Playing in the Snow

(WARNING: This is my first post from my iPad so I'm not sure how the formatting will look...)

Several months ago we decided to book a condo in Flagstaff for Spring Break. However, as we watched the weather each week, we were a little sad that it didn't look like we'd get much snow.

Fortunately, last week, there was a turn in events, and a huge storm was predicted. We were all very excited, but Madelyn could hardly contain herself at that thought of being in the snow!

We were even lucky enough to have our friends Michelle and Jeff, and their kids Matt and Jacob (plus Macy) to spend some time with us at the condo.

Last night the snow started falling, and it continued through the morning. After we took some time to wake up and get ourselves together, we decided to hit the snow. Unfortunately, Madelyn was less than excited about our expectations for what she had to wear. She wanted nothing to do with her snow bibs. And that is no exaggeration. After about 15 minutes of trying to convince her with no luck, we told her she could stay inside and watch cartoons while we played in the snow. That went over about as well as the snow bibs, but eventually she did manage to pull herself together.


Jeff took me for a spin on the sled to prove to Madelyn that it doesn't matter what you wear as long as you're having fun! I did indeed have a great time, but I'm not sure it was as much fun for Jeff. ;)

Madelyn soon joined in the action, too.




















Eventually, the weather got too windy for us, so we came inside. To our surprise, Jeff and Michelle had been making a delicious breakfast. Perfect timing!




After breakfast Madelyn was ready to be in the snow again so Jacob played with her on the deck. It cracks me up how eating snow is such a novelty to her (and some of the boys, too). Ahhh...to be a kid again. ;)




Tomorrow we plan to go to Snowbowl where we'll continue our snow adventures and Madelyn will hopefully have her first ski lesson....

Location:Flagstaff, AZ

Four Going on Two...

...that is how I have been describing Madelyn for the last several weeks. I'm not sure what brought on the recent tantrum episodes, but they were nothing less than horrible. Fortunately, with a lot of patience, some extra TLC, and a wonderful star chart for accountability, we seem to have gotten through this phase. For now anyway. ;) And I cannot tell you how relieved I am. Don't get me wrong, she still has her moments (don't we all?), but the difference is they are now manageable.

Knowing how challenging the last 5-6 weeks have been, I thought I'd share a couple videos from Madelyn's recent dance practice. She will be having another recital in July, and I am so impressed at the progress the girls are making. I am constantly saying how much more advanced her new class is, and boy, the extra challenge has paid off.

As a point of reference, you may recall the video I posted in February 2011, after her first dance classes. I sat and watched this video just now, and can't believe the growth. Wow, how times flies. I laughed especially loud watching the gymnastics portion of this video, remembering how funny her attempt at a somersault was. Oh my goodness. I haven't captured any gym videos lately, but know that she has mastered so many of those skills as well... especially the rings... she LOVES those, and can easily do a flip all by herself. ;)

Here are two clips from the last two weeks:

Ballet



Tap



I have watched these short clips several times in the last couple of days because they are great reminders to me that no matter how tough things can get, she is always worth it! :) I'll update the final Strawberry Shortcake routines this summer when they perform at the recital... stay tuned.
 
 

Rapunzel Party

 My friend Amber helped to created this adorable picture for Madelyn's birthday invitation. It really did set the scene for the party.

We weren't sure Madelyn's 4th birthday party would ever get here.  Since we took a surprise trip to Disneyland during her birthday, we scheduled the party for February 25th, a couple weeks after her actual birthday. Unfortunately, Madelyn came down with strep the night before her party, and we had to postpone it. She has a knack for getting sick before our parties, but it actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise because more of her friends could come on the new day.

Chris and I had fun decorating for the "Tangled" theme. We worked on the decorations after Madelyn went to bed so she could wake up to a little surprise. We hung some Flynn Rider "Wanted" signs, a Happy Birthday banner with a few of her 4-year pics, and some paper lanterns. This was Madelyn's favorite part when she woke to find them all hanging from the ceiling. :)

Well, it was her favorite part until Grammy showed up with her tower cake. She was so very excited to see it because she and Grammy had been talking and planning it out for weeks!

 

Grammy also made some delicious homemade lemonade (picked right from their lemon tree), and some adorable Jell-O boat cups that looked like they were plucked right from a scene in Tangled. 

Altogether Madelyn had eight friends come to her party... seven little princesses...and one prince charming. ;)

Preschool Friends

Dance Friends

Prince Charming

We planned a few crafts and one game for the kids to do while they were here. Although, as I told one of the moms, we really could have just let them play with Madelyn's toys. They enjoyed the crafts, but had just as much fun running around the house and playing in Madelyn's room. ;)

Princess Crowns

Painted Lanterns

Tangled Coloring Pages

Pin the Frying Pan on Flynn Rider

Chris did a great job with this poster for the game!

I think my favorite part of the afternoon was the impromptu dancing. We setup the AppleTV to show our Disneyland pictures, and had all sorts of Disney music playing in the background. The girls quickly gathered and started dancing, and Zach eventually joined in with some serious hip-hop break-dancing. :)

And of course, there was cake and ice cream....

 If you remember the blog post from Madelyn's first birthday, 

you'll notice that Zach has continued his cupcake-eating rituals. ;)

And what's a birthday party without a few presents? Madelyn's friends sure do know her well! Every gift was something she loved (and today is proof of that because she has successfully played with each and every thing since the moment she woke up).

Zach put the cutest picture in Madelyn's card, and proudly announced, 

"I drew a picture of me hugging you Madelyn!"

We made some homemade treat boxes, and Madelyn had fun at Party City picking out what to put in them. Filling the boxes was a fun activity for Madelyn and I one evening after school. 

Auntie Kim topped the birthday treats with her handmade crayon rolls. These turned out so cute!

I'd say the party definitely was a success, and everyone had fun. I am however, happy it has all come to an end. It's seems like this particular birthday was running on Energizer batteries.... it kept going and going...........and going. Now we can start to focus on some spring trips, and very soon...camping! YIPPEE!