Maddy is 49 months old - January 2013

On New Year's Eve, Maddy stayed up to celebrate 2013.  She now knows how fun it is to blow a horn in celebration - loudly.  The flu has been running rampant here so Maddy received her flu shot this month too.  She is 41 1/2 inches tall and weighs 43 pounds.
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Matt enjoys bowling on Tuesday nights so Tuesday nights are usually girls nights.  Maddy & Debbie go over to Grandma Escherich's house for bath and some playtime.  However, on Tuesday January 8, 2013 Maddy was in the tub, leaned over to tell Debbie something and her hands slipped down the side of the tub.  That's when the "fun" began.  When Maddy's hands slipped her chin hit directly on the tub causing a major laceration.  Off to the ER!  By the end of the night Maddy had 5 stitches and a new respect for staying seated in the tub.  On Monday, January 14, 2013 it took Debbie and 2 nurses to hold Maddy down while her stitches were removed.  Needless to say, it wasn't the best memory she will ever have.  Ouch!  We are thankful that the scar will be under her chin and not across her face and that there wasn't any dental problems involved with this accident.
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We tried to create a better memory on Jan. 16th.  Maddy was introduced to the wonderful world of the library!  She received her very own library card and checked out books with just a touch of help from Debbie.  We have returned to the library every Wednesday after preschool to renew our book supply.  She is truly in love with being able to select her own reading material.
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Matt and Maddy enjoyed a special night together that was sponsored by her school.  On Jan. 15th the preschool staff hosted a Dad's Night that included a hot dog supper and plenty of activities.  She hasn't stopped talking about all the fun crafts and open gym time which included basketball and a huge rainbow parachute.  There was a big turn-out from what we heard and the event was a success.
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Maddy is looking forward to bringing snack to school on the day of their Valentine's party.  We are planning to bring fruit pizzas in heart shapes.  She can't wait to help make them.  We already have her Valentine's ready and have decorated the individual bags for the fruit pizzas.  We hope you LOVE Valentine's Day as much as we will!

Maddy loves Jimmy Johns subs!

She took a picture of herself in the mirror.

In a chair in front of the computer.

She has a library card now!

She LOVES to read!!!

5 stitches on January 8, 2013

Stitches from straight ahead.

Stitches removed on 1/14/2013

Maddy is 48 months old - December 2012

At last check Maddy is 41 1/8 inches tall and weighs 43.6 pounds.  The last time I posted stats on her they were from the Drs. office.  This time we are back to "home measurements".  We were busy in December like most households, but for some reason, we baked up a slough of cookies.  Debbie even learned how to make rosettes by following Mom Huseby's kind instruction.  Maddy performed at school in her Learning Ladder holiday program.  I don't know if you've ever seen the "Reindeer Pokey" performed by preschoolers, but it's quite entertaining!
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Maddy is very lucky to have an uncle who plays Santa to all the local children.  We went to see Santa/Uncle Byron again this year.  It's so fun to not have to worry that she will be scared of Santa.  She's finally made the connection that even when her uncle is dressed as Santa, he's still Uncle Byron.  Precious to say the least!
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Debbie's Aunt Amy came up from Texas & visited during the holidays.  There is a local establishment that serves afternoon tea.  Mom Escherich, Aunt Amy, Debbie & Maddy partook in afternoon tea one day.  It was pinkie-raising good!
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Christmas was good to us all; especially Maddy.  Santa must have thought that she was extremely nice this year.  ;-)  We hope you enjoyed the holidays with family & friends to your heart's delight.
Happy 2013!  Bring on the joy of a new year!

Baking cookies in her new apron from Uncle Dewey & Auntie Carmen.

Decorating the cookies

Ollie, our scout elf, left a message for Maddy.

Maddy singing during her school Christmas program.

Maddy with Santa - AKA Uncle Byron

Santa came!  He brought Maddy many things, but the highlight was a  playhouse that fits over a card table.

Matt & Maddy enjoying her new keyboard & microphone.

The truth finally reveals itself.

Maddy was very excited to receive wood unit blocks.

Maddy on Christmas enjoying the Huseby party.

Afternoon tea with Debbie, Maddy, Grandma Escherich & Aunt Amy.

Video of Maddy opening a present Christmas morning:

Happy 4th Birthday Madeline!

On Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 we celebrated Maddy's 4th birthday.  We had guests over for an afternoon dinner, opened presents and ate cake & ice cream.  Maddy was so lucky to receive numerous cards and gifts.  She really likes all the gifts!  If we ever get her Leap Pad 2 away from her, we may be able to take more photos.  Hopefully, we'll have some from Christmas.  Ollie, our scout elf, has been making an appearance every morning to Maddy's delight.  We hope you're having a merry & bright December.  Blessings to all during this joyous season!

 

 

Singing Happy Birthday to Maddy

 

 

4th birthday balloons

Little Mermaid Cake

Birthday Dance

Opening presents

Playing her Leap Pad 2

Opening gifts from Jerry & Donna



Maddy is 47 months old - Nov. 2012

Madeline is 41.3 inches tall and weighs 41 pounds.  She is a size 5 for clothes and a size 10 wide for shoes.



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In early November we took a trip to Mall of America.  Maddy had a blast!  She swam in the hotel pool every night.  On our first evening there we dined at the Rainforest Cafe'.  We sat by the animatronic apes which put on a show every little while.  Maddy held on tight during the first tropical rain storm, but got used to the loud claps of thunder.  During the morning on our 2nd day of the trip, we gained a better understanding of aquatic animals in the Sea Life Aquarium.  Sharks, sea turtles, jellyfish, rays and a variety of fish were available for viewing.  Maddy was able to touch some creatures in the touch pools.  In the afternoon, we took in Nickelodeon Universe.  It's an indoor amusement park.  Maddy went on every ride they would allow her to, but the highlight was meeting Sponge Bob and bouncing in his giant pineapple house.  After supper at Bubba Gumps Shrimp, Maddy shared her wish list with Santa.  She and Santa had quite the conversation.  On our final day at the mall, we went to Lego Land, the Disney Store and spent 2 hours building 2 rainbow bears at the Build A Bear Workshop store.  Our time spent in the cities was so much fun!

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On Nov. 14th, Maddy had her 1st school program.  Guests enjoyed a turkey supper and the fall program afterwards.  You've never lived until you see 60 preschoolers shaking their bottoms like a turkey and gobbling.  Sooo cute!

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We hosted Thankgiving and were lucky that both Grandmas could enjoy turkey with us.  It was a really great meal spent with family.  In the evening the winter weather brought blowing snow.  Thankfully, we were already home with plenty of blankets & leftovers.  Ahh, the perfect storm.

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We hope everyone's to-do list is getting shorter as the holidays approach.  We will post some pics of Maddy's birthday soon!

Visit to Sea Life Aquarium at the Mall of America

Maddy with the jellyfish

Maddy & Grandma Escherich over the stingray tank

Maddy at Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America

Having a blast on the bumper cars

On the carosel at MOA

Inside Sponge Bob's pineapple house

Meeting Sponge Bob!

Maddy swam every night.  The hot tub was REALLY nice.

Lego Land at MOA

Maddy made 2 rainbow bears at Build A Bear Workshop in the Mall of American.

Cooking up a storm in the new apron Maddy received from Uncle Dewey and Auntie Carmen

Maddy singing during her 1st school program Nov. 14, 2012

Maddy is 46 months old - Oct 2012

Maddy was featured in our local newspaper this month.  She looks like a deer in the headlights, but she liked seeing herself in the paper anyway.  She is absolutely loving school too.  Please see below:

On Oct. 13th we spent time at the Buffalo River Pumpkin Patch.  They have a petting zoo, horse-drawn wagon rides through a not-so-spooky forest, hay maze, interactive trails, barrel car rides, cowboy camp that teaches about cooking over an open fire & hosts lasso practice and best of all, a Penny & Pals concert.  Yup, at 3 years old, Maddy attended her first concert.  We even bought a Penny & Pals DVD for home viewing.  She had a wonderful time to say the least.  Here's some pics from our fun day:



 

 

 

We enjoyed picking pumpkins at Uncle Dewey & Auntie Carmen's house.  Then we carved two of them; one happy and one scary.  Maddy dressed as a fairy for Halloween this year complete with pixie dust.  She fell asleep in the car on the way home from trick or treating exhausted from the school party, the Halloween bash at the community center & visits to family and friends.

 

 



 

 

Our latest measurements show that Maddy is 41 inches tall and weighs 41 pounds.  She has quite the sense of humor and style as noted in the pics below:  

 

 

We'll be setting our clocks back this weekend, but we'll be looking forward to posting more in November.  Gobble up the last bit of fall!