Sunday, May 29, 2011

It's my party...

Today is my birthday, and I've had a lovely day full of moments like this:



I am a little nervous that the rumbling thunder I hear in the distance may ruin my sleep, but still a great day.

Yesterday however was Maddie's birthday party (though her actual second birthday is next week). We had a Tinkerbell themed party here at the cottage. Here are a few party details:




Of course, the party took place in Pixie Hollow.



Glass charms, labeled by fairy type.



Flowers created by the garden fairies.



The happy thought jar (yes, my brother tipped Maddie a dollar).



Pixie sticks, gummy butterflies and favor bags for fairies of all types.



Cupcakes dusted with pixie dust.


And a few great moments:



The birthday fairy rests up before the party.



Maddie takes a moment to chill.



My niece Annie, her dad, Maddie, and Dada throw rocks at the beach.



Birthday cake at the picnic table. (we had high tea!)



Maddie mostly loved the frosting.



Mads tries out her new laptop.




A hug for Ma.



Guests at the party in front of butterflies that the fairies painted.



Uncle Jim learns to use a computer.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Popular... I know about Popular

First of all...



Let's go Cubs.

Secondly, I just saw Wicked for the first time and loved it. While watching it, I kept thinking of how awful it is that kids pick on whoever is different... And how awful it is when it's your child.

That's right, Maddie got picked on at the playground the other day. Two little girls played "stay away from the baby (Maddie)!" Maddie was bewildered but I wanted to cry. Then she was all like "Whatever."

Not two minutes later she went up to a different girl and joyfully screamed in her face, expecting her to scream back like her cousin Annie does. But the little girl got scared and ran crying to her mommy. Maddie felt so bad that she started crying!

Don't worry things have gotten better. Today she had two big kids who were doting on her.

I know I had promised some playground pictures, but something went wrong with my computer and they're in the ether. Hopefully I'll post them soon.


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Sunday, May 15, 2011

Rain Rain Go Away! (The Playground Part I)

Ugh, B-lo, really enough with the rain already. This weekend has been spent indoors with a few runs to and from the car. All our nice plans (including cheering at a lacrosse game!) have gotten cancelled. And of course, Ms. Maddie must now stand in her window staring out at the pretty green leaves saying "Rain? Rain?"

So, since we haven't been able to take a trip to the park, I thought I would take a moment to tell about our playground adventures. We've always headed over to the park, where Maddie obsessively rides the swings. At the beginning of this season however, we added something new to our repertoire -- the slide. This actually works out doubly well for Maddie. Walk to the park, swings, long walk to the slide where there is another swing, long walk back, swings again, walk home. See there's no downside here.

Last week, we had a terrifying moment. Our playground has a baby slide (about 3 feet high) and then a great big playset with three slides. Two slides are on the same platform, and then there's a third tunneled slide about 1.5 feet down that's connected. The first day we went to the slides, Rob went with us. After trying the baby slide a few times, Maddie decided she wanted to try what the big kids went on. So I went up with her and we went down the big slides together a few times. Then I stayed at the top and Rob stayed at the bottom. Maddie was on her own and ecstatic. This was like second nature to her, and she was doing brilliantly. I've never seen such a happy little girl!

Needless to say you know where this is going right? I took Maddie back to the park on a day when Rob was working. I was pretty hesitant to do so, but I let Maddie go up to the top platform by herself and stayed at the bottom to catch her and help her up the ladder. She probably did the slide about 20 times. Easy, no problem.

Next day, same deal. Until the 21st time down the twisty slide. That's when two big girls started running around, and one of those big girls went into the tunnel slide (the one on the lower level). I was already on the ladder to get to her, but I could see Maddie's brain turning, "Oh, I can go on that tunnel slide like the big girl!" She grabbed on to the railing, and went for the huge step and of course, her little foot was way too far from the step. Interestingly Maddie has super human strength, and held onto that handle for what seemed like FOREVER. Sadly, she swung around on that railing, like it was a stripper pole, until there was nothing underneath her. And then she let go and fell about 4 feet, landing flat on her back on a metal platform.

From the very moment I saw her heading for that step, I was racing for her and every second, I was just a second behind her. She started wailing (obviously!) and I picked her up and started patting her down checking for broken bones. She just held on tight and cried for about a minute. Then she saw that big girl go by and head to the swings. She looked at me, sniffled and said, "Swings?" got down and trotted off to follow the big girl.

Thank God!

Do you believe there's not a scratch on her? Two tiny black and blue spots and that's it. Talk about lucky people. Phew...

Since then, Maddie still demands to go to the slide every day. I diligently climb up with her and go down with her every single time (exhausting!!) She's not a huge fan of that -- she's tasted freedom and has not forgotten it (though she has apparently forgotten falling). The first day that we went back, I was still in my "Bad Mom!" mindset, thinking I never should have let a two year old up on that platform alone! when I notice there's a 15 month old up there alone. I'm standing next to her father and start going up with Maddie when he laughs at me and says, "They go about 2 inches an hour, it's totally safe!"

Well, at least I'm not the only one to think so. I'm still heading up that slide 20 times a day, but hey, I know my baby is safer for it. And maybe one of these days, I'll let her taste that freedom again. Just not quite yet.

And if you made it through all of this, stay tuned because I'll have a nice light hearted playground post for you tomorrow.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

OCD part III

Maddie's OCD strikes again!


She's currently matching the letters we found under the couch with the crayon of the corresponding color.

Oops nevermind. Now she's just putting the letters down the couch. And the crayons.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Spring!!!!

Maddie and I went on our first picnic in the park today. It's 70 degrees and sunny and about time!



Here's Maddie eating a tomato. Two minutes later she decided she would rather run in the road. And our picnic was forgotten. (Don't worry, I caught her.)

And here are a few more pictures to prove Spring is here:












(Maddie is a born-Bleacher Bum. Wrigley Field, get ready for her!)

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

It's almost my birthday!

Yes, May has begun and let the countdown begin as well. Only 26 more days until my birthday! This year there are a lots of little fun things that I've really been wanting to buy for myself, but just have put off. So I'm putting together a little wishlist (ROB!)

Bangles and Cocktail Rings:

I am totally crushing on these two bangle bracelets from Esprit -- bracelets and rings seem to be the only things that I can wear without having to worry that they will remain intact. I'd love a huge flower cocktail ring like this one, but really any bold ring or bracelet would totally perk up my wardrobe.

Artificial Chinese Lanterns:

This is a little bit of my search for the white elephant. I have been wanting some artificial chinese lanterns (and a nice sturdy vase like the one in this picture!) for a long time and haven't been able to find any.

Photo Storage:

Part of my ongoing photo organization project... And it turns out that Maddie's photos may be too plentiful to go in just an album, so I'd love some of these photo boxes in orange, red or brown. I've always wanted to start a great big family album. I need lots of Kolo 11x14 refill pages in soft white for Maddie's scrapbook and our wedding scrapbook (oops... only 5 years late!)

Home Details (and Storage):

There are always the little things that just would help polish things up a bit. I'm in love with baskets because I can hide all Maddie's toys in it and would love a matching set of simple, plain baskets. I love this tray for my dresser to corral all my stuff (and match my bold colored stripey theme!). Not only do I need a jewelry holder but this one matches the recurring tree theme that seems to pop up throughout my house. All of these items I found through Target, but anything works, right?

Kitchen Needs:

I've now learned that when you see a silverfish, you should not throw up your hands and scream for your husband to "Kill it! Kill it now!" Coincidently, I'm looking for a good set of everyday dishes that are easily replaceable, easy to match and most importantly dishwasher-safe. I also could really use a nice sharp cutting knife or even a knife set.

The list could go on, but that seems to be the way my heart is headed right now!