Spidergirl

Maggie is OBSESSED with Spiderman. Ellie's last year costume has become Maggie newest pair of PJs

Our latest obsession

According to JT, we have a whole stable full of My Little Ponies. If you ever want to come over and do some braiding, we have plnety of ponies to go around!

Gran, Aunt Cheryl, and cousins Ryan and Trevor came for a visit

A Full Paulk House!!

It started with the arrival of Gran on Monday afternoon and the house became more and more full as more family arrived. Ellie and Maggie loved all the attention they got from our special guests.

Our Little Reader

Besides liking to wear 12-18 month sized clothes (like this dress), Ellie also LOVES to read books. Her latest obsession is sneak reading to Maggie when they are suppose to be sleeping. Ellie's enjoys reading Froggy Gets Dressed, Sammy the Seal, Danny and the Dinosaur and all of the Step 1 books that she can begs us to buy.

Church Christmas Pageant

Both the girls participated in the pageant this year as sheep.

Ellie's first pageant was last year--when she played a sheep whille Maggie's first pageant was two years ago when she played the role of baby Jesus.

Pictures are forthcoming...

Maggie as a Sheep

Maggie trying on her sheep costume for the pageant.

Potty Bribery

The big bin of candy we keep in our pantry in order to bribe the littlest Paulk to use the potty. It's amazing what kids will do for a lollipop:)

Decorating the Tree

Wrapping presents for Grandpa Flash

Nothing says love like a birthday present wrapped in paper that the girls drew on. Ellie is currently into drawing lots of lines and calling it grass. While Maggie enjoys making concentric circles and calling it a monkey. Art is all in the eye of the beholder right?

Impromptu tea party

The girls loving hosting tea parties. Here is a photo of the yummy latte Maggie made for me this afternoon.

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving we had dinner with friends which was a welcomed treat. The dog, however, still wanted her Thanksgiving dinner!

Fall Photo of the girls

Winnie the Pooh

Each month the JHU Barnes and Noble bookstore invites a special guest to come visit for Saturday morning story time. This month it's: WINNIE THE POOH.

I mention to the girls that Pooh will be visiting the bookstore and they are off their chairs excited. This morning rolls around--and they are still excited--so we head off--by car (because it is a tad rainy).

We arrive and are reading books when the special guest appears. The first words out of Maggie's mouth, "I no like bears!" "NOOOOOOO BEAR!!!" Okay--so we are now two for two. The girls were first scared of Clifford and now Classic Winnie the Pooh.

Am I doing something wrong? Did I shelter them too long from dress up characters? Thank goodness, we aren't taking them to Disney anytime soon, the girls would be a screaming mess.

Hair Cuts

Have you ever gotten to the point where you just can't take it anymore? I am there with Ellie's hair. Every morning it is a battle to spray and comb her hair--she hates it, I hate it, we all hate it. So I have decided to take out the scissors and CUT, CUT, CUT. It was such a freeing feeling that I took the scissors and chopped of Maggie's mullet as well!!

Ellie's do!

Maggie's new do!

AHH, much better. I pray for more peaceful days ahead!

Maggie showing TCU spirit

Random Facts About The Kiddos

Ellie:
Favorite numbers: 4,7,10
Favorite colors: pink, purple, yellow and white
Favorite words: slow down
Says punkin instead of pumpkin
Her pronunciation of thirteen sounds like fourteen
Most random recent comment: "In twenty days and twenty nights, God will make me a flamingo...right?"
The best thing about church according to Ellie: Sunday School and Miss Meg.
Loves to have the car windows down even when it's freezing outside



Maggie:
Favorite stuffed animal: Oink (the pink pig)
Favorite animal: Monkey
Favorite thing to do: Jump
Latest new phrase: "I stay up too"
Favorite word: Me
She can count up to 10---just discovered this tonight.
The best thing about church according to Maggie: Miss Cheri
Obsessed with screaming "Go" when she sees a green light

Voting as a family

Today was Ellie's second presidential election....though she was in utero for the first. It was Maggie's first and I am not reveling the numbers for JT or me.

We only had to wait in line for an hour this morning----lines circling the Margaret Brent Cafeteria. Ellie and Maggie sitting at a table reading books left on the cart. Hundreds of people filled the room, with some voting for the first time. The energy and anticipation was AWESOME. What a historic moment in time--no matter what the outcome!

Our Stay at Gran's House

Ellie and I had a wonderful time visiting Gran in Chicago this past week. We arrived late on Sunday night and were showered with lots of gifts (4 Dora movies, a princess dress up outfit complete with crown, earrings, and necklace, lots of fun math and writing workbooks, new clothes, and lots of other small items). Ellie was like a pig in mud---soaking in all the attention.

On Monday, we went to pumpkin patch (pictures forthcoming) where we had a great time riding the train, going for a hayride, watching a pumpkin chucker chuck pumpkins, seeing pig races, going through a fun house, eating kettle corn, picking a pumpkin, seeing a baby zebra and two humped camel, and petting goats, llamas, all sorts of steer, and alpacas.

On Tuesday, Gran had her shoulder surgery so we spent the morning in the surgical center--returned home by noon and promptly had Ellie lose her manklet in Gran's house. We spent the afternoon looking all over it was Gran was drugged on pain killers. Not too much pain--about a 5 on a 1 to 10 scale. Never found mankle.

Wednesday---was shopping day--time to hit Target and pick out a new mankle. Ellie selected a nice clean pink manklet with a outline of a giraffe stitched on it. Wonder how long this blanket will stay clean? We had a wonderful visit with an old college friend--Kara who helped up stab to death the pumpkin we purchased on Monday. See picture above.

Thursday was a day of snuggles and packing. Ellie use d the plane potty for the first time--other than that--nothing exciting to report:)

Ellie already misses Gran's cat, Buttons and hopes that he will come with her for a Christmas visit.

Thank you!!!

A BIG thanks to all who supported us on the CROP Walk. We raised $265 for CROP!!

Second's Fall Festival

We just got home from a great time at our church's fall festival. Ellie had a wonderful time fishing for ghosts that had a number on the other side which then corresponded to a pumpkin outside in the patch. We fished a pink ghost with the number 10. Ellie eagerly ran to find her pumpkin. Upon returning inside we had the chance to decorate our pumpkin with all sorts of candy which we then "glued" to the pumpkin using a egg whites and confectionery sugar mixture. GREAT fun!! Unfortunely, Maggie slept through most of the fun!!

Before heading to the festival, we snapped a few photos of the girls.

Our pink unicorn and buzzing bumble bee!

CROP WALK---rain or shine!!

I love being a parent and completely manipulating my children!

If you talk about something long enough and sound really excited about it---they do buy into it.

For the last week, all I've spoken about is today's CROP walk and how will be helping people who are hungry.

What does CROP mean?
C = Communities
R = Responding to
O = Overcome
P = Poverty

Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty

What is the CROP Hunger Walk?

Neighbors from different faiths, cultures, and ages, walking together to take a stand against hunger in our world. Together we raise awareness and funds for international relief and development, as well as local hunger-fighting agencies. Some 2,000 communities across the country take part each year.

Where does the money go?

CROP Hunger Walks help fight hunger and poverty around the world, including the United States. 25% of what is raised at the Baltimore city walk goes to the CARES food pantry. The remaining funds are used by Church World Service to provide global hunger education, disaster relief and self-help projects throughout the world.

Although we looked liked drowned cats when we finished the walk----it was a GREAT experience and our family will definitely do it again next year.

A few pictures from the last week

Taking in the Baltimore Marathon which runs by our house.

Enjoying a nice afternoon at the Barcaly School Playground

Georgia stole an apple---and really enjoyed eating it:)

BEFORE

A few before pictures---the yard was a disaster!

AFTER...

A view from our top deck!
A view of our lower deck from the upper
Underneath our lower deck

The decks and parking pad

Some things just make you chuckle inside...

This month La Petite is raising monies for Make-A-Wish, which means lots of opportunities for the parents to shell out their dollars. Dollars for kids to participate in PJ day, moon bouncing, Parent Night outs, Dinners to Go, Crazy Hair Day, a candy gram during snack time , visit with a fire fighter/fire truck, and the list goes on and on.

This morning, after we changed into our school PJs for this paid PJ day (yes, this is the third time in two weeks Ellie has worn PJs to school), Ellie turns to me and says, "Mom, can I have a dollar for the bake sale?" I could not help but laugh---it completely made me chuckle. I don't think Ellie has no idea what a Bake Sale is (again all proceeds to go to Make-A-Wish), but was probably told by her teachers to ask for a dollar.

As I write this, however, my laughter turns to slight feeling of anger. This whole pay for services--while it raises money--is disturbing. Of course, I am going to give money for it. I don't want Ellie not to participate in the event of the day or buy something from the bake sale cart.

Is my 3 year old capable of understanding why some kids participate and others don't? If we don't give, will she feel like she isn't welcome to the table? Is this something I want to subject my child to at 3? Won't she get enough of this ins a couple of years?

Okay--so I am completely disturbed by this. I am sure this idea began with the greatest of intentions---but I'm not sure this is teaching my kids something I want them to learn.

Fall Fun!

Almost done raking/sweeping the leaves

Enjoying a roll on the deck after all the work is done

AHHH Iced Lattes taste so good after all that hard work!

Just getting started!

Fun days...

I hate hearing the cell ring and then seeing the ID read "La Petite." It's never a good thing. Not once have they called to say something like "Ellie took a great nap today" or "Maggie made a happy plate at lunch today." No it's always something like, "Maggie banged her head on slide" or Ellie woke up from nap with a 102 fever." As was the case yesterday. I was five minutes from picking up the kids to take them on a impromptu trip to the zoo, when the cell rings and I learn that Ellie has a fever. Can we say bummer?

I know it's bad when Ellie says, "I want to go lay in my bed." I get them loaded in the car and Ellie informs me that she needs to burp (aka puke). I run inside to get a handy dandy bag---which we do end up using on the car ride home. Poor thing!

It amazing how fast kids rebound though---I gave her Motrin and in an hour's time she was playing babies with Maggie. Nuts huh? We even Georgia on a evening walk--where Ellie balanced on the curbs while Maggie jumped over every sidewalk seam and crack.

Seeing Ellie rebound that fast--makes me envious but also makes me hate the "24 hour fever free" rule at daycare. Guess we will be enjoying a day at home tomorrow....just the two of us!

PJs or Not

Who wouldn't want to spend the day in PJs? Ellie attempted to convince us that today was PJ at school. She insisted that Ms. Shante told her to wear them--so that is what she was going to do. We were 95% sure that today was not PJ day, JT called the school to even check. Nowhere on the calendar did it say anything about PJ day.

Wearing PJs is not something I want to argue about--so we asked her, "Ellie, if no one else is wearing PJs at school, are you okay with that?" She said, "Yes."

So....she was the only one in PJs today---for the entire day (We did pack spare clothes.)

By the way, PJ day is October 3rd:)

The Craziest Things Seem to Happen to Us!

The last few days have been completely nuts---the loss of Maggie's Elmo, the breaking of our double stroller, the busting down of our front door (long story which does not include robbers or murderers), and the loss of Ellie's beloved blanket aka "manklet".

It's been sad times in the Paulk household--which has Maggie now clinging to a stuffed pig and Ellie picking a new substandard lovie. That is until this morning.

Georgia, our annoying, yet lovable dog, begged nonstop for walk which usually I take her on. This morning, I wanted a quick walk and not our usual 2 mile course, but i gave in and we took the 2 mile route. As we were taking our stroll, I said a little prayer that we migtt find the "mankel" (another nickname for the blanket). As as we were rounding the home stretch, I stopped to look at a neighbor's really beautiful flowers, when out of the corner of my eye, I see it....MANKELT! Someone had neatly folded this dirty, ragged blanket (it is always dirty by the way) and hung it neatly across someone's front gate. WOW!

I CAN'T WAIT to see the joy in Ellie's eye when I show her MANKEL and to share with her the random kind act that a stranger did...just for her.

Nicknames

It's amazing how kids get the most random of nicknames and how they stick.

We started calling Ellie "Boo Boo" when she was only a few weeks old because of the number of injuries her parents (us) had inflicted upon her. From a small bottle of lotion falling on her, to rolling off the couch, to one of us sliding down the stairs while carrying her---she went through a lot. Oh and it continued. As a 9 month old walker, she had lots of bumps and bruises and almost knocked a tooth out. Not to mention her early obsession with band aids which made it appear that she had a zillion boo boos when in reality she probably had none.

Maggie Moo or "Moo Moo" got her name early on. It seemed like a easy progression to go from Boo Boo to something else that rhymed. Maggie was quite the eater, she started grabbing for table food when she was 5 months old and never stopped. She use to mooch food from her daycare providers--after she ate her breakfast. She is the kid who will reach over the dinner table and take food off your plate, especially if it is green. What is quite funny--at least for now--is that she identifies herself as "Moo Moo." She says, "That's Moo Moo's" or points to picture of herself and says "Moo Moo."

I do wonder, when will my kids start hating us for the ridiculous nicknames we gave them?

Kids say the most random things...

Today Ellie asked, "How did I gt out of your tummy?" That was after she informed us that she likes Daddy because he snuggles with her and giver her kisses and likes Mommy because she runs with her. Kids are quite random, aren't they?

It was a really great day--we spent the afternoon riding bikes in our backyard on new brick parking pad. SWEET! We even got a thumbs up from our neighbors about it...go us!! In a few more weeks, the backyard will finally be complete. I should have known that something that people said would take 3 weeks would take 3 months!! Well worth the wait.....

it's been a busy few weeks

The last few weeks were quite bust for the Paulk family. Though, I have to admit last week was the best week in quite a few months:) We spent the week at the Jersey shore with a few great friends of mine and their kids/significant others. Quite a lot of fun was had by all.

I hope to get some pictures up here from the weekend adn also a few pictures from Maggie's birthday which was Monday. I still can"t believe she is two already.

Our backyard si slowly coming along. The fence is done, teh posts for the gate are in, and the bricks are in the preocess of being laid. All that is left is: the gate itself, lighting, and the lanscaping.

The project is costing a bit more than we estimated--so it looks like the deck furniture isn't going to happen--unless a tree we plant produces dollar bills.

Maggie's Birthday

Maggie wasn't much into the party hat!

Ellie and I made the ice cream birthday cake!!Maggie did a good job of blowing out the candles
And the girls both went for the pink letters!

Maggie got a Baby Activity Center. And as you can see Elmo fits nicely.

House hunting???

Two houses across the street from our house had open houses today. Ellie and I went tot check out the houses after church--in hopes of getting a few new ideas about how to remodel our kitchen.

Houses in Charles Village ALL look completely different inside--which is the charm of this section of town, but currently my vice. Both kitchens were very cute, quite different, but would not work for ours.

Elllie liked the first house better--probably because they gave away cookies and lemonade:) Great PR if you selling it families:)

First Night

Last night we put the girls in their big girl bed. It was quite the night with Elli and Maggie staying up past midnight. I am so glad we had a dutch doors put on their room with the door handles reversed. GREAT way to keep the girls in their third floor bedroom.

I am sure the novelty of climbing out of bed will end in time---though it is a little frustrating to hear her call for us to put her diaper back on her after she takes it off to potty in the kiddie potty every 5 minutes:)

Trip to Ikea

Little did I know that a trip to Ikea could be so much fun. Everything from checking my potty trained kids into the children's play area toa chealp lunch (where four of us at for 15 bucks).

The most fun was picking out Ellie's new bed. (Seen here on the left). Maggie was equally happy--as she will be out of the crib and into a big girl bed... YEAH!!

Maggie's new potty ritual

A few months ago, Maggie began shoing an interest in the potty. We, of course, were thrilled. No more diapers means more money in our pockets. Maggie would sit and go and then be on her merry way. She was by no means potty trained because unless you asked her, she would prefer to go in her diaper.

I have decided (note this i my decision--not hers) that this potty training
thing needs to get a move on, so last night I began asking her every 15 minutes
or so if she needed to go potty. The fun happened this
morning:)

I take off her diaper, ask her if she has to go, she runs to the potty, does three drops, pours it into the toilet, then puts the bowl back in the potty, and sits on it again. She goes potty again (about 3-5 drops), pours it into the toliet, then puts the bowl back in and sits again. I think the girl did this 8 or 9 times (which means a 15-20 minute process). I hope that at some point she will allow it all to just flow out at once!

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Gran left today--the girls are quite bummed

Ellie and Maggie ran into the house today after school looking for Gran. I told Ellie that she headed back to Chicago after they left for school. To which she responded, "Oh man." Poor Maggie doesn't really get the concept of visits yet. Gran will be back at Christmas, which Ellie reminded me about at dinner, after dinner, and when going to bed. I jsut hope she doesn't start a count down:)

JT's Birthday

I can't say my wonderful, wonderful, wonderful husband had a wonderful birthday today. We spent the day at two Urgent Care Centers in VA, a super Walmart, and sitting in traffic on the way home from VA. Not such a spectacular day.

Ellie's blister popped and then proceeded to get infected--really infected. Last night when we removed her shoe, it was swollen and red--we put some ointment and a band aid on it--but it was too late. Saturday morning it looked like the infection was going up her foot--time to visit the local urgent care--which isn't so local when you are in Culpeper, VA.

So at 10am, we hit the Urgent Care in Locust Grove, VA which was booked till 4pm then drove 10 more miles to Fredricksburg, VA where we were admitted without much wait. An oral prescription was prescribed and we were on our way to the local Wally world for socks, loose fitting shoes, nonstick bandage pads, paper tape, vinegar (for the foot soak), a bribe book (which we promised Ellie if she would stop screaming the doc office)--and a cooler and some ice to keep the "Keep refrigerated" prescription cold.

See--this isn't turning out to be the best 36th birthday for the boy is it? He HATES shopping with me at Walmart and Target. I do think that is one of his least favorite things to do with me.

After we made it home, we did get Thai food and I did buy him a Carvel cake with those yummy black crunchies--maybe that made his birthday a smidge better.

Gran is in town---HOORAY!!!

The girls are beside themselves because Gran (my mom) arrived today. It was a night filled with her showering the girls with lots of presents---lots of workbooks for Ellie, bead kits, and coloring books.

We discovered that Maggie is quite good at stringing beads--who would have thought that a 22 month old could make a necklace with pretty small beads...not me.

The night came to end when Gran told Ellie she could sleep with her. After we broke the news to Ellie that she couldn't have all her stuff animals, blankets, books, and other assortment of things in bed with Gran, Ellie decided that sleeping with Gran was not so great after all. So she headed up to her own bed.

I knew it!!

Ellie knows the whole Rain Forest Adventure CD--she even knows the track numbers and yet--come Sunday when it is time to sing. My child refuses to sing. What is this craziness???

I do not get my three year old. It's such a losing battle--the more she senses that I would like to see her upfront--the more she makes a fuss. Why God, why me? Patience is not my strength---no comment JT if you are reading this. I know this, realize, and sometimes even claim it. But it really does kill me that on the way to church she tells me that she can't wait to sing the songs. Do three year olds know how to tease? Because I am SURE mine does.

How Beautiful!!!

It happened---they came out of their chrysalis and are absolutely gorgeous!! Ellie think the butterflies are great, but keeps asking if they are the caterpillar--NOPE, definitely didn't get it!

We let the butterflies flutter around for a day and then had a release party for Maggie and Green. It sure was fun watching them!! Maybe next time Ellie will get it:)