Birthday Girl

Dear Madelyn,
I can hardly believe that you are 3 years old!! Even yesterday I almost told someone you that you were 2. It is so amazing the way you have become this little person, or as you like to tell me, a big girl now. You have always wanted to be independant but it seems even more now and you constantly remind us that you are a big girl and can do things yourself. I know you get this quality from me and while it is sometimes frustrating now, it is a quality you will be proud to have as an adult. You have such a little sense of humor going now. You like to trick us and tell us you are just teasing. Like last week when I went out on the deck for two seconds you got up from the kitchen table, closed the sliding glass door, and locked me out. When I knocked on the door for you to let me in the house you had the biggest grin on your face and shook your head no. When I said please, you let me in and told me you were just teasing me. I love it!! You make me smile everyday at how much you know and are learning. You can sit down with books by yourself and "read" the words. Sometimes it is a book that you know by repetition and sometimes you talk about the pictures. Either way, it makes mommy so happy that you have found a love for reading like I have.

You birthday was so fun this year despite the fact that it snowed all day and we were unable to use your new birthday gifts. It ended up being just a family party because of how much snow we had but that was fine with you. We decided upon a princess theme and mommy had so much fun making the invitations, cake, and even your shirt and leggings. You absolutely love your outfit and ask to wear it everyday!! All the grandparents spoiled you rotten and you loved all the attention from your aunt and uncle. We got you a swingset for your birthday, but they'll be no pictures of that in this post because of all the snow! You spent most of the day in sugar shock and playing with all your toys.

We love you Madelyn and can't wait to see what the next year brings!
Mommy

Super Cheese!

Normal Cheese

Opening Presents is so fun!

Sizing up the new hot wheels, it always takes her a while to warm up to big gifts.

Thanks Mimi and Papa!

Yes, that's Aunt Courtney on the new hot wheels!

Our Family!

Finally got on the hot wheels, look out, her she comes!

Miss Sassypants!!

Here she is, Miss Sassypants. Can you tell?? The hands on her hips should be your first clue. The girl is too smart for her own good. She now realizes when Matt and I aren't using good manners or "following the rules" and calls us out on it. Here's a few statements that we've had to deal with lately. Some of them are to be bossy and some of them are totally random thoughts.

1. "Mommy, don't ever drive without two hands on the wheel, let me show you"

2. "Daddy, don't step on the lines in the floor, it hurts them" (these are the lines on our linoleum floor)

3. "We don't eat dog food, it's not good manners, only dogs do"

4. "Mommy, you should not push me" (for the record, I don't push her)

5. "Daddy, you can't have a ponytail because you have tiny hair"