Yesterday was "Thinking Day" for Margaret's Brownie Troop. The girls "travel" to lots of countries eating foods and playing games from different cultures. It is a lot of fun and Abby got right into the action with the big girls. I put her in Margaret's old Daisy uniform and she fit right in. Margaret didn't spend any time eating the various foods, and I couldn't get Abby away from the treats! Abby's favorite country was Belgium (her first experience with chocolate fondue!) and Margaret liked Greece ( for the "Pandora's Box" memory game and Olympic ring toss activities).

A Valentine's Weekend Haircut

With the big kids gone skiing in NY and Patrick home for President's Day, I snuck out BY MYSELF to get a haircut...haven't done that in SO long! Of course, it looked better when the stylist did it yesterday... I need serious lessons on how to style my hair... but here are some pics of the new doo and color too! It's a bit embarrassing to say, but I've been having trouble (since I had Abby) with regulating my hormone levels and my hair has actually been falling out. My hair stylist recommended a vitamin that will help with brittle nails and dry skin and should help keep my hair healthy too. It was nice to get pampered! (BTW- While I was at the hair dresser, Patrick took Abby to Petsmart and they had fun looking at the Guinnea Pigs and other pets. Then she and I took a nice bubble bath and relaxed the rest of the day. She was asleep by 7:30 and I wasn't too far behind her!)

President's Weekend

Grandpa Mac ("Dadu") came down on Friday and spent the night. We ended up having to drag the trampoline back to the top of our hill because it blew away Thursday night during a really strong wind storm. He helped us re-stake it and re-bend the poles and it is back up and running... then we had dinner, played with the kids and hit the sack. On Saturday, he drove the big kids to NY and they are staying a few days with Aunt Holly to go skiing with cousins Timmy and Elyse.

On Saturday afternoon, Patrick and I took Abby to a Children's Museum nearby. She had a blast playing "doctor" and taking care of the babies in the hospital and driving an ambulance. We had a nice Valentine's meal at a Mexican resturant on the way home. Abby loved Patrick's chips and cheese dip and he showed his love by letting her dip her fingers into it repeatedly.

Earlier in the week we took the kids to an evening puppet show at the library. It was a bit scary for Abby and I had to take her out, but I captured this picture of the girls in their pj's before the show started. I love how she has her hand on her sissy's knee. ..days later and she is still commenting "puppet show- too loud."

Tap class

Margaret started her tap class this week. She really enjoyed it and looked adorable. the hard part was keeping Abby from going into the room. She kept yelling out "my turn, my turn." I felt so bad! It's possible that she is starting a tumbling class next week through Parks and Rec. I am waiting to hear back from them to see if enough kids enrolled. It would be something her nanny would take her to, because it is during the day. Miss Elena has been taking her to story time over the winter and she loves it.

Family Gym Night

Last Friday was Family Gym Night at our school. One of the highlights is running through the halls. The kids go CRAZY running as fast as they can in large packs. Abby got right into the spirit of things, declaring "whoa- I'm fast!" She also enjoyed playing her first game of basketball and tumbling on the mats. She didn't understand the concept of waiting in line- that's one we'll have to work on. But everything she saw the big kids do, she copied... she even tried the climbing wall out! The big kids favorite thing to do is hockey- which they did nearly the whole night.

Margaret's birthday celebrations...

Margaret's ninth birthday was a snow day. We made a homemade pizza and each kid helped "decorate" it. Patrick did the sauce, peppers and cheese, Margaret did the pepperoni and extra cheese and Abby helped along the way. It was actually a very good pizza!

We also made cupcakes in ice cream cones. It was the first time I tried it and it worked out well. Margaret's best friend came over for a few hours in the afternoon. She is also adopted and was adopted as an older child after being in foster care. The girls took out every toy, article of clothing, craft supply, make up accessory that Margaret has ever been given. It was a whirlwind of a day and I was pooped by the end of it!

One of the things Margaret got for her birthday was a student size desk. Abby has inhertited her little white table and now Margaret has her own place for doing her homework and projects. Abby can't grab all of things any more which will be nice for Margaret. She also got some Barbie clothes, stamp sets, bubble bath and I signed her up for tap dance which she is very excited about.

Art extravaganza and girl's day at Bubbys

Margaret turned nine on Thursday... hard to believe! When we got her, she was 4 1/2, so in my mind, she is still my preschooler...

One way we celebrated was to go to an Art Extravaganza for kids that features a bunch of craft stations like painting, mask making, etc. The girls had a great time. Even though Abby was the youngest one there, she took it very seriously and followed Margaret to each table.

Then we went to Bubby's for a horse-themed birthday lunch of cold cuts and chicken noodle soup. Margaret got a doctor's kit for her American doll complete with a doll sized cast and crutches- she was thrilled.