Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Monday, August 15, 2011

The Visit

It appears that the garden fairies visited our pumpkin patch overnight and left a sprinkling of orange fairy dust behind. Madigan was in awe!



Barbie Summit

Maddie's fairy Barbies sit down to an important meeting.


Vintage

My mom made this top for me when I was little. Now look who's wearing it!


Friday, August 12, 2011

Fashionista

Madigan definitely has her own style. Partly created by me, partly her own vision.




Monday, August 1, 2011

Blooming Artist

Maddie thoroughly enjoyed her first experience with acrylics and canvas. She painted two pieces all on her own and I think they came out great! I love how they resemble each other. She was quite the professional during the process. Can't wait to see the next masterpiece!


Thursday, July 28, 2011

Gnome Sweet Gnome

I was gardening earlier and someone followed me inside. Those gnomes are tricky little folks!


Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Party Hardy

We all had a great time celebrating Audrey's first birthday. Maddie was happy to play at Edison's "beach" and enjoyed watching Audrey devour her amazing rainbow cake! Their mom, Alisha is so sweet and even picks up a vegan cupcake for Maddie. We need to make a plan to see the Compton's more often!




Thursday, July 7, 2011

Firsts and Faves (@ the moment )

We picked up cotton candy for the first time at the zoo last week. She wasn't too sure about it at first, but she liked it more once she saw her face in the mirror.

First time painting piggies!

A favorite thing these days, is "driving" the cars at Home Depot and Lowes.






Friday, June 24, 2011

New to us...

Every Friday during garage sale season- yes, here they only happen in the summer for the most part- Mad, Gigi and I head out looking for treasures. Gigi stays in the car with Maddie so I don't have to pop her in and out of the car. We have made lots of great finds so far this season- a couple are pictured below. A drum kit for a $1 and a American Girl Bitty Baby with 12 outfits, suitcase, chair and more for $30. When Maddie sees a sale with lots of girlie stuff, she says, "oohhh Mommy, looks like good stuff." A deal shopper is born!



Thursday, June 23, 2011

Friends and Neighbors

Maddie loves Nicholas, our 7 year old next door neighbor. He has been teaching her how to play basketball and is wonderful with her!




Squirt

Our new fave pastime on these summer evenings is playing in the splash pad at the outdoor mall by our house. Madigan is tentative at first, but then loves it! Even though the water is freezing! This night she leaned over one of the sprayers, only to get a burst of water right in the face. She stepped back and said, "you gonna get in trouble!"



The good life...

Nothing like the simple pleasure of shucking corn to make a day special. 


Sunday, April 24, 2011

In the Blink of an Eye...

  I can barely believe that my daughter is now two years old. It seems to have happened in the blink of an eye.
  I distinctly remember the day I picked her up at the hospital, just days old. I remember what the sky looked like that day. Multiple anxious phone calls. Running to the store to get a car seat. Waiting in the lobby to be escorted upstairs to see a tiny face, completely new to me.
  I wasn't there on her "birth day". I was there a few days later. Not knowing if she would be forever mine. Though I knew in the blink of an eye that I loved her more than I ever could have imagined. Thinking back on how happy, sad, joyous, tentative, wonderful, frustrating and reeling those first few days, weeks and months were, it now has the fine haze of days gone by and the realization that she was meant to be my family... my daughter.
  My little girl is a dream come true. She is happy and spirited. Thoughtful and challenging. Loving and bright. She is the greatest thing to ever happen to me.
  Happy Birthday, Madigan. May every year hold new, amazing adventures for you. And just know that I may have missed your "birth day", but I am with you every second of everyday now and forever.
  And in a blink of an eye, you will be three...

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Wiggle it...

  When Madigan was only a month old, we realized that she had two favorite bands. One was The Laurie Berkner Band, the other being The Wiggles. For the first couple of months of her life, we had to attend visitation with her biological parents. These days were stressful on everyone, especially Maddie. When she would be returned to us, she would be so "overdone" as we called it, that the ONLY thing that would soothe her would be to listen to songs from these two groups. We tried numerous other ways and other music, but this was it.
  Now, having owned a preschool I was privy to the ways of The Wiggles and had been introduced to Laurie Berkner's early discs. I knew the effect they could have. But I remain in awe over the spell they have on Madigan. Sure she likes to listen to other things as well now, but those two have a stronghold on her. If she needs to fall asleep, Laurie Berkner is key. For whatever reason, her voice takes her to La-La-Land.
  As for those 4 men in colored skivvies, she adores them. "Sam" was one of her first words. "Rock-a-bye Your Bear" was the first song she knew the movements to. She will watch their DVD's with barely a blink. She plays her guitar, that she got at The Wiggles concert last year, with Murray. She even started saying "Okay" with an Australian accent.
  Some people roll their eyes when we mention her love of The Wiggles. I don't see it that way. See, I think children should be children. She was (and still is) exposed to all sorts of age-appropriate music (and not just "children's music"), but she showed her preference for these certain bands. She relates to what they have to say, they bring her comfort and giggles, and I enjoy them right along with her. Maybe it is the eternal preschool teacher in me, I'm not sure.
  What I am sure of is that The Wiggles' latest CD  "Let's Eat", was released today and you can bet that it will be part of the collection soon. I am also sure that when they come back on tour, we will be there front and center singing and dancing our hearts out.
  Finally, I know that I thank both The Wiggles and Laurie Berkner for giving Maddie such peace in such an uncertain time in her life. They have been such a wonderful part of her young world and I appreciate that more than anyone will really understand. I hope to be singing along with her and them for many years to come.