"Do a funny thing!"

A month or so ago, I constantly heard Madison and Breanne say, "Aliya, do a funny thing!" It's a good thing I take pictures of funny things that happen, or else I'd totally forget to laugh later! Settling back into the regular routine of school, work, home, etc, after Christmas, we decided Aliya was ready to potty-train. Here we are, about day 4 into the endeavor and it's time to bring sisters to school. Now, mind you, when we're home potty-training, Aliya is probably running around in her undies and a t-shirt so we aren't wrestling with pants when we "gotta go." So, when I tell Aliya it's time to get sisters to school in the morning, she simply does what she has always done, she puts her boots and coat on....never mind the near zero temperatures. Although we were running late (as usual) I said, oh, girls, we gotta stop and take a picture of that one. Then, when she realized, that her sisters were wearing snow pants to school that day, she proceeded to put on her snow pants..over her boots and coat. That didn't go so well, but now we are seriously running late, so I pulled them on best I could and buckled her up to go. Aliya protesting all the while that it's just not right (my particular girl!)

On a high note, it was about day 4 of potty training where it just clicked for Aliya and she's in big girl undies. It needed to be in Aliya's way, in Aliya's time. She's a big girl now she likes to say. Derrick and I are still shocked at how she's picked it up. One night he came home from work and I said, "pinch me, is this for real?" Go Aliya!

Breanne is one beautiful, toothless wonder! The day after I posted last, she lost her other bottom tooth. She's now missing both top and bottom teeth. I don't have a clue how she bites into anything. Come to think of it, today she started eating an apple and when I walked into the room, she said, "Mom, can you cut this for me?"

The big girls are totally into taking showers as of late...together (there's not much the do apart). One night, Madison comes out of the bathroom saying, "That was the craziest shower I've ever had!" There's a whole lot of giggling, laughing, silliness and craziness that goes on. One day, I walked past the door and they were posing in their goggles. Cuties!

This past weekend, we were able to take Madison and Breanne downhill skiing at Red Lodge. They did fantastic! Both girls were able to take a lesson and worked up the courage to do the chairlift and go down "Miami Beach" (the bunny hill). Unfortunately, all this news is second hand and pictures formed in my head from the stories Derrick's told me. I kept Aliya in the lodge while they skied. Derrick said multiple times, "That was just a blast! I had so much fun with them." Apparently, Madison is a little bit out of control at times, to which she would reply, "I got it dad!"

Three beautiful, sweet, healthy girls--we are so blessed!

Snow, ice, teeth and "get me" adventures

Ah, the adventures of the DeWildes continue as we traversed in the "front-wheel drive sleigh" through the ice skating rink otherwise known as I-90.

Before we left, we did have a rather large celebration of our own. Our birthday party for Jesus started out with a smile on mom and dad's faces as we looked through Madison and Breanne's Christmas projects from school. Madison had brought home a Santa with a cotton ball beard. On it said, "What I understand most about Christmas is...(she filled in the blank) Christmas is Jesus' birthday. What I do not understand about Christmas is...why there is presents! The true meaning of Christmas is...Jesus' birthday!" What a joy to know your kids totally "get" it! Later that afternoon she said, but I know why there's presents, because Jesus was God's present to us. We sang "Happy Birthday to Jesus," blew out candles, decorated with balloons, read the Christmas story and then, to top it off, we finally opened presents!!

The 3 cars from Ms. Marlene and Mr. Gordon were a hit! Wowie, wow, wow! Look at those shiny rides.

I had the joy of making hats and scarves for Madison and Aliya and a big pillow for Breanne. (She calls it the reading pillow.)

Earlier in the week, Madison invited Aliya and mom to come to school, helping to decorate her "winter scene." Ms. Barkac also included Aliya who made her own little scene. Not sure the picture was taken BEFORE she ate some of it. Oh, well.

Once, safely in Minnesota, let the good times roll! The girls' favorite parts were playing games with grandma Barb, Madison getting to sleep in grandma Linda's bed with her, Breanne and Aliya getting to sleep in front of the fireplace, Aliya playing perfection with papa Verlyn and playing "get me" with papa Leon and uncle Bryce.

We also got to go bowling with all the cousins...a highlight for Derrick and Becky loved watching everyone have fun...Aliya enjoyed the popcorn and Breanne the Sunkist.

I love this picture of the girls all at the breakfast bar at grandma Barb's.

We also got to visit the Sechler cousins at their house for the first time in probably 4 years! It was fun to spend one-on-one time with them all and allow the girl cousins more time to play school and Barbies.

Playing in the snow was fun. Rebekah and I were especially into making a snow house complete with bedrooms, entry rooms, kitchen, garage, and driveways. My oldest nephews beat me at Cribbage and Caleb read me a book and retaught me how to play Mousetrap. Although, the funniest moment was when the big kids decided to climb on the roof and jump off into the snowbank...mom, is that okay?

While Aliya rests, Madi smiles sweetly on the pig, Breanne says, eww, it stinks in here.

We visited the Children's Museum in Brookings, SD until the ice storm put a kibosh on that. The girls loved it and would have spent the whole day there! They played store, restaurant, farming and got a teaser of the art center.

After a week and a half of life in a suitcase, we were relieved to be home and in our own domain again! The girls started playing with old and new toys alike. Some toys are just a winner..like the shopping cart that doubles as a "stroller"? We came downstairs to Madison pushing Aliya around in it...a great toy..even 3 years later.

Before heading to bed we played a rousing game of SkipBo (the newest game in the girls' repertoire) when Breanne's bottom tooth fell out (tiny little thing..we were afraid she's swallow it.) Hopefully the tooth fairy remembers to come tonight (she apparently couldn't find the tooth under her pillow last. Oops!

The gingerbread house

Breanne and mom got to make a gingerbread house at school yesterday. It was fun to watch her create...she's extremely thoughtful, slow and orderly as you can see by all the straight lines of candy. I also got go meet more of her classmates and their moms. I'm sure they'll be more playdates in her future after the first of the year.
Our week has been busy finishing up Christmas gifts, wrapping presents, making homemade ornaments, baking cookies (that weren't worth the extreme effort...grr...should have just dipped pretzels), coloring pictures for classmates and Derrick's visit to the oral surgeon. Just one step away now from that permanent bridge.
Ah, Christmas...it won't be long now!

Countdown

The countdown has begun in our house. Only 14 more days until Christmas. Madison and Breanne have each taken home a chain countdown (you take 1 link off the paper chain every day and when you have no more links left...it's Christmas Day). What a joy to see Christmas traditions through the eyes of a child! Aliya is somewhat oblivious to it all. She just likes keeping up with her sisters, or trying to.

A week ago, Madison was involved in a program with a theatre company in town. They came to Alkali Creek Elementary to do a 1-week theatre musical. She practiced M-Th for 1 1/2 hours after school and then on Friday, did two performances. The name of the musical was "A Day in the Country." It was a very big week for her. She enjoyed it and never complained. She had lines that she did with her group, sang and danced. Songs included "Old McDonald," "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush," "John Jacob Jingelhimer," "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," and "This Old Man." After her last performance, we took her out to celebrate. She picked the Olive Garden. On the ride home, Derrick and I had a very quiet conversation as one, two, three little girls fell fast asleep. What a big week!

Madison in top row, middle.

This past Friday, both Breanne and Madison sang in the Christmas program at school. Madison's hit song was "Mashed Potato," and Breanne made gingerbread men to dance in her last song. They did great.

Breanne, top row, fourth from the right.

As the countdown has begun, I have lots to do...more later!

Wedding Surprises!

Tucson, AZ was a sunny warm place to be for Melissa's wedding this past weekend. While the snow started falling and the tempuratures started dropping in Billings, we flew out for the warmth sunniness of Arizona. Great timing!

Madison and Breanne did wonderful as Melissa and Ben's flower girls. They were mini princesses and cute of course. Aliya again cooperated for a family picture...or not. The ceremony was beautiful and the setting perfect! We enjoyed much time with Derrick's family.

While we were waiting for pictures before the ceremony...SURPRISE! Madison pulled out her front tooth. I didn't even realize it was loose. Somehow, by the grace of God, she didn't get blood all over her dress. Love that new toothless grin.

Breanne just grinned at the happenings...After standing for the ceremony, the girls were rewarded with princess ring pops! What a deal.

The reception included lots of kissing and a blast dancing.

We left the 70 degree balminess of Arizona for the fridged zeroness of Montana. It sure was fun while it lasted!

Barb, Sue and Audrey...the sisters.

Dress Rehearsal...

How could I ask for more?

Lord, I am humbled and honored all at once! Tonight is a night that I never want to forget. Tonight, on our way out, I made mention to the girls to look at the moon, it was in a perfect crescent shape and thought they might enjoy that. As they marveled, Madison said, "That is so cool how God made that!" Wow! Not just, that's cool, whatever. She realized that the moon, the creation, is a gift from God. Talk about a life being transformed by the renewing of her mind (Romans 12:2). I was brought to near-tears, humbled that God chose to bless me with these three little lives that are daily increasing in their knowledge of Him. And honored to get a glimpse of the transformation going on in their hearts. You are so good to me, Lord!

Fall Memories

We have 3 princesses in our house now! Aliya tried on Breanne's old princess dress and it was just a bit too big, but when they're only enough to want to wear the princess dress, then they are officially a princess. (Although, see does make a really cute piglet too!)

We have had a fabulous fall with gorgeous weather. We even got to walk home from school today. Our new school routine includes bathing in the morning so we can have more quality family time at night. This last week, the girls have had a blast cramming into the tub together at once for a bath. Not sure how clean they get, but look how cute they are cuddled up in their towels after their bath. Madison and Breanne can be so wonderful at including Aliya in their play. This week they've been encouraging Aliya to be silly, "Aliya, do a funny thing."

Aliya is always just a step behind her big sisters. She wants to get dressed in their room and when they drew on their jack-o-lanters...so did she.

Even Grandpa Verlyn got in on carving Madison's pumpkin. He cut out the mustache and daddy did the rest.

We had some last minute visitors for Halloween. Grandpa and Grandma made a quick trip out to trick-or-treat with the girls. It was a fun weekend of shopping, drinking yummy lattes, playing games, carving pumpkins, crying over a Vikings loss and of course trick-or-treating with the Eknesses (Faith and Grace).

P.S. We have enough candy to last 'til Easter...