Maddie Days

Sweet, sensitive, snuggly, spunky... seriously hilarious. So glad she's mine.

Maddie Girl turned three this month. She wanted herself a cowgirl party in the worst way. No coincidence to us that she especially loves that sweet and spunky red head, Jessie.

Panning for gold... otherwise known as spraypainted pebbles from the driveway.

These boots? A grandparent gift that may go down in the most cherished gifts hall of fame.

There's a snake in my boot!

And so a cowgirl party in the mountains she had (With a big thanks to PopPop and Nana for their creative touches and help, along with Uncle Billy and Aunt Andrea!)
***

In keeping with turning three and birthday traditions, Maddie got to plan her own special day once we got home. Thinking back to both my girls this past year, my heart just swells. I throw out a wide open opportunity for them to pick anything in the world they would like to do. Similar to Hope's simple request of books and puzzles on her day, Maddie asked for a family walk please. What a reminder that it truly is the little things that catch their hearts and minds.

Well then, a family walk we did.
Threw in a little sidewalk chalking just for fun.
Before that I did make a suggestion, though, in knowing our girl. Just a teeny weenie wondering if maybe she'd like to go to the great little spray park down the road from our house.

She did.

Fearless on two feet... skipping the tiny water features for the big sprayers and buckets!

We rounded out the evening with some Chick-Fil-A for dinner. Do you know this child will rarely eat a fry? If there wasn't so much DNA proof, I might sometimes have to wonder on that one.

Helping a messy sister out.

When we finally got home, splash bathed in the sink, and jammied up-- we were all pretty beat. Those little hazel eyes of hers could barely make it through a few pages of her baby book before I took her off to bed and whispered an I love you as I tucked her in.

Another birthday passed, another year of getting so big behind us.

Madison Elise, I just love you. Your little big heart makes your beauty shine. I love that you are a snuggler, that you think about things in your own way, that you are a tactile learner, that you love all things beautiful and say so in the most precious ways, that you constantly amaze us when we least expect it. I hope you never grow too big to slip that little hand in mine or holler, "Come here, Mama, and cuddle up with me!" Happy birthday, Maddie Girl. Daddy and I both thank God for you like you wouldn't believe!
~Mama