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?

Splash Park Farm Fun

We have a local amusement farm type place in our area... I've taken Madalynn there a few times.  They also have a splash park (splash park, and farm seem to go hand in hand if you ask me...?).   The splash park is great for little ones... perfect for Madalynn's age.  She was more timid with the water than I thought she'd be, as water is her favorite thing to play with. 

Madalynn also wanted to see the animals.  Not too many pictures... just a few...

 

Memorial Day Weekend

We had beautiful weather this weekend for Memorial Day.  It was a nice balance of places to be, and down time at home.  As is our tradition, yesterday we went to the Memorial Day parade in the town I grew up in.  It's always so nice to take time to remember all who've fought to provide the freedoms we have today.

 

We made a strawberry cake, and chocolate cupcakes to take to the cook out at my brother's house... of course, someone had to lick the beater...

 

I'm officially convinced there is not a camera fast enough to capture her... (at least not one I can afford...hee-hee).

 

Ahhh... Summer

I know it's not officially here yet, but I'm in full on summer mode!!  Actually, last night I did something I've NEVER done before... I used a grill... all by myself!!!  I LOVE to cook, but have always been intimidated by grills, and fish (still haven't overcome the fish).  Additionally, my previous condo didn't have any outdoor space for me to have a grill, and living here... I didn't know how I'd grill, while keeping Madalynn from running out into the street, touching the grill, etc.  This was a charcoal grill, and I was a bit concerned at first that the shooting flames would blow onto the house, and start an inferno but such was not the case.

But, last night I faced my fears & fired it up!!  The chicken was cooked through... not burnt, and juicy... then we toasted marshmallows!!  Madalynn enjoyed the marshmallows much more than the chicken...

Then Grandpa called to see if we wanted to go get ice cream...now, she's already had marshmallows, it was getting close to bedtime, and my kitchen was a disaster... BUT I try very hard to make decisions like this with this thought in mind...she's only going to be young once, and will she remember me cleaning the kitchen, or staying up too late, or will she remember going to get ice cream w/ Grandpa, and seeing the cows, and goats.

 

 

 

In preparation for summer I got Madalynn a couple new bathing suits... this ballerina one is by FAR her favorite (to my readers that know me well... I'm honestly NOT pushing these super girly things on her).  She's still too fast for me to adjust my camera to get the correct shot...oyyy...she was twirling in these pictures.

I hope you all have a safe, and happy Memorial Day!!

 

First Skinned Knee

I'm afraid I've created a boo-boo monster.  Any little bump, scrap, or bruise requires a band-aid... of which she's an expert at unwrapping, and putting on herself.  Of course, I love my role in this little drama as the one who wipes the tears, and kisses the band-aid to make it all better.  (Of course I'm referring to the non-serious injuries... the more traumatic times usually have me fighting tears too).  It's one of the things I always imagined doing in my dreams of being a Mom... I love it.  Someday I may regret feeding into the drama, but for now I love giving her the extra TLC.

After her first skinned knee of which there was NO blood, she needed the band-aid, and then to 'wrest' it in my chair... we even propped it up on a pillow...Gotta love that she's in the tu-tu too!

Twirling earlier...

Any other mom of a 2-3 year old girl recognize this attitude??

... just some Chatham love... this dog's personality matches her look... she's just the sweetest thing...

We also have a super-hero in our house... if you've seen "Clifford The Big Red Dog" you know the character of T-Bone.  Every once in awhile he runs around with a cape saying "Super T-Bone TO THE RESCUE!!"... Madalynn has taken on this persona as well... she has me tie a blanket around her neck, and she runs around saying "Super T-Bone TO THE RESCUE!!"...

Of course every super-hero has to fly...(weird window reflection in these shots... but you get the idea)  I think there are ER trip in my future.

 

 

This is why I love summer.... I was making dinner the other night, after being outside most of the day, and I found this when things got very quiet... snuggled up in her bean bag chair  with a blanket,her plug, and Pooh.

Just some more fun times outside... i LOVE this bathing suit my Mom got her...

 

I can't believe she's going to be turning 3 in a little less than 2 months.  The theme she wants for her party changes every few minutes... she goes from Curious George to Cinawrelly (Cindarella), Awrora (Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty), Pooh, or Kitty.  She's told me she wants pizza, juiceboxes, balloons, cake & ice cream... makes it easy for Mommy!!