Pinkalicious!

Note the PJs, also Pinkalicious (thanks Gran T)

Ever since she first read it with cousin Sophie Pinkalicious has been Madeline's favorite book. She has memorized every single word. But we've never actually made pink cupcakes until tonight. Patrick and Madeline loved watching the batter and frosting turn pink, and loading on the sprinkles, just like Pinkalicious. The frosting got so pink that Patrick asked nervously, "we're not actually going to turn pink like she does in the book, are we?" To which an excited Madeline responded "I hope my belly button turns pink!" Both kids ended up delighted with their pink tongues.

Patrick Loses a Tooth!

Gone!

Madeline took this picture (!) of us checking  out the loose tooth

Last picture of the full set of Patrick's baby teeth!

It felt wiggly all week. Patrick eschewed hard food and listened to us read One Morning in Maine, the classic lost tooth tale, with rapt concentration. Then, on Saturday, while taking a bite of watermelon, Donald heard a little crack. And Patrick stopped chewing and said "I think I got a seed." But it was his tooth! Patrick excitedly called Gran T, Grammy, Grandaddy and Aunt Melissa and we texted pics to Colton and Sophie, and all congratulated him on the news. We all admired the tooth (which looked so small out of his mouth) and the space where the tooth had been.

Patrick told us he hoped the tooth fairy brought him a baby brother or sister or an Iron Man toy. We gently explained that the tooth fairy usually just brought money. At 6:30 Sunday morning he came running downstairs, brandishing his brand new dollars, and very generously gave two to Madeline so she could pick out a new toy too. We're getting used to Patrick's new look, and can't believe that someday soon a grown-up tooth will be occupying that sweet empty spot.

Guitar Hero

Patrick had a huge thrill on Sunday when Uncle Greg came to visit with his electric guitar! We'd found Aunt Melissa's old guitar at Grammy's house and Patrick was intrigued. Uncle Greg patiently taught Patrick some chords, how to strum, and how to carry his guitar like a cool guy in a band (slung across your back). Uncle Greg then wowed us by playing a few tunes, and Patrick was hooked. On Monday Patrick couldn't wait to show his friend Fynn his new guitar. We even found him 'reading' Teach Yourself Guitar, strumming away and singing  "A.....G......A....." thinking the chords were words to a song.

Crafty

We had a particularly crafty day off yesterday. After snowman pancakes (thanks pinterest) Patrick decided to make Donald an eagle ('the symbol of America and also because I love you' he told Donald). And Madeline drew more of her signature ghosts, which are quite good.

Abra Gone Wild

The scene at a friend's birthday last weekend was classic Abra:

Catching Up With Christmas

Reading The Night Before Christmas

Mommy's Christmas gift: Getting Patrick and Madeline to a) wear the PJs, and b) pose!

Visiting Santa in Old Town

Christmas morning!

The much anticipated and much-adored Baby Butterscotch

Christmas Eve Excitement!

Shy Star

Well, we shouldn't have been too shocked that our shy Christmas star was a bit reluctant to perform her "twinkle twinkles" in the Abra Christmas pageant. She was adorable nonetheless.

Red (Read)-Letter Week!

Patrick made a big leap forward last week in reading. He can now read us almost all of Go Dogs Go and has memorized an impressive list of sight words. He wrote me this sweet card last Friday all by himself. I will treasure it forever! And last week Madeline entered ‘big girl’ world by officially leaving diapers and pull-ups at home in the morning when she heads off to school. The only ones more delighted than us about this development are Madeline’s saintly preschool teachers (one down, eleven kids to go for potty training!) and of course Madeline herself, who is apparently relishing reminding her classmates that she is, indeed, a big girl. Patrick further astonished us on Sunday by requesting, tasting, and deeming ‘yummy’ an asparagus spear from Donald’s plate. 

Sundae Sunday

Patrick and I realized today that he'd never made a sundae. We quickly remedied the situation. Madeline decided to just put her toppings in a ziplock bag and not sully them with ice cream or chocolate sauce.