Last band concert!

As if Tanner's field trip wasn't enough for this sappy Mom, I had to see Madison's last band concert the same day.  She's elected to get out of band (sniff, sniff), and head into art and journalism instead.  I can't say that I'm surprised--the girl does love art, but I am sad to see her leave the world of band.  It's a geeky world, but a good one.  Next year she'll attack her new classes as an 8th grader--the same age I was when we moved to Decatur.  So many times I still feel like that person, and I can't believe my own daughter is that old.  My little leafy twig--growing up so fast.

Spelling Bee 2014

Madison competed in the Regional Spelling Bee this year--her second trip to TCU.  While she didn't want to study--she did wind up cramming a few days before, and learned many many origins of many many words.  Needless to say, she is already a way better speller than me--or than I ever will be.  The first pic is priceless--straight from the Ft. Worth Star Telegram.  She was so nervous once it began, and we are so proud of her for making it this far--twice.  She's our nerdy wordy girl--and we love her for it.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/03/20/4717412/regional-spelling-bee-winner-gets.html

Madison's First Dance !

Patti was in town for Madison's first dance, and we spent the afternoon primping her for the event. She was BEAUTIFUL! More than that, she had a great time which was what u hoped for more than anything. Our little girl is getting so big!0

Halloween SLEEPOVER

Earrings Take Two

Three years after piercing her ears and then having one earring back surgically removed, we are trying again. Cross your fingers it takes!

Daddy Daughter Date

Instead of going to the daddy/daughter dance this year, Todd and Madison decided to go on  a date to the big city.  She picked an afternoon of art museums, walking and talking, and a dinner with a special dessert.  She had a new outfit for the occassion, and when Todd walked out dressed in a sports coat, she thought it was the most fancy, special date ever.  After her big win on Friday, this was a weekend of smiles for our soon-to-be young lady.  It makes me smile to see them have this tradition--I'm hoping they always make time for a little date now and again.

I mean, it is tradition..., right?

Suessical the Musical!

Madison just finished her first run as an Actress.  She tried out for, and made the high school play, Suessical the Musical.  Although her part was small (just a Who afterall), she had a blast, and it was great for her to see the work it took to make something such a huge success.  This past weekend she performed in five shows, and slept until 11 on Monday-it took it out of her!  She really did shine on stage, and is already looking forward to the next play, hoping there is room for some "Littles."

Before and After

It's hard to believe our Madison is not only 10, but is entering TWEENHOOD, complete with braces!
And mood swings.
Just part of the ride, right?:-)

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!

We just got in from our first Youth Fair experience, and Madison is just swimming with happiness in her wins!  In addition to placing in photography, 3 of her baked items placed!  (Gran didn't agree with a few of the comments, but I think overall a success!)

Here are her pictures:

5th place Catch All:

 3rd Place Dominant Color:

 1st Place & Grand Champion Night Photography:

 1st Place and Grand Champion Architectual Design:

 2nd Place: Elemental Design:

 1st Place & Grand Champion:  Flora

 2nd Place:  Animals

3rd Place:  People

What a week!  First bonding with Gran in the kitchen, then seeing her pictures and art place, and finally getting to bask in the fun of Thaine's pig showing.  It really is a neat little event in our little town--such good character building type stuff!  Yum!

orthodontics

On February 3rd Madison entered the world of Orthodontics, and her mouth (and our bank account!) will never be the same.  We've been diligently turning a metal thing in the roof of her mouth since that time, breaking and expanding her palet to make room for the horse teeth she's inherited from yours truly.  It's absolutely amazing the difference we've seen in her mouth over the last month.  While the last picture above shows a little more of her personality than the change in her teeth, I think you can still see the gaping whole between her front two teeth.  According the Dr. Mallory, once we stop expanding her mouth, that gap will shrink again, and her teeth will shift.  Next step:  braces in the fall.  First this, then double digits.  Our little girl is about to enter the tween years.  Give us strength.  And maybe a raise.

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Daddy Daugher Dance 2011

Todd and Madison went on their annual fancy date this weekend, and had their usual great time.  Madison looks forward to this night every year.  She loves the dinner, the dancing, the fancy atmosphere, and EVEN THE DRESS!  This was the first year I wasn't working the dance, so I wasn't able to catch any action pictures...but looking at these make me smile--and looking back on a few from the last year or so...it's amazing how fast our little girl is growing up.

Music through the Decades

We had our first music program at Carson tonight, and it was so super fun!  The kids dressed up in different decades, and sang and danced their way through the changes.  It felt really good to see some new and old faces in the crowd of our new peer group at elementary gatherings, and I was just really impressed with the music program itself.  :)  Warm fuzzies...

Madison's class needed to dress up in the 90's, so I channeled my Junior class picture...see those wings?  I had some hair curling talent!

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Meet Beauty

Madison and I just got home from the pet store with our very own hamster. I honestly never thought I'd see the day I'd be the proud owner of a rodent.  But, over a month ago, after months of begging on her part, I made a deal with her.  If she kept her room clean-really clean-I mean under the beds and in the closet clean, I'd cave, and purchase this precious pet.

I honestly didn't think she'd do it.

She showed me, didn't she.

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It's all about Me!: Vacation!-Madison's First Post!

Madison wanted a blog for her birthday, so I set one up today. We'll see how long it lasts. :)

It's all about Me!: Vacation!: "When we went on vacation I thought we were going to Yosemite. But we were really going to Disneyland! Mommy and Daddy kept a pretty good sec..."

MADISON TURNS NINE!

Friday, we headed out to Lake Nocona with a couple of Madison's friends (Shaela and Payton) for a weekend getaway to celebrate MADISON TURNING NINE!  This was our third year to do a smallish slumber party, and I'm guessing it's a little tradition we've started.  I still can't believe she is nine years old, going into FOURTH GRADE, and moving on from playing with toys to singing along on 106.1.  It's just not right.  I love listening to the kids when they have their friends in the car-their conversations are so enlightening.  This ride proved no different, and I was privy to all kinds of information on Justin Beiber and his "hotness."  It was hilarious, especially Madison's take on the entire topic.

Payton:  "Justin is soooooooo hot!"

Shaela:  "I know!  I soooooooooooo think he's hot too!"

Payton:  "He's as hot as the sun!"

Shaela:  "No, he's as hot as Jupiter!"

Madison:  "Actually, if he's as hot as a planet, he should be as hot as Mercury or Venus.  Jupiter's actually pretty cold."

I admit, I laughed out loud when I heard this conversation go down.  Madison's "just not that into" boys yet--but planet?  We know planets.  That girl beats to a different drummer, a true free spirit for sure.

Once we got to the lake, the girls quickly dove right in, swimming, playing with Marley, and taking lessons on tubing.  They just about wore themselves out on Friday night with a whole day to go!  But, we finally drug them into the camper for the night, and they grooved on "having a place for themselves."  I'm not sure what they talked about, but they talked and talked and talked...

Saturday, everyone woke up early to start the fun.  We feasted on a little watermelon to get the party started, and sadly it did not agree with Payton's tummy.  :(  But, she was a trooper and hooked onto the tube again and again.  I think they spent at least 4 hours spinning around the lake, either behind the jet ski or behind the boat.  We did have a little technical difficulty with the boat, but powered through the bump in the road with more swimming, great snacking, and tie-dying!

I was super-pumped at how they turned out!!  It was exhausting though, and there was some much needed relaxing to recover.  :)

After a fancy hot dog and grilled corn dinner, Todd helped assemble a proper water balloon fight.  The boys were really excited to get back at the girls for all injustices.  ever.  Payton proved to be the best water balloon filler and tie-er!  She tried to pass along her skills, and I'm hoping they stuck!  We've got reunion here in just a little over a month!

It wouldn't be a birthday party without a cake!  Gran made her famous Chocolate Cake per Madison's request, and even though the heat tried to beat it, we all thought it was still delicious!  We managed to block the wind long enough for Madison to make a very serious wish, too.  She wouldn't share what she wished for, but I could tell it was for something big.  Hmmm...

After a round of showers, the girls settled back in the camper for a quiet movie, and to rest their sore bones.  They were glad for a little downtime after a day full of fun, and of course-there's always time for more talking and discussing of Justin Beiber's hotness!

Today, the girls woke up still tired, and quickly got started beading some little creatures Shaela had given Madison.  They were a big hit, and luckily Madison's cousin Cameron was around to tutor everyone in exactly where and how to bead the little guys-many more take home treasures for all!

All in all a successful birthday weekend, despite our little setbacks.  :)  I guess there aren't many things that can get in the way of celebrating NINE!  And the best part of the celebration was watching the girls and all that talking.  I just love watching them have fun and develop hopefully truly wonderful friendships. 

Happy Birthday Little Girl!  I hope the year of NINE is the best one yet!