Kings

We've been trying to get into this place called Kings to go bowling for the past few weeks. Every time we plan to go, someone is sick or there is a HUGE wait - about 2 hours. Today, we were smart. We planned to get there right when they opened, and that way we would not only be able to get right in, but we could also do the candlepin/mini-bowling. Well, it worked out brilliantly!

We were the second family in - the first at the candlepin bowling. And, not only that but while we were waiting for the doors to open, we were surrounded by at least 4 other families with red-heads. It was almost like a red-headed convention of sorts!

And to all of our surprise, Uncle Brian called and joined us and his "friend" Morgan! She was so excited and just so happy! A great afternoon all-around! Maddie gave the first bowl a try and definitely didn't like it or want anything to do with it. Once she had a snack, she settled down and was completely content to run around, dance, and entertain herself!

Morgan going for the strike!

In case you can't read Morgan's shirt, it says, "You Got A Date with Justice!" with a picture of Woody from Toy Story on it. She hasn't taken it off for more than a few hours since we got it on Friday at Disney on Ice!
Best friends!

Checking out how Uncle Brian did!And they even got to play air hockey together. I hear Morgan beat Uncle Brian 3 times!!!

Thanks Uncle Brian for the surprise and the treat!! :0)

Special Time

I have been on February "vacation" this week (which is funny because it was far from a "vacation", but time off work nonetheless. Kevin and Morgan were off through Tuesday and Maddie was sick most of the week. She was home with me on Wednesday and Thursday I went and ran errands all over town. Friday was my afternoon with Morgan to get her out of school early and go see Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3.

She has been obsessed with Toy Story recently and has collected or made most of the toys from the movies. So, I thought this would be a perfect thing for us to do - to have some time together without Maddie or Daddy. It's very rare these days since Maddie's been so sick most of this year -normal bugs for the first year in daycare - but it was going to be something special...and a SURPRISE!

I didn't tell her anything. Friday morning came and I had to write a note to Morgan's teacher to dismiss her early for pick-up. So, like I have done with all notes, I'll write it, hand it to Morgan (so she knows she has it), to put in her bag and give to her teacher.

Miss Busy Body wanted to know why I was writing a note..."what does it say?!"

"It's just a note to say hi to Mrs. McEwen and see if she wants to have a play date!" [It really said that Morgan was going to get picked up early at 1145 for a special surprise!]

So, Morgan takes the note, goes to put it in her bag and comes back with it, and says,

"I'm getting picked up early!! Mommy, why am I getting picked up early?! What are we going to do?!"

My Little Rascal read the note!! So, I said it was a surprise and she'd have to wait and see.

**Morgan when I picked her up as an "early bird!"**

So, I picked her up and we headed to the Garden for the show. The car ride there was funny! Morgan was trying to guess what we were going to do and where we were going. She guessed we were going into Boston and thought we were going to the Children's Museum. We were doing great until in true Mommy fashion, I got lost on our way in there [in my defense - I was coming from Storrow Drive which I had never done before and it was pouring rain]. I saw a postal worker and asked her how to get to the Garden. Morgan immediately said, "I know where we're going! We're going to the garden!"

So, we finally found it, parked in a garage a few blocks away and walked over. By the time we got there we were soaking wet, but we walked into the Garden and Morgan saw the an advertisement sign for Disney On Ice: Toy Story 3. She said, "I want to go do that! Is that a movie! Let's go do that!" I said, "That's exactly what we're going to do!" We arrived at our seats just in the knick of time for the show to start.

The Army guys flew down in parachutes...

And from everywhere!

Ham, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, T Rex and Slinky...

Woody...
Buzz, Ham and T Rex

Morgan chose "Bulls Eye" as her memorabilia toy from the show.

Grinning from ear to ear the whole time!!

What a great memory and special time with Morgan! And, what a great show!!

A LOVE-ly month!

A few pictures from this month...

Maddie's hair can fit into a ponytail!!
Maddie celebrates my birthday with cake! And what a cake (and birthday) it was! As Uncle Ryan said, it should be a "record-breaking" year because it's Larry's Bird's number!! Oh, and next year will be Paul Pierce!!
CHEESE!!!
And a little pizza making with Morgan - yum, yum!!

The love story continues....

Once again, immediately off the bus today, Morgan begins telling me more about Charlie.

"Daddy met Charlie today Mom so we're all set. Charlie told me where he lives. Which way is [pointing right with fingers] this way again?"

"That's right, Morgan."

"So, you take a right, then go straight, take a left, then a right and there it is! His house is black and white, Mommy. His bus stop is the third stop and he lives right near the bus, so we can find it!"

"Not today, Morgan!"

...we break for dinner and some after school play time...Daddy comes home and we're all cuddling in bed and Morgan says to Kevin,

"Is it okay if I kiss Charlie on the lips?"

"No Morgan... that's how we spread germs."

"Well how come you kiss Mommy on the lips?"

"We are married. When you are married you can kiss on the lips."

"Well, I already did kiss Charlie on the lips! We kissed on the bus!"

BTW - We got a phone call tonight from Charlie's mom. You'll be happy to know Morgan and Charlie have a play date scheduled for Tuesday...when the love story will continue!! Stay tuned!

The Bus

So, Morgan takes the bus to and from school. Today I pick her up and she CANNOT wait to tell me all about Charlie..."my new friend."

"Charlie is on my bus. He gets off at the stop that comes after McKenna's. I want a play date with Charlie! We are friends."

"Well, what grade is Charlie in," I asked.

"He's in K1, Mom. You know, down the hill."

"Well, we'll see, Morgan. I probably need to talk to Charlie's mom first."

"Mom, I told Charlie that I live in Dedham, but I forgot to ask what state he lives in. I told him that our house is brown and white. His phone number is 650-241. We need to call him and have a play date, Mom! He said he wants to come to our house. And, we are going to sit next to each other on the bus from now on."

Winter in New England

Keep in mind some melting has occurred - we can now see the fence and some bushes!!! And yes, the Christmas lights are still on! Who knew they were even still there?!!! :)

FIRST LOST TOOTH!!!

Thanks to Maddie who gave Morgan a little bump on the mouth the night before, Morgan's tooth finally fell out yesterday! Maddie just helped to speed up the process a bit! We tried getting it out yesterday, but was staying on by just a thread! Daddy tried to give it a wiggle and it fell out "underneath the couch!" as Morgan said!!

It's hard to see the lost tooth because her adult tooth is so far up behind it!

Luckily we found it and the tooth fairy came last night for her first visit to the McLean household! She left a whopping $3.00 for Morgan's first!! It was so exciting Morgan was up at 5a.m. to share the exciting news about the tooth fairy's arrival!! Our little girl is all grown up! :(

Our Weekend Summary

Saturday - Kevin goes to Maine for basketball. They win!! Cousin Caitlin, Auntie Annie and company help me with the kids. Maddie falls down the front cement stairs, pretty much face first...picts to follow :( poor thing. Morgan goes to a birthday party with 30 kids and pets a lizard & chinchilla. Rain, but NO SNOW!!!

Sunday - starts off slow, and ends with a visit to the hospital for Mommy - contractions that wouldn't stop....again Auntie Annie to the rescue (thank you!!)...home 4 hours later...I have been assured that there will definitely be no baby the next couple of weeks, so we wait and lay down when needed for now. Auntie Annie is convinced he's a red-head!!!

WARM TEMPS...SOME MELTING, EVEN!!!

Looks like we may actually have a 5 day work week...this could be a long one!!! :0)

What's for dinner?!

"Mommy, what's for dinner tonight?" asked Morgan

"If you could have anything for dinner, what would you choose?"

"Well...I want some cauliflower!!! It is SOOOOO GOOOOOOD!"

So, I made some cauliflower and Morgan took her first bite....

"YUUUUUMM, Mommy!! You should really try this. It's is so yummy!! I just love cauliflower!"

Hmmm..who's child is this?!!! :0)