January & February 2014

January was extremely cold & snowy so we didn't get outside much.  It was the 15th coldest winter on record.  On one of the rare sunny days, Matt would drive Maddy around the campground in a sled using the snowmobile so they could get some fresh air.  We passed time inside by doing crafts, reading, cooking/baking and making a concoction called "oobleck"  It is water & corn starch.  You can actually scoop it up in your hand like a solid, but if you try to pick it up it turns into a liquid and goes through your fingers.  Science in action!  Maddy saw her 2nd movie ever, Frozen.  It seemed very appropriate since that is how everyone felt.

The big news in this blog entry is Maddy lost her 1st tooth!  We noticed it was loose on January 15th and it came out on January 28th.  Maddy was sooo excited!  She has told everyone (even strangers) that she lost her first tooth.  The Tooth Fairy left her $2.00 and a message that basically said to keep up the good brushing.  As we write this blog entry, the tooth next to the window in her mouth is also loose.  Maybe she will be toothless on the bottom by the next time we post.  Time will tell.

In February we took 2 mini vacations to nearby water parks.  It was so fun to get out of the house & have a change of scenery.  In the last week of February Maddy was assigned snack duty for preschool.  We searched Pinterest and made snack robots.  They were made from juice boxes, applesauce cups, raisins, and pretzels.  We've posted a picture below of the finished product.  Her classmates really liked them!

Maddy is now in a size 8 for clothes and a size 12 wide for shoes.  She weighs 54 lbs and grew a 1/2" to a height of 44 3/8" tall.  We attended a Kindergarten prep night at her school which has made her even more excited to attend in the fall.  We have been trying to prepare for the challenges she will face in Kindergarten and she is doing her best to learn new things.  She can recognize over 50 sight words, can count to 100, she can spell simple 3 letter words, and rhymes like a pro!  We are very proud of her progress and continue to be amazed by her thirst for knowledge.

We hope for an early spring, but know it's still too early in the year to really see warm temperatures in Minnesota.  Bring on the warmth for everyone!

Going sledding behind the snowmobile

Playing with "oobleck"

Maddy lost her 1st tooth!  In this picture she is pressing her tongue through the hole.  It is on the bottom.

We put the tooth in her Tooth Fairy box.

Santa brought Maddy this Tooth Fairy box.

Maddy is waiting for the Tooth Fairy.  She tried to stay up to see her... without success.

The Tooth Fairy came!  She left $2 and a message.

Robot snack for preschool

Maddy is 60 months old - Dec 2013

Oh my!  Five years of blog entries!

Another December and Christmas accomplished too.

Feet don't fail us now...

Here are some highlights of the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year":

On Dec. 5, 2013, Maddy endured her 5 year wellness appointment.  She loves to see the doctor, but knew the 3 shots for entrance into Kindergarten needed to happen at this appointment.  She made it through the shots like a trooper and is in good health.

On Dec. 14th we attended "Saturday with Santa" at Lake Park-Audubon Elementary School.  It is always a very festive event filled with crafts, snacks, performances by the local dance troop and, of course, a visit with Santa.  Maddy has been very lucky to have Santa as an uncle.  Thus, she has never been afraid of Santa.  Both Matt's brother, Byron and his wife, Edie take on the role of Santa and Mrs. Claus every year for this event.  They also play their respective roles at the Huseby family gathering on Christmas day for all the kids. We are beyond grateful for their contribution to the many memories that they provide our family & community.

On Dec. 15th Maddy attended a bowling birthday party for her friend, Mazie.  It was Maddy's first time bowling and she wants to go back to the bowling alley soon.  This is the same alley that Matt is on a Tuesday night men's league.  Maddy has watched Matt bowl several times so it was really exciting for her to be the bowler this time.

On Dec. 18th, Maddy's preschool class performed happily for a room chock-full of guests.  It is always amazing to see their readiness to perform at this age without much thought to being shy or nervous.  We were blessed to have both Grandmas join the fun that day.

On Dec. 21st, Maddy was invited to celebrate her friend, Kenleigh's 5th birthday at a local hotel's pool area.  They had a great time swimming in the pool, relaxing in the hot tub and zooming down the water slide.  Water, pizza and cake; who couldn't have fun?

We didn't do quite as much baking as last year in preparation for the holidays, but we did make Christmas cookies for Santa and decorated a gingerbread man.  On Christmas Eve, we had a ham supper with family and prepared for Santa's arrival.  We put out magical reindeer food, hanged the magical Santa key on our back door (no chimney), left cookies, milk & carrots for Santa & reindeer and then ended the evening by reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.   Christmas Eve is bittersweet for Maddy because she has to say goodbye to our scout elf, Ollie until next year.  We woke up Christmas morning, opened presents and headed to the Lake Park Community Center where the Huseby gathering takes place.  The community center is also the firehouse.  To add some excitement to Christmas, the firetrucks were called out so the kids watched in awe as the firemen raced out to an emergency.  This Christmas season, we were blessed with gifts, but more importantly were the visits and greetings from family & friends.  All the communications of cards, letters & photos are so appreciated. 

 We cherish the memories that 2013 provided to our family

and look forward to making many more in 2014.

Cheers to the upcoming year and may it bless your family!   

Maddy talking with Santa

Maddy and cousin Mira working on a project at the Saturday with Santa event.

Emjoying Mazie's birthday party at the bowling alley.

Maddy's ready to bowl.

Preschool holiday program

Maddy performing some holiday tunes.

Kenleigh & Maddy celebrating Kenleigh's 5th birthday.

Decorating our Gingerbread Man.

Isn't he handsome?

Gifts from Grandma Huseby on Christmas Eve.

Time to open gifts!

So happy that Santa came!

All dressed up for the Huseby gathering on Christmas day.

Opening gifts at Grandma Escherich's house.

 See you next year!

Maddy is 5 years old!

On Dec. 2, 2008 at 9:15 pm, a perfect 7 lb 6 ounce little girl was born to two extremely proud parents.  It is now 5 years later.  Our "little" girl is close to 44 inches tall and weighs 50 pounds.  Both parents and child are still smiling and embracing our daily joy as a family.  It seemed only fitting to celebrate!

On Dec. 1. 2013 Maddy had her first birthday party where she could invite friends her age.  We hosted the party at our local community center where there is a huge indoor playground.  We also added an inflatable slide so we could send all the parents home with smiles on their faces because their children were exhausted.  An hour on the slide, followed by a hot dog lunch, and then another hour in the playground equals one happy birthday girl.  After her party, she was able to use the community center's pool and water slide.  Supper that night was at a local pizza joint to complete a spectacular day.

The day after Maddy's party on her actual birthday, Dec. 2, 2013, we had an ice cream cake and opened family presents.  She received a trampoline from Grandma Escherich.  It is already well used.  During the winter months here in Minnesota, physical activity to fight cabin fever is a must so the trampoline is so appreciated.  All Maddy could say during her birthday celebrations is how lucky she was.  We feel the very same way!  Happy 5th Birthday Madeline Eva!

She's so happy to be 5 years old!

My Little Pony balloon bouquet

Inflatable slide

Look out below!

Loving it

Maddy smiled as we sang "Happy Birthday to You"

Opening gifts

Indoor play yard ~ A.K.A. a McDonald's playland on steroids

Another view of The Backyard

The Backyard has 6 levels and 5 slides.

Opening presents on her actual birthday

Dairy Queen ice cream cake for her actual birthday

Sneaking up on the presents

You know you're getting older when the facial hair starts to show.

Opening presents from Uncle John, Aunt Renee & BlakeLynn

Playing with her presents from Jerry & Donna

PS - There was supposed to be a video of kids going down the inflatable slide right below this comment, but after repeated attempts of trying to upload the video I quit trying.  Hopefully, after I contact blogger.com support I will try again and succeed.

Maddy is 59 months old - Nov. 2013

We started November by going to a Disney Live show at the Fargodome on Sunday, Nov. 4th.  Before we partook in the show, we introduced Maddy to Red Lobster.  She was fascinated by the lobster tank and ate a good portion of Grandma Escherich's shrimp.  This show had 3 musicals/plays in it.  Cinderella, Beauty & the Beast and Snow White's stories were included in the show.  Great show & well attended too.

Parent/teacher conferences were on Thursday, Nov. 7th.  We were told good things about Maddy's progress.  We are very proud of her efforts in school.  She is on track to do well in Kindergarten in the fall of 2014.  On Nov. 14th we enjoyed a turkey supper at Maddy's school sponsored by preschool & ECFE programs.  After the supper, the 3 and 4 year olds performed a few fall themed songs.  It was a cute program and the kids really gave it their all.

Believe it or not, we forgot to take a picture of Maddy on Thanksgiving.  We started the day by watching the Macy's parade.  Then we went to the Huseby gathering which was at the Country Inn and Suites.  Maddy not only enjoyed the food, but was able to swim with her cousins in the hotel pool.  We stayed home on Black Friday to take down Thanksgiving decor and whip up the Christmas decorations.  Ollie, our scout elf, returned to our home.  He is keeping Maddy guessing each day with many funny locations and activities.  He even added to our shopping list so we wouldn't forget to buy candy canes.

Maddy is currently working hard to learn sight words to prepare for reading.  She has memorized 13 words and can use them in a sentence.  Maddy is also working to improve her cutting skills.  Being left-handed seems to have delayed her scissor aptitude, but she is really gaining ground now.

We will be adding another entry to our blog soon with highlights from Maddy's 5th birthday.  Until then we sign off with this thought; only 3 more Saturdays until Christmas!

2013 fire safety in preschool - Picture from the local newspaper.  Maddy has a fire hat on.  She is to the right of the fireman (dark shirt).

Preschool activity table for fire safety week.

Lunch at Red Lobster before the Disney Live show.

Waiting for the Disney Live show to begin.

Grandma & Maddy after the Disney Live show.

Dressed up for picture day at preschool.

Thanksgiving program at preschool.

Ollie, our scout elf, took a selfie with Maddy during the night.

First manicure & pedicure with Mommy.

Maddy is 58 months old - October 2013

We hope everyone enjoyed Halloween as much as we did.  Maddy was able to dress up as Ariel from The Little Mermaid movie twice.  We attended a fall carnival at her school where she went in costume and then again for Halloween.  She received tons of candy and goodies, but the best Halloween treat was an extremely large carrot from Grandma Huseby that came from Uncle Tony & Aunt Robin's garden.

Speaking of gardens, we pulled quite a haul of pumpkins from our pumpkin patch.  There were 4 large pumpkins that came out which were so fun.  We chose a pumpkin to carve that seemed the right size and Maddy asked for an Ariel (mermaid) jack o' lantern.  Daddy couldn't resist those big brown eyes so he spent at least an hour trying to accommodate her request.  He did a great job and Maddy was thrilled.  We intend to dry some seeds and plant more in the spring.

Maddy had a dental appt. this month and received a clean bill of dental health.  No cavities!  We continue to give her fluoride tablets because we are blessed with well water.  We also weighed and measured Maddy.  She weighs 50 pounds and is 43 3/8" tall.  She's wearing a size 6x or 7 depending on the brand.  We have been working on sight words at home a little.  She now knows the words a, and, at, be, for, and had.  She can pick them out in a book, use them in a sentence and say them instantly when we review with flashcards.

Maddy can't wait for November to pass because she is looking forward to her 5th birthday party.  We'll have a special update on the blog after the party.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Halloween!

I can move it for you.  Yeah right!

Another large pumpkin from our pumpkin patch

Maddy was Ariel from The Little Mermaid for Halloween

Princess Ariel is ready for Trick or Treating

Someone convinced her dad to carve a mermaid into her pumpkin.

Jack O Lantern at night

Modeling her Halloween outfit with her jack o lantern.

This carrot came from Uncle Tony's garden.  It was given to Maddy for Halloween by Grandma Huseby.  What's up with the gigantic carrot, Doc?

She's so happy to have gone trick or treating!