Christmas Fun!

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was fantastic. It started out at Uncle Steve and Aunt Kim's house on Christmas Eve, where Cassidy and I had a traditional holiday tea party.

Then Auntie and I had a quick game of paddle ball. I beat her pretty bad, but I try to be a good sport and not rub it in, so I just won't tell you that I won.

Us girls may have been just a tad excited that it was Christmas. I love my cousins!

We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and had birthday cake. I just wanted to eat my cake in peace but Mom insists on taking pictures of EVERY little thing. I can't really blame her though since I'm so cute and all.

On Christmas day I visited Grandma and Grandpa in 'Mecula as I call it. First I beat Uncle Greg at Candyland. I'm the Candyland champion of the world.

My cousin John brought these tiny puppies over. I asked Dad if I could have one for Christmas and he said no. Real nice, Dad. I should have asked Santa.

Here I am with my new car from Grandpa and Grandma. It's pink with a blue top. They know me so well!

Cousin Noah got this awesome guitar so I had to show him a thing or two on how to rock. I hope you all had as good a Christmas as I did!

Christmas Pageant

Last week I had my very first Christmas Pageant ever. I think it was a smashing success. Here I am with some of my classmates, patiently waiting our turn to go on stage.

Contrary to what you might think, my friend Paisley and I did NOT plan on wearing the same thing. But you know what they say about great minds and all that.

You might notice that the "teacher" who is holding me on her lap looks suspiciously like my Auntie Tori, but since that would mean that I got way nervous right before I was supposed to go on stage and needed her to go up with me or else I wouldn't go up at all, well then, it's definitely not Auntie. No way.

Here is the preschool solo song. I think we rocked it. You'll see towards the end that I notice my fans out in the crowd. I'm always sure to be nice to the little people, they're the ones that got me here and everything. Merry Christmas everyone!

Holiday Spirit

Hi everyone! In order to help get you in the holiday spirit, I am sharing some of my spirit with you. Here I am with Santa. This is the first year I have asked to talk to Santa, I was a little bit nervous in the past. I think Santa may have wished I stayed a little nervous, because once I get talking I pretty much don't stop. But he didn't mind. He promised to bring me a talking dog that plays music and moves his head around. (Editor's note: If someone knows where to get a talking dog that plays music and moves his head around, call me!)

And here is a little video of me singing for you. Clearly the focus of this video is the audio, so please forgive Mom for the horrible visual. If this doesn't get you in the Christmas mood, I don't know what will!

Cousins! Snow! And More Cousins!

This past week I went with Dad to Washington state to visit Uncle Jeff, Aunt Lisa, Cousin Taylor and brand new Cousin Sydnie. This means I got to ride on a plane! This was the second plane trip I have taken, so I am an old pro. Can you tell I liked the plane a little bit?

As excited as I was by the plane, I was even more excited to see my cousin! We are totally BFFs. Taylor looks like she isn't super excited about my hugs, but deep down she is.

And in her blog debut, please join me in a warm welcome for Cousin Sydnie! Isn't she cute?!

I was a bit enamored with her. She was with me too, I think, because I kept giving her kisses and she thought they were awesome. You might think she is sleeping here, but she is really just basking in the glow of Madison smooches.

Did you know that Washington has parks too? The only difference is that is a smidge colder there right now. Like I think it was fourteen thousand below zero. But even the cold can't dampen my love for all things park related! It was a great trip and I can't wait for the next one!

Now you see me....

Last week was Thanksgiving, which was awesome. I started off with baking some cookies with Grandma in Temecula. Don't worry, that isn't a real knife.

Then I went to Auntie Cece's and played the traditional Pilgrim game of Hide and Seek with Auntie Tori.

I totally found Auntie every time she hid. She thought she would finally get me with this hiding spot behind the car, but I'm way too smart for her.

I mean, just check out my hiding spot. I'll pause now so that you can find me in the picture below. I'm practically a chameleon I blend in so well.

Can you believe she found me?! Auntie is obviously a pro at this game if she was able to find me with my incredible hiding skills.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Since it's Turkey Day and all, I am out with the family stuffing myself. To hold you over until next week, I thought I would show you my new big girl room. Now that I'm four, I figured it was time that I have an actual nightstand to hold my night light. That's what they are for, right?

I feel like such a grown-up with this room. Like at least seven years old or something. Maybe even eight!

This was what Mom and Dad were hoping that my new room would lead to...

...but instead it was more like this:

You know how I feel about keeping those two on their toes!

Princesses, Bears, and Mice, Oh My!

As usual, I made the annual trip to Disneyland for my birthday. I got to see my usual friends, like Mickey, but I got to make some new friends too, which I will show you in a bit. Hold your horses, people, we'll get there. Sheesh.

Here are the Brother Bear guys at the park again. Brother Bear park is becoming like Small World to me, in that I MUST go there if I am at Disneyland.

This trip, because it was my fourth birthday and a girl only turns four once, you know, I got to have lunch with all the princesses! I was super excited to meet Belle and I was sure to tell her that I was her for Halloween. I think she was a little embarrassed that I wear that dress so much better than she does, but she handled it like a champ. Like a princess, one might say.

This is Aurora from Sleeping Beauty. She's fast becoming one of my faves. You know that castle right in the middle of Disneyland? That's hers. I figure if I'm nice enough to her maybe she'll invite me over for a slumber party. I'll let you know how it goes.

And this is Ariel. You might ask where her tail is, but she's on land right know so she has her legs. Duh.

And finally, here I am with Snow White. She's one of the oldest princesses but you totally wouldn't know it. She must have some magic face cream or something.

Apparently Walt Disney didn't realize that I would be visiting because my go-to ride, Small World, was closed! They wouldn't even open it for me when I asked nicely. They clearly don't know who I am. But, it forced me to finally ride something besides those boats, so I guess it was okay. Here I am about to ride the flyers with Dad in Bug's Land.

And I even made some time for Dumbo. I had a wonderful day!

Four years old!

My Madison,

You are turning four years old today. I’m pretty sure this year is going down in history as the fastest one ever. It makes me nervous for how fast the rest of this whole parenting thing is going to go. It seems like I just figure you out and then you go and change on me again. And each time you do I love you even more. I always think that this age, this one moment right here, couldn’t possibly get any better. But then it does.

We took your annual birthday pictures a couple of weeks ago. You also took some pictures in your Halloween costume, which was Belle from Beauty and Beast. From the moment you put that costume on you start calling everyone “your majesty” and even “Princess Daddy.” (He pretends like he doesn’t like it, but you should see the smile he gets when you call him that!) You were just a ham the entire time you were getting your picture taken, and when it was over, you told the photographer to look for you on Disney Blu Ray, your majesty. And then you bowed. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.

You have such a big personality. Sometimes it is so big that it is easy to forget how very little you still are. It’s hard to remember that you are only just four when you engage the woman in the grocery store in a conversation about condensation on windows or how thunder is really just two clouds hitting together, obviously. It’s hard to think you are only four when you show off your bargaining skills and tell us that it’s okay if you have chocolate milk now, because you just won’t have any later. It’s REALLY hard to remember you are just four when you tell us that you don’t want to go to bed and you won’t ever stay in your room ever ever. The extra “ever” in there really sells it.

You started school in January. You are obviously very advanced because you were already moved up to the Blue Room, the four-year-old room, like a month ago. When you were still THREE. Clearly you are a brain the likes of which no one has ever seen. I drop you off at school and the very best part of my morning is when you run to the window to say bye to me when I’m walking to my car after leaving you in the classroom. And by “say bye” I mean yell at the top of your lungs. I watch you in the rear view mirror, waving to me the entire time I am driving down the driveway and until I make the turn out of your school. A couple weeks ago, I went out the front door and looked up at the window expecting to hear you yell at me like you always do, but you weren’t there. I waited a couple of seconds and then went to the car. I drove past the window and still no little head and arms waving like crazy. I was surprised at how sad that made me. I knew you were just inside playing with your friends, but I felt like this was the first taste of what it will be like when you realize your friends are cooler than your mom. I had just about gotten to the end of the driveway when I saw you bounce up to the window and start waving. You made my day with that wave, more so than any other morning.

I promise that I will always be there waving to you, whether you are at the window or not. I will wave to you when you get bigger and go to kindergarten. I will wave to you when you are playing sports or music or whatever it is you decide you love. I will wave to you that day when we run into your friends at the mall and you want to go off with them rather than hang out with your mom. I will wave to you even when it breaks my heart, like when you are going off to college or walking down the aisle. But I will wave to you. No matter what, I will be there. You are, and always will be, the very best thing I have ever done.

I hope you have your best birthday yet, baby. I love you so much.

Your Momma

Fall fun

Hello everyone! I know you've all been waiting for this...my annual fall tradition of a visit to the pumpkin patch with Grammy and Papa! How could you not be as excited as I was when there are new giant cut-out photo ops to be utilized?! (Note to Grammy: it helps if you actually take a picture of the whole cut out, because I have no idea what this is. A pumpkin? A basketball? The world may never know.)

Here I am in my Senior Yearbook Photo pose.

I even made a few new friends at the pumpkin patch this year. This guy was a little over my head (I will now provide a pause for you to laugh at the witty and very much intended pun) but I liked him anyway.

I even got to pet some animals. This guy looks like he's not giving me the time of day but really he was quite taken with me. Because who wouldn't be?

I finished up my day at the pumpkin patch with a relaxing nature walk on my horse. After a minute or two, the scenery started to look a little familiar, but nature can be tricky that way. It was a great day.

Spooktacular

Since Halloween is right around the corner, I thought I would show you all my awesome costume. I am going to be Belle from Beauty and Beast!

Grandpa got me this dress and it is so pretty that Mom and Dad thought it was worthy of some pictures when I was getting my official 4 year pictures done. I know, I know, the dress is no match for my own beauty, but I like to humor Mom and Dad every now and then.

I think I might make the real Belle a little jealous because I am so cute in this dress. No prince will be able to resist me.

I'll just have to make sure to stay away from all the Beasts and princes this Halloween, just in case. That way there won't be any misunderstandings. Us princesses have to stick together.

Have a great Halloween, everybody!

Disney fun

Last week I got to spend the day with Mom, Grammy and Grandpa at Disneyland! I know, it's been like FOREVER since I've been there. Don't worry, I have lots of pictures to make up for the lack of Disney in the recent past. You can see here that I was a tiny bit excited to be there.

It was Halloween time which was pretty awesome. Here I am with the giant Mickey pumpkin. It was so big and I am so little that Mom accidentally cut off Mickey's ears. She was properly disciplined.

Mom and Grammy had a contest to see who could get the cutest picture of me on this rock bear. I say Mom wins hands down.

Now people, I know you will never believe this, but I actually rode a ride other than Small World. But only one. And as soon as I got off this carousel, it was back to Small World.

Here I am on the A in California, but I think it was more like A for Awesome!

And of course I had to go visit my old friend Tink. She misses me when I stay away too long. Don't worry, she totally wasn't mad that I brought my Ariel doll with me to meet her. She's cool like that.

I got to hang with my pals from Brother Bear too. They were showing me some awesome poses to use for pictures. What do you think?

Here I am with Mary Poppins! She was on main street for a bit and I was very patient and waited in line to meet her. But then she had to go before I could go up and take my picture with her. I think she felt bad because then she came and held my hand and walked me all through main street with her. All the other kids were totally jealous. And by "all the other kids," I mean Mom.

It was a great day! Thanks Grammy and Grandpa!