04.16.11 - Fancy shades

Thanks for the new fancy shades, Gramma Karen!

04.09.11 - In your face, Daddy!

I can't wait to show this photo to Maddie tomorrow. (As soon as I open the laptop, she'll say, "Find me, Daddy!" at which point I'll have to show her a photo of herself.) She was getting a push on the swing by Gramma Karen as I was shooting photos of Nate with Grampy in the sandbox. I was intentionally shooting with my fisheye lens, which means I had to be super-close to the pinnacle of her swing to make this photo. On my first attempt, I got too close and Maddie kicked me. She thought that was funny and I spent a few minutes "pretending" to be kicked so that she'd give me a good laugh.

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!

03.26.11 - Learning to read

Never to early to start reading!

03.23.11 - Big sister in charge

As if she needed a shirt to say so ...

03.20.11 - Pockets

Maddie discovered the pockets on her shorts while taking a stroll through the backyard on this wonderful summer-like day on the first day of spring.

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.

02.19.11 - Daddy's lttle helper

I finally got the chance to get out in the backyard and take care of the fallen leaves. I raked some, bagged some and mulched the rest. Maddie helped, too. Sort of.

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!