6!!

It is hard to believe Ms. Madelynn is six years old. That little girl is such an amazing little person, and a true miracle.  As I say every year she is a testament to medical science, and the will to live. Madelynn had several close calls in the hospital including coding December of 2009.  I think that girl wanted to be here.  Whether it was a conscious thought or not we'll never know, but I believe she wanted to live.

When asked what she wanted to do for her birthday this year she animatedly insisted on skating. When asked what she wanted for her birthday it was pink skates (which two days after I purchased turned into purple skates, but I did not trade them out), and a lava lamp. 

We booked a private party at the  Classic Fun Center.  It was such a great place for a child's birthday party.  The package included tokens for the arcade; full, unlimited access to the bounce area; and skating for 90 minutes.  For the same price of what I paid for the princess bounce house last year, this was a much better deal.  Madelynn had 14 little friends show up, and all seemed to really enjoy themselves.  She even had friends come all the way from Syracuse come down.  This kid is seriously loved!

Our host, Andrew, was really good with all the kids and making sure our party's needs were taken care of.  The soda and water was always filled, the kids got ice cream, and he was generous with the amount of tickets everyone won.

Skating didn't open until 11:30 (Andrew opened the rink a half hour early for the kids), so the initial 90 minutes was spent in the bounce area and arcade.  Bella was the most daring of all the children when it came to the bounce area.  She showed no fear when going down the giant slide by herself.  After Madelynn and Matthew watched her go down, they were able to get the courage to slide themselves.

The kids received a cup of tokens as they came in to the party allowing them to play various arcade games, and ride the car or the carousel.  At one point Bella was lying across the top of the car while two of Madelynn's male friends were driving.  It was something out of a White Snake video.  I didn't get a photo in time. :(

In order to get in as much skate time as possible we did cake and presents around eleven. I had worn a cute white button-down shirt, and was handing out the ice cream as presents were being opened. The chocolate ice cream tipped and spilled all over my shirt.  I was so sad, and missed Madelynn's presents being opened as I was frantically rubbing a Tide pen all over.  It seemed to work our for the most part.  The kid got a haul from all of her generous friends' parents, and her family.  Poppa Dave came through with the lava lamp, and Mads loved the skates...she didn't even care that they weren't purple.

After presents it was finally skating time.  The rink had trainers for those who had never skated before.  As you can see in two of the photos below, Bella figured out if she hung half her body over the trainer and Aunt Crystal pushed, she wouldn't have to do any work.  The rink allowed for scooters, and most of the kids got those.  Darren even grabbed some roller blades, and skated with the kids. I was too busy pushing Bella to get too many photos of the skating.

We were supposed to be off the rink by one, but Andrew allowed us to hang out as long as we wanted.  We eventually vacated the facility around 1:30.  The day was successful, and a lot of fun. We are so grateful to have the people in our lives that we do.  Thank you to all who joined Madelynn in celebrating her 6th year!!

Kindergarten

Five months have passed since my last post.  At this point catching up would be quite the task.  As I get the time I may blog what took place over the summer, but my goal for now is attempting to write about current events.

On August 26th Madelynn started kindergarten.  It is so hard to believe our daughter is old enough to go to school.  She has been planning this day for a long time; reminding me throughout the summer she is going to need supplies, she'll learn to read, and will probably learn math.  The kid cracks me up.

Madelynn was given a test prior to receiving her teacher assignment to see where she was.  We were slightly surprised, but relieved when we were notified Madelynn will be placed in extended day kindergarten (OEK).  We were surprised because she did not meet with qualifications for early intervention preschool a year before.  Madelynn attends 'normal' kindergarten in the morning, goes to lunch, and then goes to an intervention kindergarten to reiterate what happened during the morning.   Madelynn prefers her OEK teacher, Ms. Royce, to her morning teacher, Ms. McCann, but she likes both teachers.  Fun Fact: Ms. McCann is a dear friend of Jeremy's step-aunt, Linda.

We received Madelynn's kindergarten portrait the other day.  Who knows how long it has been in her backpack.  Her hair was really cute before she left, but by the time the photo was taken it was all over the place.  Good thing Madelynn is so photogenic.

Part of the first few weeks of school include lunch with your child.  I was really, really ill the week of the lunch and Jeremy was unable to get the time off; queue Poppa for the rescue.  My father went to the school to meet Mads for lunch.  She was quite delighted by the surprise.

The next school item coming up will be her parent-teacher conferences this week.  It's hard to believe she's been in school for five weeks now.

Halloween!

While shopping for Madelynn's birthday party, we were fortunate enough to pick up her Halloween costume. For the previous two years she has gone as some kind of incarnation of fairy, and this year was no different.  She chose the Spider Fairy costume.

Of course because it is Utah, and cold alterations had to be made for the nugget and she didn't look quite like the girl in the stock photo, but if you ask me she is cuter.  We did a ballet bun, added some warm pink capris and a pink long john shirt.  Madelynn only weights 32 pounds and chills very easily.  Unfortunately the tiara was really flimsy and didn't make the trip from Salt Lake City to American Fork...again I still think she pulled it off and was once again a super cute fairy.

Dad and Angie dressed as Coke products. I dressed in scrubs, and Jeremy wore his zombie shirt from last year.  Mom and John didn't dress up, but they went to an allegedly cool, new park called Evermore.  The photos they took were Halloweeny and I thought it fit with the collage.

Since we live on a fairly busy street that doesn't have a lot of homes to trick or treat on we decided to travel down to Dad and Angie's.  Of course, it was Madelynn's idea to call Grandpa Dave (as she affectionately calls him) to see if he will go with her.  She had asked for Uncle Darren to come around with her, but he had to work.  She was excited to see her uncle once he did get off work, and stopped by Dad's house for a quick visit.

Madelynn made a haul with the candy.  It helped that we didn't get a start until 7:30 or so and everyone was winding down.  About half way through the walking she claimed her little legs couldn't possibly carry her any further.  I didn't get any photos of Madelynn being carried by a giant coke bottle, but here are some cute shots of her knocking.

Unfortunately for us, but fortunately for the Gibson clan; Elyssa, Matthew and Bella celebrated Halloween in Texas. I couldn't let a Halloween blog go without photos of my beloved niece and nephew.  I'm sure they had an amazing time with their grandparents and uncles.  They don't get to see them very often, and it was great that they were able to experience Halloween with them all.  Ms. Bella was Super Girl, and Matthew was Darth Vader.

Jeremy and Madelynn

Jeremy is a really great father. He is an amazing human being, but that man was born to be a father. Especially a father to a little girl.  Jeremy and I were watching You Tube one day and came across a video about making a rainbow bracelet using hair bands.  In a home with two females we had plenty of those lying around the house.  

Jeremy showed Madelynn the video and asked her if she would like to make them for herself.

 She readily agreed and together the two of them each made a bracelet.  

Madelynn asked her father to wear his bracelet to work, which he did. Jeremy has never been one to care about what others thought of him. A trucker at his work did ask Jeremy is he was a 'queer'. Jeremy responded with "So what if I am"?  The truck apparently had no response.  My husband has never been shy about expressing his opinions on equal rights, and does not find it offense should one mistake him for a gay gentlemen.  He is a shining example of a man, and a human being for our daughter.

Madelynn Feeding the Ducks

Candid Family Photos

Everyone had a camera.  While I do not have access to everyone else's photos I am posting the candid that I do have that do not really fit into a category.

The Three Amigos.  Who knew there would three toddlers around this
year?

Add caption

If there was a way to describe our family it would
be passive aggressiveness.
I guess Madelynn feels the same way. 

Popa and Matthew getting ready for some sand.

Miss Maddie Bug stealing Baby Bella's hat.

Grandma and Madelynn dancing with special appearances by Aunts Amber and Cheri.

On Our Way to Pacific Beach

My mother, stepfather, brother and his brood came up from Utah to join us at Pacific Beach for the annual Anderson family reunion.  (As my grandmother would say "She has posterity").

Madelynn and Matthew had not seen each other since February.  They warmed up to each other fairly quickly.  Matthew had a lot of patience with Madelynn once he realized her communication delay.  They shared all the toys very well, and enjoyed hugging and being with each other.

Matthew wanted to ride with Uncle Jeremy, Aunt Crystal , and Madelynn.  We were happy to have him.  The kids did really well...at first.

Chilling, reading her book.

He's very delicate ,and needs a neck pillow.

Matthew then got mad at me when he took a toy from Madelynn, and I took it from him.

You don't want to see him mad. :)

Then he was happy just in time to fall asleep.

I love you Crystal!

The Toe Heads are sleeping.

The trip was a little over two and a half hours, and for toddlers they did very well.  

Madelynn In July

I never know what to do with her hair.

Chilling out on a Friday night.

After being in a dress all Saturday she stripped
down to her diaper on rainboots.

Strutting her stuff.

Yum a Grape Popsicle!

Sugar Crash!

For the love of God don't wake the child!

Mom.  Why won't the pony go?
Its a dragon...

It's hot, Mom.

Do not mess with Ms. Priss and her Popsicle.

All that's missing is daddy.  True love...

Ending July with a movie and snuggle with Mom.

Where Did Our Baby Go?

My cousin, Alexander, was married on July 7th to Angela.  It was a beautiful wedding.

With the special occasion comes a new dress for Ms. Madelynn.  Our little toddler looked like a little girl.

Her and Andrew were so well behaved at the wedding.  We were very proud (and quiet relieved) with the two of them. As usual the two were very cute together.

They were cute separately too. :)

Her booster seat (my purse).

Ready for dinner.

Hmmm.  What does Daddy have?

Whass (that's how they pronounce it) that?

Watching 'drew.

Where did the baby go?

 After some dancing in her chair...

...Madelynn was tuckered out, and ready to go home.  

It is always a joy to spend time with the Reeds, and Madelynn's BFF 'drew.

Catching Up With Madelynn

Recent videos and pictures of Madelynn.