We have a large tree in the middle of our backyard, perfect for hanging a swing from...so that's what we did! Madison loves it...it's the perfect addition to our backyard!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Caterpillars, cocoons, butterflies, oh my!
For Christmas, Madison got a butterfly house kit in which you send away for your "larvae" and have to opportunity to watch a butterfly's life cycle right before your eyes. We decided to wait until it was warmer to send away for ours, because we wanted to be able to release the butterflies in our backyard.
A few weeks ago, we sent away for them. Shortly afterwards, we received a box in the mail labeled "Live insects, open immediately." Ewww! I carefully opened the box only to find 5 little tiny caterpillars in a plastic jar. The jar is to stay sealed and has holes poked at the top for air and food at the bottom for the little creatures. Every morning when we awoke, the kids would run to check on their caterpillars, surprised to find that they nearly doubled in size overnight, every night! It was crazy!
On about the 7th day, just as described in the instructions, they all climbed to the top of the jar and hung from a thin sheet of cotton, upside down. They stayed that way for a day or two, and then suddenly all formed cocoons around themselves one evening while we were gone only a couple hours. All five of them! We were bummed we missed watching them form cocoons in action, but of course this meant now we could await them coming out as butterflies.
Nine days later, they emerged! Of course I missed it all as I was at school while they did it, but nonetheless, the kids got to witness the birth of a butterfly, so I was happy. It really was so cool and the kids were so excited to check on their butterflies. We kept them for about two days and then released them in our backyard. They immediately flew up into the trees and we continued to see them for another 20 minutes or so. I saw one flying in our yard the next day, but then we haven't seen them since. Nathan received this same butterfly kit from aunt Hayley for his 2nd birthday, so we plan on sending away for his soon and watching them all over again!
My only regret is that I didn't take pictures of each step in their lifecycle...it was so neat to watch the progression. Oh well, next time!
Here's one of the five, just as we were releasing them. The red on the paper towel is actually left over color that comes out of the butterfly when they emerge from the cocoon...looks like a bloody mess, I know...but it's not blood.
A few weeks ago, we sent away for them. Shortly afterwards, we received a box in the mail labeled "Live insects, open immediately." Ewww! I carefully opened the box only to find 5 little tiny caterpillars in a plastic jar. The jar is to stay sealed and has holes poked at the top for air and food at the bottom for the little creatures. Every morning when we awoke, the kids would run to check on their caterpillars, surprised to find that they nearly doubled in size overnight, every night! It was crazy!
On about the 7th day, just as described in the instructions, they all climbed to the top of the jar and hung from a thin sheet of cotton, upside down. They stayed that way for a day or two, and then suddenly all formed cocoons around themselves one evening while we were gone only a couple hours. All five of them! We were bummed we missed watching them form cocoons in action, but of course this meant now we could await them coming out as butterflies.
Nine days later, they emerged! Of course I missed it all as I was at school while they did it, but nonetheless, the kids got to witness the birth of a butterfly, so I was happy. It really was so cool and the kids were so excited to check on their butterflies. We kept them for about two days and then released them in our backyard. They immediately flew up into the trees and we continued to see them for another 20 minutes or so. I saw one flying in our yard the next day, but then we haven't seen them since. Nathan received this same butterfly kit from aunt Hayley for his 2nd birthday, so we plan on sending away for his soon and watching them all over again!
My only regret is that I didn't take pictures of each step in their lifecycle...it was so neat to watch the progression. Oh well, next time!
Here's one of the five, just as we were releasing them. The red on the paper towel is actually left over color that comes out of the butterfly when they emerge from the cocoon...looks like a bloody mess, I know...but it's not blood.
Here is a closeup of the butterflies eating nectar off of a rose...how cool is that!??
Tippy Tap Tap
Madison had her dance recital this weekend. The girl just LOVES getting all dressed up, make-up on, for a day just about her! Who wouldn't!? Friday night was the dress rehearsal, which is just as big of a deal as the recital itself. It still requires a trip downtown, hair up, make-up and costumes on, being on stage, etc. Madison was lucky enough to have her best buddy, Kendyl, join us, as well as cousins Sean and Ryan and aunt Julie, AND grandma and grandpa...lucky girl!
Ready to go on stage!
Ready to go on stage!
On stage...she's just to the right of the little gentleman.
Kendyl, Madison and our neighbor Abby, who is also a Straub dancer!
Madison with Sean, Ryan and Julie, soooo excited they came to see her!
Pictures on stage aren't allowed on the actual day of the recital, so here she is afterwards. Not only did Madison get to be on stage for her recital, but she was also brought on stage and her name announced for perfect attendance this year, then she joined the entire student body of Straub Dance Studio, for the finale song and dance. She loved every minute of it!
Nana came to see her on stage
Monday, May 18, 2009
Last soccer game of the season
Madison had her last soccer game of the season today. I had to get some good shots since I'm usually focused on watching her playing instead of taking pictures! Thank goodness it ended up being a beautiful evening! At their end of season party, which included cupcakes, ice cream and trophies, Madison's coach called her "undoubtedly the fastest player on the team." Go Madison! Of course that was the one time I forgot my camera, but thank goodness Nana and Poppy came to see the game and snapped some pictures on their camera....to come later....
Never afraid to get in there
Playing goalie, mommy's least favorite position in the game. (The nets were down because this was a make-up game played after the end of the season)
Kick it, Madison!
Check her out in action!
Never afraid to get in there
Playing goalie, mommy's least favorite position in the game. (The nets were down because this was a make-up game played after the end of the season)
Kick it, Madison!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Pre-K Graduation!
Today was a special day for Madison. She graduated from Pre-K! It may not seem like a big deal to the average Joe, but to Madison's amazing teachers, it the most special day of the year for the kids! We all gathered in a room awaiting the new graduates. When the graduation processional came on, the kids came marching into the room SO proud of themselves.
The teachers made a wonderful speech about the class, the kids sang a few songs for us, including a song that they both sang and signed (sign language), then they called each kid up one by one to give them their diploma and a big hug goodbye. When the teachers started crying during their goodbye speech, so did most of the parents! Madison really was fortunate to get the most amazing teachers at this preschool this year. I hope Nathan gets them when he is in pre-K!
The festivities didn't end with the graduation. Afterwards we went back to their classroom for a graduation reception. The room was decked out in decorations, tables were lined with cookies and punch, and the kids had one last opportunity to say goodbye to each other.
After the graduation was complete, Madison and two of her girlfriends headed to Sweet 'n Sassy, an adorable little girls salon, where Madison got her first official pedicure, a manicure, an up-do, and some fun dancing on stage. What a perfect end to a perfect year!
See Madison beaming from ear to ear with excitement?
The teachers made a wonderful speech about the class, the kids sang a few songs for us, including a song that they both sang and signed (sign language), then they called each kid up one by one to give them their diploma and a big hug goodbye. When the teachers started crying during their goodbye speech, so did most of the parents! Madison really was fortunate to get the most amazing teachers at this preschool this year. I hope Nathan gets them when he is in pre-K!
Madison getting her diploma and hugging goodbye.
The festivities didn't end with the graduation. Afterwards we went back to their classroom for a graduation reception. The room was decked out in decorations, tables were lined with cookies and punch, and the kids had one last opportunity to say goodbye to each other.
Madison with her buddy, Madelynn. They were lucky enough to be in the same class for the past two years. Let's hope that luck continues into Kindergarten as they will be attending the same elementary school!
Madison with her wonderful teachers, Mrs. Will and Mrs. Wagner.
After the graduation was complete, Madison and two of her girlfriends headed to Sweet 'n Sassy, an adorable little girls salon, where Madison got her first official pedicure, a manicure, an up-do, and some fun dancing on stage. What a perfect end to a perfect year!
They are super stars!
Good luck in Kindergarten, my big girl!!!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! We sure are amazing people, aren't we? ;) I mean, really, where would the world be without us???
Some pictures we took today....THIS is what makes mother's day so special, right? LOVE these kids!!
Some pictures we took today....THIS is what makes mother's day so special, right? LOVE these kids!!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Final Time
Times were posted. I crossed that finish line at 2 hours and 27 minutes. Woot! Only one minute faster than my last half marathon, but hey that's still faster!!
***I stand corrected! I looked up my time from '05 and I finished in 2:27:53 and this year I crossed at 2:27:50. I am kind of bummed by the fact that I had beautiful weather for this race and finished a whopping 3 seconds faster than last time which had 35 degree weather, rain, sleet, snow and 38 mph winds. Hmmm. Better luck next time?
***I stand corrected! I looked up my time from '05 and I finished in 2:27:53 and this year I crossed at 2:27:50. I am kind of bummed by the fact that I had beautiful weather for this race and finished a whopping 3 seconds faster than last time which had 35 degree weather, rain, sleet, snow and 38 mph winds. Hmmm. Better luck next time?
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Half Marathon!
Today was the Capital City Half Marathon here in Columbus. We woke up to blue skies and cool weather...it was PERFECT! My friend, Jami, and I have been training for this for the past 10 weeks and we ran the 13.1 miles together this morning. It was great!! I won't lie, there was a point during the race that I was cursing my decision to even train for the darn thing, but the important thing is, I did it! I ran the whole thing, never stopped and came across the finish line in 2 hours and 31 minutes. Final (accurate) time is TBA when they put the stats up online. When the race begins, it takes a few minutes to cross the start line, which is when my time actually started. I spent the afternoon limping in pain and sleeping for 3 hours, but the feeling of finishing a half marathon is indescribable. I did it!!
I did it...whoo hoo!!!
Can I pass out now?
Jami, my running partner...she rocks and kept me going when I wanted to quit!
Can you see me? I have sunglasses on...making my sprint towards the finish line
I did it...whoo hoo!!!
Can I pass out now?
Jami, my running partner...she rocks and kept me going when I wanted to quit!
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