11.29.11 - Kitchen Aid

We've talked a lot about what we want in our next house: A bigger pantry, a garden tub, a deck, main floor laundry, bigger kitchen. But one thing it has to have is a Maddie girl kitchen aid!

11.24.11 - Pinball

We spent some time at Grandpa Greg's house today. He's got a cool pinball machine in his basement.

11.22.11 - My two best girls

I wish I could take credit for this frame but I can't. This is all Angie. In fact, I didn't even know she'd shot it until I was editing for Tommy's blog tonight. This frame stopped me in my tracks. I can already tell you it will be one of my all-time favorites of Maddie.

(And Harley, too!)

11.19.11 - Leader of the pack

Cutest little girl we know!

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."

10.13.11 - Playgroup

Maddie took turns playing mommy and doctor during today's playgroup at KU.

10.09.11 - Raisin Bran cookies

Angie offered to bake cookies with Maddie tonight. They were going to bake chocolate chip until I whispered in Maddie's ear that oatmeal raisin is my favorite kind of cookie. She then proclaimed to Angie that they were going to make "raisin bran" cookies. Well, I do like raisin bran, too.


Finally, I've convinced a girl to make me oatmeal raisin cookies and I couldn't be happier! Although something tells me Maddie would enjoy making any kind of cookie so long as she gets to help with the cleanup!

09.30.11 - Ghost lights

Angie came up with this clever use for empty milk jugs at Halloween. Draw on a scary face with a Sharpie and then cut a hole in the back. Use a strand of white Christmas lights to illuminate each jug, creating a strand of ghost lights. Include one cheesy two-year-old and you've got yourself quite a cute Halloween decoration!

09.26.11 - "I wanna go fast!"

Maddie is always telling us to slow down when we're driving in the car but when it comes to swinging she wants to go fast!