When did I get old???

Okay, so 30 really isn't that old, but I'm pretty sure last week I couldn't even imagine being  in my 20's and now I am in my 30's!  CRAZY!!!  I didn't have any break downs or hide under the covers or cry because I was old.  Thanks to the world's most amazing man, I had the best birthday EVER!  See all those post-it notes on the fridge.  For the 30 days before my birthday I got a note along with a gift the coincided.  Each note started "I love you because..." and then finished with something he loved about me.  I got totally spoiled.  Among some of the things I got... popsicles (Pace's, the best kind), toothpaste, Mt. Dew, a small camera (for the diaper bag), several books, Rio, 17 Miracles, Excedrin, a few games, a marble Christus statue, Sugar Baby's, Lagoon ticket, craft things and a bunch more I can't think of.  It was so fun to wake up each morning and see what he had given me that day.

The best present he gave me though was him.  He surprised me and when he left for work Monday morning, he really ran to the store to get stuff to make my cake and my breakfast.  He returned home with sausage and stuff for french toast, complete with strawberries and whipped cream on top.  Then Madi and Derrick made me a pumpkin struessel cheesecake bar for my cake.  It was AMAZING and I am pretty sure he will be making it next year too! :D  He spent the day shopping with me and then we came home for some yummy enchiladas and my cake.  It was a perfect day. 

A birthday weekend...

Derrick's parents take us to lunch for our birthday's every year.  I love how special they make us feel and the little things they do to show us how much they love us.  Since it opened, I have gone to the Cheesecake Factory for my birthday.  I love that place!  It is always so yummy.  We met them there on Saturday (the 10th) for lunch.  I enjoy spending time with them and watching them with our kids.  They are such wonderful grandparents and I am glad they are so close to us.  Here is Madi and Grandma.

After lunch we walked around Fashion Place and stopped at the Wood Connection to pick up a few crafts.  Then it was off the the state fair.  Each year we get tickets from Derrick's work and it seems like it is always on my birthday weekend.  It's fun to go and see all the people and new things.  I especially love the photography exhibit.  Easton enjoyed being out in the sun (and rain) and watching everything that was going on.  He is always so happy.     

Madi LOVED the animals.  We let her go on a pony ride which thrilled her.  She was completely smitten with the bunnies and wanted to bring one home with us.  Since then she has told us several times that she wants a bunny.  So, if you know of anyone close to us that has a rabbit hutch they aren't using and wants to get rid of, we are looking for one. :D  

People would stop to play with Easton while we were looking at things.  He has the most captivating blue eyes.  We don't go anywhere without someone saying how beautiful they are.  I have to agree.

One of the things on our list to do at the fair was the Little Hands exhibit.  Madi really liked it last year and we knew this year would be more fun since she was older.  Here she is milking a cow.  She talked about this for days too.  She liked the cow and the sheep and talked about getting an egg from the chickens.  So fun! 

While we were looking at the bunnies it started to rain, not a lite rain, a down pour.  Got to love what the rain does to my hair... :P  

We bought Madi 10 tickets.  She rode a train and a hot air balloon ride and wanted to use the rest in the bounce house.  She went in that four different times!  The last time the guy said since there wasn't a line he would let her stay as long as she wanted.  She had a blast and it took some real convincing (or maybe bribery) to get her out. 

Our little guy was happy all day, wet or dry, he enjoyed being outside and seeing all there is to see at the fair.  I can't get enough of his grins and laughs.  He is such a good baby and so easy for me.  I love this kid! 

Ever have a day like that???

Yesterday was one of those days.  You know, the kind that you just want to go back to bed and pull the covers over your head.  I am not sure why but I woke up and felt like I was in a rut.  My floor was half mopped and I had no motivation to finish it or clean anything else for that matter.  Easton is teething and is whiny.  Every time I started to clean, Madi followed me around making a bigger mess.  When I asked her to do something or help or NOT do something she would yell "ROCK ON" and go about her business, ignoring my request.  By noon I was sitting in our rocking chair with my two babies, bawling, while I read them I'll Love You Forever.  I decided I had to get up and do something to get out of whatever funk I was in.  Nothing helps me relax and stay sane better Derrick and crafting.  Since Derrick wasn't an option I went straight to the craft room.

Derrick has been spoiling me daily as my birthday nears.  Since I am turning the big 30 he is counting down to the day with an I love you because... and a gift to match for each of the 30 days before my birthday.  One of those sweet notes read "I love you because... you have many talents and you add 'a little something' to our house to make it a home."  With it came the August ornament collection from the Wood Connection.  I had a brilliant idea to make some ants out of seed beads and went to work finishing my craft.

Here is my sunflower...

and my crow...

and my watermelon...

and my favorite... my picnic basket.

I spent the most time on this one.  I wanted it to LOOK like a basket.  I braided raffia around wire for the handles and tried to make my ants just right.  The seed beads didn't work.  They kept falling apart.  I think the surface was too smooth and they were too small.  In the end I had to get creative and I made them out of a black hot glue stick I had in the closet.  They aren't perfect but I love them! 

It was the perfect thing to help me cheer up a little.  Got the floor mopped, cushions, pillows, slip covers and swing liner washed, dried and put back on. Madi's room cleaned, dusted and vacuumed. Bedding washed in our room, dishwasher loaded and a few other things I had been needing to take care of.  I love crafts and love that my sweet hubby supports my habit!

More birthday fun...

Grandma and Grandpa Hawkins gave Madi some money for her birthday so after she took a nap we went to her favorite store... Toys'R'Us.  We walked around the whole store before picking up this fun water sink for Madi.  We also took her to Noodles for dinner since it is one of her favorite foods. 

We had to wait until the following day to put together the sink because we didn't get home until after dark. 

 There are three little cups that came with it.  One is solid, one has one hole and the other has several holes for the water to drain out.  There is also a water wheel.

What sold Derrick though was the working faucet.  The water recirculates itself when you push the pump.  She is still a little too short for that but there are several years of play for this toy. 

It only took her a minute or two to figure out that she could climb in the sink all by herself.  Trying to keep this kid out of water is almost impossible! :D

 Look at that grin!  She is so proud of herself for doing it with no help... 

Then she thought she would dunk her head in...

It is always so much fun to watch Madi play.  She loves to be outside and in the water and can't get enough of it.  Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Hawkins for the fun present!

Our princess is two!!!

Madi had a little princess party with us and Grandma and Grandpa Hawkins.

It was fun to set it all up and have her actually know a little about what was going on.

Here is our little princess, complete with tiara, and her family...

Madi has started taking an interest in money the last few months so we got her a piggy bank to keep her coins in.

She LOVED opening her presents.  Since her birthday she has told me multiple times a day "Two. Presents."  I love how excited she gets!  She is such a sweetheart!

She got a little Cinderella doll and the movie Little Rascals.  (We rented it from Blockbuster and she immediately fell in love with it.)

Madi, Grandma, Grandpa and Cinderella...

Next she went for her big presents.  She got a doll stroller...

a bubble lawn mower...

and a piano!  Madi LOVES music and she goes straight to the pianos after church.

I found some pink Whoppers to scatter on the table and they sure made our little princess excited.

Madi's piano came with a mike.  She hasn't quite figured it out.  She puts her ear up to it to hear...

I must have totally freaked her out when I talked to her about the candle and not touching the flame while we sang to her because she didn't even want to look at it and I had to blow it out for her.  The poor girl will be traumatized forever!

It was a great day and we had so much fun watching her with all her presents.  I can't believe that my little girl is two already.  She is such a sweetheart!  I love you Mads!!!

A party for two please...

On the 30th we went with mom and dad to Garcia's to celebrate Derrick and Madi's birthdays.  Little miss Madi was excited for her birthday.  All week I kept asking her what was on Saturday and she would hold up her finger and thumb and say "two".

 She wasn't so sure about the hat on her head.  The thing probably weighs more than she does.  :D

Two of my favorite people!!!  Happy Birthday you two!

Happy Birthday Madi!!!

Happy Birthday Madison!!!

Madi turned one on the 30th. Grandma and Grandpa Hawkins came over for a yummy barbque! We had steaks and chicken, corn on the cob, potatoes, grilled pineapple and lots of yummy extras. Madi LOVES steak! That is all she wanted. She did have a few pieces of watermelon and some corn. After lunch she had a cupcake before heading down for a nap. Make a wish...
mmmm... yum!!!

Madi played for a little while until her party started. Here's Madi and daddy.And here is Madi and mommy.

Madi picked a corn popper, Tinkerbell keys, a pull along dog and a pop up toy with her money from Grandma and Grandpa Hawkins. I am making her a memory box and we got her a touch and feel book, crayons and a coloring pad and a bead roller coaster thing.Great Grandma and Grandpa Baum came along with Kathy, Jessi, Micheal, Adam, Linda, Kristine, Kathrine, Michelle, Liz, Jeremy, Eli, Christopher, Annie, Bekka and Holly. We sang to her and then let her go to town. (Thanks Chris and Annie for bringing the BIG cupcake!!!)

"Let me at it!!!"

She couldn't wait!

She didn't love the frosting. I made cream cheese frosting.

Daddy, Madi and Mommy

Happy birthday sweet baby! I love you!!!