My Tiny Dancer

Yesterday was Madie's first dance class. I enrolled her in a Ballet & Fairytales class at the local YMCA. I wanted to make sure that she enjoyed dance before I spent the money on expensive dance studios. Two of her friends from MDO are also in the class and they looked adorable in their little tutu's.

Well....she loved her first class and she has not stopped talking about it!

At dinner last night we were talking about what she learned. She told me that she learned to flap her legs like a butterfly, that they played hop scotch and that she learned to tirsty. I didn't quiet know what she meant. I didn't know if she needed a drink or if she was talking about a new dance position. I'm not a dance expert but I do know a few dance terms. When I asked her to show me, she bowed with one leg back and her arms stretched out and said, "tirsty." I couldn't help but laugh, she was saying curtsy. How cute and adorable. I'm so happy she loved it and can't wait to see what all she learns this year in dance class.

My Little Ballerina

Happiness is......

Flying!

I'm On A BOAT!!!

We finally got around to taking Madie on her first boat ride. It's hard to make time to just go for a "ride" when hubby loves to fish as much as her does, but we cleared his fishing calendar and spent the day on the boat. It was SO much fun! I think we may have created a boating monster. We've been 2 times in the past week and we stayed on the water ALL day. I know her daddy is so proud. Thanks to Nana and Paw-paw for joining us and sharing the day.

I'm on a boat!

Look at that sweet face!

Having fun!

Madie and her daddy~

Dora Live!

The Day FINALLY arrived...Dora Live! We've had the countdown going for quiet some time. As part of Madie's birthday we told her that we would take her to see Dora Live! (Great marketing NICK for running the promotional commercial that it would be "in a town near you" for a million zillion times...it worked!) This morning Madie was soooo excited!!! She was going to see Dora. My mom came over to go on this outing with us and I think she was as excited as Madie. Or.... that was until we got to the BJCC.

When we arrived at the much anticipated Dora Live! Show, Madie decided she wanted to go home. She didn't want to be there. Maybe it was the large gang of kids under 5 going in all directions attached to the hand of someone much taller then them? Or maybe it was the loud yelling and/or screaming of most of those kids under 5 going in all directions? It was a little overwhelming, even for me. Whatever it was, at that moment she wanted to be home. And this state of mind continued until the curtain lifted and then it was on. It was as if a different child had joined us.

Up she jumped and began to dance, clap and sing. It's amazing how Dora can just get all over you. She had the best time and I was so happy that we were able to take her. The smile on her face was worth the price of the tickets.

Side note: I would have had pictures to share (I even took my fancy camera) but the aisle Natzi would not allow anyone to take pictures...not even of your own children sitting in their sets. The lady a few rows in front of us got threatened that they were going to call a manager if she took another picture. They were very strict today and I didn't have it in me to try and beat the system so...no pictures. Only precious memories~

These Are The Days....Do You Remember?

Today was Madie's last day of school. I think it was a much bigger deal to me than it was to her. Although I told her it was her last day until next year, I'm not sure that she understands that she will not be going back next week or the week after that. When I was thinking about putting Madie is Mom's Day Out (MDO) I remember struggling with the decision. I didn't know if I should (I was a stay at home mom and my JOB was to take care of her all the time) or if I wanted to (could I handle her going off alone...by herself?) Well, it turns out that it was the best decision I ever made. And looking back I can't believe I was so torn about the decision. It gave me a little "Me" time and let Madie know that there was a world outside of Mommy. She had wonderful teachers (I can only hope that we are this lucky every year) and she made some of the sweetest friends that she will probably graduate high school with. The year has flown by and I think it is only going to get faster. I want to bottle these memories up and keep them forever. It was amazing to see how much she had changed since the first day of school.

Madie's 1st day of school.

Her back pack was as big as she was.

Madie's 1st day at MDO.

She's having a snack and I'm in the car worrying to death about her and wondering if she is making it okay with me.

Mother Goose Story Day.

Halloween 2008

Winter 2008

And here she is her last day of school.

I can hardly believe how much she has grown and changed.

She's not my little baby anymore~ She's turning into a little lady.

I love you Madie and I am so proud of the little lady you have become!

Wordless Wednesday....

Playing Catch Up...

I have been so out of touch lately. Blogging has taken a back seat to a few things lately. (i.e. snow, warm weather, visit from Nana and iPod) There are many things I need to blog about. I will take them one at a time and try to catch up.

It is so hard to believe that a little over a week ago there was 3/4 inches of snow on the ground. Especially since it is 80 degrees today. We have enjoyed playing outside and going to the park. I have a serious case of Spring fever. But, we can't forget the snow. We don't get to enjoy it that often and this was the first time Madie enjoyed herself playing in it. Last year she cried when we went outside to play. So it was wonderful to watch her play and throw snowballs.

So here are a few snow day pictures to enjoy.

Who Knew Chicken Alfredo and Carrots Were So Wonderful?

Today was one of those days when it got to be time for dinner I still had no idea what I was going to make, so I decided to make Chicken Alfredo---nothing really special-- just a quick easy meal that I know Madie and Hubby both like. I also made Madie some carrots. Again, nothing really special but I have to make sure she has her veggies.

While we are eating Madie looks up at me and says, "Thank you for this wonderful dinner mommy."

She melted my heart.

Maybe I AM doing something right.

Valentine Buddies

Madie and her Buddy went to eat lunch at one of their favorite places for Valentine's Day. They both love Mexican. Nothing says, "Be My Valentine" like a taco!!!!

Aren't they sweet!

There Are Just Some Things You Don't Ask A Lady

Madie and I had dinner with my parents the other night. My Dad asks my Mom if she had done something different to her hair, had she colored it or something. Madie looks at my Dad and says, "Paw-paw, I don't think that's any of your business."

It's a good thing he didn't ask a question about age or weight.

Wordless Wednesday

Giving Madie What She Wants and Needs

Last night when I got Madie out of the bathtub she preceded to tell me that she wanted a hair tail. I had my hair in a ponytail so I knew exactly what she meant. So, I pulled what little hair I could, because her hair in cut short and in layers in the back, and put it up in a hair tail for her.

Before I could finish giving her a hair tail she told me that she needed some popcorn for her mouth. After I finished dressing her, I went and popped her some popcorn to give her what she needed.

Hubby was out of town last night so it was just us girls in the house. We called Hubby to tell him to be safe traveling and to let Madie tell him goodnight. He told Madie that she needed to sleep with mommy tonight since he was not going to be home. I quickly changed the subject so she wouldn't get any ideas. Well, 11:30pm, her she comes. "Mommy, I want to sleep with you". I told her no and that she needed to go back and get in her bed and then she said, "But Daddy told me to sleep with you". No debating that one.
*Note to self-Remind Hubby of how Madie doesn't forget anything!!!

My Chatty Madie

I wanted to write down a few funny things that my chatty Madie has said/done over the past week or so.

So, here goes:

*We went to a Mexican restaurant to eat with Hubby's Aunt last week. We didn't get to visit with her over the holidays so we decided we would meet for a bite to eat and visit for a while. Anyone who has children knows that there is a time limit that children should have to stay confined to a booth in a restaurant. After about 40 minutes, Madie was about to bounce off the walls. She was ready to go. There were hardly any customers left in the restaurant so it was nice to not have to constantly tell her to be quiet. We were getting ready to leave when a lady and what looked to be her 3 daughters come in to get something to eat. As they walk in the door Madie shouts, "Hey, you guys come on in and get a taco!" We all busted out laughing and so did the lady.

*On Sunday, Hubby was home with Madie and I called to check in to see how they were making it. Hubby asked Madie if she wanted to talk to me and she said, "Not now daddy, I'm pitching a fit." At least she's honest. When I got home I asked Madie if she was still "pitching a fit?" She said, "No mommy, I'm finished."
Priceless!

Impossible vs. Incredible!...?

Madie cracks me up everyday! Her vocabulary is growing so fast but her pronunciation of those words come out a little mangled sometimes. Not to her though. She is as serious as can be. It's so cute.

She has recently begun to use big words. When I say big words, I mean big for a 2 year old. She is very descriptive and will say things like wonderful, fantastic and fabulous to name a few. You get the idea.

The other day we were in Toys R Us exchanging something that she had gotten for Christmas. After we made the return we were going to get a replacement toy and she wanted 2 toys. I told her that she had just gotten so many toys for Christmas and that we didn't need to buy anymore until she played with all of her new ones. She didn't like my answer and looked at me and said in the most serious voice, "Mommy, you're impossible!" All I could do was look at her and smile and think to myself that this is only the beginning. I know she'll feel the same way many times throughout her life. I'm just glad she's using big words.

And then hubby brings her home some cherry tomatoes from the grocery store on Sunday (she absolutely loves tomatoes). I tell her what he's done for her and she runs to him, wraps her arms around his legs and says, "Daddy, you're incredible!"......like I said, I'm glad to see she's using big words.

So......
Mommy's Impossible and Daddy's Incredible....She can say the words but I wonder if she knows what they mean. Coincidence?

Meet Edward....Our Elf.

Meet Edward.

a.k.a Edward Jacob or E.J.

He came to live with us this year until Christmas. He says that he will be coming back every year to watch over Madie and see if she has been a good girl and report back to Santa.

He has been getting into plenty of mischief since he has been with us. At night he raids the pantry, throws marshmallows everywhere, rearranges the furniture, climbs in trees, knocks over chairs, hides things, eats all of the candy in the house and who knows what he will get into next--I think he has a party every night.

Madie is VERY aware of his presence and knows that he is watching her. The other day, I could tell that she was about to get upset and I looked around to see where Edward was. She saw what I was doing and looked up at Edward the Elf and said, "Hey Edward! You Not See That!" And her fit was over----I'm thinking its too bad I don't have Edward as back up year around.

Friday Photo

Yes, Madie. There really is a Santa Claus.

Shoe Store Crap

Today Madie and I went to the Library to see Mr. Mac. It had been several weeks since we have gone. We have had a lot going on. Afterwards, we went to eat Mexican with a mommy friend and her two little boys--Madie loves them.

After lunch, Madie and I walked to the shoe store that is in the same shopping center as the Mexican restaurant. We walked in and she was being very well behaved. She wasn't running off, she wasn't throwing shoes on the ground and she actually asked me if she could go in the back and look in the mirrors. I told her she could, keeping one eye on the wide variety of shoes to choose from and one eye on her.

A few minutes later I called to Madie and told her it was time to go. She walked up to the lady at the counter on her way out and said, "Hey Lady, I just poo poo'd." I thought to my self, no she just didn't... but she did. The lady behind the counter replied, "That does happen sometimes."

Not what I expected out of her mouth---or the other end for that matter ---in the shoe store.

If I Had A Hundred Dollars To Spend

Let me just say that ones mind can think of the craziest things at the strangest times. With that said:

If I Had A Hundred Dollars To Spend

If I had a hundred dollars to spend
or maybe a little more.
I'd hurry as fast as my legs would go,
straight to the animal store.

I wouldn't say how much for this or that?
Or what kind of dog is he?
I'd buy as many as wagged a tail
or rolled an eye at me.

I might by the parrot all red and green,
or the monkey I saw before.
If I had a hundred dollars to spend,
or maybe a little more.

This is a poem that I had to memorize in the 2nd grade. And for some reason it has been on my mind for several days. Why? I have NO idea. I thought maybe it was a sign to document it for Madie before I go all "Denny Crane" and get Mad Cow.

Terrific Turkey's...Gobble Til You Wobble!

Today was Madie's Thanksgiving Program for Mom's Day Out. Madie's class was the Terrific Turkeys! Hubby had a flat tire on his was to the church so he was a few minutes late and didn't get to see all of the program. Nana and Paw-paw were there---which was truly a blessing considering that Paw-paw was in the CICU (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit) only one week ago today after his second bypass surgery. He is doing great with his recovery and I am so glad that they were to come.

Paw-paw, Madie, Nana & Hubby

The Terrific Turkeys sang several songs and were dressed in Turkey aprons. The aprons were so cute--They said "gobble til you wobble" on the front. They were all adorable. I video taped them singing their songs and was able to get some "close-ups" of Madie, until she decided to sit down and a piano blocked my view, I could only see the bow on the top of her head. She had no idea that we were there. There were so many people there and she couldn't find us in the crowd. I could see her mouth move and ask Ms. A, "Where's my mommy?"....my heart melted. Then they sang a song about being thankful and one part they sang said I love my mommy and I love my daddy. I saw Madie look at the teacher and say...not sing, "I love my mommy." My heart melted again.

After the program we went to Madie's classroom to see all of the art work they have been working on. I was so proud and very impressed with artwork.

Madie and her artwork.

I love you too Madie and I am so thankful for you!

Madie's Top 5

Madie's top 5 reason's why she didn't want to go to Mom's Day Out today:

#5-She wanted to stay home with me.

#4-She had a headache.

#3-She was sleepy and wanted to take a nap.

#2-Her leg hurt.

And my personal favorite:

#1-Her stomach was bleeding.

I have to give it to her. She knows how to come up with some good ones. And she's only 2! I guess she figured if you add some blood to something it makes it a lot worse.