05.28.12 - A run through the sprinkler

We got the sprinkler out tonight for the first time this summer. Maddie loved it. The boys didn't want to go near it.

05.20.12 - "Are we going on the highway?"

Maddie loves to ride on the highway so she was particularly thrilled that we let her go with us to Callie's graduation party in Topeka today. Here we're stopped at the Cassoday exit along the Kansas Turnpike in what was one of many false "I gotta go potty really, really bad, daddy!" potty stops.

She was less sure about the turnstiles at the Expocentre, however. She eventually chose to walk around after.

04.04.12 - Crazy hair

Maddie's hair wasn't the only thing acting a little crazy following bath night.

03.27.12 - My two best girls

Maddie wanted to go for a walk tonight so we did. She's good about walking without running off or running out in the street. Still, I like holding her hand. About 10 minutes later, I was carrying her back down this road toward home after she tripped, fell and bloodied her nose. She was more scared than anything and there was only one little scratch on her hand. Next time she'll watch where she's going and we'll make her wear better shoes.

Angie reminded me of this photo (click here and scroll to last photo) taken about 18 months ago. Look how much she's grown!

02.22.12 - Mike Shepherd's kid

Maddie found a map of the zoo in the parking lot there today. She planned what she wanted to see while we waiting for Angie to renew our membership. Upon seeing this photo, Angie remarked, "Yep, she's Mike Shepherd's kid." Lately Maddie's been fascinated with "going a different way" home from daycare and she is curious about street names. If you ask her, she can tell you we live on "Bella Bista." :)

10.31.11 - Strawberry Shortcake

Maddie dressed up as Strawberry Shortcake - one of her favorite characters - for Halloween this year and struck this pose in from of Grandpa Greg's house. She likes to watch Strawberry Shortcake movies on Netflix and she's always quick to tell you if she wants to watch "a big Sortcake" or "a ittle sortcake." (That's a long movie or a shorter episode, for those of you who don't speak toddler. Nan made the outfit from a pattern Angie found on eBay and we purchased the hat separately, also off eBay.

10.21.11 - Threenager

More than once, someone has told us, "oh, just wait until she's a teenager." Well, she's been acting like one lately, with the Terrible Twos in full swing. Today, she carried her pillow, blankie, books and Snuggly Bunny out to the couch when she got up and proclaimed, "I'm not ready to get up yet." So, we're caling her a "threenager." She's close enough to three. As she'll tell you, Halloween is coming up soon and "den it's my berfday."

09.25.11 - Scary ghost

Maddie is already practicing for Halloween. Tonight she was a scary ghost!

07.10.11 - Pouting

This photograph is dedicated to all the grandparents who think Little Miss Maddie is always a ray of sunshine. And speaking of sunshine, this photo was made this morning before the temperature reached eleventy billion* degrees.

*Actually, today's record high was 111.

06.19.11 - Dancing queen

Maddie tore up the dance floor at Mac and Amanda's wedding last night in Erie. With a couple of self-described wallflowers as parents, it's unclear where the lack of inhibition comes from.


The wedding was at a golf course in Erie. They sat (mostly) still for 20 minutes then we let them run free before hitting the reception.


Golf carts provided a lift to the parking lot for those interested. :)


Hold on!


At first, Maddie wasn't sure what to do. She just kinda walked around playing with the balloons.

But, she's very observant and figured it out pretty quickly.


Then she showed her brother.


They chased each other all night.


She kept saying, "I want my Nater-Tater," even when he didn't want to play anymore.


At times she was the only one on the dance floor. We're going to have to find a wedding to crash soon so we can let Maddie dance again!

05.31.11 - Scenes from the "bay ball dame"

Maddie's been asking to go to a baseball game all spring so when Uncle Tim called today offering us some free Wingnuts tickets that were given to him, we gladly took them off his hands. We even invited our next door neighbors who have a daughter a year younger than Maddie. Her name is Kenleigh and they're good friends. Maddie calls her "Kennel."


Some golden rim lighting highlights Nate's crazy hair.


The carnival is setting up in the stadium parking lot for the River Festival, which kicks off this weekend. Maddie is fascinated with big trucks and wanted to have her photo taken in front of one. Even though she's dwarfed by this 18-wheeler, she seems so big.

05.22.11 - Scenes from Emerson's birthday party

The highlight for Maddie at Emerson's birthday party today were the chickens in the backyard. She had a great time chasing them and enjoyed it even more when Uncle Brent helped her hold one. She tried to show her Mommy but she wasn't interested!

05.08.11 - Mints

Maddie loves to eat the mints from Nan's candy dish. She can't just have one. No, she's gotta have a yellow one. Then a green one. And then a pink one. And five minutes later, she'll want to have some all over again.

04.16.11 - Fancy shades

Thanks for the new fancy shades, Gramma Karen!

03.30.11 - Dress yourself!

Today Maddie picked out all her clothes for the first time. Two t-shirts, tights, shorts and boots. Then she decided she wanted to go "out yi-yide." We told her she needed a coat, thinking she'd get one of her lined hoodies from her room. Nope, she came back wearing her heavy winter coat and a stocking hat. She even insisted on wearing the attached mittens, which is something she didn't do all winter. Regardless, still pretty stinkin' cute!

03.06.11 - This Tea Party is OK

We've slowly been transitioning Maddie's room into a "big girl" room. It started when we replaced her crib with a toddler bed and removed the changing table. Then we added a small crib for her baby and a book shelf. Most recently we removed the glider rocker and ottoman and replaced it with a small table and chairs outfitted with a tea set. Also new are the curtains, coat rack and lamp.

02.13.11 - Valentine cookies

In honor of Valentine's Day, Maddie spent the afternoon decorating some heart-shaped sugar cookies that Angie made.


Of course you gotta eat 'em! Perhaps we let her have one too many cookies!


She's a big fan of the icing!


In fact, she tried to get all the icing off this one before putting a single M&M in the middle.


Maddie, will you be my Valentine?!!

02.12.11 - "Noball"

Maddie has wanted to play in the "no" all week so we went outside today and made a snowman. Or, a "noball," as she calls them. She was very happy about it!

01.23.11 - What a busy day!

What a busy day! Maddie enjoyed a nice big brunch at Legends at the Airport Hilton. We can't go anywhere anymore without at least one baby dolls in tow. Today she brought Polly along for the ride.


While Nate and Daddy were shopping for groceries, Maddie and Mommy baked cookies. Here, Maddie gets her first taste of cookie dough out of the bowl.


Want some?!!


Come on now, Maddie. We really should bake those first!


And at bath time tonight, Maddie plays with her duck family. She lined up all her rubber duckies and assigned each one a family role. The daddy duck was the small one with pink and orange flowers. What's up with that?!!

01.12.11 - Baking cookies

Maddie enjoys helping Angie bake cookies after dinner. She enjoyed eating them, too! And if her "big smile" isn't cute enough, when they spilled a little baking powder on the floor, Maddie was quick to the rescue. "I have a broom!" she exclaimed, and grabbed her broom and dust pan to clean it up.