Shane and Dan finished loved their sports class! Shane's favorite sport was hockey! He loved it so much that he asked to get Dan a hockey jersey for Christmas. Here are the boys at class.
Thanksgiving was wonderful this year! We have so much to be thankful for - especially these beautiful kids!
Thanksgiving is the holiday I usually forget my camera for - not this year! We did not take a ton of pictures, but here are a few. We started out the day at John & Geri's house!
We ended the day at my parents!
Thanksgiving weekend was a special Shane day! Dan and I took him to the circus and Dan's parents watched Madison. Shane loved the circus! I on the other hand have some issues with the way the animals are treated. Plus all of the pageantry was boring for me, but not Shane! The Greatest Show on Earth allows kids to enter the arena an hour before show time to interact with the circus stars & get their programs autographed. That was probably the highlight of Shane's day! He loved the clowns and the animals he got to see up close. Here are a few pictures.
Here are some pictures from our seats!
The last week in November brought a trip to the Shedd Aquarium with our neighbor Kim, and her daughters Isabelle & Madelyn. She had free passes which was so nice! It was one of those insane days where the wind was whipping the waves up over the streets near the Shedd. We had a wonderful time though - once we got inside! Isabelle is a few months younger than Shane and Madison and Madelyn are only a few weeks apart!Here are pictures from the day!
Here is Maddie's 3 month picture in her Notre Dame Jersey!
In December, Jorie's friend Super Stolie played at the Plainfield library and it was so much fun! Shane loves her and he had a blast! His good friends Ryan & Alex were there as well! So was our neighbor and their son Ryan. Maddie enjoyed the people watching and the music as well! Aunt Jorie has offered to book Super Stolie for Shane's 3rd birthday party and we can't wait! Her hits include, "two minutes" (the tooth brushing song) and "Kitties & Dogs" I never would have guessed that I would spend my days listening to kids music and watching Elmo, but I love every minute of it! Here are the pictures from the show!
Here is Shane in the Super Stolie shirt Aunt Jorie gave him! He is dancing to his favorite Super Stolie song, Two Minutes! Jorie's birthday present for Shane might be to have Super Stolie play at Shane's party! We love Aunt Jo Jo!!!!
This year Shane really enjoyed going to see Santa and we saw him twice! We took formal pictures at Walmart and then saw him again at our park district party. When we arrived at Walmart, Shane said, "See Santa, see Hanukkah." No matter how many times I tried to explain that there was no Hanukkah to see, Shane kept asking! When Shane saw Santa at Walmart, he asked him where Papa Carolyn was. Santa looked at me quizzically and I quickly explained that both of Shane's grandmas and grandpas are called Papa because he could not say grandma and neither wanted to be called "Nana" so Shane started calling them all "Papa." Now that he can say Grandma - he still thinks of them all as "papa". Then I told him that Papa Carolyn bears a striking resemblance to Mrs. Claus! Santa quickly explained to Shane that Papa Carolyn was watching the reindeer! When Santa asked Shane what he wanted for Christmas, Shane said, "gold coins that are chocolate inside!" A line from his favorite Hanukkah book and his favorite Hanukkah treat! I love my interfaith boy! Here are the Walmart photos!
Madison and I headed out to my cousin Melissa's house so we could get the babies together for a picture! It was sooo cute! There is a great picture of Melissa and I as babies where she is pulling on my ear. Maddie apparently wanted to get even as every time I tried to take a picture of both girls, Madison stuck her hand in Shauna's face! It is so funny how life works out! Maddie is 6 weeks younger than Shauna (though you would not know it by these pictures) and I am 6 weeks older than Melissa.
.This year Dan took a day off in early December so we could hit Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier on a week day when it would not be too crowded. Last year we went Dec. 23rd and it was a madhouse! Shane had so much fun bouncing in the inflatables, riding the train & the carousel, decorating cookies, and going down the giant slides with Dan! Madison loved the lights and all of the people! She was awake the entire time we were there and we just carried her around in our arms! It was a blast! Here are a few of the pictures!
The day we went to Winter Wonderfest was the last night of Dan & Shane's sports class so we rushed home so they could attend! We were so glad they made it because Shane got his first participation medal and he was SOOO proud of himself!
We continued our holiday tradition of baking Christmas cookies with Papa Carolyn! Shane loves to help! In fact, he saw me looking through these pictures to place them on the blog and he just said, "Go back Papa Carolyn's house and make cookies some time soon?" It was so sweet! shane loved decorating the cookies and went a little sprinkle crazy on some! His favorite were by far the chocolate kiss cookies because he was able to eat a lot of the kisses!
The Plainfield Park District does a great holiday party every year! Shane had a blast because his friends Ryan and Alex were both there! He met Santa again, hugged a moose, made some crafts (including a packet of reindeer food we left out for Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve), ate a million holiday Oreo cookies, and played lots of games! Maddie took it all in and loved people watching! She also has those social Greenfield genes as she is always happiest in a crowd!
We had our annual Hanukkah party on the same day as my cookie exchange again! I must be crazy! It was so nice to have everyone together! For the first time, Dan's parents also came and it was so nice to have them there! We also had my parents, Jorie & Jason, Aunt Joan & 'Uncle' Cy, & Brad, Andrea, & Eric with us! It was terrific! Shane loved potato pancakes with applesauce, because that is how they eat them in his favorite Hanukkah book! The kids were spoiled rotten! Shane got an IXL learning system from Jorie and Jason that he LOVES, a computer , letter writing system, blocks from my parents that he plays with ALL of the time, a favoite Animal Train from Brad & Andrea, a Recordable story book (Frosty) that Dan's mom reads & Shane plays multiple times/day from dan's parents & an awesome magnetic sports figure from Joan & Cy! Maddie got a lot of clothing from my parents & Joan & Cy (she took 4 month pictures in an outfit Aunt Joan & Uncle Cy gave her), a recorded story book from Dan's parents, a giant teddy Bear from Brad & Andrea & clothes and a projector from Jason & Jorie! Lucky kids!!!! Shane loved playing dreidel and eating lots of chocolate coins (Hanukkah gelt)!
Hanukkah fell late this year (the 1st night was the 20th) so we had our family party before Hanukkah began. Shane was so excited for Hanukkah & Christmas this year! (We have been reading Hanukkah & Christmas books since Shane pulled them off his shelf in September! Is it terrible that as soon as Jan. 1st hit, I hid them? I can recite those stories in my sleep!) He could not wait to light his train menorah and "say blessings". I made the mistake of calling them prayers a few times, but he always corrected me - his books call them blessings! He loved choosing the candles to place in the menorah and was so sad when we had to put it away until next year! His favorite part quickly became the presents! Shane was also insistent that Madison also get a present each night! For Shane's first Hanukkah, I think we gave him one present in total (he was 9 months old and did not know the difference!). We did the same for his first Christmas. Shane now understands the holiday and wanted to make sure we were fair to Maddie so she had to get something each night! One night we had gone out to my friend Jami's in Round Lake and got home late (7 PM) and ate dinner and then had an unexpected visit from out neighbors. Well, needless to say, it was 8:30 when we lit the menorah. I did not have anything wrapped for Maddie so I tried to get away with just giving Shane one of his presents. he was not having it! I had to quickly wrap up a gift for Madison! Shane got one big Hanukkah present - his "Let's Rock Elmo" on the first night and smaller presents each other night. Madison got a lot of small presents (bath toys, clothes, rattles, teethers, etc). Here are some pictures from Hanukkah! Hanukkah was going on during Christmas as well, but I am going to put all of the Hanukkah pictures here, rather than staying in chronological order.
This year Shane and I made hanukkah cookie cutouts in the shape of dreidels and Jewish stars (no pictures - you will have to trust me when I say they were really cute) and a gingerbread house! Shane loved making both and I actually remembered to take a picture of the gingerbread house as it was under construction on Christmas Eve! However, there is no picture of it once it was completed! Oops!
Here is a picture of Dan and Madison on Christmas Eve!
Before bed on Christmas Eve we left cookies & milk out for Santa & Dan and Shane went outside to feed the reindeer! Shane made some yummy oatmeal reindeer food mixed with some glitter so the reindeer could easily spot our house! I could have swore they took pictures, but I can't find them! After Shane and Madison went to sleep, Dan and I thought we heard something and sure enough, Santa had been at our house! This is what it looked like after he left!
And if you were wondering, Santa did eat the cookies and drink the milk! He also left Shane and Madison a note! Apparently Santa had also visited both kids in their bedrooms and left them a little stuffed animal from him! On Christmas morning Shane was up before Maddie so we kept him upstairs as long as we could and then we finally woke Maddie! When we went downstairs, we were sure Shane was going to go nuts when he saw all of the presents, but he was more focused on the fact that Santa left a note and ate the cookies! Once we showed him the loot Santa left behind, plus the few gifts that we got the kids for Christmas, Shane ran right to the tool bench Santa brought him (already assembled - Daddy couldn't have done it any better!) and played with it for a good 5-10 minutes before we pointed out all of the other presents there! Then he went crazy! Shane opened everyones presents - his, Madison's, mine, & Dan's - it was so cute! Here are Christmas morning pictures. Excuse the unshowered & exhausted look on me - it was a late night!
Santa brought Shane a tool bench, extra tools, a space set, an Elmo shirt, bath crayons, a paint set & toys, (and way more that I can't remember!) Mommy and Daddy gave him a giant cardboard space shuttle he can color and climb inside! Santa brought Madison a Laugh & Learn Puppy, clothes, bath toys, and teethers. Mommy & Daddy got her some clothes! After ALL of the presents were opened, it was time to find the stockings! Yes, Santa stuffed those as well!
After all of the wrapping paper was cleaned up & the toys were opened, it was time to decorate the cake to bring to John & Geri's. We decided on making a snowman this year! He was german chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting & he was delicious!
We had Christmas day at John & Geri's this year. Shane and Madison were spoiled ROTTEN! Shane loves the Little People airport from Aunt Geri & Uncle John! He plays with it every day! He also has worn the rocket, glow in the dark, pjs many times already! He requests them so as soon as they are washed, he wears them again! Colleen, Bill, Liam & Julia gave him some movies that he watches as often as I will let him & some great puzzles! Papa Carolyn & Papa Bob gave Shane the guitar and keyboard for his "Let's Rock" Elmo plus a large Elmo puzzle! Jack gave Shane a game that he is learning to play & Dan's Aunt Gerry & Uncle Jerry also had an awesome shake & go car for Shane! Aunt Margaret, John & Cathy had a great uno game for Shane! Madison got lots of clothes and toys! She has a first purse, a doll, a musical book, a singing duck from Aunt Margaret & a gloworm from Aunt Gerry & Uncle Jerry! It was a great day and we loved s;ending time with our niece & nephews & great nephew & niece! Shane could play with his cousins all day long! Liam is such a great buddy for him and Jack, Joe, & Danny are amazing to him! Maddie loved seeing her cpusin Julia and being held by 2 of her G-dparents - jack & Colleen & by anyone else who would cuddle her! Shane was thrilled to get the chance to play with his favorite cousins Liam & Julia. Julia was really interested in Maddie - good thing since she will be a big sister soon! Here are some pictures from the day!
We had to get to Kristine's house to exchange Christmas presents with Connor and we did that on the last night of Hanukkah - 12/27 - hence the Hanukkah shirts on our kids! shane loved playing with all of Connor's toys and has been begging to go back to his house ever since! Connor did a really great job of sharing and was a great role model for Shane!
A few days after Christmas, we made Shane's day by taking him to see Sesame Street Live - Elmo Makes Music at the Rialto Square Theater in Joliet. Kristin & Connor & Cathy, Dan & Alex also went! Madison stayed home with my parents. The boys all had a blast! Unfortunately Shane's seat was right behind a tall gentleman and he refused to switch seats or sit on my lap. That drove me nuts for the first half, but after the purchase of one ridiculously priced Elmo balloon at intermission, Shane agreed to sit on my lap for the second half of the show!
We took Maddie's 4 month pictures in her ND jersey. Dan was home so I was able to get a smile! The flash on the camera bothers Maddie and she smiles away until it flashes... getting a smile on my own can be challenging! Look how big our baby is getting!!! At her 4 month check up she was 17 pounds and 5 ounces!!!!
New Years Eve was very fun this year! Cathy, Dan & Alex came over! Cathy outdid herself and brought all of the entertainment - hats, horns, silly string, ingredients to make Bananas Foster for dessert, and stomp rockets for the boys!!! The stomp rockets are the most played with item in our house now - it is crazy how much fun the boys had with them! We can't wait until spring when we can launch them outside! The launcher can be manipulated so the rockets do not need to launch straight up - this is a great thing when you are launching in the house as the ceilings get in the way! The two Dans and the boys were launching them from our kitchen to the front door and they would have gone past the door if they could! So much fun!!!! The dessert was flaming and yummy! We are so lucky to have such great friends! Here are some pictures from the evening
Shane & Madison wish you a Happy New Year!
We broke out some of Shane's old toys and Maddie is loving the activity center and the Bear! Shane spent hours and hours playing with both!
Dan and I actually had a date night over his break! Joey came over and babysat both kids while Dan and I went out to dinner and to a movie (We Bought a Zoo- great movie!)! We are so lucky to have nephews that we trust with our kids and that are willing to come and babysit! Shane loves Joey and he is amazing with both kids! We left Joey the camera and he took these pictures!
We also used the break as a chance to get together with our parents! My parents had us over for dinner and Dan's parents came here for lunch! Shane and Madison are beyond blessed to have 4 grandparents who adore them as much as their grandparents do!
So what else did we do? We fell even more madly in love with our Madison! Here she is melting our hearts during tummy time!
We purchased a Groupon for a trampoline place in Naperville and we all had so much fun! We all jumped - well not Maddie - one of us stayed with her at all times, but Shane was the best jumper of all! They also had a foam pit that SHane loved jumping in! Here are a few pictures!
Shane has also become Dan's right hand man! He is such a Daddy's boy! He thinks Dan can fix anything and he loves to help him! Here they are "fixing" Shane's Let's Rock Elmo - really they are just changing the batteries! Shane loves to use tools!
Shane also helped Dan change the oil in our car the other day! He was so proud of himself for helping his daddy!
Here is an adorable picture of our Maddie in her White Sox dress! We have a Cubs one too, I just haven't put her in them yet. The Cubs and White Sox outfits are special because they were originally purchased for our Madeleine. I was really superstitious and didn't want to buy anything, but when we found our we were having a girl, Dan and I went to look at Babies R Us. Those were the first and only outfits we ever bought for Madeleine since we lost her a month later. I could never make myself get rid of those outfits and was so excited to put Madison in one!
OK, well it is super cold again now, but last week we had a day that was close to 60 degrees - that is unheard of in mid-January! Shane got to play outside in his jean jacket and Maddie slept in her car seat as we played. The next day (1/12) was our first real snow of the season! I wanted to take a picture as I shoveled and Shane wore his snow boots and snow suit, etc to show the craziness of the weather, but Dan had the camera at school that day! I did have the camera to take these pictures of Shane and Maddie on the nice day! I could so get used to it never getting colder than 50 degrees!
OK, so our other big news is that Maddie started baby cereal - Oatmeal! She actually liked it much more than Shane did the first time we tried it with him! Here she is pre-cereal! Shane was so excited to help feed her!
We fed her using Dan's baby spoon in the beginning - just like we did Shane, but then we switched to a rubber tipped spoon. Here are some feeding pictures!
And I love this one!
It reminds me a ton of this one of Shane the first time he ate cereal! You can see how much messier Shane was, though we did need to change Maddie's bib half way through the feeding! They really look like siblings when I look at these pictures!
OK, here is Madison after her feeding! She liked it!
I am going to leave you with some pictures of Shane and Madison from Maddie's 4 month photo shoot! When Shane saw Madison in her green dress (Thank you Aunt Gerry & Uncle Jerry) he said she was his princess!!! The beautiful black and whit outfit came from Aunt Joan & Uncle Cy!
OK, final thoughts... Maddie and Shane want to wish their cousins Jack & Sarah and their "Aunt" Debbie a happy birthday this month! They will also be thinking of their sister Madeleine who was born too soon Jan. 23rd, 2008... 4 years ago!
