Random This and That

Looking for bugs under the stepping stones

 Ethan pulled out his forgotten animals and showed them all to Oliver.  He LOVES them.  We all had fun telling Oliver all their names and hearing him say them back.

 This particular night, I couldn't help but snuggle Cooper a little longer than normal.  I was feeling happy as I layered his blankets:  one from Mimi, one from Great Grandma, one from Nana, one from me.  Every night he's wrapped in so much love!

 Oliver's perfect morning includes throwing balls in and out of his bed and reading lots of books.  Not watching me help the kids get ready for school.

 "I'm at the beach in my relaxing chair!"

 Always happy outside

 Beautiful dresses from Nana

 I love watching him sleep

Madeline's Birthday

We sure had a fun day yesterday with our sweet 9 year old girl!  NINE!?!?!?  We started off the day with a family breakfast of cinnamon rolls.

 Near the end, she looked down at her plate and exclaimed, "Oh!  My last bite is a 9!"

 While she was at school, I made her cake.  Chocolate cake, strawberry frosting, chocolate glaze, with chocolate covered strawberries!  Yes, it was REALLY good!

 Ethan gave her the beanie boo of her dreams.  Cooper gave her a little needle point craft.  Before she opened it he announced, "you're supposed to like it Madeline!"  (she did!)

 She also liked the present from Oliver:

 And the presents from Nana!  SQUEAL!  (I may or may not have liked those too).  This darling dress came with a matching doll dress AND a matching doll dress for her Christmas dress.  I will have to get pictures of that!!!

 She requested a picture with her and Grandpa!

 Um, my daughter is too cute...

 After cake and ice cream, she played with Nana.  They did hat looming and legos.

It turned out to be a really fun day.  For a really wonderful girl.  I love you Madeline.  Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Madeline!

My girl!  She always has been a doll face.  She always has been a giver of joy.  

I love how she spends most of her free time designing and creating homemade gifts for everyone she knows.  She has always just been that way:  thoughtful and creative.

And now she's nine years old.  It really is amazing how fast the time flies.  She is becoming quite a lovely piano player.  She is steady and hardworking.  Willing to put in the effort to make things right. She is never rushed.  I'm still trying to learn from her how to be that way too.

She is a gift to me.  My daughter.  I sure am grateful I have a daughter.  And I sure am grateful that it's Madeline.

Happy Birthday Miss Madeline.  I love you forever.

Things we do

Catapult battles

 Painting treasures from the backyard

 Lots and lots of piano playing

 Lots and lots of trains

 Rollerblading (rocking the spiky helmet!)

 Some serious smelling of the scented markers.  Lol!!!

The Start of 2017

And just like that, January is half over.  Wow!  I thought that maybe I'd get better at blogging more consistently this year, but I'm not off to a very good start!  These last two weeks have been good for me though.  I started getting up earlier and exercising again and eating vegetables at lunch instead of holiday treats.  So refreshing!  Though, I have to admit I'm really tired.  I really need more sleep.  Never. gonna. happen.

Our family theme this year:  Choose Kindness.  Who doesn't need more of that?  I hope we can all get better at being kind in 2017.

Here are some pictures from the last couple weeks:

A sparkly new year for Madeline

 Oliver loves doing "pubbles"

 I had a fun date with Ethan!  He killed me in Uno, but I dominated in Yahtzee.

 Oliver discovered the fun of painting

 Todd installed our new vent hood.  Not only does it look amazing, it works really good too.  I love it!

 The boys have spent hours playing trains.  And so have I!

 A fun and fancy tea party.  Cooper felt so grown up that Madeline let him use her real glass tea set.