Our Maddie, who loves music, is constantly singing. More often than not her songs are "original" works! Madelynn loves to stand on her chair at the dinner table and sing "songs" at the top of her lungs. Generally after she has favored us with a particular tune several times, she invites us to sing along with her....which is a bit challenging since we rarely are able to follow the tune, or the lyrics. :-) However, this evening we recognized the tune AND the words were priceless...and completely Madelynn...so we thought we'd share:
"Everyday I'm a blue butterfly" words by Madelynn Maschger
(tune "Mary Had a Little Lamb)
Everyday I'm a blue butterfly
Blue butterfly
Blue butterfly
Everyday I'm a blue butterfly
I'm a new little blue butterfly
We love our Maddie!
Emma is continuing to astound and amaze us! She has put together that when we run out of a particular food item, we must go get more at the "ommisary". Yesterday I took her to the commissary to pick up a few items...I reached for a small arm basket, and Emma insisted that she would carry it! Ever our stubborn and independent child, she hefted the basket that was pretty much as big as she was from the front of the commissary to the first aisle...mind you it took a good 10 minutes to get less than 10 feet...though I offered on numerous occasions to help out, she flatly refused! However, once I started to put items in the basket she lost all interest! :-) Emma is ever searching for things she can do "by my big girl"! And she is quickly mastering everything we put in front of her! We love our Emma!
Miles thoroughly enjoyed himself at Scout Camp last week! He spent his time fishing, white water river rafting, and shooting. He discovered that teenage boys can have at least as much DRAMA as teenage girls, and that being "cool" is such a relative term! He heads to Utah next week for his sister Elena's wedding! CONGRATULATIONS Elena! :-) However, after that the girls and I are hoping to have him home for more than 10 days in a row! SIGH!
We are, as you can tell, doing very well! I have a great recording of Maddie giving her talk in Primary last week...I just have to figure out how to post it...so stay tuned! We love you all!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Together again...
Greetings our beloved family and friends! I thought I'd let you know that we have all returned safely to our humble Maryland abode, and are very happy to be together again as a family!
Miles successfully completed all of his travels, and is looking forward to spending some time with the family before the insanity begins again. He took a week of leave and we are really loving having him around!
The girls and I have also successfully completed our travels. Madelynn and Emma are becoming quite the seasoned travelers. Emma enjoys the "faster, faster" that comes right before the "up, up, up"...however she does NOT like the "down, down,down"! Maddie loved making lots of new "best friends" and trying out every elevator, escalator, and moving sidewalk we came across. The girls did such a tremendous job handling all of the adventures inherent in air travel these days...everything from a 3 hour delay, to an hour spent on the tarmac waiting for a thunderstorm to blow over. My secret? A portable DVD player, coloring books, and lots of snacks!
Maddie and Emma also really enjoyed having an opportunity to play with their cousins...especially since last time we were in Missouri they spent most of their time sick in bed. This time we had not one single sniffle! The girls loved playing in Nana's "water park" ... which includes a small pool, an Elmo sprinkler and a slip n' slide. They also enjoyed playing in Aunt Carrie's "park". (Aunt Carrie has a swing set and a trampoline in her backyard) Aunt Kristi took us for a walk through "Aunt Kristi's park" ... the wetlands area that Kristin has been working on for the last couple of months for the Blue Springs Park and Rec ... and we saw a turtle, a butterfly, and even crossed a couple of bridges! All very exciting for our little girls! Additional highlights included swinging on the hammock with ALL their cousins, eating at Red Robin with the WHOLE family, and getting lots of attention!
One quick Maddie story ... during our stay in Missouri, I took the opportunity to take a day to get my hair and nails done, so leaving the girls with Nana, I slipped out during nap time. As nap time wound to its inevitable close, Nana went upstairs to retrieve her precious granddaughters ... as she traveled up the stairs a distinctive smell assaulted her senses, and as she followed the stench to its origins, Nana found Maddie ... Maddie had apparently neglected to make it to the potty during nap time. Nana knowing exactly what needed to be done, took Maddie to the bathroom and started running a bath. Madelynn immediately began protesting, "I not take a bath! I not take a bath! I not take a bath!" Nana proceeded to undress her, and then picked her up and placed her in the bath tub, seemingly oblivious to Madelynn's very vocal protests. Maddie, standing in the bath, turned to her Nana and said, "Are you a Mommy?" Nana replied, "Yes". Having apparently established Nana's credentials, Maddie "allowed" the bath to continue! :-)
While there is ever so much more, it is quickly approaching dinner time and my services are required by the masses downstairs! Enjoy the pictures! We love you all!
Miles successfully completed all of his travels, and is looking forward to spending some time with the family before the insanity begins again. He took a week of leave and we are really loving having him around!
The girls and I have also successfully completed our travels. Madelynn and Emma are becoming quite the seasoned travelers. Emma enjoys the "faster, faster" that comes right before the "up, up, up"...however she does NOT like the "down, down,down"! Maddie loved making lots of new "best friends" and trying out every elevator, escalator, and moving sidewalk we came across. The girls did such a tremendous job handling all of the adventures inherent in air travel these days...everything from a 3 hour delay, to an hour spent on the tarmac waiting for a thunderstorm to blow over. My secret? A portable DVD player, coloring books, and lots of snacks!
Maddie and Emma also really enjoyed having an opportunity to play with their cousins...especially since last time we were in Missouri they spent most of their time sick in bed. This time we had not one single sniffle! The girls loved playing in Nana's "water park" ... which includes a small pool, an Elmo sprinkler and a slip n' slide. They also enjoyed playing in Aunt Carrie's "park". (Aunt Carrie has a swing set and a trampoline in her backyard) Aunt Kristi took us for a walk through "Aunt Kristi's park" ... the wetlands area that Kristin has been working on for the last couple of months for the Blue Springs Park and Rec ... and we saw a turtle, a butterfly, and even crossed a couple of bridges! All very exciting for our little girls! Additional highlights included swinging on the hammock with ALL their cousins, eating at Red Robin with the WHOLE family, and getting lots of attention!
One quick Maddie story ... during our stay in Missouri, I took the opportunity to take a day to get my hair and nails done, so leaving the girls with Nana, I slipped out during nap time. As nap time wound to its inevitable close, Nana went upstairs to retrieve her precious granddaughters ... as she traveled up the stairs a distinctive smell assaulted her senses, and as she followed the stench to its origins, Nana found Maddie ... Maddie had apparently neglected to make it to the potty during nap time. Nana knowing exactly what needed to be done, took Maddie to the bathroom and started running a bath. Madelynn immediately began protesting, "I not take a bath! I not take a bath! I not take a bath!" Nana proceeded to undress her, and then picked her up and placed her in the bath tub, seemingly oblivious to Madelynn's very vocal protests. Maddie, standing in the bath, turned to her Nana and said, "Are you a Mommy?" Nana replied, "Yes". Having apparently established Nana's credentials, Maddie "allowed" the bath to continue! :-)
While there is ever so much more, it is quickly approaching dinner time and my services are required by the masses downstairs! Enjoy the pictures! We love you all!
Monday, June 4, 2007
Still here...
We are still here, and as busy as ever! The temptation here is to catch you up on all the has transpired over the last few weeks...who has that kind of time? So you can forget it!
Miles is currently out and about serving his country. He left last Sunday morning for a 2 week stay in VA. He will come home LATE Friday night, and head out again Sunday morning for a week in GA. SO...not seeing much of Miles this month. What we do know is that he is working hard, and that we miss him!
Maddie had a banner Sunday last week...she gave her first talk! We were told by the Primary presidency to keep it within a 30 second time limit :-) so there wasn't a lot of doctrinal depth! However, I spent a couple of nights assembling a talk for my daughter...large pictures, few words...and I placed each page into a page protector and place that in a binder...and then we practiced and practiced and practiced. This is actually not a novel thing for our girls, they LOVE to play "sacrament meeting". They pull our trashcan out into the middle of the kitchen (it has a lid, and is a perfect "podium") and then they place a small watering can on top and "speak" into the spout! They sing songs, say prayers, and "give talks". So..the big day arrives, and I hand Maddie her binder with her talk, and she sits, clutching her talk...anxiously awaiting her turn.
FINALLY, her name is called and she literally LEAPS off her chair...I, who have been seated next to her, make the motions to get up myself...using the set of eyes in the back of her head, she spins around...holds out her hand in the universal "STOP" position and declares, for all to hear..."No Mom, you stay here." I smile, and whisper, "I am going to help you". My 3 year old declares (again for all to hear) "No, I do it myself" Would it surprise you to learn that she did it by herself...I did manage to make it up under the pretense of holding a picture...and she only needed my help once! She was AMAZING! Maddie also recited the 1st Article of Faith to her Sunbeam teacher, and has a star on the Primary's chart! :-) We are incredibly proud of our Maddie! :-)
Emma has also memorized the 1st Article of Faith (it was our FHE for the month of May), and it is pretty moving to hear you 2 year old recite the 1st Article of Faith! Emma also has FINALLY cut her last set of molars...YEAH...we are DONE with teething! It has been such an incredibly LONG time! Emma also has a new favorite place to shop...Circuit City! We have been there maybe twice in the 2 brief years of her existence here on Earth...however, it apparently made an impression...because she is always wanting to go to "Circuit City"! Her current favorite food is chocolate milk...and I do mean her favorite FOOD! :-) How we love our Emma!
We are actually headed to Missouri this Tuesday...my parents have graciously offered to take us in for a couple of weeks, in an attempt to save what remains of my sanity. I am beginning to doubt that I have what it takes to be a Navy wife...I have a history of any deployment that is longer than a week sends me running home! How great it is to have a home to run to! :-) The girls are EXTREMELY excited to go to "Zuri", especially on an airplane! Me? I am a little leery of flying with a 2 and a 3 year old by myself...however, life is all about the adventure...so bring it on!
We love you all!
Miles is currently out and about serving his country. He left last Sunday morning for a 2 week stay in VA. He will come home LATE Friday night, and head out again Sunday morning for a week in GA. SO...not seeing much of Miles this month. What we do know is that he is working hard, and that we miss him!
Maddie had a banner Sunday last week...she gave her first talk! We were told by the Primary presidency to keep it within a 30 second time limit :-) so there wasn't a lot of doctrinal depth! However, I spent a couple of nights assembling a talk for my daughter...large pictures, few words...and I placed each page into a page protector and place that in a binder...and then we practiced and practiced and practiced. This is actually not a novel thing for our girls, they LOVE to play "sacrament meeting". They pull our trashcan out into the middle of the kitchen (it has a lid, and is a perfect "podium") and then they place a small watering can on top and "speak" into the spout! They sing songs, say prayers, and "give talks". So..the big day arrives, and I hand Maddie her binder with her talk, and she sits, clutching her talk...anxiously awaiting her turn.
FINALLY, her name is called and she literally LEAPS off her chair...I, who have been seated next to her, make the motions to get up myself...using the set of eyes in the back of her head, she spins around...holds out her hand in the universal "STOP" position and declares, for all to hear..."No Mom, you stay here." I smile, and whisper, "I am going to help you". My 3 year old declares (again for all to hear) "No, I do it myself" Would it surprise you to learn that she did it by herself...I did manage to make it up under the pretense of holding a picture...and she only needed my help once! She was AMAZING! Maddie also recited the 1st Article of Faith to her Sunbeam teacher, and has a star on the Primary's chart! :-) We are incredibly proud of our Maddie! :-)
Emma has also memorized the 1st Article of Faith (it was our FHE for the month of May), and it is pretty moving to hear you 2 year old recite the 1st Article of Faith! Emma also has FINALLY cut her last set of molars...YEAH...we are DONE with teething! It has been such an incredibly LONG time! Emma also has a new favorite place to shop...Circuit City! We have been there maybe twice in the 2 brief years of her existence here on Earth...however, it apparently made an impression...because she is always wanting to go to "Circuit City"! Her current favorite food is chocolate milk...and I do mean her favorite FOOD! :-) How we love our Emma!
We are actually headed to Missouri this Tuesday...my parents have graciously offered to take us in for a couple of weeks, in an attempt to save what remains of my sanity. I am beginning to doubt that I have what it takes to be a Navy wife...I have a history of any deployment that is longer than a week sends me running home! How great it is to have a home to run to! :-) The girls are EXTREMELY excited to go to "Zuri", especially on an airplane! Me? I am a little leery of flying with a 2 and a 3 year old by myself...however, life is all about the adventure...so bring it on!
We love you all!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy Mother's Day!
Greetings from the Maschger clan! We have had another GREAT week...there is just NEVER a dull moment!
The BIG milestones for the week would be, significant success in the potty training department. Those of you who have gone through this ordeal will appreciate how marvelous ANY progress toward a diaper free child can be. After literally checking out EVERY book and video on potty training from the entire Anne Arundel County Public Library system, and countless hours of reading potty books and watching potty movies, it appears that Maddie finally caught the vision! Friday, our little girl got up from the couch and announced that she had to go to the potty. As she headed up the stairs, I asked if she needed any help from Mommy. Her reply, "No, I do it myself"...and off she went. About 20 minutes later I hear from the upstairs, "Mommy, I did it! Come look! I did it!" And sure enough she had...all by herself. After her second successful trip, she informed me, "No more diapers for Maddie" What a beautiful thing! While we realize there is a way to go till we are relatively stress free in this particular department...how wonderful it is to know that we are at least on the path! :-)
The other BIG milestone would be Miles completion of what will be his FINAL college course. He took his final final last Saturday, and we are feeling the tremendous release of literally years of stress! Now there may be some of you who are bit confused, seeming to remember that we had mentioned that we were still a couple of years away from finally achieving the elusive bachelor's degree. Well, there was a change of plans...after some extensive research, we have found an accredited institution that will accept ALL of Miles over 160 credits, and award him a bachelor's degree with Persian/Farsi, and computer emphasis. As our plans are to either apply to Officer Candidate School, explore the myriad of jobs available in this area for someone with Miles training, or apply to law school...having the degree allows us to FINALLY start moving forward in any or all of these areas. So, stay tuned...big happenings are on the horizon!
We had a wonderful day yesterday...Cousin Katy was able to come up and spend an exciting day with the Maschger clan. We had some GREAT Indian food...Maddie and Emma LOVE naan...and Emma really LOVED the Mango Lassi :-) Then we took some time to play at the park. As we were heading home from the park, Emma informed us that she didn't want to go home, in one of my brilliant "Mom" moments, I asked, "Well, where do you want to go?" Our 2 year old Emma replied, "I go to Target!" I believe that it may be entirely possible that there is a "shopping gene", and our Emma got it! :-) As Cousin Katy had no objection to heading to Target, we went shopping at Target! While we are very happy for our Cousin Katy and her upcoming move, we are really going to miss her! :-) It has been so wonderful to have family close by...we love her!
In closing, I'd like to take a moment to wish all of you a Happy Mother's Day...I am soo grateful for my wonderful mother, who I believe with all my heart knows everything, and is perfection personified....I am also very grateful for my mother-in-law and the wonderful son that she raised, he truly blesses my life everyday! We love each and everyone of you...and miss you more than words can say!
The BIG milestones for the week would be, significant success in the potty training department. Those of you who have gone through this ordeal will appreciate how marvelous ANY progress toward a diaper free child can be. After literally checking out EVERY book and video on potty training from the entire Anne Arundel County Public Library system, and countless hours of reading potty books and watching potty movies, it appears that Maddie finally caught the vision! Friday, our little girl got up from the couch and announced that she had to go to the potty. As she headed up the stairs, I asked if she needed any help from Mommy. Her reply, "No, I do it myself"...and off she went. About 20 minutes later I hear from the upstairs, "Mommy, I did it! Come look! I did it!" And sure enough she had...all by herself. After her second successful trip, she informed me, "No more diapers for Maddie" What a beautiful thing! While we realize there is a way to go till we are relatively stress free in this particular department...how wonderful it is to know that we are at least on the path! :-)
The other BIG milestone would be Miles completion of what will be his FINAL college course. He took his final final last Saturday, and we are feeling the tremendous release of literally years of stress! Now there may be some of you who are bit confused, seeming to remember that we had mentioned that we were still a couple of years away from finally achieving the elusive bachelor's degree. Well, there was a change of plans...after some extensive research, we have found an accredited institution that will accept ALL of Miles over 160 credits, and award him a bachelor's degree with Persian/Farsi, and computer emphasis. As our plans are to either apply to Officer Candidate School, explore the myriad of jobs available in this area for someone with Miles training, or apply to law school...having the degree allows us to FINALLY start moving forward in any or all of these areas. So, stay tuned...big happenings are on the horizon!
We had a wonderful day yesterday...Cousin Katy was able to come up and spend an exciting day with the Maschger clan. We had some GREAT Indian food...Maddie and Emma LOVE naan...and Emma really LOVED the Mango Lassi :-) Then we took some time to play at the park. As we were heading home from the park, Emma informed us that she didn't want to go home, in one of my brilliant "Mom" moments, I asked, "Well, where do you want to go?" Our 2 year old Emma replied, "I go to Target!" I believe that it may be entirely possible that there is a "shopping gene", and our Emma got it! :-) As Cousin Katy had no objection to heading to Target, we went shopping at Target! While we are very happy for our Cousin Katy and her upcoming move, we are really going to miss her! :-) It has been so wonderful to have family close by...we love her!
In closing, I'd like to take a moment to wish all of you a Happy Mother's Day...I am soo grateful for my wonderful mother, who I believe with all my heart knows everything, and is perfection personified....I am also very grateful for my mother-in-law and the wonderful son that she raised, he truly blesses my life everyday! We love each and everyone of you...and miss you more than words can say!
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Out of the mouths of babes...
In the last week, during scripture time, we have had some choice moments with our girls...
Ever independent (where does that come from?) our girls balk at the notion that only Mom or Dad read the scriptures. Both Maddie and Emma often insist on "reading" their own verses. One night, Maddie resisted all attempts to "help" her read a verse (where Mom reads a bit, and Maddie repeats) most insistent on reading her own verse. So, Miles and I sat back and watched our little girl "choose" her verse. She flipped through a few pages, then "read" the following:
"Behold (here she pauses, waiting for us to repeat) I Laman (pause) to "NeHi" ... scripture power ... in my youth ... be fussy ... be angry ... be happy ... be sad ... be happy ... Behold ... The End"
Out of the mouths of babes :-) Of course, this passage obviously written during a period when Laman was "making good choices?"
Emma, not to be left out, also insisted on "reading" her own verse. Again we sat back and watched our little Emma turn page after page after page after page after page...and just as I was about to intervene...Emma exclaims "OH! There it is!" with such enthusiasm that Miles and I couldn't help but laugh out loud...and the moment was lost, because once you start laughing, Emma MUST laugh with you, and her laugh is soo contagious that you laugh even harder...and the moment slips :-)
Another GREAT Emma moment...earlier last week as Emma and I were waiting for Maddie's bus, the wind was blowing pretty hard and cold. Emma was cuddled in close to Mom seeking shelter from the cold wind. Finally, obviously at the end of her rope, she looks up and says, "Stop it, cold!" then quickly reburied her head. Unfortunately, the wind not knowing who it was dealing with, blew yet again. This time, Emma stuck her head out and yelled, "THE END, cold!"
Thank heaven for little girls!
Everything else is fairly status quo. Miles was gone most of last week...to San Diego. He had a great trip! He has already volunteered for another trip to the Bahamas...my man certainly knows how to pick the tough assignments! :-)
In other news, I met with Maddie's teacher a couple of weeks ago, and they have recommended that she remain in school over the summer...she has made such tremendous progress and to make sure that we don't lose any of this hard fought for ground, we'll keep her in school over the summer. She is truly making awesome progress. A couple of weeks ago, I asked her to put on her jeans, when I looked over a few moments later, she had put both feet in one leg...before I could say anything, she pipes up, "Look, I mermaid"! Can you believe that? Even better, last week Maddie said her first completely solo prayer...no help...and it was a beautiful prayer. I honestly do not have words to describe! :-)
I guess that is pretty much it from the nation's capital! We love and miss each and every one of you!
Ever independent (where does that come from?) our girls balk at the notion that only Mom or Dad read the scriptures. Both Maddie and Emma often insist on "reading" their own verses. One night, Maddie resisted all attempts to "help" her read a verse (where Mom reads a bit, and Maddie repeats) most insistent on reading her own verse. So, Miles and I sat back and watched our little girl "choose" her verse. She flipped through a few pages, then "read" the following:
"Behold (here she pauses, waiting for us to repeat) I Laman (pause) to "NeHi" ... scripture power ... in my youth ... be fussy ... be angry ... be happy ... be sad ... be happy ... Behold ... The End"
Out of the mouths of babes :-) Of course, this passage obviously written during a period when Laman was "making good choices?"
Emma, not to be left out, also insisted on "reading" her own verse. Again we sat back and watched our little Emma turn page after page after page after page after page...and just as I was about to intervene...Emma exclaims "OH! There it is!" with such enthusiasm that Miles and I couldn't help but laugh out loud...and the moment was lost, because once you start laughing, Emma MUST laugh with you, and her laugh is soo contagious that you laugh even harder...and the moment slips :-)
Another GREAT Emma moment...earlier last week as Emma and I were waiting for Maddie's bus, the wind was blowing pretty hard and cold. Emma was cuddled in close to Mom seeking shelter from the cold wind. Finally, obviously at the end of her rope, she looks up and says, "Stop it, cold!" then quickly reburied her head. Unfortunately, the wind not knowing who it was dealing with, blew yet again. This time, Emma stuck her head out and yelled, "THE END, cold!"
Thank heaven for little girls!
Everything else is fairly status quo. Miles was gone most of last week...to San Diego. He had a great trip! He has already volunteered for another trip to the Bahamas...my man certainly knows how to pick the tough assignments! :-)
In other news, I met with Maddie's teacher a couple of weeks ago, and they have recommended that she remain in school over the summer...she has made such tremendous progress and to make sure that we don't lose any of this hard fought for ground, we'll keep her in school over the summer. She is truly making awesome progress. A couple of weeks ago, I asked her to put on her jeans, when I looked over a few moments later, she had put both feet in one leg...before I could say anything, she pipes up, "Look, I mermaid"! Can you believe that? Even better, last week Maddie said her first completely solo prayer...no help...and it was a beautiful prayer. I honestly do not have words to describe! :-)
I guess that is pretty much it from the nation's capital! We love and miss each and every one of you!
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