Madeline goes to the fair

Madeline and mommy and daddy ventured out to the county fair for the first time yesterday (July 28th). First Madeline enjoyed a tasty hot-dog bun, french fries, Gold Fish crackers and milk with mommy at the 4-H Diner. The waitress said Maddie was "adorable."

Then Maddie got her first look at the midway, which was super crowded and full of kids! She was excited to see so many people, but a little apprehensive of the big rides wooshing overhead. She looked up at them with an unsure look on her face, but she didn't cry - she's too brave for that!

And then it was off to the livestock barns. First Maddie saw a 4-H sheep show. She giggled and pointed at the sheep tied to the rails.

From there, we went to the pig barn and Maddie got her first look at a REAL pig -- just like the ones in her story books!!! Oink! Oink!

Pew!!! Stinky Piggy!!!

After we wheeled around the pig barn for a little bit, we went to go visit the little goats. This little guy wanted to get a closer look at Madeline's red stroller. He said "Baaaa!" at Madeline, but I don't think she really noticed him. She was more intent on looking at the little Pygmy goats in the next pen.

Hungry, little fella?

The big ol' ducks held Madeline's attention for a little while. They quacked and sifted through their water bowls while we watched them.

Hey that kinda looks like Dimity Duck, Madeline!

Of course there were rows and rows of bunny rabbits! Madeline wanted to touch them all and she did eventually get to stick her finger in the cage and poke one unsuspecting rabbit in the back. He hopped away quickly after she jabbed him with her little pointer finger. Sorry, bunny!!!

Look at his big red eyes, daddy!

There were gobs of chickens - fancy chickens, ordinary chickens, big chickens and little chickens. Madeline liked all of the chickens and even got to hear a rooster crow.

Chickens are tasty, daddy! Yum! Grill me up a chicken!!!

Before we left the rabbit/chicken barn, we took a look at the guinea pigs. This curious little bugger wanted to nibble on Madeline's finger. Daddy made sure those pretty little fingers didn't get anywhere near those nasty little chompers!

Mommy says I can't have one of these stinky things! NO WAY!

Before we left for the night, we stopped to check out the moo-moo's. There was a calf or two that we wanted to bring home because they were tooooo cute. But when we saw the big bruisers on the other side...

Whoa, cow! You are FAT!

I think I will poke you with my sharp, little finger! Poke poke, moo-moo!

If this is what the little baby cows turn into, no thanks - no cows for Madeline.

We sure did enjoy our day at the fair! We got to see all sorts of animals that Maddie has only seen in her books and on TV. What a day to remember! Next year, maybe Madeline will be big enough to ride the Merry-go-round... but only if Mommy rides with her!!!

Madeline's mischief

Mischief and Madeline go hand-in-hand. My little princess is into everything. She really thought she was something when she tore all the magazines out of the basket behind our rocking chair and just climbed on in...


She also thought it was a big deal to sample a little chocolate...



And then she had to wipe the chocolate off with a paper product... like toilet paper, of course!



After all that mischief, this little gal was thirsty and needed a drink!



Can you tell she is smiling behind that big green cup?

Taking a stand!

Look at our girl standing up by Daddy. What a big girl! She pulls herself up all the time now - no steps, but definitely pulls herself up whenever she wants up on our laps or just to see what is going on.

This time, she climbed up to see if she could get that pesky remote control that is always just out of reach.

And then... what do you know? Rookie walks on by and it's time to reach out to pat her (or pinch her)... but she's just out of reach, too!!! That dog never holds still for those little hands! She always runs away!

Poor Madeline is left to look off into the distance as Rookie escapes her little hands again. But just wait, Rookie... this little girl is going to be sneaking up and hopping on very soon!

Giddy up, Rookie! Giddy up!!!

Baby girl is ready for spring!

Oh my... I totally don't have time to be posting this... but I just uploaded it off my work camera and was immediately infatuated with how cute she looks. I had to share it!
I gotta get back to work!

The day the couch ate Madeline

I changed her diaper the other day and then went to throw it away... When I returned, Maddie had strategically placed herself half under the couch.
She was very impressed with herself!



I was impressed too. And when I finally quit laughing at her, I pulled the kid out from under the couch and put some pants on her!
She sure can roll nowadays! And she is trying so hard to get her knees under her. She can raise her belly off the ground, but she can't quite seem to stay there for long.

Yikes... this girl is ready to take off!!!!

Family photo day

Using my new handy-dandy tripod, we posed some family pictures Saturday night (because that is what nerdy mommy and daddy type people do on a Saturday night). It was gloriously fun! Even though Aaron was tired of me posing him, I know he had fun!




It's much easier to get her to smile when you are not racing back after setting the timer on the camera and then getting into position!

Crafty creations

Grammy and Mommy have yet another project up their sleeves. This project involved a special trip to JoAnn Fabrics.

Since Madeline loved her little fleece tie blanket that she got for one of the baby showers (while in Mommy's tummy), we decided to make a couple more. She loves to fiddle with the ties while she's in the car or... anytime she gets her little hands on them.

Grammy got the Eeyore kit and Mommy got the Barbie Doll kit. Barbie has not quite came to fruition at this point, but Eeyore has been put to good use on several chilly occasions. It is my goal to get Barbie started this weekend and at least get the cutting done. We shall see...

Grammy and Papa's dog, Brady, had to check things out. He cracks Madeline up! She loves to watch him walk on his hind legs... "like a little man," as Grammy says.

Here are several other crafty creations that our crazy clan has come up with for Madeline.

I have to admit... they are quite a bit more complicated than a fleece tie blanket! The first one is a handmade quilt from Grammy.

The second one is another handmade Pooh Bear quilt from Grammy. (This one stays at their house)

And last, but certainly not least is the very finest, most creative gift of them all. It's a homemade rocking horse from Uncle Jason. He worked long and hard on this beautiful piece of craftmanship. Not only did he find the pattern and make sure that it would be safe for his little niece, he also stained it and used a wood burner to add her name and a decorative rose on the back part of the seat.

AND... Madeline can even get this bugger rocking now! Can you believe it???

So now we are just waiting on Papa to make us that toy chest or that doll house book shelf or a table and chairs or whatever he likes. He's been talking about it!!!