Madison finished her first year of preschool! She went on Tues, Wed, and Thurs from 9:00-3:00. There was some preschool and a lot of play. She went to Noah's Ark here in Hardin. Ms. Rose is the one who owns it and she was fantastic and her teacher was Ms. Barb who was great with Madison as well. I also heard a lot about Ms. Shelia.... I don't know her that well but she must be great because Madison talked about her a lot and was always excited to see her. Madi had only a few other girls in the class and they were either best friends or they were not friends. I assume that is how it goes for awhile.... I'm on a steep learning curve with this girly emotions and feelings roller coaster...... and I can only assume it gets even better ;) But there was Phebe, Sonia, Kailiah, and Cricket. They were quite the pack I'm sure... Here are a few pics from the last day and I added some of the first day just for comparison.
*Side note the very first picture both times she held the paper up and I could only see eyes... she did this on her own both times... I found it funny....
She looking older and perhaps a little chubbier? :) Wednesdays at preschool were called Waffle Wednesdays... that was always her favorite day because of breakfast... So the clothes are filled out a little more.... but I'm not so sure she is any taller?
Some things Madi has learned this year:
Write her full name
ABC's (how to write capital and lowercase, and identifying them)
Count to 30 by 1's and 5's (But you get to the #'s 14,15,16,17 and those always get a little jumbled or forgotten completely... but then 18 and we are back on track)
Knows the days of the week
Patterns
Beginning of rhyming words
Cutting on lines (the concept, but not so great at the execution of the task yet)
Connecting dots by counting
She still loves books, and is starting to recognize words. She knows how to read all of her friends names... she can't spell them if you ask her to but if it is written she can tell you what name it is.... and she loves to "read" me stories at bedtime... Her stories are pretty awesome. Maybe one of my favorite things about bedtime.
So spring/summer time brings on Brian's hobby time. He loves to ride his bike and Billings had a 2 race series which he participated in. It is perfect for families because the races are on a Friday evening and run from 5-8 pm. Super fantastic for little ones who have no attention span.
 |
| This is mason sporting his first ever race bracelet.... and him eating... which is a constant anymore |
 |
| Getting ready to go watch and cheer Dad on! |
 |
| Looking for the #303 |
The first race day Brian got 1st in both heats and even won a gift card to Applebee's for winning the holeshot. Madison was SO funny.... she was so proud that her dad won a trophy and was telling everyone.. We had to shush her a few times as she was saying my dad is the winner and everyone else is the looser. :/
She also gave him the what for.... she asked him if he was going to be safe... he said "Madi I don't go fast enough to get hurt." Then she says, "Well can you go a little bit fast so you win?"
And when Brian was out racing we would watch in this one spot where you could see a big table top jump and through the trees and Madi would yell so loud, "Go Daddy Go! Go Daddy Go!!" It was fun to see...
 |
| This is the next weekend... Madi found a stump a decided that was the BEST spot for cheering |
 |
| She thought the sandy spots were the best... Our children went fairly clean but came home so filthy |
 |
| Hanging out at the trailer |
 |
| A nice little playground with even more sand and grass to play in... and this super old metal swing.... Mason loved it though.... very relaxing when he was getting cranky |
 |
| Best part about races..... |
 |
| Brian is in the red |
 |
| Here he is the one off the ground |
 |
| End result..... two very tired children and two worn out parents... I didn't race, but I decided it is just about that much effort to chase kids around a huge open area with bikes, ATV's and big trucks with trailers... The second race brian won the first moto and 2nd the last moto. And he even won another gift card for getting the holeshot again. :) |
 |
| Other very tired child |
 |
Random picture that shows how I think he is eating for at least 50% of the day.... and sometimes it is so fast that food is everywhere... Right now he must be going through a growth spurt as it seems all he does is eat and sleep...
Gardening :)
I love gardening... One of the things I miss but don't miss about ND is that I was able to have a big garden... and enough room to plant lots of things. It was super fun, but I don't miss ND because one year I did have a big garden and lots of awesome stuff... but before I could harvest much of it, the temp dropped one August night and it froze. All of my garden. :( From luscious green to dead brown. It was sad.
Here in MT I'm giving it a go in this itty bitty spot. :) And also with a dog... See that super sturdy keep everything out white fence? Oh you must have missed it... Look closer, ah yes there it is. That fine white fence I'm positive will keep my ever obedient dog out. :) Yah... I'm praying it works, I'm doubtful it will... But I'm giving it an honest effort. I planted corn, onions, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, peas, and beans. They are little rows with not many in them... and we will see if they will even grow, and then IF they do, if I can keep the dog out and keep them alive... Wish me luck
|
 |
| These are Madi's sunflowers.... I'm hoping the little fish in a little pond effect will take place... they are suppose to be those huge sunflowers, but I don't have the heart to thin them... because Madi is so proud of her flowers.... I guess we will see.. |
Brian thinks I have brought home garbage and put it in our front yard. :) I call it wonderful pallet creations... :) Thanks to Pinterest I sought after the ugly pallet and sanded it down (the sanding took 4 hours!!) then I wrapped fabric around the back and sides and I'm hoping I can get it to stand up. They say let it lay flat and let the roots grow and develop and then you can stand it up.... So we shall see... hopefully it becomes as beautiful as my pinterest picture. Ha ha ha....
 |
| This was my pot after I first planted it... |
 |
| And this is it today! I'm pumped! It's growing and not dying! Two thumbs up in my book! |
 |
| This one has struggled.... I have taken out a few plants that already died and put in some more petunias today... it looks better now, but I'm hoping the flowers start growing and looking healthier... They seem so sad... |
 |
| Our house has lilies planted all along the east side and I LOVE it.... These were the first to bloom and I'm excited for the rest to start taking off! |
Couldn't be a post without a story from the Roxstar as we call her at times.... Well I'm going to describe this morning... Brian woke up early and let Roxy out, fed her breakfast and then because the kids were still sleeping went back to bed.... (I was sleeping still) Well I got up go downstairs and out the kitchen window I see garbage in her favorite chewing up things she shouldn't be spot. I go into the garage and I see Roxy standing wagging her tail while she is hanging her head down because she KNOWS she is in trouble. She had gotten into my gardening cabinet, taken out a bag of potting soil, chewed up the bag and tossed it around a few times as dirt is all over the garage, then she managed to get a few bottles and pots out and took them outside as well..... Well I'm cleaning up the garage Brian comes out and starts cleaning the yard which starts the mowing the lawn process.... I finish with the garage, go inside start making breakfast for two sleepy yet starving children. Put Mason in his high chair put some eggs in a pan to make scrambled eggs and all of a sudden Brian comes flying in the house mad... "Roxy got out" Well our back fence opens up to big field and ditch... and Brian had opened it to empty grass clippings. Roxy snuck out without him knowing and took off after some birds... and because she has superior listening skills and we are such amazing owners and trainers, she didn't come back when we called her. So Mason's screeching in his seat because he isn't sure he will make it another minute, Madi is upset because Roxy is gone.... Brians getting in the truck to chase down the dog, and I'm running to the back fence trying to call her home. Well Roxy paid attention enough to me that Brian could drive around the back side to get her, meanwhile Mason is still screaming the eggs are now like unto a burnt pancake egg patty and Madi is so tired and hungry she is crying too.... And I walk back into the house to realize it is only 8:00. Perfect Saturday morning.
 |
| This is actually a completely different story... She got into the garbage can after I emptied the vacuum. |
This is where all the vacuum dust came from... Mason decided to give it a go.
 |
| Not too bad :) I will take any and all help I can get. :) |
And I was outside doing something came back in and Madison must have been hungry because she got all this food and milk out and was making herself something to eat.... She was getting the chocolate powder to add to the milk for chocolate milk... grapes, crackers, pretzels, cheese, carrots and popcorn weren't cutting it I guess....
The adventures we have in this home are many.... and often times it seems never ending. Some days seem incredibly long and tiresome. People say that kids grow up way too fast... I've decided that is true, but it is true because the thrust you into exhaustion and you are so tired, both physically and emotionally, days turn into weeks and pretty soon you are already in June and just a week ago you were sure it was March.
