Birthday Girl

Maddie showing her silly self...

 Maddie wanted a cheerleader party this year.  She was a very fortunate girl to have so many great family and friends to celebrate with her.

 On her actual birthday, we headed to Water Tower Place and checked out American Girl Place.  Maddie was able to pick something out (we did set a price limit, so much was off the table).  She thought long and hard about what she wanted.  She ended up deciding on, Licorice, a little black and white cat.

 The kids hanging on Woody outside AGP and by the Lego store.

 Dane got Maddie a gingerbread house and she LOVED it.  I think this just may be Dane's annual birthday gift to his sister!  She was eating the candy like crazy and since it was her Birthday, I let her go with it!

Maddie was such a big girl at her appointment.

Weight - 34.4 lbs.(50%)  Not that it really matters, but I thought she was 33 lbs.so I was surprised when I saw 34.4 on the chart.

Length - 40" (3' 5") (50%).

Our doctor was shocked that Maddie was 50% for height - she thought she looked much taller!  Sometimes I think those % charts don't seem right!   She is perfect whatever she is! :)

Madeline is 4!

Oh....where do I start with this little one?!?!  She is a mini Matt.  She is persistent and she knows what she wants.  Maddie notices all of the little details (so Matt and so NOT me) and is a very inquisitive little girl.  She also can't keep her hands off of things and breaks and spills things often.  She is our little spunky monkey, as we like to call her. She loves helping in any way that she can, whether it be with Christmas decorations, cooking, cleaning (well not that so much - ha!), or anything that involves Dane.  She is such a good big sister and she always looks out for Dane.  She is always calling him "sweet heart" or "sweetie pie" and when he cries, she is always right there to cheer him up.  She loves to dance, loves music, loves to read and go to the library, loves playing dolls and Barbies, loves getting her nails painted, loves her friends and cousins, loves dresses and dressing up, loves making crafts and is always asking for us to tell her a story.  She is going to school 3 days a week and is loving it.  She is so friendly with all of the other kids and makes sure to say bye to all of them.  Once in the car, she often asks to roll down her window so she can yell "bye" to her friends once again.  She no longer has a shy side and is quick to strike up a conversation with anyone who will listen to her.  She wakes up around 6:30 (no matter what time she goes to bed) and jumps into our bed.  Most mornings it is cuddle time with daddy and that is his special time with the kids.  (Dane is sometimes the first one up and Maddie joins him or vice versa.)  She is getting more mature and more in control of her emotions and we are enjoying this age so much.  She is our little buddy and so much fun.  Matt and I couldn't feel more blessed to have her as our daughter.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDIE GIRL!

Baseball

Dane LOVES sports!  He can find a ball in any pile of toys!  He grabbed this baseball bat and beach ball and couldn't get enough! It seems like we will have a lefty...but some say it is still too early to tell for sure.

Princess Night

We had a fun little get together for a princess party.  We put up lights and did a little bit of decorating, as Maddie was very into it!  We watched disney princess songs and the kids danced.  It was very sweet!

Halloween Videos

We had some fun after all of the trick or treating.  We even had someone make a special appearance!