what else is going on

I need to check and see what other photos we have to put up. I don't think we have been very good lately about taking picture. So in the meantime, I'll just tell you about what Maddie has been up to.

We haven't been swimming as much as she would like, but when we do go she loves it. She is fearless, mostly. And will jump in the water over and over. We recently found the Little Mermaid II at the library and we usually have to reenact that movie at the pool over and over.
One of my favorite things she says in yesternight. As in instead of last night or yesterday. Although we'll drive up to somewhere and she'll say "we were just here yesternight". But its really been a couple of weeks.
She is also having trouble saying her Gs and Cs. So its Bgiraffe and Bgarage, and BCarissa (my friend).
She is learning her letters and loves to find "her letter". She also knows my letter, Rick's letter, Sadie's letter and Grandma's letter. We are working on the rest...
Madison loves to help me sweep the floors and dust. We have a smaller broom that is perfect for her. She likes to peel the back of those foam stickers, throw all the backs on the floor, and then sweep them all up with her broom.
Yesterday we were outside playing Prince and Princess (I was the Prince of course). She came over to my "house". But then she told me she had to leave and go to her Grandfather's house. I said "you just got here." And she said "but he emailed me..."
At least part of the day is spent with me being the little girl and Madison being the Mommy. And she usually tells me what to do or say. As in "say the lawn mower is too loud" or " say that you don't want to have quiet time" or "say give me that toy, its my turn". You get the idea, usually thing she has told me recently.
We still have to ballroom dance and whoever isn't dancing with Maddie is the "instructor" and they have to give us a score, always a 10. We will have to record Dancing with the Stars again in honor of Grandma and Grandpa.
Madison loves to go to Deanna Rose Farmstead. She calls it the Farm Park. We went today and she remembered the schoolhouse with the chalkboards even though we hadn't been to that part in a couple of months.
We also have to "tell me all about" things. For instance, "tell me all about that movie, mommy" or "tell me all about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich". Its really tell me all about anything that comes to her mind.
Madison is very picky about what she wears. She usually has to wear a dress. If I try to get her to wear a certain shirt and skirt together, she will wear the skirt, but she'll want a different shirt or vice versa.
Her favorite color is pink, than orange, than purple.
Now when we rider her scooter, I have to be Bolt and she is Penny (from the movie Bolt). And she'll say Zoom Zoom and I have to "pull" her just like Bolt does in the movie.
We also have to "have problems". The best example is she will tell us to have problems singing Old MacDonald. So I'll sing that the cow says quack and she'll correct me. But I have to have problems with all kinds of things: puzzles, eating with a spoon, putting on my shoes, anything really. She loves to be right ;)
She still loves books. We go to the library regularly and mostly read library books at bedtime. And she still loves her books at bedtime. She always wants us to read more. I'm so excited to share books with her as she gets older.
Madison loves her cousins. She is very sweet with Issac and Ella and gives them lots of kisses. And she follows Luke around everywhere. And we love being closer to the Grandparents and Ashley and Spencer and Aunt Karen. We get to see them a lot more often.
Madison is always a handful. But she always makes us laugh and we are having so much fun...

Dad's Birthday

That weekend we celebrated Dad's birthday. We went to dinner and then Madison helped Dad unwrap his presents. Madison's favorite was the Star Wars cookie cutters (which she used to call space rangers, but has since learned). Happy Birthday Daddy!

Grandma's Birthday

Grandma's birthday was Thursday the 22nd. We wanted to go visit, but Rick's birthday was that weekend. So Madison and I went down mid-week and came back Friday. We had lots of fun running around with Grandma and visiting Issac. Thursday night Issac, Spencer and Sarah came over and we made Mom dinner. What a cute picture of Grandma and her 2 grandkids.
Friday morning we opened the box that had my wedding dress and veil, so Ashley could see if she wants to wear my veil for her wedding. Once it was open, Madison wanted us both to try everything on. I think it fit her better than it fit me.

my little ballerina

Back in mid July, Madison and I were home one morning and she decided she needed to be a ballerina. Which meant the tutu and wings. She loved that her dress matched too. And wore it around for most the morning.

the cousins

The weekend after the 4th, the Pedersens came to visit. Brian, Renny, Luke, Ella, Madison and I went to Deanna Rose one morning. It was a beautiful day and the kids had a wonderful time. They both loved the pony rides and Luke loved the fishing. Then we headed to Salty Iguana for a little lunch.
Friday night my parents and Spencer were also in town, so we had everyone over to our house for dinner. It was so much fun to have everyone together. Luke and Maddie loved playing with Spencer, of course. And toward the end of the evening my dad was reading stories to Luke and Madison. Great fun! Can't wait to do it again.

its all about pink

Fourth of July weekend we painted Madison's room so she would feel more at home. We let her pick the color and she said she wanted pink, of course. Here she is helping us paint. She was less than helpful, but she tried to help for a while. Then Rick and I took turns painting and entertaining. Our next step is to get a big bed and new comforter etc. Once that happens, I'll get a picture up.