MOPS group, attending the church Advent Night, a cookie baking/swapping party with friends, the twins' birthday party, bringing home the class "pet" (each twin), visiting Santa, traveling to see family, 2 ravioli days, and Christmas, with all that entails.  Whew!  Here is a kind of a photo journal synposis of the last month:



Abby and Fleegle, the class "pet", enjoying hot chocolate. (Each kid in class brings the stuffed animal home for a weekend, then writes a journal page about what they did.)



Emma and Fleegle, the very next week, at the school Winterfest carnival.


Katie, performing at the MOPS Christmas party.



Abby and Emma, with turning six!



Our Santa picture, after a long wait in line.  Maddie hadn't had a nap either...no wonder she's not happy!



All four kindergarten classes, performing at the school Christmas concert.  Fortunately, it was just kindergarten, or we might still be there.



Katie and Abby, decorating gingerbread cookies for the first time.  Lots of fun, and less mess than I thought it would be.




Sprinkling "reindeer food" on the front lawn, Christmas Eve night.


Brianna and Brittany, hanging their stockings "by the chimney with care."



The quietest moment of our entire Christmas Day...waiting to go downstairs to see what Santa brought.


Learning to roller skate...thanks Santa!



Maddie, enjoying our movie day.





Various shots of ravioli day, as captured by the girls.  Top to bottom:  Tori and Abby, Tori rolling pasta dough, and Sydney, cutting ravioli.

My hope is that as you look back on 2010, you have many memories to cherish, and that looking forward to 2011, you will make many more.



From our family to yours, a very Happy New Year!