Water, water, everywhere

An ark must be somewhere because it feels like it hasn't stopped raining for some time now!  The rain started on Monday and hasn't let up all week.  Since playing on the slip and slide requires you to be wet and it was just raining out, the girls got to play on the slip and slide IN THE RAIN.

The big yellow-orange circle in the sky finally split the clouds on Sunday afternoon.  There was no working in the yard this weekend with the yard squishing like a sponge.  What better way to pass the time then to go up to the pool.  Madison had yet MORE baby time! 

Madison and Nicholas

 In the morning, we saw a turtle milling around in the yard.  When we got home from the pool, the turtle was digging a hole in our back yard.  We're thinking she was digging her nest to lay eggs.  For three to four hours we checked on her to see how she was doing.  She kept digging and digging.  EVEN when the rain poured down and her hole filled with water.

From the deck

Trying to get the water out of the hole

Before going to bed, I checked on her progress and it looked like she filled in the hole.  If she did lay eggs, we'll be looking for baby turtles in 45-90 days!

4th of July 2013

It was a four day weekend for Madison and I!  Spent the first two days doing nothing but hanging by the pool.  Mom and Dad stopped by on Thursday afternoon for a QUICK visit!

Saturday was a LONG overdue fun day with Emma!  First stop...blueberry picking!!!

For what ever reason, it doesn't feel right picking blueberries when the temperature outside is over 90 degrees.

Emma and Madison picking blueberries

Madison preferred to sit in the shade and play with Grant.

Feeding Grant

Being out in the sun, being hot and wet, and no water to run around in, it made Madison VERY grumpy.   This is our family portrait from the day...taken by Emma.

The Sanford Family

Emma was doing such a great job catching the moments and this is Madison just taking one last moment to show off.

Finally!  Time to cool off!!!

Nothing makes a hot day cooler than bubblegum ice cream.

We went back to our house and had dinner.  The girls played and played.  They were having such a great time that we asked Emma to stay overnight.  

Girls have to look good to start the week, so we painted our nails...

then water sprinkle time....

and to top the weekend off...an iciee.

What a great weekend!!!!  

Sleepover with Emma

When I asked Madison what the best part of her weekend was, she states matter-of-factly..."The whole weekend was fun!"  You can't beat that!  Pizza and a movie Friday night, Saturday afternoon/night with her best friend, and pool time with her other best friend Sunday afternoon!  What was NOT to like!

Madison and Emma sleeping under their "tent"

More time in the Pool!

Mom and dad invited us up to see them and to go to a pool party down the street at "Uncle" Frank's.  It was the official kick off to summer party!!!  How could we turn down a party with good people, good food and fun..and for Madison, a POOL!!!

Saturday morning was perfect pool weather; however, there were last minute party preparations that had to be picked up and a little more food to prepare.  Madison did get a few hours in at the pool with Jeff while mom and I finished getting ready.  I went up and sat with them for a bit but the weather (and the water) just a bit too cool for being in the pool for me.

 As the afternoon progressed, the clouds started rolling in and dribbled rain from time to time.  It was time to go home to get changed.  It was too cool for swimming in the pool. By party time there were full on showers on and off throughout the evening.   We ate dinner between the rain!

And in classic Madison style it was time to jump in the pool with her tutu on!

After 30 minutes of water-gun fighting she was soaking wet and she was anxious to get back in the water.  A girl has to look good when she's swimming!

Needless to say she was a tired little girl that evening!

The next morning, Grandpa had baby birds to show her too.  

These weren't as far along as Nana's but she still got to see the babies and feed the parents.

Off to the garden..more fresh veggies than we knew what to do with.  Still to early for tomatoes and corn but got a good fill of cucumbers, squash, and carrots.

Then back to the pool for one final swim before heading back to Raleigh.

Hard to believe all of that was packed into just under 48 hours!!!

Father's Day Weekend 2013

Wednesday we made our way down to Canton GA to visit with Nana and Papa's for a long weekend.  Madison was very helpful come Saturday.  She helped Papa make some minor adjustments to the bird feeder she had built for Nana some time ago.

Just moments after hanging it back up and putting a bit of food in it, the Cardinal stopped to say "thank you!"

Always wanting to help, she was then on to help Nana with the chocolate-covered strawberries.
Nana talked her through one and then she was off.

Ta-da!!!

Is there something in my teeth?

  It was time to cool off after all that hard work.  We went up to the pool for a bit before company came for lunch.  By the time we got back, Aunt Susan, Anna, Nina, Aunt Carol and Uncle Ruben were just moments away. Madison couldn't wait to finish eating lunch so that she could hold Nina!

Madison loves the babies!

Anna, Jeff, Carson, Madison and Nina

We loved visiting but it was time for them to go home so that Nina could get some sleep.  Carson couldn't wait to help put the pack and play in the car.  Madison, wanting to help as well, was supervising!

Sunday morning, Father's Day Snuggle...

Madison telling her daddy that he could relax by taking her to the pool.
Too funny...can you see the surprise on his face?

Horseback Riding

Later that same weekend, Madison got her chance to go horseback riding...on her own!  She had two half hour lessons, one each day.  Erin, the teacher, taught her how to brush the horse, put on the saddle and how to put the bridle in the horse's mouth.    

Brushing the dust out of Gracie's coat

Gracie, the horse, was such a sweet horse and did such a great job being so gentle with Madison.  Due to all the rain the day before, the first day's lesson were undercover.

Getting her boots in the stir-ups

Look at her go

We went back on Sunday for the second half of her lessons.  Today she was in the outside arena.  She was walking Gracie, moving her back and forth by using the reigns.

But the best part of the lessons was when Erin would have Gracie trot!  Nothing like watching Madison's face light up!

Gracie gets treats of apple and carrots for doing being such a great teacher.  

Graduation

Jeff and I are official parents of a GRADUATE! 

A pre-K graduate that is!!! 

It was touch and go there for a bit Thursday afternoon.  I picked her up from school with a 101 degree temperature!!!  The weekend had already been planned out right down to the minute.  There was NO time for a fever!  Grandma and Grandpa had made there way down for the celebration and were waiting in the car.  What do I do?....Just stick to the agenda!  But first, a stop by the drug store for some drugs.

We met Jeff at one of Madison's favorite Mexican restaurants.  She had just a bit to eat and drink.  Not much...which let me know my little girl REALLY wasn't feeling that well.  By the end of dinner she did appear to be feeling a bit better.  The plan had been changed to just going to WATCH the performance and she could rest.  But by the time we got there, she was ready to go and couldn't wait to get inside to change into her clothes for the performance!

Waiting to start...

They did a few songs and a bit reading, then it was time for a quick change of clothes...

Waiting for her name to be called.

Someone is very excited her
 name has been called!!!

They finished up with handing out diploma's it was time for the last song of the evening.  Makes you giggle to see little kids doing the Harlem Shake!!!

Madison and her BFF Emma

Flowers for the graduate

We are so proud of our little girl!  There was talk MOST of the evening of just sitting and not participating.  After seeing everyone, it seemed she was able to put not feeling well aside and she pulled off graduation just like a CHAMP!!!  Great job little one!  We love you!!!