Happy Birthday America!!

We had a fairly low-key 4th this year. I've been so sick (baby-related, ugh) so my desire to do, well, anything is seriously compromised. My friend Trisha invited us over for a very low-key BBQ and some kid-friendly fireworks. The big fireworks shows here were SO late (9:30) so we just let Maddie play with some sparklers...which, PS, she was thrilled with! We had fabulous ribs and great conversation while the kids played. Just about all the fun I could handle...literally.

I also decided to make Maddie a shirt for the occasion...my Pinterest addiction allowed me the inspiration for a fun flag shirt. Add an adorable custom barrette made by my friend Georgia of Sweet Peas and Mamma Bees, and we have instant Patriotic cuteness.

On an unrelated note, Maddie's been swimming the past few days! I don't know what's considered truly knowing how to swim, but she propels underwater while holding her breath on her own, so I say, SWIMMING! She is still nervous about it but is getting better...Daddy takes her in the pool just about every day (mercifully giving nauseous Mamma a much needed break :)

Aaaaaaalmost 3!

10 days. What? Where does it go?? Seriously. I feel like I open each birthday blog entry with this old cliche', but seriously??!! I am in awe of the change that each year brings. This one in particular. I like to update about her accomplishments each year, so.....

At almost 3, my baby can do the following:

1. Talk her head (and my ear) off....I mean to say, full-on conversation, to now include slang and silliness, IE: she has this way of saying "seriously??" in this valley girl, sarcastic tone that cracks me up!!
2. Play ball! She can make contact with her bat and ball while playing with her little Tball set.
3. Alllllmost swim. She goes underwater, just below the surface and propels herself forward while holding her breath. I wish she'd use her arms more but we're working on that!
4. She can identify and sound out every letter of the alphabet as well as identify words that start with that letter.
5. She counts to about 30...
6. She can put her own shoes on (on the right feet!), put pants on and undress. Shirts are still tricky and sometimes things are backwards but hey, it's all fixable!
7. Potty Training is still, um, a challenge but she has both peed and pooped on the potty just not consistently.
8. Getting the hang of pedaling her little bike.
9. She is very into shapes and letters and drawing them. She can make a circle and is making a smiley face (eyes, nose, mouth).


I also stole this idea from a friend whose daughter is a hair older than Maddie...a birthday questionnaire. The idea is to ask the same questions every year. Here goes (and I quote...)!

1. What is your favorite color? "Blue, yellow and white".
2. What makes you happy? "Daddy"
3. What is your favorite animal? "Doggies"
4. What is your favorite food? "Mac and Cheese. And cheese..."
5. What are you really good at? "Singing"
6. Who is your best friend? "Mommy" (thankful to get honorable mention)
7. What is your favorite song? "ABC's" (she proceeded to sing the whole song...twice)
8. What is your favorite thing about you? "hmmm....my tummy and my nose"
9. What is your favorite show? "Little Einsteins"
10. What is your favorite thing to do? "Swim"

Random Tuesday at our house....

As if this clown costume wasn't freaky enough on Halloween. At least the Princess is adorbs.

Debby Downer

So we have been dealing with this:

Tropical storm Debbie.

She is wreaking havoc along the coast and bringing with her a boatload of rain and high winds. Not much to do in this awful weather, so we took Maddie for her first trip to The Imaginarium, a small local kids' museum. It's a bit small and there's not a ton of stuff to do, but definitely great for killing a couple of hours and getting the little stir-crazy munchkin out of the house! (on a side note....we french braided Mads hair for the first time ever...I think it came out purdy cute myself!)

  

Oh! And a last minute run for Ice Cream as the icky weekend came to a close. Perfection.

Best Daddy EVERRR!

Father's Day was...well, I hope everything Garret wanted. His requests: beach, lunch at his fave Jason's Deli, steaks on the grill and relaxation. Done, done, done and done.

 Our friends, The Bernals joined us for some evening pool time and dinner....they moved here from CO (why they would ever leave is beyond me :) and have no family. The kids get along well and we really hit it off with mom and dad. Papa also joined us, of course!

 And because he's the bestest Daddy ever, Garret bought Maddie this sand/water station thingie...so sweet to think of her on HIS day!

 And because I'm the bestest wife ever, I got him this pool float and a beer.

After making omelets for Daddy, Maddie decided to change into her finest to celebrate her favorite guy.

We sure are two lucky girls to have such an amazing man in our lives. It makes my heart happy to know this is the standard to which all men in her life will hopefully be held. She will be blessed to have someone like him....



Practice makes perfect.

 Hee hee. She usually wears Daddy's shoes and Lord knows I RARELY wear these but she decided on some fab, patent leather pumps and, well, navigated pretty darn well. I'm afraid.

Bella turns 5!!!

 My beautiful niece and Maddie's BFF turned the big five this past week! She had an awesome party...pool fun, bounce house and the coolest Little Mermaid cake ever! She had a blast and loved the Little Mermaid doll we got her that is water-safe! She's definitely one of my two favorite little girls in the universe!!