Weekend wandering...

We had a pretty full weekend, and yes, some productive things did take place. Specifically, Daddy finished working on the lower stairs on our staircase. Very nice and very sturdy! While he was putting the final touches on those steps. Maddie and Mommy made a break for the mall. Now, those of you who know me, know how much I dislike malls (despite the fact I grew up in NJ). Well, there are just some things you do for your kids...

Maddie received a Build-A-Bear present from Auntie Amy and Lily for her birthday. So it was high time she went and built one! Walking in, I must have had the timing right. No one in the store, we could walk right around and look at all of the offerings. Now, I must admit, I was a tad afraid of ending up with a Pink toy poodle or Pink leopard - or heaven forbid the florescent pink teddy bear! Happily, for me, Maddie was dazzled by all of the stuffed toys that were surrounding her, I easily directed her to a couple of teddy bear choices. She of course, picked the pink option...who would have expected anything different!

We recorded her voice for the bear, that only took a couple of "takes" I asked what she wanted it to say, and well, she's 3, she didn't know... So, Mommy suggested she say "I Love You Madeline Wo Ai Ni"...and she did and it turned out great. Now she's wearing the battery out because she likes to hear herself in her bear! After the stuffing and putting the heart into the bear, we went to the "bath" station. We brushed and fluffed and brushed some more until she was all clean and pretty...(Mommy had to put a time limit on the "bath" or we'd still be there today!) Next came the clothes selection! She found the girliest of girly clothes and we got them. Pink fairy outfit, pink shoes, Blue satin dress with "wrap" and a jean skirt and pink shirt. Yes, we went wild! Then after going around the mall in a whirlwind tour, so the young one could enjoy the mall rides (specifically think pink school bus at 75 cents a pop!), Maddie and Mommy went out for Mexican for lunch which was very yummy! When we got back home, Daddy had the stairs all finished for us to run up and down on...which we promptly did.

Here is Maddie and Faerie the Bear...that name was chosen by Maddie, although I decided to give it a little more interesting spelling...Here she is, sporting her pink dress. Thank you Auntie Amy and Lily!!!

Sunday we went to the FCC-DV Chinese New Year Party up in PA. It took us about 1 1/4 hours to get there...in the 'burbs of Philly. It was CROWDED. They had 25+ tables of 10/table. Along the sides of the room were tables for shopping (but you could barely get to them), a DJ on the stage (featuring Hannah Montana and the Wiggles songs), and a professional photographer in the back taking pictures (we did get Maddie's picture taken). We could barely move but we were right next to the stage which worked out perfect for Maddie who spent the majority of time dancing with "her friends". The banquet food was very good. Maddie's favorite was the egg drop soup. She couldn't be bothered with eating beyond that, too much dancing to be had...Oh, and by the way...in case you did not know, she is Chinese American...her latest obsession is stating that fact proudly multiple times a day. It was good, just very loud and not much area for "mixing" and getting to know other people besides those sitting at your table (and they were nice, its just I think we prefer a smaller scale event...that will be with I-link next weekend!)

Maddie on stage awaiting the other children to join her in frolicking...I love her in this blue dress (again Thank you Auntie Amy!)

Which they did do...but I didn't want to post anyone else's kid to the blog. So here is a picture of Maddie with her dancing fan (yes, pink) and she loves them...

My latest obsession is her lifebook...still a work in progress but her toddler version is almost done!

And finally...a picture of Maddie from this past week, one where she is looking so much like a little girl rather than our baby...I couldn't be prouder.