Happy Birthday, Madison!

It was her first birthday without extended family around, but Madison had a great day. Thanks everyone for all your calls. Madison loved getting them, even if she didn't want to talk to you on the phone :) She talked about them to me later.

A great birthday...Vacation Bible School in the morning, McDonalds for lunch, Cold Stone for dessert (free ice cream on your birthday), cake and presents at home, cookies with her friends while the parents have Bible Study...great day!

Presents from all the family

Ahh, a new bed for Hannah, but this isn't Hannah in it. Madison has been telling me that Hannah isn't a baby, so she needs a big girl bed. Thanks American Girl for making a trundle doll bed.

This isn't even Alex's first birthday party...we went to a pool party on Saturday. One of Madison's friends from school has the same birthday.

Alex is enjoying the party.

Waiting for cake

Getting so big

Our happy girl

A camping set for the dollhouse from Grandma and Grandpa

Ariel art set

Can't eat the cake fast enough with a fork...finger time.

Luke had fun watching and eating.

Love the expression on her face...$6 for the doll, expression priceless

Snow White

New outfit for Hannah

Luke and Alex got this for Madison...long story. At the preschool, they have these garden figurines outside of the front door in the rocks. All the kids, not just my kids, love these things. Luke and Alex bought Madison a bunny to put in front of our front door.

"Reading" Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Andrew's card

A left-handed baseball mit...these are NOT easy to find, especially in a kids' size. Well, they aren't easy to find in Yuma in a good quality material. Plus, there's no way to find a pink or purple left-handed glove...thank goodness for Sports Authority. I think I was four when I got my first glove too...

Yea, new clothing from Nana and Pop! Madison LOVES clothes...good. Yes, Jean Ann, she did wear the nightgown you got her to bed :) and plans to wear this dress tomorrow.

Ahh, new princess shoes from Aunt Mer and Uncle Harry-MAJOR SCORE!!! These were put on immediately. Madison got a pack of these a couple of years ago for Christmas from Edward's aunt and uncle, Janet and Chuck. They have been the BEST gift, holding both Madison and Luke's attention all day every day. With all their wear, most of the princess shoes have broken, so a new set is just what we all needed.

Madison turned four years old today, June 8. She has been a blessing to our lives, and Edward and I both wonder what God has in store for her.

Madison is a very sweet, shy, yet complex girl. I often think that people don't see "my Madison." She's extremelly talkative and outgoing at home. Around others, she's quiet and reserved. Preschool has been great for her, as she's a lot more herself there, around kids and teachers with whom she is familiar. In fact, I think she has quite a little fan club because every morning as she enters her class, I hear someone say, "Madison is HERE!!!!" with a great enthusiasm. I wonder what she's really like at school...I mean, we get feedback from her teachers, but I'd love to see how it compares to home. Around other adults, she is often really quiet, which is not the Madison I have at home! She loves to be silly and goofy with both her friends and with us.

Madison has an amazing memory. She doesn't forget a thing.

Above all, Madison is quite the daredevil and tomboy. She climbs anything and is really into being active/athletics. We both think she'll do well with sports.

Madison loves her brothers very much. She's really into Alex right now and wants to help with everything in regards to him. She loves Luke very much, but they are at the fighting constantly stage.

Currently:

Weight-36 lbs.

Left-handed

Interests-princesses, The Little Mermaid, Hannah (doll), coyotes (we can hear them at night), dress-up, puzzles (does 100 piece ones like a champ), learning the states (hey, a military kid-she wants to know where her friends are all moving...knows about 15 right now), riding her bike, helping in the kitchen, nightgowns, swimming, learning "school" type stuff-letters, counting, writing, etc.

Favorite foods-raspberries (mine too), strawberries, corn, buns (by themselves), powdered sugar donuts, all candy, ravioli

Favorite movies/shows-Little Mermaid, Max and Ruby, Dora, Diego

Dislikes-anything new or different...she has to be convinced to try something, meeting new people

Madison's favorite things right now are probably dress-up/princesses. She's obsessed with them. At night, after she has gone to bed in pj's, we check on the kids, to usually find that Madison has changed clothing and is wearing a t-shirt, pink dress-up tutu, and ballet slippers to bed...EVERY NIGHT. We'd fight it, but it's quite funny. Whenever she gets home from school, her first stop is her bedroom where she changes clothing into a dress, every day.