Checkers

     We just got back from the Cracker Barrel, where once again we had a pretty good meal.  It was one of those spontaneous trips to do something with our evening - Daddy had spent the day working on church messages for December, Mommy spent the day cleaning the house and visiting the dermatologist, and Madison spent the day creating Playdough spaghetti and random shapes.  

     Madison loves the toys at the Cracker Barrel.  She likes to play with the checkers too.  Here she is below, engaged in a strategic game with Mommy.

     After a moment of thought, Daddy realized that "hey, this is her first game of checkers!"  We didn't have the camera with us, but Daddy did snap a shot or two using the cell phone.

     Here she is, deeply contemplating her next strategic move.  Placing her fingers on her chin, she's sizing Mommy up and anticipating what her next move might be.  Look at her studying the board and analyzing every possibility.  You can just feel the tension building, like an intense Kasparov vs. Karpov Chess Championship, with everything on the line!

     After a bit more thought, she realizes it doesn't actually matter what Mommy's next move might be.  The simple reason is that we weren't really playing a game of checkers by the official rules.  For example, Madison's next move was taking the closest checker and jumping it all the way across the board on top of three others in a pile!

     We'll try playing by the rules some other time, but we did have some fun tonight in front of the checker board.

     Madison has been putting more words together lately.  While painting today, she said "Dadda shirt on," as best she could, (because she was wearing an old shirt of Daddy's as a smock).  Other phrases creeping into her vocabulary are:  "Green light go," and "Red light stop."  Or "all done," when she's emptied her sippy cup.  

     Her singing is getting better too!  Tonight while waiting for Mommy to pick up something at the Hallmark store, Madison and Daddy sang "Jingle Bells" in the car.  Again, it's not anything you could sell as a recording - but it sure is cute!