Tis the season for...

parties apparently...! We've been busy little bees going to various birthday, christmas and holiday parties (couldn't even go to all of them due to conflicts). One day was just outrageous with 3 parties scheduled in one afternoon that went something like this...12-2 in PA, 2-4 in DE, 4-6 in PA. I hope that this does not foretell of the required socializing in the future for Maddie. Last year at this time we party hopped to 2 different parties in 2 different states in one afternoon, so I do have some experience here. The concept of party hopping might seem like fun to some, but to me, it was immediately red flagged as being a bad idea. We chose one and went to it.

Here is one of the birthday parties that Maddie went to at the Hilton! One of her friends from school had a Tea party by Pretty Princess Parties to celebrate her turning 4 yrs old. Belle was there to lead the kids through dress up time, games, fairy tale stories, crafts, dancing, cake and high tea for the kids including Fine China with Tea Cups and Saucers for the kids. They drank pink lemonade and kid friendly finger food while the grown ups had their own high tea including devonshire cream and scones as well as other delights.


Here is Maddie playing dress up with her fairy wings, magic wand, crown, fairy skirt and jewelry and resting on the red carpet that each princess got to strut their stuff on to the applauds of all of the parents at the end of the "runway".

What is a super special princess party without getting a make-over. They all got their fingernails painted (Maddie chose every other color purple and blue) as well as some minimal makeup including sparkly fairy dust.

Another friend from school had a princess birthday party at her house and Belle came there too! I'll refrain from posting those photos, I mean, how many pictures of kids parties can you stand in one posting? *grin*

This past weekend we went to Maryland to Nana's house for an early Christmas with her side of the family. We all decended upon her house and had a lovely time chatting with cousins and Aunts & Uncles and catching up with people we haven't seen since the Crisfield Family Reunion in the summer.

Early Christmas in Maryland! Maddie now has the hang of opening presents in case you were worried...


Maddie and Daddy playing around awaiting the rest of the family's arrival...

We did also have a really nice lunch with Stephe one Sunday afternoon. Stephe lives right around the corner from us and is adopting a little girl from China. She'll be traveling in January - we can wait to meet her!

Coming soon....Christmas cookie baking & Christmas pictures!