Tough and Roughin' It!

My sweet little baby has had a hard weekend! This cute little smile is right before it all happened... I took the girls on a jog and we went to the park for a break. Ella loves the slides, but on the first run down the sole of her shoe caught on the side and her foot twisted awkwardly. I knew something was wrong when she wouldn't stop crying and wouldn't walk!!! We spent a few hours Saturday morning at the doctor's office and hospital getting x-rays. She was such a trooper. Thankfully they didn't find a fracture (and she won't have to wear a cast to her hip for a month!) but she still won't put weight on it. My once independent and busy little bee has to be carried around all day. She has figured out how to crawl again, but she gets really frustrated when she can't do things. Hopefully it is just a sprain and it will heal quickly!

In other news, we had a power outage for about 1.5 hours on Saturday night. I just happened to be right in the middle of cooking bacon for BLT's and scrambling eggs--shoot! Mike saved the day and finished everything on the propane grill in the garage. Maddie thought it was a grand adventure.

It was kind of fun to eat dinner and take baths by candlelight.

Lastly I just had to show this hilarious hairstyle we tried! I saw a little girl with really curly hair and assumed it was natural until her mom told me they just put it in tiny buns after a bath and then take it out in the morning (brings back memories of the sponge curlers I slept on every Saturday night in my childhood).

The buns were actually really cute on her.

The finished product!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Talk about FRO! It was so funny! She thought so too, but in her words "My nursery teachers will laugh at me." I was surprised at her self-consciousness even at this age, but I couldn't deny they would probably laugh! We decided to practice again sometime and wet her hair down to use her natural darling curls.

March 10th

Maddie thought she was 3 after the Mickey party, but we had to celebrate on her real day too. She didn't mind too much. So this is the birthday story, beginning to end. You should know I take lots of pictures--I want to capture every memory!

She woke up to an easel (also known as a weasel) and set to work on a masterpiece right away.

Isn't it amazing that in 3 years a child can go from a helpless infant to fluent in a language, doing puzzles, and wearing underwear all night long?!? Yay for Maddie!

Maddie told me a couple times today "I love my Ella sister."

She requested Zupas for our lunch date with Daddy, Dana, and Landon. She stole all of our chocolate strawberries. "3 berries for 3 years old!" she declared. In the car she belted "Joshie Groban" into her microphone. Her hearty rendition had me giggling under my breath.

She licked as much of the batter as she pleased... hey, it's only your birthday once a year.

She requested pink cupcakes and pink candles.

We topped the night off with a dip in her new Tinkerbell suit.

THE END

Mickey Mouse Party!

Well the big day really came... after much anticipation, Maddie had her 3rd birthday party with Mickey and friends! It was awesome to be surrounded by family this year.

Grandpa kept the kidlets entertained in the back yard while dinner was cooking.

More like he taught them naughty tricks. :)

Maddie requested a Mickey Mouse cake about 3 months ago!!!

I made a few paper decorations.

Baby Daxton obligingly modeled the Mickey ear hat.

Then came gifts galore! Wowzers, she got spoiled. Dana made this darling pillowcase dress (I will have to get a better picture).

Grandma and Grandpa Jensen gave her a band in a box and a Tinkerbell scooter!!


Grandma Andrews gave her the darling Minnie jammies, and Grandma Patti gave her a Mickey and Minnie plate set she adores. She also got art supplies, Disney clothes, and a Tinkerbell sleeping bag. Thanks everyone for being so thoughtful! (Next year we may say "no gifts please"!!)

Maddie specifically requested hula hoops during the planning stages of the party.

Cake time!

Maddie is 3!

Black frosting is nasty, but pretty funny.

Our little (big) 3 year old sporting her new backpack for preschool in the fall. Where has time gone???

Magic in the air...

Someone is just a little bit obsessed with Mickey Mouse and friends at the moment! More about the big party and the 3 year old to come soon!

Maddie is so impressed that I met Minnie Mouse in person. She just can't wait for her own chance. Our free vouchers are ready to go and her Disney gear has multiplied exponentially. The countdown is on till the big visit to the Magic Kingdom!

Birthday Marathon

Maddie was due on Mike's birthday. At the time I was not happy she was 5 days late, but now I am kind of glad we have a few days in between to keep things sane. Mike got overshadowed this year anyway, since we had Maddie's party while my family was here for my sweet nephew's baby blessing. It did mean that we had a good group to sing to him though!

Ella was a good licker of the carrot cake batter (the annual request)

...while Maddie created her own cake masterpiece with play dough.

It was fun to have help with the shopping this year. I took the girls to the dollar store and let them choose things to give Daddy. Maddie was so excited to give him the bat and ball... in fact she spilled the beans in bed that morning, but luckily Mike sensed the forthcoming information was sensitive and plugged his ears in time.

She was also excited about his Mike & Ikes--so she could eat them!!

Happy Birthday honey!!!

Later we took advantage of free family babysitters and went on a date! I wanted to surprise him and re-live our first date to Ottavio's Italian Restaurant on Provo Center street... so romantic... maybe even an accordian serenade... but they are gone!!!! We were so sad. We were mourning over that and how the amazing bed & breakfast we stayed at on our wedding night is now a mental institution... Mike said our past was being erased, but I assured him they can only change our future, they can't erase our past. Awwww....

I love you Mike!

New 'Do

Maddie got a haircut!

Before

After

What do you think? I think she looks older with it long, but it was scraggly and the curls were heavy. I love bangs on her! This is her current smile for pictures. Silly girl!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

When I read that today is Dr. Seuss' birthday, I thought it was great inspiration for pretend play, reading books we love, and honoring the quirky author and illustrator.

First we had a pajama party. Maddie made the cake and we sang the birthday song.

Ella ate the ice cream.

Look Mom, two Cat in the Hat's!

Then we read a bunch of his books, my favorite being "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?" Maddie loves them all and they often make their way into our story times. I think we'll end the day watching "Horton Hears a Who", Maddie's current favorite (thanks Will and Sawyer!).

We are also having so much fun with this website:

Seussville

Check out the print-and-play activities and the story maker. There are so many fun things to do, this could keep us busy for days!

Make sure you parents also read the biography of Ted Giesel (Dr. Seuss). Can't you just picture him wearing funny hats at dinner parties, and requiring his guests to wear funny head gear too, or else he would pick from his collection? I would have liked to meet him.

His last book was Oh the Places You'll Go! It's one I remember my mom reading growing up and I love the encouragement: "You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way!"

It's not too late to throw your own party! :)

P.S. We saw kids wearing these hats on the way home from school and had to try them! They are just made with file folders and construction paper. Maddie helped me cut--she's getting pretty good! We had a very Seussy day.

Olympic Couch Potato

We are sad to see the Olympics come to an end. We have been the ultimate fans, faithfully glued to the TV set every night. I even tried to follow some curling one afternoon, but I never caught on to the obscure rules. I should have looked it up cuz I hear it can be interesting if you understand it. :) I was completely looney for all of the figure skating. Did you know Evan Lysacek dated Tanith Belbin (4th in ice dancing)? Innnnteresting. Wasn't that Canadian ice dancing couple gorgeous?!? The American couple was stunning too, and how fun that they are all friends and got to win 1-2 together. As for the women... the whole thing had me in chills. The Canadian who lost her mom and yet bravely and beautifully won bronze... and the American women who were so young and yet so talented. Not to mention the perfect performances from the gold medalist... wow!!

I think part of the excitement of the Olympics is just knowing that it's on the world stage, and you are participating in something so much bigger than yourself. The talent, skill, courage, and determination of the athletes is truly inspiring.

Aaaaanyway, since I was being such a couch potato I decided I needed a project so I had something to show for it. I know a bunch of people having baby girls lately, so I brushed up on my flower making skills. No gold medal material here, but fun nonetheless!


I love this felt flower. I pinned it on my dress today for church. I think I am going to make some smaller ones for my girls' hair, and in the tutorial they have them embellishing pillows. How cute is that?!

Go here for the pattern!

Sheesh 4 years is a long time to wait. What will have happened by then? That's an interesting thought. I could have doubled my kid count and will be in my 30's (ahhhh!). Isn't it crazy to think most of the athletes peak in their early 20's? I am so past my prime! :)