Madison: 2 1/2

Stats:
height- 32 inches
weight- 23 lbs.
clothes/shoe size- 24 months/ 5 toddler
hair- almost blonde in the summer now, growing into a sassy little bob.
eyes- light brown with long dark lashes.

My little baby Maddie is growing up! I try to fight back time, but she says with pride, "I do it myself"! or "I am a BIG girl!" Madison Grace never fails to amaze me with her independence, intelligence and sense of humor. She is the resident "ham" in our house, and loves to entertain us by singing or shaking her little tush.

Here are a few of her favorites:
*Food: She loves chips and dip (especially the dip!), yogurt, chocolate milk and macaroni and cheese. Pancakes, oatmeal, turkey and cheese sandwiches are frequent meals. She loves all fruit, and will eat broccoli. When she was a baby she loved veggies, but lately it has been difficult to get her to even try a bite. Madison was so shocked when she discovered she liked broccoli. She will ask people in the produce aisle, "You like broccoli? I like broccoli and eat it all up!"  
*Books: Madison loves to read her 'born' book, the shutterfly book I made her (and her sister) on their first birthdays at bedtime. What kid doesn't like looking at photos of themselves as a baby? Pete the Cat and books about Ballet and Cowgirls are her two favorite reading genera lately.

*Songs: "Call Me Maybe", "Fix my Eyes on You"
*TV: Madison loves the Disney show, "Sheriff Callie" about a singing kitty-cowgirl and her friends. She can't wait to be a cowgirl for halloween! We found some pink boots at Target and I can't get her to take them off. She has been telling Lindsay, "I'm gonna put you in jail!".... we're working on that one..lol.

*All Girl: MGF loves pink and purple, and would wear a tutu or skirt or dress everyday if I let her. She loves accessories like earrings, necklaces and sunglasses and likes to compliment people on their jewelry. There is one particular necklace I wear, and she asks me every time, "Mama, can I have that necklace when I get older?" She lets me put her hair in pigtails, although gets disappointed when it isn't french braids like big sisters.

*Toys: She sleeps with her Dolly, Molly and Kitty. Madison enjoys playing baby dolls, reading, and with her little people doll house. I can hear renacting long conversations with her dolls that go something like this: "No Ba-lijah (not sure why all dolls both male and female are named this)! Mommy says___, and you must obey or you get a spanking. Good job, I love you." It is pretty humbling seeing your parenting skills being used by your 2 year old!
*Petite Princess: She is still super tiny for her age, although her height seems to be just a little below average. She is fully potty trained (PM too for about 4 months). Wakes up at 7am and naps from 1-3pm during the afternoon, and goes to bed around 8:30pm.

Playing ballerina in her leotard.

*Friends: Madison enjoys playing with her older sisters friends, and I am excited for her to begin making her own friends in CBS this year while Lindsay is in preschool. She plays well with other kids, although despite her size, she isn't the type to back down when another child takes a toy or steps on her toes. She likes to tell tall tales and is quite into tattling.
*Learning: Madison loves her learning time. I have been giving Madison little activities during Lindsay's learning time and she has been doing fantastic! She knows all her shapes, colors and can say her ABC's and can count from 1-15. She recognizes 12 letters out of the alphabet, and loves craft time. In the fall we are going to start the ABC Jesus Loves Me 3 year old curriculum, and I don't know who is more excited for the one-on-one preschool practice time together, her or Mama!!

Love you my sweet "big" little girl!! xo

Library Hoedown

Hee Haw! 

On Tuesday we went to a free event at our local library, a Hoedown! Madison's favorite show right now is Sheriff Callie on Disney (Lindsay enjoys it too), and she is totally into all things cowgirl! Madison told me a while back she wanted to be a cowgirl for halloween, so we busted out the costume early to wear to the hoedown ;) 

Madison couldn't wait to saddle up on this pony. 

 There were crafts, pizza, Rita's and cookies not to mention a real cowboy performer!

 This Cowboy did some clogging, and the girls were mesmerized. Lindsay told me she wanted to take tap dancing lessons afterwards. LOL.

 .

Madison's face lit up when he brought out his lasso and did a few rope tricks. She said very matter-of-fact, "Mommy, that is his lasso. Watch him twirl it around, I want to do that too!"

 There was plenty of banjo playing, which inspired the girls to do a little dancing ;) Our library is so cool!!

Backyard Camping

On Saturday we did a little "Fisher" style camping and pitched a tent in our backyard for the girls. And we have the bug bites to prove it.

 Around the corner from our house is a trail, and we went for a 'hike' to check it out. We followed a creek and found a cute bridge that girls enjoyed throwing rocks in to see who could make the biggest splash.

Madison (2.5) & Lindsay  (4.5)

 Little Miss Sassy 'hiking'. Love the hand. LOL.

  Madison started out walking, but a ride on Daddy's shoulders are more fun!

The girls had a blast playing in the tent. We have had this tent for 8 years, and were shocked at the great condition it was in. Then remembered it had been used only 2 times. LOL.  

Got a log at the grocery store to roast some marshmallows for Smores. It took forever to get a flame going, especially with a breeze. We were finally able to get it going to roast one marshmallow at a time.

 Lindsay loved the roasting part ;)

Let's just say Madison liked hers a little more well-done...

MMMMM... we love smores!

After we ate our smores, we sat outside for awhile longer and watched Daddy pour water over the fire. The girls opted to sleep in their beds instead of the tent, and Mama and Daddy were just fine with that. We left the tent up for a couple days and the girls had fun playing 'camp out' with all their dollies!

Farewell Grandma Rosie

Last week my precious Grandma Rosie went home to meet Jesus face to face. What a blessing she has been to me and our whole family. She truly had a servants heart, and lived to serve God by giving her best to her husband, children and grandchildren. I don't think she ever met a stranger, and her home was always a warm place with a delicious home cooked meal ;)  Through the past few weeks and two trips to California, I wanted to share a few memories for Lulu and Maddie to remember their Gigi in the years to come. 

 Grandma Rosie and Me in the backyard... guess who I get my love of gardening from?

 Grandma taught me lots of things: to swim, to cook and to roller skate!

Grandma was one of my biggest fans and helped me all throughout college. I loved dropping in, sitting on a barstool talking to her while she created some magic in the kitchen.

Grandma was promoted to "Gigi" aka "Great Grandma" twice with the arrivals Lindsay and Madison. I treasure our weekly phone calls where we would swap recipes, gardening tips and she offered advice on growing a young family.

Gigi and Lindsay

Gigi and Madison

Here we were on her 74th birthday in April... we didn't know she had cancer then, only that she was slowing down (if that was possible!). She was so brave, from the diagnosis at the end of May until her passing only 6 weeks later.

I will miss you always, but take comfort in God's promise to us of eternal life paid by the blood of Jesus.  I know you are worshiping our Lord in heaven with Grandpa and your sisters and brothers, and  one day I will see you again. Love you always Grammy!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Happy Daddy Day!

This year for Father's Day we went into NYC with the little ladies to celebrate the Best Daddy Ever!! Shamefully, we have been avoiding going into the city with the girls... I don't know why, maybe the breastfeeding, potty training and two nap schedule? We conquered our fear (had no other excuses) and drove to the city for the day. We had a totally fun, non-stressful and gorgeous time celebrating our favorite guy. 

Happy Father's Day! Daddy & his girlies opening gifts and cards. 

First up was the Natural History Museum. The girls had a blast checking out the animals; the Peoples exhibits did tend to scare them, (think masks and bones) so we walked past those rather quickly. Lindsay's favorite animal she told us later was the cheetah... she like the polka dot fur. Madison who has a great love for most animals, was enchanted by the baby rhinos and the otters...  

 Dinosaur Bones!

They are both looking at the camera and smiling normal?! 

 Herd of elephants!

We worked up quite a hunger in the museum, and we walked across the street to have brunch at Isabella's. Mama and Daddy were super excited to discover that a free adult-only beverage came with our entree; we chose Bellini's!! Jarrett had a Filet Benedict: Filet with onion ring and au povire sauce... so decadent and rich; I had the Goat Cheese Omelet with marinaded tomato... delish. 

Daddy's Girl, Lindsay ;) When we told her we were going to New York city, we were surprised that she was excited and remembered it from books we read and shows we've seen.  

 The girls felt very 'fancy' eating in the city, and couldn't wait to finish eating so they could go to Central Park!

We took a leisurely stroll through Central Park, and it was a gorgeous and hot day. I was surprised to see so many folks out sunbathing. I guess when you only have two real months of summer, and limited days without thunder storm clouds, people get out as much as possible. I was feeling quite motherly, and wanted to bust out my sunscreen and say to all the folks (and my 21 year old self)... "Skin Cancer! Wrinkles!! Wear a hat!" Party Pooper..LOL.

The girls heard the tinkling music of the Carousel in the park and couldn't wait to take a spin...

 Throwing pennies in the fountain... make a wish!

 We walked down to FAO Schwarts for fun...

Water painting...there was so many things to try!

Lindsay and Madison had their own "Big" movie moment when they took a spin on the Big Piano!

We looked out the window and what did we see? Madison Avenue. 

 We walked around the corner with Madison Grace to take a picture with her street namesake.

Madison pointing to Madison Ave.

On our way back to our car we stopped for a sweet treat, gelato at Grom. We had a Grom in Malibu, and have not had it since we moved. Yum Yum! Much different view though. We drove the hour drive home and thought, "Let's do this again at Christmas Time!!" We love our Daddy Bear and had so much fun celebrating the wonderful Father, Son, Brother and Husband you are.

Happy Father's Day, Jarrett and Papa! We love you so much!