First sleepover!

Madison, you recently had your first sleepover. You've slept at our family and our close family friend's houses when your brother was in the hospital, but you've never been to an all friends sleepover before. It was for your friend Mary and you all had a blast! You went to sleep at 10 and got up at 4, but you made it the entire night without any worries. You were nervous about not having bobo with you (you are too embarrassed to bring him places, but not ready to give him up at this point) but you did great. It's hard to see you growing up and ready for big girl things like this, but we are so proud of who you are and are thankful you have sweet friends to enjoy fun memories with!  

Hallowee 2019

This Halloween was so much fun, even though the weather was terrible! You picked out the family costumes this  year and we had fun painting your face green as the Wicked Witch of the West! The neighborhood decided to open up shop as early as possible for the younger kids and then try later after the storm passed. This gave us the opportunity of hitting a few houses with just the two of us before daddy and brother were even home. I enjoyed walking and talking and trick or treating with you. Once everyone else got there, we were able to hit a few houses and then had to run home when the tornado sirens went off! Thankfully, the storm passed quickly and you and daddy got out to hit more houses. 

BEST.DAY.EVER!

Over Fall break this year, we decided to do Disney world. Since Grandmommy and Grandaddy live close by, we decided to stay with them and then just try one day at Disney World to see how it went. We drove down and spent the night with Grandmommy and Grandaddy and then drove to a condo nearby Disney where we played in the splash pad and pool and ate a yummy dinner before bed. The next morning we got up bright and early and we were off! We didn't know what to expect since we hadn't been in a long time and never with kids, but we got there early enough to do a ton before our fast passes and then had a blast as the day continued! It really went about as perfectly as it could have. Andrew napped, Madison was a great sport and seeing the look on both of your eyes made every ounce of the financial part of the trip and the tired mommy and daddy part of the trip 1 million times worth it! We really did have THE.BEST.DAY.EVER!

Madison's highlights: Riding space mountain and loving it, riding Splash Mountain twice, watching the parade, eating fun treats all day long!

Andrew's highlights: meeting Mickey Mouse. eating ice cream, "driving" the cars.

Back to School as a 2nd Grader!!

Summer is over and you are back at Irmo Elementary School as a 2nd grader! You are so excited and want to be both a nanny and a math teacher when you grow up. Dad and I pray that this is your best year yet and that you apply yourself in the areas that you love like math and art and really challenge yourself to do your best in the areas that you don't enjoy as much (reading, etc.) You are a great student all the way around and we know that if you put your mind to it, you will learn and achieve more than ever this year. Our prayer is also that you stay grounded and sweet and use the drama that you're so good at in a positive and creative way and show Jesus' love to everyone you meet!  Have a great year, darling!!

Summer 2019

Maddy,

 I could talk about all the fun things we did and I could talk about all the daily arguments and temper tantrums there were. I mean it was bad this summer and I felt like I failed you at every turn whether it was losing my temper in response to you losing yours or not being patient when you obviously had reasons for being so upset. It just killed me that I couldn’t get to the bottom of those reasons and help you. I think you are smart beyond your age and it’s hard to reconcile your thoughts and emotions sometimes. I think you are incredibly emotional and dramatic, which I’m sure you’ll put to great use one day. I could go on and on with my parenting fears and doubts, but instead I’m going to talk about our last day of summer. Today was perfect! It was exactly what we needed to end this emotional summer: we dropped Andrew at daycare, came home and hung out for a bit and then got our toes done! You held my hand in the spa chair and we talked and laughed. We then ate Firehouse

Subs and had a fabulous dance party in your room. After that we went to a movie. We didn’t argue at all and we laughed so much my stomach hurt! We reminisced about your career choices over the years: airplane driver, geologist, famous dj, nanny and now a nanny and mathematician at the same time!

It’s days like today where we connect and I realize that we do have the relationship that I’ve always prayed for. We just have a lot of obstacles that get in the way of it and make it difficult ( you having to help with brother, being forced to do chores and reading, not getting your way, to name a few). But the foundation is there and I vow to not let anything permanently harm our relationship. Every day will not be perfect like today and that’s ok. As long as you know I’m always here for you no matter what and we end up best friends on the other side of your growing up I can handle anything that comes my way now. I love you more than I can express in words!

Birthdays for both of us!

Madison- You are about to turn seven and this is the year that birthdays have really been important to you (I'm late to post this- wrote it before your birthday, but am just posting it at the end of May!)
 You planned my party that we had last night for over a week in secret with Daddy (but you did all the hard work). You surveyed me for my favorite things with choices like pinata or disco ball and then all of my answers were represented. While I gave Andrew a bath you hung up the banner you made- with pictures of all the things I do for you and your brother. Melt my heart! You had set the table with plates, party hats, and napkins that you picked out and decorated my favorite Publix cake with your own icing writing saying Happy Bday Mom! You guys sang me happy  birthday and we ate our cake and then we went outside for the final surprise: an emoji pinata! We had a blast both ripping the strings and hitting it with a bat until all my favorite candies fell out! It was a great night and the fact that you took so much time to make if perfect for me at such a young age, says so much about your heart and your love for others. I pray you always have this same love in your heart!

A few days later, we celebrated your birthday for an entire weekend! Friday you had cupcakes at school with Grandmommy and Grandaddy and then did an awesome job in your school talent show (see video below)

On Saturday, we had a family birthday part at the house with Grammy, Grandpa Tom, Uncle Rob, Aunt Stacey and Uncle Mitch joining in the fun. Then on Sunday you had a photography themed birthday party at Saluda Shoals Park with your church and school friends. It was a blast! It seems like you turned 7, but grew up by about 5 years this birthday. All of a sudden you are like a teenager (in negative ways like attitude, but positive ways like thoughtfulness, creativity, neat dressing, and helping around the house)! We love you and are so proud of you and can't wait to see what you do with your life!

Dance Recital 2019

Well, we made it through an entire year of dance (tap/jazz combo)! If you recall, we tried a few years ago, but gave up halfway through the year as you hated putting on the required tights and it was a fight each week. This studio is a lot more laid back and you wear shorts to class most weeks. We had a minor melt down in the car on the way to the recital (remember the tights that you hated before? Yep- still hate them and your costume was tight when you sat in the car) but you pulled it together and did great!

You're a movie star!

You got the wonderful opportunity to be in a commercial that Uncle Mitch made to help support his Parkinson's group locally. It was played on the big screen at the local baseball (Firefly's) game and Uncle Mitch threw out the first pitch with you on the field. You did such a good job; you learned your lines and were a natural in front of the camera. We are super proud of you!

Spring Break and Easter picture catch up

We went to Grandmommy and Grandmommy's house in Florida for Spring break and Easter this year. We had a blast as seen in the pictures below!