Our journey: Madison and Oregon, Wisconsin July 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd

Kate's first haircut in America.
Thanks Christine!

Dave, Kate, and I said goodbye to Brennan and headed to Madison so Dave could catch his flight back to Raleigh. After we took him to the airport, Kate and I headed to Christine's house for dinner and haircuts. She trimmed Kate's bangs and cut my hair too. I wished we lived closer and could always go to our favorite hairdresser! After haircuts we headed to Britt and Erik's house again. Kate was so happy to sleep in the princess room and play with all of Brie Brie's toys! She was also very happy to see baby Alyssa again!

Three beautiful girls

It was so hot outside on Tuesday that we decided to take the girls to the play area in West Towne Mall. Kate was so happy to see Wendy again when she met us there. We shopped a little, ate lunch, and let the girls play. We also checked out a few places to possibly get Kate's ears pierced, but we were not impressed with the workers at all! While we were shopping at a kiosk, the worker overheard us and said she pierces ears at the East Towne Mall. We talked with her for awhile and she said she'd go early on Wednesday so there would be two workers that could pierce both ears at the same time! It was meant to be... Wednesday will be the big ear piercing day!

Lunch at West Towne Mall
Madison, WI

Walking to the play area with Aunt Wendy

Taking a break from all the playing
for ice cream.

Posing on the stage
at Barnes and Noble

Dancing on the stage...

More dancing...

Fun in the slip and slide

After playing at West Towne and then going to Barnes and Noble (which was a big hit with Kate) we headed back to the house. The girls played in the slip and slide and little pool and had so much fun! Brielle is such a good teacher and so patient. Kate is so lucky to have so many good friends that share and help her.

We're missing Brennan but he sounds like he's having a great time at Camp Grandma and Grandpa. We can't wait to see him on Friday night though!

Having a slumber party is so
much fun!

On Wednesday Wendy met me at The Ultimate Hair Salon to pick up Kate. I had the entire afternoon to myself! Christine was working at the Salon so she colored my hair, waxed my eyebrows, gave me a mini pedicure, and a paraffin hand treatment. It was so nice!!! Christine charged me the least amount possible and it was fun to spend a few hours with her talking a bit more! Thanks Christine! I really wished I could come back in eight weeks for a color touch up!

After my relaxing two hours I had a little time to shop at one of my favorite stores- Kohl's! I bought Kate a pair of pajamas that came with a matching pair for her doll. I also bought a few shirts for myself. I then headed to the mall to look for shorts for Kate to wear under her dresses and just to browse. I fell in love with everything at Gymboree but had great willpower! I may need to start looking for some deals online! I found two pair of shorts in another store and then headed over to Piercing Pagoda. Wendy and Kate were there within seconds and then Britt, Brielle, and Alyssa showed up. Cheerful and upbeat Amanda also came within seconds and we were ready to pick out earrings.

Getting ready to have her
ears pierced at East Towne
Mall- Piercing Pagoda.

Kate decided to sit on Aunt Wendy's lap and was very calm. She assured us she wanted it done. Brielle was a great cheerleader! Since she was one year old when she got hers pierced, she was the expert!

We were so lucky to find
Amanda who came in early
just to pierce the girls' ears.

Amanda and the assistant were great! They counted one... two... and it was done! Kate didn't even flinch or cry at all! I was hoping that since she didn't cry when she got her TB test done in China that she wouldn't cry for this either. I was so happy to be right!

And now it's Alyssa's turn

Since Kate did so well, Britt decided to have Alyssa's done as well. Alyssa did great too and only cried for a tiny bit. Both girls looked so cute!

All done! Both girls did GREAT!

We all have
our ears pierced.

After ear piercing and taking a ton of pictures the girls wanted to play in the little play area. They are so cute together!

Look no hands!

East Towne play area

Look at their pretty earrings!

The carousel was a hit at
Ella's Deli.

After playing for awhile we all headed to Ella's Deli to eat dinner and go on the carousel. Kate was nervous about the carousel but Wendy and Brielle were able to talk her into going on a horse. She LOVED it but insisted on holding on very tight to Wendy. Her smile was huge and I wish I could have captured her excitement in pictures!

Kate thought it was very
cool that her pajamas match
her doll's pajamas.

Snuggly lazy mornings are the best!

Alyssa enjoying some
cereal- still wearing more than
she's eating though.

On Thursday we enjoyed a lazy morning before heading to the Dane County Fair. It was "cheap" day and the weather was cooperative at about 85 degrees. All rides were $1.25, free parking, free face painting, and free entertainment! I LOVE the Dane County Fair! This might have to become a new tradition! Wendy joined us for the evening too!

Highlights from the evening:
* The rides! Kate was unsure at first but soon got into it and wanted to go on everything! Brielle was a great friend and would get a worker if she thought Kate needed help getting up or down. She is so sweet!
* The petting area! There were so many cute animals to hold and pet. Brielle was brave enough to hold several of them but Kate preferred just looking and wouldn't pet any of them. She didn't need the safety of her stroller though so she's getting more comfortable around different animals.
* The bouncy area! Brielle helped Kate get through the maze and then another girl took Kate and helped her up the slide. This thirteen year old girl, Kelsey, was just there to play but ended up helping Kate navigate the bouncy area many times! Each time Kate got faster and was able to climb the ladder part better and better! I love Kate's determination! Kelsey was so sweet!
* The tight roping show! All I can say is "Wow!" They were the eighth generation to perform on the tightrope. We saw three generations performing together- the youngest being eight year old Isabella.
* The hypnotist show! Wendy volunteered to go on stage and try to be hypnotized. It worked for her but she snapped out of it after about five minutes. She said it was so cool and so weird. At one point, he put them to sleep and she leaned so far forward she slumped to the floor! She wants to try it again! It was a great show and very entertaining. The kids watched the entire hour!

We didn't leave the fair until after 10:00 PM! What a fun night!