The Ladies McGurr Love Costumes!

Happy Belated Halloween to one and all. The Ladies McGurr really enjoyed Halloween this year. Maddie was so excited about her costume. I've never seen her look so proud.




Maddie told us what she wanted to be for Halloween and we went with it. She kept saying she was going to be a ghost, but she was just teasing. She still keeps asking "What does Maddie want to be for Halloween? Thomas!" She already has an idea picked out for next year. She wants to be a strong man. It's a long story. So, if you are hanging with Maddie over the holidays, Halloween costumes are a good topic of conversation. Or ask her to sing the Rainbow Connection. That will keep you entertained for a long time.


Bettie originally wanted to be Little Red Riding Hood. Then she thought a ghost, but then decided it might be too scary. We went to the Halloween store to look at their costumes. Big mistake--what do you say to a three year old when she says "is that a real three headed baby" or "what happened to that guys arm" near a display of fake limbs. She was not interested in anything there. We talked about it a bit and she decided she wanted to be Max from Max and Ruby.




The costume was very homemade and most people did not know who she was, but she enjoyed the experience. And she certainly was not shy about saying she was Max. She has already decided she wants to be a really obscure character from Thomas next year. Good luck with that Betts.

The girls love the fall with all the leaves and pumpkins, but now that they understand that Halloween is also in the fall, they love it even more. Maddie is not into candy, but still loved going door to door. We did not go many places. Although our apartment complex is huge, we don't know many people and the girls don't need too much candy.

We expected to get a lot of Trick or Treaters because we have tons of kids around, but not many people showed up. The girls and Daddy had to entertain themselves.










On Saturday we went to see Sue and Dan in Urbana. Sue is very into decorating, so the girls wanted to check out her yard and have a visit.




We have also done the other typical fall things--visited a pumpkin patch, went on a leaf walk on the Ohio State campus where there are all sorts of interesting leaves. Since we lost our digital camera for about a month, we don't have any pictures of those fun things.

We do, however, have pictures from one of our favorite new playgrounds. It is not too far away from our house in a really nice neighborhood and the girls love it there. As our parting shots, here are some pics of the girls in action.

The Ladies McGurr Love Thomas and Maddie REALLY loves Sir Topham Hatt


This weekend the Ladies McGurr (and their parents) took a rather spontaneous trip to see the Thomas the Tank Engine Tour in Lebanon, Ohio. Spontaneous for us means buying the tickets the day before. We talked about doing the Thomas thing earlier in the summer when we were in Cleveland, but did not have the time. So, we thought we might go to this one (near Cincinnati), but a colleague at work reminded me that it was coming up. Here are some pics of the girls and Sean on the train.















The girls enjoyed seeing Thomas and loved the ride. Thomas goes forward and backward for a mile or two, but that was enough for them. They also had tents set up for a gift shop, video watching, and other things to spend your money on.

Bettie's favorite train is Toby, but Maddie's favorite is not a train at all, but the railroad controller, Sir Topham Hatt. Just like her mother she has a thing for British aristocrats. They had a special tent where you could meet Sir T.H. himself, but there was a long line. Plus, he left every half hour to take a half hour break. So, if you waited and line and he went on break, you were stuck there for another half hour. We did not think Maddie could handle that, so Sean ambushed the tent and got this picture.





I have a soft spot for old Sir T.H. because he was the first thing that Maddie told us she wanted. We used to ask her all the time what she wanted (to try to bribe her for the pottie), but she never said anything. Finally she started saying "Mr. Topham Hatt" (she has no respect for his title). So, we found a tiny figure of him (there is not much out there that I could find for him). She was so excited and we threatened to take him and TooDee (a Yo Gabba Gabba toy) away if she did not keep going poopie in the pottie. After losing them for a few days, she relented and now does not even wear a pull up at bedtime. Sir T.H. can perform miracles! No wonder the line was so long.

We went to McDonalds for lunch and they had a great Playplace. The town of Lebanon itself was beautiful and worth a trip. They often have train related stuff going on all year around. The day was a little much for the girls after their first week of school, so we stayed around the house today. They entertained themselves by playing pretend beach.

Bettie started the game, but Maddie joined in after a bit (and after she got over the fact that we were really not going swimming). As our parting shots, here are the bathing beauties.

The Ladies McGurr Say Good-Bye to Summer


Well, the days are not getting any cooler, really, but pre-school starts next week, and the Ladies McGurr are bidding a fond adieu to their fun-filled summer.



We got to see most of the Stahlman clan at the annual Retirement Party for Papa. This year we also celebrated his 80th birthday! The girls were very excited and enjoyed all the fun. The girls and Papa took a break to get this picture, though.

We also had fun hangin' with the fam. Bettie liked the special activities Aunt 'Lessa and Auntie Em had planned. Tyler is showing her the ropes in this picture. He's an expert at family parties, so he is teaching Bettie some tips. The girls insisted on calling Tyler Ronald Reagan for some reason. Then they figured out we thought it was funny, so then they really loved doing it.











Uncle Mike and Maddie seem to have disagreed about something? What could it be?







Auntie Em and Uncle Mike also invited us up to spend some time at their super cool cabin in Erie. Sean had to work, but Mom and the girls could take advantage. We went to the zoo and saw penguins....












rode the carousel, saw pretty birds, kangaroos, and rode the train. The Erie Zoo is very nice with all sorts of fun activities. The girls started to melt down at one point, but we hustled them out.

We also enjoyed time at the beach. This is what the girls were REALLY excited about. Maddie still talks about it all the time. They loved the waves and Maddie wanted to go be one with the lake.




She had to have a bodyguard at all times, so a few of us got very dirty and wet because we just gave up and sat in the water with her. I think she would have stayed there forever.

Bettie, on the other hand, would not stand still. She ran around for hours, it seemed and exhausted everyone. I think everyone was surprised at how much energy she had and how long she could keep it up. I say, welcome to almost every day at the McGurr house!



Auntie Em also planned a birthday party for Mom while we were there--it was really nice and Tyler, Dylan, and Aunt 'Lissa came up to stay over. Then we all went to the beach the next day.



As you can see from this picture, Maddie was cranky and missing the lake.



I just made prints of these pictures for a little scrapbook that Maddie will take with her to school. She and Bettie are going to the same school (they are 50% special needs and 50% typical kids at the school). We were filling out Maddie's paperwork and the office staff said we should bring Bettie too since she was 3 and ready to learn! So, they both start next week. Bettie really enjoyed orientation and did not want to leave. Maddie was not so sure about the whole thing. They will also be riding a bus back and forth to their daycare. So, lots to think and fret about.

As our parting shot, here is the transportation option we've chosen to take the girls to school. Gas prices are going down, but you can never be too careful!

The Ladies McGurr Love A Change of Scenery!






Happy Girls Day 2008 to you all! We had a very big day. We went to Chuck E. Cheese and then to Toys R Us. Maddie & Bettie both got to pick out a toy for being so good at their new school (or at least trying really hard to be good).

Maddie loves to go to Toys R Us because they are one of the few stores on earth that still sell Teletubbies stuff. She always gets something TT related. You can see the new additions in the picture below (sort of). This was at our picnic (which Bettie thought would be a nice idea). Maddie is trying hushpuppies for the first time and loved them! She has not really tried a new food in months if not longer and she decides to try a hushpuppy.



Bettie chose a Ming Ming (a duck from WonderPets). Sean thought maybe she had buyers' remorse after realizing the duck does not talk. Aunt Donna came with us to our picnic at a nice park near her house.









Here are some pictures of Aunt Donna and the girls.









Aunt Donna also went with us to get Bettie's haircut at her first big girl haircut place. They are both hysterical at times about getting their hair cut, but we thought if we took Bettie to a kid only place by herself she might like it. There were a few moments when she was not so sure, but Aunt Donna talked her out of any fits she might want to have. Maddie wanted nothing to do with it and started yelling whenever we suggested it.

We capped off an exciting day with a visit from Uncle Jay, Aunt Robin, and Faith on their way through town on a road trip. We got to visit with them for a bit and catch up on family stuff. It was a very big day and the girls (and Mom and Dad) were beat by the end of the day. We will have to save up our energy for another fun adventure. We are very close to the zoo now, as well as Cosi, waterparks, big playgrounds and pools.

As our parting shot here is Bettie sporting her new 'do. As you can see, it brought out her creative side since she is painting a picture about the days of the week (or so she tells me)

The Ladies McGurr Love Daddy!


Yes, we are long between posts, but that does not mean the Ladies are not having fun and/or causing trouble. We have had some big excitement. The girls and Daddy had a very nice Father's Day. We made a whirlwind trip to Cleveland for a family wedding on the McGurr side. Bettie and Maddie stayed with Ella and Aedan at Uncle Walt & Aunt Kathy's house during the wedding and reception. They are all very brave!!

We have been enjoying the summer--swimming, playing outside, taking a few walks. Mostly we love to play in the backyard.



They both enjoy time outside, but Bettie really loves it. I think she would stay out there all day if she could! She plays Simon Says and Hide and Seek, talks to our 3 year old neighbor Ava about important things like leaves and school, gets really dirty doing this and that. And when no one else wants to play, she plays pretend. She loves her sidewalk chalk and practices her "B"s a lot. You can actually tell what she is trying to draw most of the time. She really surprised me the other day when she started counting in Spanish. I guess Dora and Diego are coming in handy!

Bettie is also into picking out her own clothes. They are both more vocal about what they want to wear, but you can sometimes wrestle Maddie into things. Bettie...not so much. She won't wear buttons. At all. Her color coordination is not all I could wish either.


Maddie is much more into politics than playing outside. She is very concerned about the election, especially about health care reform and funding for special needs schools. But seriously, she is very interested in Obama and Clinton, but also talks about McCain. She is kind of wishy washy about her vote and will say her favorite is whoever you mention last. She does know all of the presidents from George W. back to Nixon. Then she skips to Ike and then back to the first 3 presidents. So, we have a lot to work on.

School is out for the summer, so she is pretty bored. We will start a new daycare in July, so we are hoping she likes it. She will start at a new school in the fall so we are trying to prep her for that. One of our favorite games is to ask her what any word starts with. She will tell you the letter 99% of the time even if it is the first time we have asked her that particular word, but sometimes gets annoyed with us and won't say.





Maddie also started in a baseball league. We will try to take pictures. Last week was the first time she cooperated, so we shall see if we can get some pics this week. She hit the ball twice last week and did well in the outfield when she was not chasing butterflies.





Sean's new job makes us happy, but because we are both driving to Columbus now, we need to make the move. Soon enough we will be moving to an apartment, so we will miss the back yard (especially the girls and Sarah). Daddy won't mind not taking care of it, I'm sure. The Ladies and I had someone come and mow and weed eat the lawn for Father's Day, so we could spend more time with him.

When it is rainy or gloomy, we stay inside and play. They went through a "tent" stage for a few weeks. Thank goodness it was short lived, because it was annoying to make and clean up. I'd like to take them camping in the backyard for real in a little tent, but I'm sure they would be over it in a few minutes, and Sean said he would enjoy the night to himself in the house. I've been experimenting with taking them to the library by myself (not always successful). It is usually ok to take them to a playground with one parent, but they are starting to scatter as soon as they get there.



We had a nice visit from Grandpa Paul and Grandma Shirley and are looking forward to a long visit to Slippery Rock to catch up with the Stahlman side.


As our parting shot, we got up close and personal with some kangaroos at the Columbus Zoo.

The Ladies McGurr Love Winter (but Hate Cabin Fever)

The Blizzard of Aught Eight hit last weekend and the Ladies McGurr were snowed in. After a few days, it warmed up enough that the girls were able to go build a snowman. Why they insisted on bring umbrellas is anyone's guess.


We had over a foot of snow. Luckily, a neighbor from across the street came over with their snowblower which helped us out a lot. Just a few days before the blizzard, we had an ice storm that caused our power to go out for five hours.

This week was the first week in a long time that both girls went to school all their scheduled days. Between weather and sickness, it seems like there was always a missed day. It's made the girls a little stir crazy.

For example, Maddie has taken to wearing inappropriate hats.

And Bettie wears her mother's shoes as she curls up in the corner.

But the good news is that Spring will be here soon and the girls are mostly pottie trained. So all is good.

Happy New Year from the Ladies McGurr (and Bob the Builder)!




Well, it is 2008 and we did not post enough pictures, but we tried to make up for it in the last few days of the year. We had a quiet New Year's because we spent most of it chasing after Maddie asking her if she had to go to the potty (she went a lot today, so we are happy).

A few days before the New Year we went to see Bob the Builder at Cosi again. He leaves town on January 6th, so we thought we should get one more visit in before he moved on as part of the Maddie birthday celebration.





We did not know that Bob himself was actually going to show up! When he came in, Maddie was the first in line to meet him. As you can see in the photo above, she enjoyed it. Bettie, on the other hand, was a little scared. She went over a few times with Daddy and finally took her picture with him when Daddy stayed with her. Bettie told him she dressed up like him for Halloween and gave him five.




The girls ran around like crazy again from machine to machine. We felt bad for the person dressed as Bob--he could not see at all and had to have a handler with him to guide him around. Maddie ran up to him at least a half dozen times and his handler would have to warn him that she was around so he did not trip over her.

As our parting shot, here is Bettie with the inanimate Bob she is cool with. The girls both had a great time and Bettie even thought she saw a pirate (a little guy with a boo boo on his eye).