Swimming and Strawberries

Spring has sprung and that means summer is just around the corner.  No better time to get Madison in the pool and learn those strokes that are going to keep her active through the summer months.  She and Allie started swimming lessons at the local INDOOR pool this week so that they will be prepared for when the pool opens!

Her new swim suit, shorts and a girl can't forget her shoes!

Madison and Allie waiting every so patiently poolside for the class to start.  There was a bit of excitement in the air and I think we would have lost her in the pool if we weren't standing right there!

 

Do you think someone is a bit excited about learning?

When the lesson was complete, Madison was nowhere ready to get out of the pool and wanted to move over to the hot tub (that was off...it looked like a small pool to her).

Would you believe that Sunday hit 85 degrees?  April...85 degrees?  What is this summer going to be like?  With our VERY mild winter, the strawberry plants were bursting at the seams with berries.  This was the second week of picking and there were plenty to go around.  I think Madison ate her weight in berries.  One for the bucket, two for her!  We met Emma at the fields for picking and then a nice lunch out with her family since we hadn't seen them in a while.  There are no need for words when it comes to looking at the pictures that follow!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter Weekend

In August 2005, Jeff and I took the train into DC to check out some of the sites and took our picture at the WWII Memorial.  There was a picture of me taken at the VA sign, Jeff at the MD sign and then just for the fun of it, took our picture together at the NC sign.  This is the two of us almost seven years ago...

When that picture was taken, Jeff and I would never have thought that seven years later we would have a precious little girl!!!

After walking around the city for a few hours we were all very hungry and we knew just the place to get a good bite to eat.  Uncle Gregg and Andy had us over for dinner.  And as a treat...for Madison...Uncle Gregg let Madison paint his toenails!!!!  It was the only way she would allow him to paint her nails.

Painting Uncle Gregg's toes

Drying his toes

Uncle Gregg painting Madison's nails

Not bad for her first job

Then it was daddy's turn...she just wanted to make sure she had this down. 

 

Everyone is ready for Spring with those beautiful pink nails!!!!

*** Parker's Birthday ***

Saturday was a very full day with Parker's birthday party.  I haven't downloaded the pictures as of yet, but hope to get those on here tomorrow night.

*** Parker's Birthday ***

We were able to leave early enough on Sunday morning to be able to make it back for Lisa's Easter Egg hunt where Madison found a few Easter eggs!

Happy Easter to all our family and friends!!!!  Love to All!!!

Pallet Playhouse

For those of you who are on Pinterest, you would have seen by now ALL the different things you can do with pallets.  And the best part of all is that pallets are FREE!!!   Jeff and I wanted to build something that Madison and Allie would be able to play in and he was able to track down a place with pallets, so why not give a pallet playhouse a try?!

Making space...

We had all kinds of help with picking out the pallets, placing the pallets, and then making sure the pallets were safe!

 

Saturday we got most of the pallets layed out the way we wanted them.  Now it was time to level things out and get the floor put on. 

Dreaming of playing in her playhouse

Like with any good house, a good solid foundation is needed...

 

The girls couldn't wait for Jeff to get his tools put away before they were showing off all their latest moves.

The true test is how it will hold up to all the dancing and jirations that will take place...so far so good!

The girls taking time away from dancing to have their picture taken.

And Madison always takes advantage of getting her picture taken when she is the cutest!!!  :-)



Birthday Weekend

It's hard to believe, but Madison turns 4 years old this week.  We celebrated her birthday this weekend and had a WONDERFUL weekend with friends and family.  Friday night started the festivities with all the family arriving.  Saturday was prep time and a little bit of shopping to get those last minute items.  Four o'clock finally rolls around and its finally time for the fun to begin!!!  

I have to warn you that the pictures are out of order since they were taken from a few different cameras.

Madison and her horse

Later in the evening, the children running off the cupcakes and ice cream.  This is Emma all dressed up for the party!

Thank goodness there were only a handful of children coming to her party therefore I was able to spend more time to put together the horses for her friends.

The snakes got loose while the kids were eating.  It was time to squash the snakes!!!

Madison's face lit up with each present she opened!  She really liked EVERYTHING she got and spent Sunday putting her hands on all of her gifts.

And the last stop of the evening was to get pictures of the children (and others) on the horse.

We had a wonderful weekend and we are slowly getting back to "normal."  Madison had such a nice weekend and it really shows in the fact that it takes all of two minutes to get her bed at night.  Thanks to everyone for a really nice weekend!!!