Our Crazy Week

Madeline auditioned to perform in this years Ballet Arkansas performance of The Nutcracker.  I knew that it would be a commitment, and other than dance class on Fridays and her regular school load we don't have many commitments, so I was sure we could take this on.  And we have- for the most part.  I have been so proud of Madeline.  Rehearsal has been every Saturday and she has gone without complaining and seemed to really hear me the time that we did have to talk about it and I explained to her what a privilege it was to be able to participate and share the stage with such amazing talent. She has had to miss a few birthday parties but even then she did not complain. 

This week has been the final week.  It's all kind of a blur but I think that we had 2 rehearsals last weekend, staging and spacing at Robinson Center on Tuesday evening, dress rehearsal there on Thursday evening, and her first performance was yesterday morning for the schools.  This week I thought we could do it all.  But Tuesday night her rehearsal started at 5:30 and my hope was that by some miracle we would be out by 6 and that that would give us enough time to make it to her school Christmas concert.  We didn't make it.  We left rehearsal at 8.  Madeline was starving and I thought purple cow might make her feel better.  While we were there I asked her if she was disappointed about having to miss her school concert and if she had had a solo.

She started sobbing right there in the booth.  She told me that she had forgotten to tell me that she had been chosen to read her letter to Santa at the performance.  That her music teacher and Mrs. Papp were counting on her to be there.  I started crying too.  So we just held each other for a few minutes and I told her I was so very sorry that I had had no idea and that we would have skipped rehearsal had I known.  I sent her teacher a text asking for a copy of her Santa letter and we recorded Madeline performing all of her songs when we got home.  But it just felt like such a failure to not have gotten her there.  Madeline got ready for bed but I couldn't shake the feeling.


When she got her pajamas on she came back into the living room where I was sitting and looking at all of the pictures our friends had posted of the concert.  I told Madeline that I was still so upset about having missed it.

Now, this is why I love Madeline down to my soul.  I love her so much that love doesn't feel like an adequate expression.  She IS my soul.  Madeline said (while hugging me), "It's okay Mommy.  We did the best we could.  We had to be at Nutcracker rehearsal, you sent Mrs. Papp a message asking for my Santa letter, and you let me perform for you and Daddy and Tucker.  It's going to be okay."

And it has "all been okay."  Madeline has been a trooper.  Yesterday at her school performance she was a pro.  Her performance was perfect.  I was afraid she was going to be concerned because she wouldn't be able to find me in the audience.  I wouldn't be in my usual spot.  She did pop out and immediately look for me and I could see a little concern on her face but then she jumped right back into her role and smiled and did her part perfectly.  I'll post about how amazing it has been to participate in this show later but for now I just wanted to make sure I documented another moment in time when Madeline's precious little heart saved me.  I am so blessed to be her Mommy.

Comfort

The holiday season is hard for me.  I know it can be for a lot of people.  During this season we all work so hard at making things festive and feeling festive but in the joy of the season I also struggle with the pain of loss.

Ten years (almost 11) ago my brother and his son, my sweet 5 year old nephew, passed away.  I miss them every day but I wanted to share some things that give me comfort.  Maybe if any of you who read my blog are struggling with sadness or loss this post might help you find comfort in your own lives.  For my family- the  tragedy of the boys loss sometimes makes the joy of their lives difficult to think about or remember.  I have been reminded. And I am thankful for that.

Shortly after we lost Lou and Luke my Mom made a new friend.  Her name is Deborah.  Deborah was and is a single mom and has a son named Matthew.  Deborah is the same age as my brother would have been.  Her son Matthew is a few years younger than Luke would have been but when we met them he has a tiny little boy who resembled Luke.  He was so smart and kind.   We loved them both and quickly became a part of their lives.  Deborah was happy to share Matthew with us and always made sure to invite Mom and Dad to his Grandparent's events.  Matthew benefited from his relationship with my parents and my parents were blessed over and over by their relationship with him.  He was a precious child. 

Matthew is now a precious almost teenager.  He is such a good kid.  And smarter than I can describe.  He has always excelled at school and a year or so ago was watching kids' week on Jeopardy and decided to take the online quiz to see if he could qualify to appear on the show.  He was asked to audition last spring in Houston and Mom went with him and his mom to the trials.  Matthew caught the attention of the producers there thanks to his great personality, an original song he had written about Jeopardy, and a minivan decorated to the hilt announcing his arrival.

Well, Matthew not only made it through the audition in Houston he also made it to L.A. for the actual competition and taping.  Again, Deborah and Matthew were kind enough to ask Mom to join them for this adventure and Mom got to look on (with her breath held) as Matthew won over $40,000 and won the kids' competition.

Last week Deborah called Mom with some news.  A local television news reporter had called Deborah to say that they had heard that Matthew was going to appear on Jeopardy and that they would like an interview with him.  Deborah explained that he had already been on the show, it had already aired, he had won, and that another local station had covered the events extensively.  She hung up, curious about the call, and called the Jeopardy producer who is now a close friend.

Maggie, the producer, explained that they had no plans for Matthew to make another appearance but that another young man from our town was there with her taping and that he would be appearing on teen Jeopardy. She said that he was actually sitting there with her at that moment and that he would love to talk to her.

The young man that got on the phone was a former elementary school student of Deborah's.  He had come to the school where she was teaching after the fourth grade year had started.  She wanted to assess his writing level and asked him to write an essay about his best friend.  The then fourth grader, Leonard, wrote an essay about his best friend, Luke.

And that's where I start crying folks and the screen is difficult to see as I type this.  I remember hearing about Leonard.  Our Luke loved him so much.  They were the best of friends in kindergarten.  And 4 years later that precious boy was still touched enough by Luke to write an essay about him.  Deborah was astonished and had given a copy of the essay to my Mom. Mom was on the board of directors for the school at that time and ran into Leonard's mother one day while she was there.  They became friends and Mom took so much comfort in knowing Leonard and his mother (a single parent as well) and knowing how well he was doing.  They lost track of one another but hearing the news about Leonard from Deborah blew Mom away.  Me too.

Deborah talked to Leonard for a while and expressed how proud she was for him and then talked to Maggie again.  Maggie said Leonard had already been talking to her about Deborah, my Mom, and telling her about our Luke.  Amazing.  I don't know the outcome of Leonard's performance on Jeopardy but I do know that we will all be tuning in and cheering on this young man when the episode does air.

Mom told me the story last week and said, "Isn't that just an amazing coincidence?" And through my sobbing I managed to say, "No."

There is no peace to be found in the way we lost our boys.  It was gut-wrenching and unspeakable and so so sad.  So grieving is difficult because there is no comfort or understanding to be found in their loss.  There was no reason for it and no one can say "it was God's will."  God didn't "call home" our boys but I am sure He welcomed them with open arms.  And although there is no comfort to be found in their loss, learning of Leonard and having had the opportunity to watch Matthew, with the guidance of his wonderful mother, grow into an amazing young man has provided us a lot of joy.  And I feel like this story is a gift from God, and Lou, and Luke.  It is their way of giving us a glimpse of peace and a way to feel comforted by them.  God didn't take away our boys but He has heard our prayers and your prayers for our peace and comfort and we are comforted.  Love to you all. 

I am so thankful for those of you who have allowed me to talk about and share the memories of our boys.  I see them in Madeline's gentle sensitive heart, in the joy on Tucker's face while he plays with Luke's old trains, the hope and excitement in my Dad's soul when he offered Lou's riding saddle to Tucker (Tucker started riding at the same age my brother had), and in the calm, gentle nature of my husband and best friend that reminds me so much of my sweet brother. 

Even though I still struggle and will miss the boys this season, this year I feel comforted.  Like a warm reassuring blanket on my heart and soul.  And for the first time since their loss I know, beyond a shadow of doubt, that they are okay and that they are still with me.  And I feel better.

Tucker's first class field trip!

Tucker is in the pre-k 3 class at MDO this year and we got to take Tucker's first ever class field trip this week.  We went to the pumpkin patch! Tucker loved the tractor ride and picking out his own "perfect pumpkin" in the patch.  He has several precious best buddies in his class.  I was telling Tyler last night that I am SO grateful for the friends the kids have here.  And for the parents that those kids have.  And I hope they will still let Tucker be their kids' friend even though lately he tackles them, punches them, kicks them, throws rocks at them, and herds and shoves them towards the scary decorations at the pumpkin patch. :-/

A night without Bee-Bee

Bee-Bee is to Tucker as white is to rice.  Bee-Bee is a green and blue tag blanket.  About a foot square. When I was weaning Tucker I had read that it is easier on the child if you substitute something else for the breast to comfort the baby.  So I substituted Bee-Bee.  Tucker has never slept without him (Tucker says Bee-Bee is a boy).

At 2 a.m. Tyler woke me up asking where Tucker's "other Bee-Bee" was.  Tucker had an accident in the middle of the night and Bee-Bee got wet.  We had two other tag blankets that had been given to him as gifts but trying to substitute them for Bee-Bee was NOT going to be acceptable.  Tucker was pitiful.  He wasn't crying but his eyes were watering and his face was so sad.  He didn't want either of the substitutions.  We finally got him to lay down and we both kissed him and told him he would be okay for just one night but he wouldn't look at us.  He laid there with his little head rested on his fist and just stared at the wall. 

But somehow he fell asleep!  We didn't hear from him again all night and now he is patiently waiting for Bee-Bee to come out of the dryer.  Big night here at the Winningham house, folks!

The moments you wish you could stop time...

Madeline gets a few days off school after her first 9 week is completed for a "Fall Break." I love it.  I was determined to get us out of the house and doing some fun things together and we did.  The kids were great for the most part- Tucker is going through the same 3.5 y/o defiant thing that Madeline did but it is so much easier to deal with when you understand that is IS (I PRAY) just a phase.

There was this one morning- I think it was Monday morning- when I had some work to get done from home and I knew I would be on the computer for a bit.  The kids wanted to get out play doh and I knew that would keep them busy and entertained for a bit so I told them to go for it.  I would look up from time to time and see play doh everywhere.  But I just let it go and I was thankful they were happy and playing nicely and I knew it could be cleaned up- I tried to channel my mom.  She has always been so great about letting the kids make big messes and big memories.

After about 45 minutes and getting my work done that morning I looked up again and the kitchen where they had been playing was clean and neat and tidy.  MADELINE HAD PICKED UP EVERY SINGLE THING THEY HAD GOTTEN OUT!!! WITHOUT ME ASKING!!!

I said, "MADELINE!!! Did you clean all of that up without me even asking you??!! What made you decide to do that??"

She said, "Because I know that if I clean up my messes that you will have more time to play with me."

I went to bed that night trying to figure out what I had done in my life that warranted the gift of Madeline in it.  Precious precious child.

facebook

The last couple of days have been great.  Or so one would believe from facebook...and they have been, but I have realized over the last several months that blogging is so important to me.  And I haven't in a long long time.  Blogging gives me to opportunity to share my thoughts and the realities of our lives to those who care to read or take a look.  Facebook tells part of the story but I have had so many friends say, after hearing about struggles I have had  lately or silly stories I have told them, "but your life looks so perfect on facebook!" So,  here are some pictures of some great times I have shared on facebook and here is my opportunity to share the stories behind the pictures. 

 Madeline's Fall break started Thursday- well, actually Friday- but they were just supposed to have a half day Thursday and we got a great report from her first grade teacher on Wednesday afternoon so I decided to give her an extra day off.  I LOVE having the kids home in the mornings.  We stay in our pajamas all morning and they actually play together lately, sometimes nicely, and we watch cartoons.  At about 10 Thursday morning I told them that if they would play nice while I got my "morning chores" and work done that I would take them to Chuck E Cheese.  They were excited but as soon as I suggested it I honestly thought- WHY did you just say that out loud??

 We got to CEC around noon and because it was a random Thursday the place was practically empty.  It was awesome.  The kids were good.  We ate too much pizza and we headed home.

 I have these clients...clients that I love and that I am excited to have move to our town...but they are clients that I have not been able to find a house for yet.  I try so hard to plan for things and to try to have all of my work homework done (even if it's at 2 am) so that I can carve out time with the kids.  But it never seems to work out the way I need it to.  I had planned with the other mommies at Madeline's school to go with them to take the kids to the Peabody to see the ducks, the Peabody playground, the River Market for lunch, and a trolley ride.  We did all of that but I was tense the whole time because my clients were trying to make their decision about a house and I needed to get home as soon as I could to write an offer for them.  But off we went anyway and I put everything on hold for a few hours.

 Ha! This is funny to me...we made it to the Peabody JUST in time but I promise you it was not easy!  I had bought Madeline some fall clothes that I had not tried on her yet and her pants were a bit too long and her shoes were a size too big.  But she was determined to wear both.  I begged her to at least change shoes but she promised me she would be fine.  I carried that 60 lb. kid at full speed through the lobby to get to the duck fountain on time.  And the rest of the day walked 20 feet behind the rest of our friends and mommies to hold Madeline's hand because her shoes were too big and difficult to walk in.  I had ALMOST packed her tennis shoes just in case.  But I didn't.  I promise you I kept thinking about going into one of the expensive downtown boutiques to buy her some shoes...I didn't care how much they would cost...but I knew her daddy WOULD care so I didn't.  We just did the best we could.

 We watched the ducks march in then went upstairs in the glass elevator to see their apartment.

 The girls- Madeline, Malia, and Paige.

 7 kids under 7.  They were awesome though.  I was with some pretty laid back moms.  None of us are type A and we all kind of keep a close eye on the kids but not too close...the kids had the opportunity to run and yell and play.  Tyler and I call it "free range" days.  Where they can be in an environment that allows some freedom but it's controlled enough to keep them safe.  There are 3 of us with 6 year old girls and 3 year old boys.  And our other friend has the 6 year old boy who is precious and loves the girls.  They're great kids. 

 Tucker reading the map on the trolley- the highlight of his day was the trolley ride.  All the kids had a chance to ring the bell.  And we had a great driver.  He would go really fast and lift his arms up and yell like we were on a roller coaster.

 Madeline had rolled up her pants and managed to stay in her shoes for the rest of the day.  We moved slowly so her shoes didn't fall off but we made it!

 I had to cut the good times short because I needed to get back home for my clients...mommy guilt.  But the kids were ready for some down time.  We came home and I worked for about an hour and a half before we had to turn around and head back into town for Madeline's dance lessons.  I was TIRED by this time and it was raining.  I just wanted to be home snuggling with them and I think they both felt the same.  But off we went, our friends Chloe and Luke would be there because Chloe is trying out the studio this week. 

I need a camera on me at all times with Tucker but especially in the late afternoons if he hasn't had a nap and especially if you get him together with Luke.  Rebekah and I thought the boys would be fine to play together at the studio.  They had a DVD player, bean bags, coloring sheets and colors...enough entertainment for two boys...right? Wrong.

Tucker had asked what was inside the bean bags at the dance studio.  I told him beans.  He said, "I wanna eat those jelly beans Mamma!" I should have known what would happen next. The boys opened up the bean bags, twice. Rebekah and I cleaned up the "beans", twice.  Then we re-directed them to the crayons.  They drew on the table.  Rebekah and I tried to clean it but she and Luke had to go out to get magic erasers.

After dance and the hilarity of Luke and Tucker I was exhausted.  I love my kids, I do, but I was ready for a break.  Desperate to get home and stuck in traffic for 20 minutes before even getting on the backed up river bridge.  I gave up and took the kids to drive through Wendy's hoping traffic would thin enough to get home or that if it had not that at least they would have food to eat and it we would be stuck in traffic quietly. I called Tyler to tell him that we were on our way and to please be prepared to take over the care of the children.  That I needed a moment.  Or two. To decompress. I knew he had some kind of project going on here at home but I was certain that my needs were way more important that whatever he has doing.  He was repairing the drywall on several of our walls were we have holes or dents.  A job I have wanted done for a long time but there never seems to be the time or money to do it.  And I have been annoyed with Tyler for not getting it done. Or doing it himself. 

This morning it hit me.  Once again, I got overwhelmed- by my own doing- and turned to Tyler to take over.  Because I know he can.  Whenever I feel weak and my nerves are shot Tyler is a rock.  Big broad shoulders and a level head to just step in steady and calmly take over.  Never any rocky waters, just smooth sailing.  I got to go to the grocery store by myself and listen to a radio program.  But Tyler had to put off work that I have griped at him about for months.  But that's probably why it hadn't been done before--there is always something that I need of Tyler and he is always there.  So thanks babe.

Tyler and I had a rocky patch this year.  You would have never known it from facebook though.  But here we are with a seven year anniversary behind us and I am so looking forward to year 8.  Life these days is pretty good.  Almost just as good as it appears to be on facebook. :-)

Madeline's Kindergarten Graduation

 Madeline graduated from Kindergarten at the end of May with high honors. 

Well, not really, but man oh man were we all so proud of our girl.

 Madeline had a speaking part in the graduation ceremony and we practiced all the way to the church were the graduation ceremony was held.  We talked about speaking clearly and slowly with care.  We talked about inflection and animation and I am SO PLEASED that I figured out how to share her portion of the speech below.  It was awesome.  

 Madeline went into kindergarten with all the basic skills that a kindergartner is supposed to but she was READY to learn.  Our experience with our church MDO was tremendous.  I am convinced that children thrive in an environment that is not only full of resources but that a loving and nurturing environment is key.  She was reading by Christmas and is a tremendous reader now into chapter books who stays up late and wakes up early so she can lay in bed and read.  Amazing.

 Madeline is tall AND her last name starts with a "W" so she is destined to be in the back of the risers for the rest of her life. This is her little friend Cassidy and I just have to point out that she looks 18 in this picture!!

 I promise you I can still envision her as our little chubby baby when I look at her profile.  She has grown into such a kind and empathetic young lady.  She learned SO much in kindergarten.  I think the little book about "all I needed to know I learned in kindergarten" is so true.

 Madeline's teacher Mrs. Moseley could not have been a better match for M.  Madeline just THRIVED with her innovative and exciting teaching techniques.  Mrs. Moseley always kept the kids moving, thinking, and busy.  She moved so seamlessly from one activity to another and CHALLENGED the kids to learn at a level beyond my realm of comprehension.  Madeline rose to the challenge and LOVED her.  She is an amazing teacher.  

 We made it through kindergarten!  It was SO HARD for me to let her go to school.  SO HARD!! But Madeline just absolutely blossomed.  Her strength and independence had made Mommy stronger too.

Mrs. Moseley encouraged me to have Madeline apply and interview to attend a summer program through our local university.  Madeline was ACCEPTED and we appreciate Mrs. Moseley even more because she had to do a lot of work on Madeline's behalf as a recommendation.  

Congratulations to our girl!  We can't wait for fall!

Our days

Yesterday morning Daddy made Madeline's cereal and sat her bowl down next to his at the table. Usually Madeline watches cartoons while eating breakfast. I mentioned this to T and he said- well today she's sitting by ME. And she did. They had a sweet breakfast together visiting and being cereal buddies.



This is M's precious belly while she was visiting with me on the couch and eating the cookies Tucker and I made Monday. It is the sweetest cushiest belly. I will never tell her to "suck in" this belly.



Surprise! Kids will eat broccoli, edamame, carrots, and whole grain noodles if you give them chopsticks!





God has given us amazing reminders of our smallness lately.



Madeline got a new bike for her birthday. Yesterday we took our first ride (part of it on the street) to the park! She did amazing. They were exhausted coming back home. Both slept well last night.


Wednesday. Hope today is good. Monday and Tuesday were stellar.

A day with my boy

Lately time has been flying at warp speed. I have been so busy with work and have found myself planted on the couch with the laptop more than outside exploring with T. So today I decided to make sure he was my priority. Our day started with sesame street and an idea to make cookies. I don't bake (see "how to catch a cake on fire" below) so deciding to make cookies from flour etc rather than a can of dough was a BIG DEAL. Tucker was thrilled the plan. He cracked our eggs perfectly, added our dry ingredients perfectly, he was so helpful and I was nervous. Baking is math and chemistry and timing. I was afraid that if he added one ingredient before the recipe said to that the cookies would be ruined. But they weren't!



So of course Tucker loved making them and eating the dough but does not like the cookies. So friends, let me know if you want some and I have a BUNCH of brown sugar oatmeal cookies to share!

Next we packed snacks and headed to the park. My recurring daydream lately is one of the kids racing their bikes ahead of me around the lake and me running behind. So I strapped on my running watch and wore my good shoes hoping I could run a bit but Tucker was nervous. I got a good workout carrying the bike over grass and holding onto him as we went down hills, carrying the bike when we went up a hill on the way home. So probably a decent workout overall but not much running. He did decide to fuss at and race with a man running intervals. Tucker took his starting and stopping as a direct challenge and cursed him as we would pass him saying "YOU CAN'T CATCH ME MISTER MAN!!" Then the guy would start running again and pass Tucker and off we would go again. Cursing and racing. It was hilarious. The man had earbuds in and would have never known about Tucker's ranting. I was laughing so hard every time we would pass him that I finally had to tell him we were racing him, "just fyi."



Then to the boat launch area. My best friend Lindsey and I spent a considerable amount of time there when we were middle school age. Watching tadpoles and trying to catch them.

Tucker got wet and muddy and waved at the ducks and tried to push his bike into the water.











Then I carried his bike up the hill back home. Awesome morning. I needed it.

Tucker is asleep and Madeline will be home soon. It has been a great day.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

a big girl room and little boy anatomy lessons...

Monday my parents recognized that my life was slowly spiraling out of control. Every time I took a breath in and out around them and actually slowed down enough to look either of them in the eyes when they asked me how I was doing I felt myself on the brink of tears.

I bought a dry erase board at the beginning of February because we were entering birthday season, a real estate surge (thank goodness) and all kinds of spring activities and obligations. The last think I wrote on it was a reminder and to do list for the week of February 6. It is still sitting in a prominent place on my kitchen counter but I have not taken the time to erase it or update it since then. That was the week life got really busy and it hasn't slowed down since. I think until Monday, that was the last time my house had had a thorough cleaning.

Monday morning I had planned to go to a public hearing about Charter Schools in support of the charter renewal for my daughter's school. I was to have T to Mom and Dad by about 8:15 am so I could get downtown and find a place to park and get into the hearing facility. At 8:00 I looked at the clock and called Dad to tell him that I just couldn't go. There was just no way to have myself and Tucker up and ready in time and that I just couldn't stand the thought of walking away from all of my mess again. For another day. I knew I would never get back in time to clean without the kids and I just couldn't bring myself to leave it all undone, again.

About 30 minutes later Dad called me back. He offered to come and clean my house, mop, vacuum, and even do my laundry. I immediately started crying and had to call him back to get out my "YES PLEASE THANK YOU!!"

Dad cleaned away, mom came too and we went to work in M's room. We moved all of her furniture, organized her clothes, bows, and everything else, and gave her a big girl room to come home to. She LOVES it. We watched The Last Unicorn Monday night and after it was over she said- is it time to go to my beautiful princess big girl room now and go to bed? She has told me so many times over the last 2 days how much she loves her room. Monday night she crawled into bed after Tyler and I had kissed her and tucked her in. She lifted up her hand to her face like a phone and pretended to dial her best friend Sydnie. She made the dialing noises- boop boop beep boop boop beep boop and said, "Hello? Sydnie? You won;t believe my room! I have a big girl room now! And a hand phone! Do you wanna come spend the night and see it? Not tonight? Okay! We'll do it another night! Bye Bye!" And she hing up her hand phone. Tyler and I DIED laughing. She is so funny when we give her a chance to be.

In other news, I caught some flack for this but I chose to teach M and T the proper names for their private body parts. I also encourage Tyler to take Tucker to pee pee with him so that Tucker understands how things work. Also pay back for Tyler because I know I have not used the potty by myself for 6 years. Anyway, the other day Tucker was really watching Tyler go pee pee and said, "Wow Dada, cool butt." Tyler asked him what he was talking about and Tucker corrected himself and said, "Oh! I mean, wow Dada, cool penis!" Tyler is very proud that he has a cool penis. Tucker said so.

Madeline is SIX!

This is the precious little face of a 5 year old one day away from her 6th birthday. This is the face I see nearly every morning- only she's not talking non stop here. Most mornings her mouth is moving as soon as her eyes open. I have to beg her to slow down so my brain can catch up with what she is saying.


Madeline's birthday cake. Our birthday theme was "rainbow unicorn." Can you tell?


I wish I had a better picture of the inside of the cake- a six layer rainbow cake.


So, someone else used to love rainbows and unicorns...I gave Madeline my unicorn collection for her birthday. Mom and Dad found all of my unicorns in my grandmother's attic and got them down for me. I went to their house the night before M's birthday and went through them all deciding which to give to Madeline. It was amazing to me how I was immediately transported to 6 years old again. Dad was living and working in Little Rock during the week and would come home on the weekends to stay with us and every week he brought me a new unicorn. The ones that play music are especially evocative of that time for me. Madeline's favorite is this one of the Mommy unicorn and her baby.


Mom and I found this fabric and Mom made Madeline this skirt. Rainbows, unicorns, and a little princess.


This is M dressed and ready to go to her birthday party. She looked so precious and I kept saying, "Awwww Madeline!" Aunt Jen made her the MOST amazing unicorn headband. Madeline and Tucker love to play baby unicorn and Jen and I just knew she would love it! This was her telling me not to cry, that she would always be my baby.





Madeline and Gigi





Madeline, Mamie, and Grampsy Pampsy


Pin the horn on the unicorn.








We went to a paint your own pottery studio. We had the place to ourselves and I encouraged parents to drop off their kids and go. M has a precious group of little girl friend. They were wonderful!














The Wednesday before they were out of school for spring break they had a little party for M and her other March birthday classmates.


And then there's this...Madeline at 3. How on earth did we get to 6 so quickly? I have an idea...it's a funny bundle of joy and energy that begins with a T. Life started flying at light speed after Tucker was born. As quickly as the days and months and years are going by birthdays are a great time to slow down and make that day a special one to take stock of where you were and where you are. This year M learned to swim, she learned to read, she started kindergarten, and she is learning to love love love her baby brother. She's an amazing girl. Happy birthday Madeline!

I look really sleepy in that picture. Tucker was about 6 weeks old.