Madeline's Pre- Birthday!

I decided to keep my family's tradition that started the night before I turned one. On February 22, 1982 (the night before my first birthday) my mom was cooking spaghetti and realized that was what she ate a year ago. So from there on out my mom made a spaghetti dinner the night before my birthday. For my sister's pre- birthday dinner, we have pizza and we still eat pizza every November 30th!!! Now for Madeline's pre-birthday meal we eat turkey sandwiches. I was induced, so the last meal I had was a turkey sandwich from Back Street. Yum Yum!! Yes, I do realize that they are not open on the weekends so when July 31st falls on the weekend we will have to settle for homemade sandwiches. I will have to find a yummy squaw bread.
We went to lunch with the whole family, both grandparents, Auntie Jenna, and Mary Josselyn. We ate delicious turkey sandwiches and even had banana cream pie. It was pretty hot, you can see in the pictures that Grandpa Clarke gave Madeline ice cubes. She wore a pretty pink cupcake dress in true birthday fashion (her party theme was cupcakes). So lucky to have a girl!!
After lunch we went home and Great Grandma and Great Aunt Kathy came over and gave Madeline an early present. She got a little dolly that she loves. While Madeline played with her doll I got a start on the baking for her party. Thank goodness I have wonderful friends, Jen and Mary came over and saved me!!! They were the baking queens who helped bake, frost, decorate, and clean!!! The cupcakes were amazing and delicious, not to mention perfect!! We were also lucky enough to have Auntie Jenna, Grandma Donna, and Uncle Beau make the marshmallow treats. I am hooked on a blog and found the idea to put a marshmallow on a stick and dip it in chocolate(we found a pink chocolate) then decorate it with sprinkles and an m & m on top. They turned out wonderfully and were a big hit.
I did give them a brake and let them eat pizza. Madeline received another early gift, not just any old gift. Grandma and Grandpa King got her a Mercedes Benz.......pedal car. WOW, a Mercedes and she is not quite one yet. This girl has no idea how spoiled she is! She sat in it and loved it. Jake was proud because she kept reaching for the e -brake. No Jake, she will not be a stunt driver/ drifter , don't get any crazy ideas. She also received a car swing and cupcake pajammies from her Auntie.
Our families worked so hard that night cleaning, moving , and helping in any way possible. It was a long night. We are soo blessed to have our family and friends, thank you guys for all the love!!

More Sea World

I forgot to add these to the last post. I thought they were cute, but what picture isn't cute of Madeline??!!! She does own shoes, they are just better toys for now, we don't keep them on.

Sea World

Jake, Madeline, and I went to Sea World. Stroller Strides teaches classes there once a month and I wanted to try it. We got there early and saw that no other dads were there. So Jake hung out on his own while Madeline and I worked out around the park. It was a nice cool morning, Riverside has been HOT, and the people were friendly. We had people watching us like we were crazy for exercising in the park, but we went on with the workout. I must admit it was weird to be doing squats and singing songs next to the dolphin tank.

Madeline hanging out in the stroller, crossing her feet

We got to watch a Shamu and a dolphin show. It was a beautiful day, hot when we watched shows, but a gorgeous day!! We got to see a Shamu and dolphin show. It was cute during the Shamu show Madeline started clapping with the audience, she didn't really follow Shamu because there were so many other things to see. We got some fun pictures of her hamming it up for the camera. The sun glasses kill me every time she wears them, she knows she is too cool!

This is one of my favorite pictures!! Madeline is holding on to her Daddy while he talks to her about the seals! Too cute!!

The flamingos were out on the grass while the staff watched them. Two of these pretty birds decided to wonder over towards Madeline in the stroller. She was not afraid of them, just watched them intensely

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Lil' Roxy Girl

This picture was taken by Jeff and Jen Joselyn while we visited them in San Diego at the end of June. Madeline went to her first beach party/ bon fire. Thanks for the great time!!! And picture!!!!

Mt. Roubidoux

On Sunday our Family walked up Mt. Roubidoux with a few stroller strides friends. Since school has been out I have been apart of a group of moms who meet weekday mornings to walk/jog and workout with the kids in the strollers. Madeline enjoys it! She loves being outside, moving around, and being entertained. We work out while singing songs to the kids and when we are done the kids play at the park ( Madeline crawls in the shade.)

Since being in this group I have rekindled a friendship from back in the day. Tawny Paino and I worked together at Ruby's Diner while going to school. I have had a great time catching up with her and her beautiful family. She is my inspiration for this blog and many other creative things. I enjoy her friendship and look forward to spending more time with her and the families together. She is also the one who photo shopped the pictures and sent them to me, thanks Tawny!!!

Proof we made it to the top!!

What a Princess

Madeline, our little princess. She doesn't like to touch the water or grass with her feet. Madeline quickly pulls her legs up when she hovers over the grass. We put her down in the front yard and she balanced on one leg with the other leg up and out to not touch the grass. She began to play with the grass but didn't put down the other leg. It was too funny to not capture a photo so Jake ran in the house, grabbed the camera, and had time to catch her in this ridiculous pose.

Beach Day

Madeline had another beach day. We went to Newport and found a quiet little beach by the bay (which probably is Balboa). We saw a seal swimming and touched the water with our toes only for a few seconds. The majority of the time was playing, eatting, throwing,and crawling in the sand. We had fun with Auntie Jenna, Jessica, and Addison. Got to love Summer!!!!!

Happy Fourth of July!

Today we hung out with family. Jake, Layla, Madeline, and I walked to the Plaza and got bagels for breakfast. We then went to Grandma and Grandpa Clarke's for some Independence Day photos. Grandpa set the scene with every flag he could find, thanks Grandpa.

We then went to to Grandma and Grandpa King's for a BBQ and Grandma and Grandpa Clarke came too. We had yummy food and hung out until the fireworks. We walked down the street and watched Mt. Roubidoux and UCR's fireworks at the same time. Madeline wasn't affraid and enjoyed watching them. She quickly fell asleep afterwards on the walk home. We had another fun day hanging out with family. God Bless America, so thankful to be free!!

Madeline and Charli

Today Erin Byrd, a dear friend since high school, came over with her cutie little girl Charli. Madeline and Charli are almost 4 months apart and had a wonderful day of sharing toys. We are looking forward to some more summer fun!

Madeline's first trip to the Beach (touching the water)

Madeline loves to cross her feet

We have wonderful friends who let us stay with them in beautiful San Diego. We stayed with the Josselyns for the weekend and made it to Mission Bay. Jake, Auntie Jenna and I got to watch Madeline experience the beach by putting her legs in the bay. She loves being outdoors and she was happy to be there!