Happy Birthday Maddie!

Yesterday was Maddie's 4th birthday and she'll be the first to tell you, it was a good day. When she woke up, she asked me . . "Is it really my birthday today?" (It was nice to be able to truthfully answer 'yes', finally, after a year of being questioned along these same lines.) The follow up question, truly states how wonderful the world is as it revolves around you at the age of 4 . . "Is everybody at my party upstairs waiting to sing to me?" This is mostly funny because it was about 6:15 in the morning when she asked. We went over to a 'Paddling Festival' at our lake where the girls enjoyed trying out all the kayaks and playing in the sand on the beach, but most importantly . . to a 4 year old . . we found 'the facepainters' that dad had told Maddie would be there. It was a first for Maddie and she thought it was fantastic. She promptly requested a rainbow on one cheek and a ladybug on the other. Keira braved the 'strangers' long enough to collect a rainbow on one cheek . . and upon seeing Maddie's face, she was convinced that she also had her other cheek painted with a ladybug. She had a crying tantrum shortly after which washed her rainbow off with tears . . but we didn't tell her that and she proudly showed off her nonexistant facepaint to anybody that admired Maddie's the rest of the day. After the festival, we told the girls they needed to take a 'rest' before the party started . . to which Maddie promptly inforomed us that she had WAY too much power to take a rest and she would not be closing her eyes. She was right about that and this is pretty much how her 'nap' went if you want to listen to her singing/ chant on the monitor.
Finally . . it was time for the party. Maddie is our party girl . . and a party that is all about her is pretty much the best thing in the whole world. The first guests to arrive were our neighbors in the purple house . . Lisa and Jonah . . who the girls adore and constantly pester. Maddie has a perfect view of their driveway from her chair at the bar and is always on the 'lookout' for them and they are constantly being summoned by the tiny voice coming through the window. They are very sweet and kind to the girls and this occasion was no exception. Lisa had wisely, bought 2 presents for Maddie . . one in the form of a gift bag for Keira, much to my relief . . who wants to ruin such a great day with a cat fight?!? It was Maddie's dream come true and swift punch in the stomach to dad as he watched his 4 year old don her first wedding dress.

After frolicking in their new party attire, the girls set up camp waiting for the next guests . . grandma and grandpa ("the Harris ones", is how Maddie clarifies now that she understands the multiple grandparent situation) and Aunt Amber and Brooke. They also showed up with way too many gifts . . also accomodating Keira . . and the girls bounced all over them with glee and happiness.

We all sat down . . in a very pink and fairy infested atmosphere and enjoyed a dinner of 'long noodles'/spaghetti . . which is still MJ's favorite dish, 2 years running now. Then we pulled out the very purple and pink Tinkerbell birthday cake and Maddie enjoyed every minute of the crowd gathered around her singing 'Happy Birthday' and even before she blew out the candles, she looked up and thanked everybody for singing . . I have to say, as her mom, it was very sweet and cute. She did manage to blow out all 4 of those candles, after being prompted to yell 'Fire in the Hole' by her Aunt Brooke.
Unfortunately for Maddie . . all good things come to an end, on the bright side, her cousins are on their way here from Washington and we'll be having another birthday party for 'the kids' in a few days . . life is good. Thanks to everyone for making it such a great day!