Girl Power Chinese Superman Flying

That is what dear Maddie said at the dinner table last night. Sitting nicely eating her sauteed yellow squash and chicken, she paused, lifted both hands above her head and said in a loud voice..."girl power chinese superman flying" while moving her hands around as if she were flying like superman. Now, I have told her girl power before, I do grant this, but it was a result of her once saying that "we're just girls Mommy". Oh no! There is no Just about that! So, apparently I've transformed her from being "just a girl" to a super flying chinese girl with power. Who would have thought? Would it help the visual if I said that she was wearing her birthday party hat while doing this? Yes, I let her wear her birthday party hat at the dinner table 3 days after the party...sue me.


She also wears her pink fuzzy kitty cat flip flops every chance she gets...

The stories that she tells really are getting elaborate and very very long. She'll start telling us about what they did at school today, who did something because they did and someone else didn't because they didn't but they did do it but didn't etc etc etc....I swear she told me one story that started when we got in the car at school almost to when I pulled in the driveway. I was in awe and giggling to myself all at once.

The cutest thing she's been saying is "I love you for being you" Of course this melts Mommy's heart so when I find out who taught it to her I'll give that person a big hug!

We had a small birthday gathering for Maddie and Uncle Kevin on Saturday. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Maddie really enjoyed playing with her cousins. The best thing was when we were opening presents, I was telling Maddie who the presents were from...she interpreted that the present was FOR that person and went to give it to them to open...awww =)

Helping Mommy decorate with the lots and lots of pink balloons...and yes, she is blowing on a noise maker. My gosh people, it's a birthday party, they are little kids, I can put up with a bit of noise for a few hours, they get the fun memories! (yes, they have since disappeared, but they did get used and enjoyed)

The big "3" birthday! Maddie wanted a Pink cake with lots and lots of pink balloons. I've pretty much resigned myself to a girly girl. Luckily she still does like to get dirty too! *must keep reinforcing* =)

Happy Birthday Maddie!

Maddie celebrated her 3rd Birthday today. She was very excited about turning 3 years old, although I think she was more excited about her pink cupcakes at school than anything else.

Daddy and Maddie getting ready to go to work & school this morning. Happily, this year I didn't have to head out to a conference as I did last year on her birthday.

One thing I have learned is that stickers and a construction paper crown, a happy child makes...Here is Maddie in all of her birthday glory wearing her birthday crown from her teachers at school. You can also tell this is post-school because her pigtails are out!

Another morning photo that just shows how grown up she is getting!?! She looks so much bigger than last year (I know...DUH!) but it is a sad realization just how fast it all goes... Mommy and Daddy could not be more proud of her if we tried...

To the beach! and the beach!

Yes, you read correctly...it's January, the temperature is in the 20's F, snow was expected, and what did we do? We went to not one, but TWO beach towns! Now, there wasn't alot of playing in the sand going on, but we were able to amuse ourselves with indoor pools, shopping and visiting with a friend (Hi Calvin!).

Our first stop...Ocean City. It was a blustery cold, but good time - we can have fun at the beach anytime of the year, as illustrated by Maddie in her sweater just daring the snow covered dune to dampen her fun.


Of course, what helped make it fun was the Pool! Maddie LOVES the water, but unfortunately is lacking any body fat, so after 10 minutes in the water she starts shivering. At the same time is adamantly expressing just how NOT cold she is. We need to look for a toddler neoprene wetsuit...If anyone has suggestions please let us know!

I love this picture...Maddie giving Daddy a hug. With a Daddy that is 6'6", it will be a while before she can hug anything but his leg without assistance *grin*

Second stop...Virginia Beach! Never really been to VA beach before, we spent most of the time at the hotel with a real COOL lazy river pool and waterfalls.

Oh, but we did get out some....This is at the Virginia Beach Aquarium. Maddie is the little person in shadow on the bottom left of the picture.

Thank you Ray Stevens...

What has it been like around the house with an almost 3 yr old?

Let's just say, all I keep hearing is the Chorus of this Ray Stevens' classic playing in my head over and over...

The Streak

Hello, everyone, This is your Action News reporter
With all the news that is news across the nation on the scene at the supermarket
There seems to have been some disturbance here
Pardon me, sir, did you see what happened

Yeah, I did. I's standin' over there by the tomaters and here he comes
Runnin' through the pole beans, through the fruits ''n' vegetables
Nekked as a jaybird
'n' I hollered over t'Ethel, I said "DON'T LOOK, ETHEL", 'n' it's too late
She'd already been INcensed

(Here he comes)
Looka dat, looka dat
(There he goes)
Looka dat, looka dat
(And he ain't wearin' no clothes)

Whoa, yes they call him The Streak
(Looka dat, looka dat)
Fastest thing on two feet
Looka dat, looka dat
He's just as proud as he can be of his anatomy
He gun give us a peek
Oh, yes they call him The Streak
(Looka dat, looka dat)
He likes to show off his physique
(Looka dat, looka dat)
If there's an audience to be found
He'll be streakin' A-round invitin' public critique

This is your Action News reporter once again and we're here at the gas station
Pardon me, sir, did you see what happened

Yeah, I did
I's just in here gettin' my tawres checked 'n' he just appeared outta the back
Come streakin' around the grease rack there-didn't have nuthin on but a smile
I looked at her and Ethel was gettin' 'er a cold drink
I hollered "DON'T LOOK, ETHEL" But it's too late, she'd already been MOONED
Flashed her right there in front of the shock absorbers

(He ain't crude)
(Looka dat, looka dat)
(He ain't rude)
(Looka dat, looka dat)
(He's just in the mood to run in the nude)

Whoa, yes they call him The Streak
(Looka dat, looka dat)
He likes to turn the other cheek
(Looka dat, looka dat)
He's always makin' the news wearin' just his tennis shoes
Guess you could call him unique

Once again, your Action News reporter in the booth at the gym
Covering the disturbance at the basketball playoff
Pardon me, sir, did you see what happened

Yeah, I did
Halftime, I's just goin' down there to get Ethel a snow cone
Here he come, right outta the cheap seats, dribblin'
Right down the middle of the floor
Didn't have on nothin' but his Keds
Made a hook shot and got out through the concession stand
I hollered up at Ethel, I said "DON'T LOOK, ETHEL"
Too late. She'd already got a free shot
Grandstand. Right there in front of the home team

(Whoa, yes they call him The Streak)
Here he comes again
(Looka dat, looka dat)
Who's that with him
(Fastest thing on two feet)
"Ethel! Is that you Ethel
(Looka dat, looka dat)
(He's just as proud as he can be)
What do you think you're doin
(Of his anatomy )
(He gonna give us a peek)
You get your clothes on
Whoa, yes they call him The Streak
"Ethel, where you goin'"
(He likes to show off his physique)
"Ethel, you shameless hussy"
(If there's an audience to be found)
(He'll be streakin' A-round)
(Invitin' public critique)
Say it isn't SO, Ethel
"ETHEL"

The many faces of Maddie...

A study (some blurry, some not *laugh*) of the many faces of Maddie...an almost 3 yr old

Uhm, are you supposed to be laying across the stools?!? Notice the carefree expression, the "I can do anything I want and because I'm cute it will be ok" look. She's got this one perfected.

What's so funny in the book there Maddie?


This is the classic look...the one she gives when she's telling Mommy and Daddy what to do *grin*

Actual laughing photograph...this is the personality I'd love to have a professional photographer capture, but alas, all you have is me and my photographic skills...or lack thereof


You will notice that there is a distinct lack of crying faces in this study...never fear, I can capture those anytime *grin*

Happy New Year!

Hope you all had a good Christmas and wishing you all a very Happy New Year! We spent Christmas morning at home, and then drove up to New Jersey to have dinner with the Jersey side of the family.

Can you guess what one of the things Maddie got for Christmas?

Yup, dress up clothes! And of course, she had to try on each and every outfit right then and there....


Is that a PINK present??? Why, how ever did Santa know?!?!

Once one present was opened, Maddie was quickly onto the next. Christmas was a much different experience this year than last year. I remember last year the tearing of one small piece of wrapping paper and then running it to the trash...This picture should demonstrate her wrapping paper ripping proficiency.

Trying to teach Maddie the art of patience while opening gifts with my family. (Please note that she is in Daddy's lap...and while she has a big smile on her face, it is because she sees the large number of wrapped presents under the tree at my sister's house)