It's Tradition!

Doesn't get much cuter than this!

Oops

Oops, I forgot to post a picture of the Sesame street cake I spent a day creating. Madeline is really into the Sesame street characters (hence the Abby puzzle and character pj's seen in her birthday post). Conveniently, Sesame Street comes on while Hannah and I are working on reading/phonics.


I am very rusty, as my cake muscles don't get exercised very often these days. Needless to say this was not my best cake. The characters turned out well, but it was like trying to ice an avalanche after the top layer did not get centered. Therefore, icing it smooth was out of the question, because the cake just kept falling apart. I had to settle for iced and standing-- but not very pretty. Thankfully Madeline had specifically requested that Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby be on her cake-- it was busy to say the least. Though I was disappointed with the outcome of my day's labor, Madeline made my day when she exclaimed,"Oh mommy, it's unbelievable! I can't believe it!"

A Battle Is Raging . . .

. . . the
laundry is
winning!
Grrrrrrrr!

Madeline's 3rd Birthday Celebration

Madeline's third birthday began with special breakfast and one present from Hannah. The rest of the day was spent at the North Carolina museum of Life and Science (very nice!). We all had so much fun, and especially enjoyed the butterfly conservatory. Madeline requested "Cracker Barrels" (notice the "s" on Barrel) for dinner, because she wanted some yummy pancakes. So, Cracker Barrel it was. After a team of waitresses sang "Happy Birthday," we headed home to open presents and eat Sesame Street cake. Madeline had a wonderful day and we all enjoyed celebrating with our sweet Boo Bear!

Hair Cut X 2

Both girls received a pro bono hair cut from my mom on Thursday ( the day before M's b-day). Madeline was so proud to get her first big girl hair cut from Grammy. They look so cute!


Thanks Grammy!

Happy Birthday Boo Bear!!!

Happy Birthday sweet Madeline! I can't believe you are three! It feels like only yesterday we welcomed our second precious baby into the world. Now you are my middle baby, a big sister, and my big girl. You are growing and changing so much these days. I love the way you have always stayed close to me, wanting to be near me as I go about my day. You are cautious and reserved in public--free spirited, silly, and so comfortable at home with your family, as you should be. You have an imagination that rivals your sisters, and you can entertain us for minutes on end with your scenarios and stories. I love that your favorite color is blue and not pink--I needed a break from pink. I love that you are a princess one minute and a fire breathing dragon or monster the next. I love the way you ask for your morning snack at precisely the same time every day and I love that you lay on your tummy to watch TV. I love that you love pancakes and pizza--two of my favorites! I love the way you have NO rhythm, but you dance anyway. And, I love that you dance wherever you are (shoe stores, church, the car, it doesn't matter to you, because there's a beat and you have to move!). You are a wonderful and loving little sister and a sweet and helpful big sister. I love that you play "mommy" all day long--you take very good care of your baby Owen and Grace, and God willing, you will be an excellent mommy. You are determined to a fault, but I love that when you start something, you see it through. You are very encouraging; and, it blesses me greatly if things aren't going my way and you gently remind me, "Don't worry mommy--God will take care of you and I will take care of you too." We used to laugh that your first words would be "Too many kisses mommy!"--but now you are the one giving us too many kisses and we love it. I love your vocabulary--that when things surprise you, you declare them "unbelievable;" or if something is very good, you announce that it is "amazing!" You are sensitive, kind, and very concerned for others. I love the way you remember the needs of our friends and family and faithfully pray for them each night. I love that you are a goofball, but VERY serious at other times. You are a wiggle squirm, but I love it. I love that you adore your Daddy--I adore him too! I love your sense of humor, your little nose, your olive skin, your hugs, and the way you tell me you love me for no reason at all. I LOVE being your mommy!

Madeline Grace, I love who you are and who you are becoming, and I am so glad that God gave you to Daddy and me on February 19th 3 years ago. I CANNOT imagine our lives without you. You are a joy and a blessing and a wonderful asset to our family. I pray that God will use all of your "wonderfulness" for His glory! I love you my Boo Bear! Happy Birthday!

Madeline's 3 Year Old Photo Session With Mommy

It was hard, but I narrowed the photos from our shoot down to 31 of my favorite pictures that I feel capture Madeline's personality. Enjoy! (Click on collages to enlarge):

This One

This one is laughing, constantly gnawing on her fists, blowing bubbles, tries to get our attention until someone talks with or entertains her, and growing and changing WAY too fast.
This one is thinking about turning three years old on Friday, talking up a storm, coming out of her shell in public, and growing and changing WAY too fast.


This one is blossoming into a huge bookworm, finding cozy corners to curl up with a book, reading to herself while she's walking or eating breakfast, adding daily to her self-imposed Independent Reading chart, and growing and changing WAY too fast.

Old Friend, New Friend

We were so delighted to have one of our former youth (from Clewiston) and dear friend, Tommy, and his sweet girlfriend Chelsea as guests in our home two Saturdays ago. Tommy is considering attending Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Jonathan's Alma Mater) when he finishes college. So, while Tommy and Chelsea were up visiting the school in Wake Forest, they decided to head our way for the day to hang out. We were honored to meet Chelsea and to hear of her love for our Savior and all things art/photography . . . I really had fun chatting. Of course, it was a joy to see Jonathan and Tommy reunited and to hear how God is at work in his life. Though Hannah (who was barely two when we left Clewiston) probably didn't really remember Mr. Tommy, she wasted no time getting cozy with Tommy and Chelsea--sharing everything from her life story to her Leapster.

Thanks for visiting us Tommy and Chelsea. We are praying for you!

Snow Again!

The snow began to fall last night, as we enjoyed the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics. How perfect!!! The snow continued through the night and didn't stop falling until sometime around 10 o'clock this morning. We could hear whispers of excitement coming from the girls' room bright and early this morning, as they crept out of bed to peak out the window. Madeline came bursting into our room (too early by the way) announcing, "There is snow all over the ground. . . isn't that great?" Though it was already beginning to melt by lunch time, we quickly bundled the girls up and allowed them to play for about an hour or so in the backyard. Here are some pictures from our second snow day of the year (~2 inches):

Tummy Time

Sisters And Friends

I think having one sister is awesome! How much fun will these three have?!?!

Not only are they sisters, but they (at least Madeline and Hannah for now) are truly best friends and favorite playmates. There may be fighting; but, they always choose to be together, and one is lost without the other. In a room full of 20+ kids, here is how I found Hannah and Madeline at our recent church Super Bowl Party. They were paired off, snuggled up together watching a movie in a room full of kids. SO cute!

Sayonara Sickness!!!

This crazy kiddo is back to feeling like herself!!! Hooray! As of this morning, we thought that she might have strep throat-- I will spare you the details. But, after 24 hours with no fever, no vomiting, and a bill of clean health from Dr. Buck, Hannah is back to being silly, loud, slightly disobedient (haha!!!), and her normal perky self. Most importantly, she is thrilled that she can now hug, kiss, and be close to her two favorite playmates--Madeline and Emerson.

Thank you for your prayers as this not so fun bug worked it's way through our family. I remained healthy, so I hope I am in the clear!