12.30.11 - Maddie's 3rd birthday party

We celebrated Maddie's third birthday party tonight. We celebrated with a taco dinner, including black beans that Maddie has been saying for months she would eat on her birthday. Do you think she ate any? Of course not! After dinner we opened presents and ate a Strawberry Shortcake chocolate cake - that Angie made - with ice cream. The house was packed, we now own every conceivable Strawberry Shortcake toy that can possibly be made and Maddie went to bed a happy three-year-old.

12.27.11 - Baby Jesus

Maddie's favorite outdoor Christmas decorations are nativity scenes. She excitedly points them out when we're driving. Lisa, our day care provider, has one in her front yard. This morning, as we dropped her off, Maddie asked me if I'd take a photo of her with Baby Jesus. I didn't have a camera with me at the time but I was sure to bring one when I picked her up.

12.24.11 - Maddie's 3rd birthday

Maddie turned 3 today!


We celebrated during breakfast - chocolate chip bagels from Panera.


So proud of herself for blowing out the candles.


The birthday bunny she got from Santa a few days ago joined us at the table.


Her birthday prizes included a couple of Strawberry Shortcake paper books.


Again, so proud!


Christmas Eve is Angie's mom's family's big Christmas celebration so we spent most of the afternoon and evening at Nan and Pop's house. We sang Happy Birthday to Maddie at the minute of her birth. She sang along, too, while cuddled close to Nan.

Happy Birthday, Maddie Girl!

12.16.11 - Santa

Tonight, while standing in line to meet Santa, I asked Maddie what she was going to ask for. She thought about it a bit and said, "a bunny!" But, when she got the chance, she stumbled on her words. I asked her to think about what we talked about it line. She said, "I know! A bunny!" So, Santa talked to one of his elves and came up with this Bugs Bunny birthday-themed stuffed rabbit, which is perfect since her birthday is on Christmas Eve.

12.13.11 - Feed us now!

At dinner tonight, Maddie, Nate and Ellie started banging on the kids table. They were just playing but some nights at dinner it sure seems like we can't feed them fast enough!

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.