Family Day...

Sam and Connor came over for the last time today before we leave to China. Maddie simply loves them and they are soooooo good to her and for her. She just beams. I'll tell ya something... there are almost 12 years between her and Connor and there are nearly 12 years between me and my brother, Mikey. (I think I'm the only one in the world that still calls him that by the way.) When I was a little girl, I remember being in absolute awe when Mikey would shuffle cards. I remember being in absolute awe when we would make pudding on the stove together and he had the strength to push that flexible wire whisk to the bottom of the pan so that it did not burn. I really looked up to my big brother and Maddie is starting to do the same thing with Connor. He can do no wrong in her eyes.

Today we all went to the park to run around a bit. I love to see the joy in Maddie's face when she is on the swings. I caught her singing "our" song today when she thought nobody was looking or listening. I sang it to her when she was a tiny little baby in Saudi Arabia and we had a red Little Tykes booster swing on our front porch. I'm amazed that she remembers the words and sings it without any prompting.

Swingin', being, good as pizza pie...
Swingin', being, I could swing all night...
I close my eyes...
I count to three...
Now let me tell you...
What I see...
My toes up to the sky!
I think I'll swing all night!
Swingin', being, good as pizza pie...
Swingin', being, I could swing all night...

Aunt Susan and Elena came over in the afternoon to give Maddie an early birthday present. Elena is the girl in Maddie's family that she strives to be. This summer Maddie has "informed" me that we must stop trimming her hair because she wants long hair like Elena. She wants to wear Elena's dresses... she wants to be Elena. This Maddie Anna is one lucky kid - let me tell you.

After "the boys" and Maddie went shopping they came home and we invited Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Earl over for dinner at our place. Andy made a great feast of smoked ribs, pork chops, salmon, spuds, broccoli... it was kind of a potpourri feast! In other words, we were cleaning out our fridge! After dinner we sat around the table and played cards. It was great fun for Maddie to sit there and listen to all of us chattering at the same time. We were all talking and listening at the same time and she sat there desperately trying to follow. Before we knew it, she started talking very loud in tried to grab our attention with her own story. She was very serious and was thrilled to be a part of it!




Thanks Connor for showing Maddie was a good hand in poker looks like... she listened and learned! Of course, all she learned from me most of the night was how to say, "I fold!" I guess that's what big brothers are for though...

The Last Birthday Celebration...

... before your birthday celebration Maddie! You've been counting the birthdays and the next one will be yours - I promise!

It was a great celebration today and Maddie had a great hula lesson from Sammy! I think they are both naturals! Maddie helped wrap Connor's birthday presents and even helped unwrap the presents. I don't know who was smiling more - Maddie or Connor. They both were thrilled to give and/or receive the gifts. Thanks to all who came over, for sharing the All Star Game, and Connor's birthday cake with us!!

Brothers to Build!

We thought it fitting to have Connor and Sam stay with us for the first night in our new home. As soon as Maddie found out that they were coming over, she kept saying over and over and over, "I love them." Of course, they scored major points in her world when they helped assemble the new bunk beds! Connor is natural builder of things and didn't hesitate once in picking up the power tools to put the bed together. Maddie watched and kept saying that it was "amazing" which is her new word!


Once we got the sheets on the beds, she had to try out both top and bottom bunks. As you can see, her smile was much bigger when she was on the top bunk. All the stickers warn not to let children under 6 sleep on the top bunk, but she may convince us yet!

The day was wonderful and I'm glad that Maddie was able to share it with Connor and Sam! She adores them and looks up to both of them. The day ended with a screening of The Monster House on the big screen and Maddie immediately made her way to where Connor was sitting. Apparently, he makes an excellent pillow and I'm pretty sure that she was thinking he would protect her from the evil house!

Thanks for being here Connor and Sam!