splish splash

The day after the birthday party, Madison had another dance recital. Emaline has been in her class this time so that has been fun to share. This time the theme for the show was the 50's and the girls danced to Splish Splash. Madison had to give us some poses before the show. Grandma, Grandpa, Ashley, Cy, Grandame, Grandad, Renny, Ella and Grandame's friend Claire all came to see the command performance. Cousin Ella really got into the music, was dancing, and even tried to run on stage a couple of times. Maddie did a great job, especially because after the show we found out that her ear tubes were bothering her the whole time. Video to come.


Emaline and Madison before the show.

Madison's class waiting for the show to start.


The finale.

All about Family

After the birthday party, the family hung out and we had Madison's Birthday dinner. Grandma, Grandpa, Ashley, Cy, Grandame, Grandad, Renny, Ella, Aunt Karen and Uncle Terry were all there. Unfortunately we didn't get any pictures except this one of Madison blowing out the candles on her actual cake. Which we did cut up and eat and it was quite tasty if I do say so....

Madison's 4th Birthday Party

We had Maddie's party on April 9th. We were worried about rain and cold weather, and instead we got sunny and almost 90 degrees! Who would have guessed. The kids played on the new playground, decorated crowns, got their faces painted and dove for candy from the pull-ata (like a pinata, but you pull strings instead of hitting the pinata). And of course cupcakes! It was exhausting for momma, but so much fun and best party we've had since her 1st birthday. Emaline

Campbell
Sharing the umbrella

Mason, Connor's little brother
Cousin Ella
Long line for the face painting. Alex, Sophia, and Danny.

Molly getting her face painted.
Emaline.
Decorating Princess and Prince crowns. Emaline, Molly and Maddie.
Alex, Sophia and Maddie decorating. Check out that baby bump!
Connor and Campbell decorating with Zoe and Mason watching.
Blowing out the candles.
Waiting for cupcakes. Chris, Connor, Campbell and Emaline.
Pull-ata.

party prep

Saturday morning we got ready for the party by first frosting the cake. Madison wanted to help, but I was afraid she would be too helpful. She had requested a Princess cake, so I managed to make an Aurora Cake. She loved it! Sadie even got in on helping.


We also talked Grandma into face painting for the party. So here is Madison's first round of face painting before the guests arrived. You'll notice it changes as the day goes on.

the big gift

The Grandparents helped us get Madison a playground for her birthday this year as her main gift. We put it together the weekend before the party, so she had lots of time to break it in before the party. She loves it! And we would be outside pushing her on the swing all day long if we let her. I'm excited to Maddie to learn to swing by herself!!

And it begins...

The weekend of Madison's birthday party Madison couldn't wait to open a present. So Grandma and Grandpa gave in and let her open their present. Grandpa had recently made a trip to Orlando for work, so he brought her the figurines from Tangled as well as the movie. I can't tell you how many times we have had to act out the movie.

April 5th, a day of celebration

After school, Madison and I met Dad at "the train place" for lunch, aka Fritz's. Madison's loves having the train deliver her lunch. Then we went to the "Farm Park", aka Deanna Rose Farmstead. Madison has been asking me pretty much once a week since November if the Farm Park was open yet. Luckily it opens April 1st. Maddie knew exactly what she wanted to do when we got there, including the Pony Ride.
When we got home she opened her present from us, which was a Wii Disney Sing along game. She doesn't know all the words to the songs yet, but she loves practicing.
And the she picked the "the Iguana place" for her birthday dinner, aka Salty Iguana. She picked a great night because it was kids eat free night, and she got free ice cream nachos for her birthday, another winner!
I can't believe our little girl is 4 years old! She seems like such a grown up girl. She is a big helper around the house. And I know she is going to be a great big sister.

Madison's School Party

Madison's Birthday happened to fall on a school day this year, so we got to take cookies on her birthday for snack. She got her special birthday hat and they have the cake below to blow out candles. She thought it was pretty special.
Madison, Annabelle, Noah, Molly and Hank at the first table. Marcel, Matthew and Shreya at the other.

ready to dance

Maddie is into the braids these days. And she looked so cute on the way to dance class one day I had to take a quick picture. The outfit is a hand-me-down from her cousins.
I should also mention that Firework by Katy Perry is Madison's favorite song. Most of the time in the car she wants me to flip through the radio stations in hopes of finding "her song". And then she'll sing along and she knows most of the words. Rick also downloaded the song for her, so we'll play it home and she dances around the family room singing. I need to get a video of it...

superhero!

First let me promise that this is all staged! When we got home from Connor's birthday party, Madison had her Batman outfit on. And she wanted to "get the bad guys". So she and Dad had a fake fight as I snapped pictures. I think she is using the punch ball to get Rick.
It looks like Rick hit her here, but he was falling.

Then she jumped on him and "got" him. It was one of the funniest things I've seen in a while.

Batman Birthday

Madison had another birthday party a couple of weeks ago for Connor, who is a week and a day older than her. The party was at the Party Barn at First Family Church. A really big indoor playground. Campbell and Thea were there too and the girls had lots of fun playing and then posing as Batgirls. Cool party favors Zoe!

cars at crown center

At Crown Center there was an event for Cars 2. Maddie and I invited Emaline, Zella and Carissa to come with. We met for lunch and then headed across to the party. It was packed, so we took some pics and the girls went through the bounce slide. Then we headed back to crown center and went through the Under the Sea exhibit. A great afternoon with friends and we can't wait for the movie to come out!