Nap time

I always hesitate to post changes that seem to sometimes not stick around here, but this one is a keeper --I'm sure of it. Madigan just completed her 2nd week of sleeping in her room for nap time. She only does it for nap time (not night night time), but that's okay with us. We're all about letting her take her time and transition to her room as she wants to. I had been asking her for quite some time each day if she wanted to sleep in her room and up until 2 weeks ago her response was always 'no'. Then one day she said yes and never went back. We go in, read a book, turn music on and I LEAVE!! And she falls asleep within a few minutes!!... She does get to have a handful of fruit snacks after her nap as a reward. It's totally amazing. The only downfall is she only sleeps for an hour or sometimes less in her room, whereas she would sleep atleast 2 hours in our bed....
And above Barnaby is in bed with her (of course). He prefers it there. She doesn't always insist he's in there with her, but most days it's a given.

Seeley Lake

On the way home from Glacier we took a new route and saw so much of Montana's beauty. We camped the last night at Seeley Lake. Our campground had a little beach and it was perfect to introduce Madigan to the sand and things to do in the sand. We have since went to Bozeman beach and took lots of sand toys, etc.



We had such a wonderful little vacation seeing new Montana sights. We left the dogs home and it seemed like such an easy trip to make without having to worry about them in the car or at the campground, etc. Madigan truly LOVES camping!!

Glacier National Park

I actually made it across Going-th-the-Sun road in Glacier national Park. I was stressed out about it for a week before going and was a nervous wreck as I drove across it. Kyle sat in the back with Madigan and was instructed to not say anything regarding my driving. he did good.
We stayed in many Glacier and went to eat at the hotel for dinner and breakfast. Such an amazing place!

Flathead Lake

We took a 5 day vacation at the beginning of last week (Fri-Tues) and headed up to Glacier. On the way, we camped one night on Flathead Lake. Our camp spot was the best camp spot we have EVER had, we really didn't want to leave! We had beautiful weather the entire trip.
Below are a couple pictures of our new (old) camp box! My Grandpa made this box and I grew up using it when my parents took us camping. He thought of everything! I had been telling my Mom I wanted this and would use it, but we needed a way to get it to Bozeman. Well, that way presented itself when Kyle bought a new Dodge Sprinter van for work from Wisconsin! So, this was our first trip getting to use it and we LOVE it!




Madigan taking pictures of Dad, while he snaps pictures of her:





Madigan leveling the table:
Madigan had the freedom of getting in and out of the water as she wished due to the little kiddie pool we made her:

More Water Play

I can't resist posting more photos of Madigan in her swimsuit. This is her Dora swimsuit from Grandma and Grandpa- paired with frog boots you just can't go wrong. The hose is pretty much on all day everyday. It has the sprayer attachment which keeps the water in, but allows the child to play pretty much the entire day by herself (with dogs of course). Poor Barnaby is getting tired of walks around the yard by leash and being sprayed in all areas at all times....but it frees Mama up for periods of time like no other.

Art Table/Corner

I totally scored on 2 sets of tables and chairs for Madigan at a garage sale 2 weeks ago. One set is upstairs and it's the "art table". (As you can see, Madigan likes to use it as various times during the day.) We have an awkward corner I would like the kids to be able to use for arts and crafts, but it's tricky finding what fits in there. For now, there's a table and 2 chairs. I hope to get a magnetic strip for hanging artwork and some sort of shelf/drawer for supplies.

I made these little stamps for her out of corks. They're nice because they fit in her hand, unlike adult stamps that you have to use your fingers to hold. These were test ones, but they seem to be working pretty good. She's happy to just stamp away with her washable ink pads. I also read a tutorial here about carving right into the corks.
I also put together this little organizer with various things to glue to paper. It's still missing quite a few things, but it was a start. And it's a huge hit around these parts!!..Madigan sits down everyday at her art table and glues and cuts or just sometimes colors.

Slings and jewelry

I REALLY need to make Madigan that doll sling! She also wants a little backpack. She's always saying "I have my backpack on", just pretending. I asked her which she would like Mama to make first: a doll sling or backpack and she chose sling. So, next week while she is at school, Mama is going to make that sling for her! Oh, 12 hours a week of childless time....I have SO MUCH to do!

Backyard Picnic

We have been doing a lot of picnics this year. This blanket goes just about everywhere with us these days. We like to sit outside after nap and read books in the sunshine.

Visit with Freya

A couple of weeks ago we headed over the hill to Livingston to visit Sarah and Freya. Freya is already 9 months old!

More Dancing

Here's Madigan tearing it up at Lunch on the Lawn this week.

Sweet Pea Festival weekend

Last weekend was the annual Sweet Pea festival weekend here in Bozeman. This summer has been a wet one and last weekend was no different. We made it to the music both Friday and Saturday nights. And then we made Sunday our bog day since the weather was beautiful. We started with Church in the Park-one of my favorite sweet pea things since we went last year- and moved on to kids activities and food.

Dad and Madigan make a tissue papered pig:



Mom and Madigan tie dye undies and socks. Later on, she just did it herself.

The tie dye products:
Church in the park Sunday morning:

Cooking with Madigan

Madigan and I cook together pretty much every day. The learning tower takes up a lot of space in our kitchen, but it's well worth it for us.

Whats she's up to

I've been wanting to share what Madigan is up to lately, but whenever I sit down to write it I forget everything. So, here's the beginnings of a list. I love sharing the photos, but they don't tell the story so well. It's all coming so fast these days. She's such a silly, smart little hoot every day! I have totally adored staying home with her the last month or so (although I'll admit I am exhausted when dad gets home). I'm so happy that she'll only be in school for half days this year. I wouldn't want her to be there full days right now- there's so much I would miss...


So, here's a few things she's said or done recently;


Tells me "It's my option" to go to her room and read books rather then nap.

When she apologizes, she says "Sorry, You."

She asks "why" so much it's exhausting

She told us Naya could go to the new Dinosaur Playground (she had not been there before) because "Naya doesn't chase dinosaurs".

She told Kyle that she's my baby and when the new baby comes out of Mom's tummy he can have that one.

I told her she could wear her tutu to dance at Lunch on the Lawn and her response was "that would be perfect".

We spend every evening sitting on the couch watching her "moves". She will dance for an entire hour each night.

She's way into dress up right now - cow, queen, ballerina, etc

She has 1001 things to do with/teach to/show the baby. Most times the list starts with her teaching the baby to swing from trees ...(????)

If you ask her anything having to do with time you may get the response in minutes, weeks, or months.

She calls her friends on her pretend phone and has long conversations about whats shes doing.

When I get off the phone with Kyle during the day, she always says "he's a piece of work". (When I'm upset with him or him with me we say he's a real piece of work.) Uncle Matt is also a piece of work.

Busy Bees Class

I signed Madigan up for Busy Bees class from the City of Bozeman Recreation Department. It's for 2-3 year olds and they do crafts and games that all involve bees... It's SO PERFECT for her age-I love it! It's been 45 minutes on Mondays for 4 Mondays. Our last class is next week already :(