We let Maggie have her first "friend" sleepover last weekend as part of her birthday surprise. I took her and two friends to Ann Arbor to see the Nutcracker Ballet. We had dinner at the original Cottage Inn (the girls were very impressed with the decorative grapes), and then we walked over to the theater. I think they loved the first act. When they realized it was intermission and not the end of the show, they started getting antsy.
Good 'ol Ann Arbor
Nutcracker!
Popcorn for all
We made it through and got home around 9:30 for donut cake, makeovers, crafts and playtime. Maggie's friend showed up with a tooth she lost that day, so Maggie finally pulled out her snaggle-tooth, and the tooth fairy visited both girls LATE that night.
Late night makeover
Evie wanted to badly to be included in everything
I think everyone had fun, but Sunday was a tiring day to get through!
I got to observe the girls in dance class a couple weeks ago, here's a video of Evie... I can't seem to post Maggie's, probably because the music is copyright. \
Hangin with her cool big sis
Ready for action
The following week at dance class, Maggie attempted to do toe-ballet (in very unsupportive shoes) and got a slight fracture on top of her right foot. We took her to the orthopedic surgeon and she has to wear a boot for a few weeks, but she's basically fine.
I've been working really hard last week to sleep-train Ben. He was waking up every night around 2 or 3am, and I either had to give him a bottle or bring him into our bed to get him to fall asleep again. Not cool. So I did the cry-it-out in timed increments method. We started with 1.5 hours of crying with me checking on him every 10 minutes. It tapered off over four nights, and now he is able to get himself back to sleep without me. Please God let this last!
This year we all traveled to Maryland to celebrate Thanksgiving with all the Rabines. We had such a wonderful time; we rarely all see each other around the holidays, so this was a special treat. We stayed in an Air Bnb with Bobby's family, and all those young kids were so happy to be together. Aside from bedtime, we really didn't have to do any parenting most of the weekend, win!
Big shout out to Jody and Ed who hosted us multiple times and created a delicious Thanksgiving feast!
Grandkids! More family photos to come later
(cough. Jamie. download them)
My little family
Candy cane crooks
Mother / Daughter
Snuggles with Ben Ben
Snuggles with Bob Bob
Crafting
The feeling is mutual
Football with the kids
Here's some videos my niece Alex edited. They really encapsulate just how uncool we are as a family.
Allison bought adorable PJs for all the kids. Not surprisingly, our youngest ones stubbornly refused to wear them...
Best picture ever?
Fawning over Ben
The Donoghues explored a little bit of Washington D.C., though the girls were not super into it, nor were their feet. I enjoyed seeing things though! Jody and Ed kindly watched Ben for the day, and I'm sure he loved all the attention!
White House
Family selfie
My favorite memorial
My beautiful girl
So. Much. Walking.
We were the only ones there! (not)
A natural on the Metro
So mature
We celebrated Maggie's birthday a few days early with some family on Saturday... also watched Michigan lose to Ohio State (again), and then we drove home late into the night, uneventfully!
Happy Birthday, Maggie!
Go Blue
Some Wolverines in our family
Family birthday song!
Bros before Jo's
Maggie's birthday was on Tuesday - my baby is a big 7-year old! I love this age - she is learning so many things, can read pretty well, is independent, though still loves to cuddle!
Birthday girl!
Make a wish
Maggie opens most gifts with this expression, so cute
Celebrating a day early with Justin
We got Maggie a hoverboard for her birthday gift - I am amazed how well she does on it! I tried it and nearly killed myself!
A couple weeks ago I became godmother to Amy and Eric's daughter Emily. She was so sweet and brave in front of the whole church!
Baptized!
Here is a video of Ben during bath time last night... couldn't quite figure out how to hold the water...
Phew, that's all for now - ramping up for the holidays!
