Transportation Old and New

Two weekends ago we had BEAUTIFUL weather!   That Friday night we took a few minutes to take Madison down to the stables that are near the house.  We were in luck that the horses were up near the fence and were interested in what we had to offer (which was nothing, but they didn't know that!).  A couple were really interested in checking us out but the others were just content eating their grass.

Madison couldn't get close enough!

It took everything I had to try to keep her from climbing over the fence and having her running in the field with those horses.  She kept explaining to us that she was  a "big girl" and that she could do it.  But as we all know, she is a "big girl" but not quite old enough to be running free with the big horses!

Checking out the horses

That same weekend, Madison went to visit with her best friend Emma while mom and dad got to check out one of the local breweries.  Sure was nice having adult time and she had such a great time playing with one of her BFFs!  I'll have to work on getting a few of those pictures downloaded to share for next week.

This past weekend, Jeff and I decided that it was no longer safe to really have Madison being transported in a vehicle with a check engine light on, no A/C and a transmission that could go at any time.  So this weekend, instead of doing something fun, we got to go car shopping :-(  It wasn't something we had planned on so soon but it had to be done.  Of course, Madison kept saying she wanted a mini-van like Ms Lisa's (Allie's mom) but we knew we were the ones making the car payments and told her that a mini-van was going to have to wait.  SO...after a weekend of looking, comparing and many hours on the computer, we found us a 2005 "previously owned" Mazda Tribute.

Getting ready to pull it in the garage before the rain!

We picked Madison up from school and she approved.  She didn't say much on the way home so we weren't sure if she was taking it all in or she was a little perplexed that we didn't give in to her mini-van request!  It's the same size as the Jeep and it's exactly what we were looking for!

Madison's view of the Tribute

Movie Time

There are many first's that are still taking place.  They don't happen as often now, but they still happen.  Saturday, Allie invited Madison to see Cars 2 with her at a private showing (Allie knows people in high places!).  Figuring it was free and we had nothing to lose, we'd give it a try.  Madison was aware of the original Cars movie since she had watched bits and pieces at Allie's.  Allie had been to one movie prior to this one but this would have been Madison's first.  Both girls did really well until about 45 minutes in (mind you, that included the almost 15 minutes of previews AND a Toy Story Short!).  So not too bad!  Allie was potty training (which is a good thing) and kept needing to use the potty.  And you know how girls are...one can't go without the other going as well.  After two trips to the bathroom in a 20 minute time span, it was time to call the movie OVER!

This is the best you can get when
you have two silly girls!

Saturday afternoon Madison spend time on her tricycle (another first!).  I have to say that this is the longest that she has spent on the tricycle since we got it a year and a half ago.  It's amazing to me how quickly she gets on it and goes. Just the other day (a few days after this picture) she rode it three houses up the street (remind you, there are 1/2 acres between each house) and then back.  She loved it!  Pulling into the driveway she was giggling as she started to gain speed going down our driveway!  What a silly little girl!

Practicing on the only flat place in our yard.

The work week has gone by fairly quickly this week and we are looking forward to this weekend.  Madison has a playdate with Emma on Saturday while mom and dad take advantage of having some "adult time."

After getting her breakfast one day this week

HOT, HOT, HOT started the week but then NOT NOT NOT HOT ended the week.  Here are the beautiful puffy clouds that filled the sky on my way home on Friday.

Fourth of July Weekend

Ok....All the parenting books tell you when your pregnant what needs to be done to "baby-proof" the house.  And of course, most of those things aren't really needed until the children are walking around.  But they never really tell you how to "toddler-proof" your home!  So, last weekend was the painting my nails before I go to bed "accident".  Well, this weekend was the look at all the pretty rings I have on my fingers "accident".  It appears to me that it is best when she liked to take naps on the couch.  It seems she is just into too much when she is able to sleep upstair by herself like a Big Girl!!!

Notice her slightly purple thumb. :-( 
She did not like taking the hair bands off her fingers
as much as she liked putting them on!

The Fourth of July fell on Monday this year and Jeff was working the EARLY shift, so we opted out of doing fireworks at Lake Benson and visited with Allie and her family.  It's a lot safer walking home then taking your chances on these country roads.  This is the first year that Madison got to play with Sparklers and I think she did pretty darn good!

The lollypop helped her concentration!

I had made the mistake of letting Madison know that Emma was coming over to play with her in the afternoon.  All morning, all I heard, "Is Emma here?".  I was so very glad when Emma finally showed up!  The girls played inside for a bit and once the front yard was a bit more shady we went outside.  We started with just playing a little ball but then I decided to turn the mister on for Madison whose head was completely wet with sweat.  What appears to look like tug-of-war of the mister was actually the girls playing with the misting part.  I never realized you could have so much fun with just a mister!

Taking turns playing with the mister

When I saw all the fun they were having with the mister, I upgraded them to bathing suits and the sprinker.  I'm so glad I did.  Those girls played nonstop in the sprinkler for a good forty five minutes! 

Holding hands while running through the sprinker

We hope everyone had a "cool" and safe Fourth of July! 

Love Tiff, Jeff and Madison

The Painting Incident

How quickly the week gets away from you!  I've been trying to get to this all week.  Anyhow, here it goes!

For my family on FaceBook, this story comes as no surprise to you.  For those of you who are not on FaceBook, prepare yourself for the first of many times that Jeff and I will have to stop...take a DEEP breath...know that what has happened has happened...and hold back either the tears or laughs!

I was not home.  I was working at the time...This is Jeff's take on the situation.

"Madison was taking a nap on our bed (or so I thought) and decided she wanted to paint her toenails.  The nail polish is usually stored out of her reach but the one time it was left out...............She actually fell asleep after doing this and when I went in to check on her, this is what I found.  The right foot coverage was not bad for a three year old. 

Still a little groggy since Dad woke her up.

Good coverage!

The "incident" put us a little behind for the rest of our afternoon plans which was to meet Emma and her parents at the park for a picnic and hike.  Luckily, being a Saturday night, we were able to stay out a little longer than usual.  It's alway's hard to get those girls to slow down and get them in the car to go home.  They have so much fun playing.  The plan was to do a little letterboxing, but we had a hard time finding the first box so decided the girls were having fun just playing on the play equipment.  Then just as we were going to go home, we found there was a little "beach" off the lake.  Of course, Madison starts about three feet from the water, but it didn't take her long to have her shoes off and in the water.  She would have been completely wet if I had let her!!!

Just after getting there...see how far from the water?

Needless to say, Madison was sitting in her panties on the way home since her skirt was soaking wet! 

Emma and her parents left Sunday for the OBX and Madison has been without her BFF at school all week.  We can't wait for them to get home so that Emma can tell Madison about how much fun she had.  

HAPPY 4th of JULY to everyone!!! 

Father's Day Weekend

Father's Day started on Friday afternoon for Jeff with an Ice Cream Social with Miss Madison at daycare!  All the Father's were invited out to share the afternoon with their children to have ice cream and a little musical performance.  Once again, our little girl was way to shy to perform in front of people she didn't know but she was eager to share an ice cream with daddy!

My mom and dad came down for the weekend and came in late Friday night but they were still able to say good night to Madison.  Saturday morning we got up and made our way to Home Depot for the special Father's Day Kids Workshop.  Madison made a small tool box for her dad.  She does so good at putting those projects together.



I got it Dad!...Let go!

Madison took her dad and grandpa out to lunch at her favorite eating spot...the Mellow Mushroom...for pizza! :-)   After all that excitement she was ready to head home for a little nap.  The rest of the day was playing and relaxing.  She showed off some of her dance moves to grandma and grandpa.  I know she wore me out and I think they got exhausted just watching her.  We had a really nice dinner and then it was off to bed. 

Sunday we took Madison to Crowder Park to play on the playground.  She was so excited to be getting out of the house for a little bit.  This is a picture of her with her new hat on.

At the park, she played on the play equipment and then it was time for a little walk around the lake.  She likes checking out all the turtles in the lake.  We counted up to 23 turtles at one time!  There were wild blackberries growing around the lake. Madison had never had blackberries and she thought they were so very tasty.  As the morning progressed along, so did the rising temperature.  Chloe was with us and she was getting very tired in the heat.  We made our way back to the playground for just a few minutes and then it was time to make our way back home to get back in the A/C!

Who's sitting on my shoulders?!

Mom and dad had to make their way back to Seaford and it was getting later in the day.  Madison was very sad to see them go.  She really had such a great time visiting with them and Chloe.  I was VERY lucky to be able to spend Father's Day Weekend with my dad!  Thanks for making the trip to see us.  We had a really nice weekend and can't wait to do it all again!  Love To All, Tiff

Painting and Parties

It's been a pretty easy going week and weekend.  During the week, I took some time for myself and went out with Lisa and Angie to do a bit of painting.  Lisa is a member of Stroller Strides and they are always finding fun things for the ladies to do without their children!  This month was Wine and Design, a chance to hang out with the girls and to be able to be creative.  We all had such a great time and we are already planning the next time we can get together to do it again!

Near the beginning of the picture

Angie, me, and Lisa showing off our work

It was really cool to see how we all interpreted the picture differently.  Madison was in bed when I got home but I showed her my artwork when she got up the next morning and she said, "Very nice mommy!"  That evening she helped me hang my piece of art.

Madison has now become of age...the age of being invited to EVERY birthday party of every child in her class!  This weekend we attended our first BIG birthday party.  There we got to meet many of the children we hear about when she comes home at night.  It was nice to be able to meet the parents of these children as well.  Madison had such a great time and wasn't ready to leave but irritability was setting in since there was no nap earlier in the day and she had played so very hard!

Jennifer and Madison

Big Madison, Little Madison and Jennifer

We had such a nice weekend.  Madison was able to have a lot of time with Allie and the parents were able to have time together.  The girls are really getting much better at playing together and keeping themselves entertained.  We still have to step in sometimes when there is a bit of sharing (or no sharing ) going on!  

Sunday afternoon was spent taking down a dead cypress that separates our house and Lisa's house.  Seems the others are dying as well, but we'll take them down one by one until we are able to replace them.  Taking them down sure does leave more room for the girls to run between the houses!  We decided that neither of us will be able to move since our lawns seem to become one more and more.  :-)

That's about it from Raleigh!  We are looking forward to Grandma, Grandpa and Chloe's visit next week!!!

Love to All!

Class Pictures

Madison brought home her class pictures last week.  Jeff couldn't wait to get home to show me the group picture.  He said Madison reminded him of someone.  I don't know who he could possibly be talking about.

And I really don't know who combs her hair for these pictures.  She doesn't EVER wear her hair like this to school.  Of course, if I knew class pictures were going to be taken I would have, 1.  Done her hair and 2. Picked out a much cutier outfit!!!