Happy Birthday Weekend #3

 The last round of birthday weekends started with teasing Daddy!  

To go to Cinderella or not?  Just kidding Daddy!  We had to meet Grandma and Grandpa.

Saturday afternoon we all went to see the Velveteen Rabbit at the local theater.

The weather was a bit cool, but perfect for friends and a drink!

Me and my dad

Best friends...Toby and Lucy

Catching some air

The Birthday continues

Sunday afternoon, the birthday celebrations continued with friends.  Cake, candles, balloons, and a movie...what could be better?  Looks like everyone had a great time!!!

Happy 7th Birthday!!!

We opted for something a bit different this year.  Instead of the big birthday at the house, we decided to hit the road.  Madison invited her best friend Emma along for the night and we made our way to Great Wolf Lodge.

On our way out, we stopped by IKEA for a gift for Madison.  While there, Emma and Madison were hanging out in the "cabana"!

Moments later, we finally made our way to the lodge.

Outside the lodge

It didn't take the girls long to change from their street clothes into their bathing suits.

A few hours later it was time to get changed to go to dinner and play a few games.

The in-room Kid Kamp

Bowling 

Playing in the arcade

How cool is it to have milk and cookies delivered by Oliver the Raccoon just before bed?

Cookies and milk

 No cupcakes here...not today anyhow!  Check out the candle in the sausage.

The "tattoo" says it all.  Setting the mood for the rest of the day.

Hours and hours of swimming meant an ice cream appetizer!

Where all seven years old want their birthday dinner....a Japanese Steakhouse!

Photo Bomb!!!

Check out those chopstick moves

And another photo bomb

Two nights in the kennel sure did make for a very tired puppy on Sunday.

And the look of a very happy little girl!

Madison's Birthday Weekend #1

Yes...Number 1.  There are three weekends planned and this was the first...spending it with her Nana and Papa.  The week started with the first of two snow weeks from school.  Tuesday the snow came in. Or should I say ice.  But that didn't matter!

Alli and Madison sliding
on the ice

 We were surprised that day when Madison lost her sixth tooth while eating hummus and carrots!  Check out that toothless grin :-)

Nana and Papa arrived just in time for the melting of the snow.  However, it remained very cold over the weekend.  Friday, Madison and I were still recovering from a HORRIBLE stomach virus.  Saturday we were ALL ready to get out of the house.  First stop...NC Museum of Natural Science.

Madison wants a ring with a stone this big!

Her celebration went on all day long with lunch and then back home for gift opening and cake.

Thanking Nana for her Snuggle Pad

Ice Cream cake with #7!

Sunday we went to another birthday party.  This place was AWESOME and Madison couldn't stop smiling.  With experiment after experiment she couldn't contain her excitement!

Science Fun for Everyone  

Madison and Sam

As I write this, we are sitting in week two of snow.  Leaving tomorrow for Great Wolf Lodge for a couple of days. Will be nice to get away after being cooped up for what seems like forever!!!

Acting and Birthday Cake

Another type of class has come to end.  This time it was acting!  A HUGE accomplishment was made with weekend when our little girl not only acted out a little play in front of people she didn't know.  She even had a small speaking part and didn't give in to her anxiety!!!!  She made us VERY proud!!!

Standing with classmates

I've posted the play here...First acting class. Click on link to see the video.

Her best friend Alli came along for support. When all the hard work was behind her, she celebrated by playing on the playground.  Isn't that what any budding actor would do? ;-)

Alli and Madison

To make a full day of it, we had lunch and ran a few errands.  Good girls always get frozen yogurt!

Luckily the girls got outside when they did.  As the day progressed, it got so much colder and Sunday was a no go for being outside.  Well, not really...as you will see.

I use Madison's mirror to write little notes of inspiration or just funny things to get her through her days sometimes.  Sunday morning, I woke up to "Happy Brithday, mom!"  Very sweet and thoughtful.  LOVED IT!!!

Jeff and I braved the 16 degree that morning and took Lucy out for her Sunday long walk.  Nobody in their right mind should have been out for more than a pee and a poo with the dog that morning.  The wind froze our faces.  I couldn't wait to get home.  Jokingly, when I walked in the door, I asked Madison if she wanted to go out and play basketball.  Guess it's never too cold for basketball for her.  When I was out for my walk, I had on three layers AND a thick jacket and two pairs of workout pants.  My child, when playing basketball, has on leopard pattern flats (no socks), her flannel pjs, and a jacket, unzipped!!!!  Guess too many clothes would hinder her basket shooting skills!!!!

Check out that move!

And again, Lucy playing defense

My birthday celebration started around noon as we made our way to the local Japanese Steakhouse.  I would like to thank Madison's Uncle David for introducing her to this dining experience.  We would go YEARS between visits to such places; however, now that someone has had a taste, she can't get enough.  We have to reel her in from time to time.  But this was a special day and worth the visit.

Despite having WAY to much for "dunch" we came home to fix our award winning White Chicken Chili.  With the weather turning and knowing the week was going to be SUPER cold, we took the chance to prepare a simple, yet yummy meal for the week to come. Madison has really taken to wanting to help with meal preparation and learn how it's all done.  And Lucy likes to be there for "moral support"...and clean up!  There are days the kitchen just isn't BIG enough!!!

What a wonderful weekend!!! 

I can't thank Madison and Jeff enough for spoiling me on my birthday!  

Love you both very much!!!!  XOXO

Let the Birthdays Begin...

But first, it FINALLY HAPPENED!!!

For what feels like MONTHS we kept trying to pull out Madison's other front tooth. Jeff and I couldn't touch that tooth with a ten foot pole! We couldn't figure out why she didn't want it to come out.  But last Thursday...after much bribing...she finally let Jeff pull the tooth.

It took nothing to come out but she cried and cried and cried.  Moments after it was over, she was all smiles and giggles!!! And so happy that was all behind her.

*******

February starts the beginning of birthday season for us...Alli starts the celebrations.

Ben, Alli, Madison, Nick, and Sam at Chuck E Cheese

The weather last Sunday gave us a taste of Spring.  With time left to kill in the afternoon, we took the girls and dogs up to the tennis courts to skate and throw the ball around.

Lucy, Allie, Madison, and Toby

Playing keep away from Lucy and Toby

Not quite sure what those crazy girls were doing

No, they are not kissing...Toby is trying
to get the ball from Lucy

We are so thankful for good friends, crazy dogs, and wonderful girls who love being together and celebrating the outdoors!!!!

Monday we found out what song they will be doing for her dance recital in May.  After class, she was grinning from ear to ear!  Check out the video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GVpM1i3Ob4

Super Bowl Weekend 2015

We have to start the week out with Tommy is now officially Toby!!!  To celebrate the name change, we took the fury kids to the tennis courts to play for a bit.

Lucy and Toby playing

This weekend was super quiet.  I got hit with a hard cold starting Friday afternoon.  It hit hardest come Saturday morning.   Staying in bed all day Saturday was not how I planned the weekend.
Lucy summed up how I felt while chilling with Jeff Saturday night.

Lucy with Jeff

Madison took a few pictures of her best friend.  This is the by far the best one.  The others were a bit blurry. What a cute little girl :-)

With the rain holding off on Sunday, what better chance to play a little bit of basketball.  Not only is Madison getting better, but Lucy's doing much better as well.

One of the best ways to get the ball from Lucy

The video is a bit long but it's cute to  see how Lucy plays basketball with Madison.
To see the VIDEO, go to the blog....http://sanfordsaga.blogspot.com/

With illness running through the neighborhood, the neighborhood Super Bowl Party got cancelled. Although I missed hanging out with friends, chatting and drinking, I'm so glad that I get to go to bed tonight not feeling like I've got to have my stomached pumped from eating in so much very good food!!!

Our Super Bowl food spread ;-)