3 Years Old!!

Oh my goodness... HOW did that happen... I'm so not ready.... 3 is the end of babyhood... full on preschooler....While I let go of one phase of her life, I so enjoy this new one... the things she comes up with each day make me laugh... she's getting into pretend play which I just love... playing with her baby dolls, her kitchen, or pouring tea.

Yesterday we celebrated with a "Cinawrelly" party... her 2 neighbors came in their princess gowns too with jewelry, heels, and crowns... Madalynn served them lemonade, and was a mostly gracious hostess...

 

The only time she had her crown on all day... she's not big on having things on her head....

Our annual picture with Pooh bear...

 

A new outdoor set from Ga-Ga & Grandpa

 

 

A Cinawrelly cake...  I had ALWAYS wanted one of these cakes when I was little... I remember my grandmother who made cakes as a side business used to make them.  This was one of the easiest cakes I've ever made (even though Cindarella is a bit crooked)...

I wish I had gotten more pictures, but I got so busy with everything else I kept forgetting to grab my camera...

This morning has been wonderful watching her play & discover all her new toys... the big hit were the "Toy Story" characters from her Aunty, Uncle & cousins, and particularly the Rex & Woody set her cousin Adam bought for her with his own money... I say it all the time but he is my favorite little guy...

She wanted waffles for breakfast (her favorite)... so we had waffles (had to run to Aunty & Uncle's to borrow an egg)...

Of course, this time leading up to & on her birthday her birthmom is never far from my thoughts... this morning I gave Madalynn an extra hug & kiss from her.  I just pray she knows somewhere in her heart how surrounded by love her baby girl is!!

Happy Birthday sweet Madalynn Vanesa!!!

Busy Weekend

Last weekend we kept very busy, and given that it was record breaking heat a lot of our activities involved water...

Sunday morning we went to a 4th of July parade... it was very hot, and Madalynn loved the candy that was being thrown from almost EVERY car, float, and girl scout that passed by... her favorite was the blue Tootsie Pop (1st time I've let her have a lollipop... they freak me out)...We also went to our favorite lake afterward, but unfortunately the batteries in my camera were dead, so no pictures from there...then Ga-Ga & Grandpa came over for burgers, & dogs on the grill, and corn on the cob!!  Followed by s'mores... yummy!!

 

The firetrucks were quite loud... even for me...

Then on Monday we went back to the beach with my aunt... it was so much fun jumping in the waves with her... unfortunately, we ended up on a fairly rocky section of the beach so it was difficult to walk too far out.... fortunately the waves were calm so no accidents...

She kept walking on all fours, and saying she was a crab...

Just some Gerber daisies from my garden...

One of my girls favorite spots....(don't judge me about the pacifier)... notice the juice & I'm sure there is a stuffed animal or 2 in there with her.  It was a great weekend, and as usual I was sad to see it end...

Happy 4th

We went to fireworks last night, and Madalynn LOVED it... I thought she'd be scared or think they'd be too loud... NOPE... she loved it... she was squeeling, and at one point was singing "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" from Annie.  It was a great family time.  She finally fell asleep about 11:30pm, and I was so excited she'd sleep, no way... 5:30 she was awake...

 

I think she would have eaten this entire bag of popcorn from Ga-Ga on her own if I'd let her... It's as big as she is...

 

 

 

Beach Bum...

Friday was a gorgeous day, and even though it's over an hour & half drive (more when you don't know where you're going, and didn't print out directions)...I decided to take Madalynn to the beach... she LOVED it!!!  The waves, last summer she was scared, this year she ran full on at them, and then ran away screaming as the ebb chased her on the beach, collecting seashells (well 1 seashell... the rest were really smooth rocks, as we're known for our rocky coastline here in New England)... now that I know how to get there (and that parking is metered .25/10minutes...remember to bring LOTS of quarters)... I hope to take her more often.  She was the expression of joy!!  Of course, being that she's Madalynn she didn't want to look at the camera...

Somewhere there is a picture of me... walking very similar up from the ocean at this very same beach... I think I was probably a little older than her though... I'll have to try to find it & scan it...

I think I've mentioned that I'm probably going to have to sell our house/condo... I found where we can relocate to... sure it will be a bit of a downsize, but these are the sacrifices we have to make... you should see the view too... OH MY GOSH....this was a small cottage compared to some of the other houses we drove by.

I would however have to get rid of the sculpture (bottom left corner of the picture)... it reminds too much of the one Marie made on an episode of "Everyone Loves Raymond"... when you look at it straight on it's actually like an angel, or something.

What is it about the ocean that attracts us so much?