November

While we had a lovely Thanksgiving, and have spent lots of time over the past few weeks engaged in fun activities, the big story from this month was Madeline starting preschool. She's going twice a week and has loved it so far. Her teachers are impressed with her, too. She seems to like the other kids in her class, although they're all still a bit young to be making friends. However, she does have a way with the young boys in class, persuading them to fetch her book bag and jacket with nary but a soft word and a touch on the shoulder.

Holidays: After a fun Christmas last year, Madeline is really getting into the holiday spirit this time around. She loves checking out the store displays, listening to Christmas music, and preparing our house for the season. As we unpacked the decorations from the attic, she clasped her hands together and yelled, "I LOVE Christmas!" It's a great time to start family traditions, such as seeing the Christmas tree at the Jefferson Hotel, opening our advent calendars, hiding the Christmas elf every day, and stringing lights and decorations all over the house and yard.

Senses: It occurred to me that Madeline might not be familiar with the purpose behind some of the appendages on her face, and I quizzed her to get a baseline of her knowledge. After we discovered that ears were for hearing, we moved on to the nose. Here is the actual exchange:
Me: What is your nose for?
Madeline: To put your finger in!
Me: That's funny, but no. What's your nose for?
Madeline: It's where boogers live!
Me: (shaking head) It's for smelling, Madeline. Smelling.

Here are some pictures from the past month:

This is Madeline's preschool picture, which is posted in her classrom to help identify her personal backpack and coat hooks.


Madeline eagerly anticipates going to preschool twice a week. Here she's packed and ready to go, lunchbox and supplies tucked into her backpack.

Madeline spent a lot of time "helping" with the leaves in our heavily wooded yard this year. Although she spent a good amount of time sitting in the piles and kicking them around. . .

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she also helped with the actual raking, both with my rake and her own, smaller version.

We spent a lot of time outdoors enjoying the cooler temperatures. Here Madeline reacts to hearing a duck nearby as we played by the James River.

Madeline is becoming quite a hiker. This month we took hikes of up to a mile in distance, and she walked the entire way, navigating roots and rocks like an old pro.

Madeline shows off her pigtails while Mommy gets her jacket zipped. Sometimes she likes having her hair fixed up, but mostly we're lucky to get a hairband on her while she's running around in the morning.

Madeline mugged for the camera while we waited for our dinner to finish grilling one evening.

Madeline and I headed to a local park when the fall leaves were in full descent. She was happy to find this colorful specimen. . .

and she loved sitting on the bench and watching the leaves rain down. She especially loved it when one would land next to her or on her lap.

Madeline participated in her first pageant when her preschool put on its annual Thanksgiving presentation. The kids dressed as turkeys and sang songs. Madeline seemed a little shocked to see such a large audience, but she made sure to clap politely after every number.

Madeline was an active participant in decorating the tree this year. I had fun letting her decorate, but I now have to explain to our guests why all of the ornaments are on the bottom third of the tree.

In addition to our two full-size Christmas trees, Madeline also got to decorate a small tree for her room. Let the holidays begin!