Happy Birthday Maddy!

Well, it's officially Maddy1's 2nd birthday today! I can't believe it!

The party was so much fun! I can easily say that we all had a great time. So, without further ado, here are some pictures:


Don't you just love this Mickey Mouse balloon -- it's taller than her!


Here is the lovely fruit basket. Not bad for my first! I learned a lot and will post some instructions on how I did it and some of the tricks that I learned in the process of creating it.


This is the Mickey Mouse cupcake cake! Notice the cupcakes are in the shape of Mickey Mouse's head and ears. I find that cupcakes are ALOT easier at this age!








Even Baby Lulu enjoyed the party!


Maddy sharing her cupcake with Daddy!


Mommy, Maddy and Ma!


So, as you can see, looks like it all went off without a hitch.

To my precious Madison, my first baby girl. Momma can't believe how much you've grown. What a big girl you are! Never could I imagine the little girl that you have become. So . . . well, loud :-) But in a good way most of the time. You are your own person and I've learned that even at this young age, no one is going to change that. You're loving, affectionate, bull headed . . . you've got a smile and giggle for everyone. You're persistent and strong willed and I know these traits will serve you well when you are older. To my little baby girl, I love you more than you will ever know.

Thank you Lord for entrusting us with this little girl. I pray that Hubby and I will be able to raise her in your way with your guidance. I pray for patience . . . for knowledge . . . for understanding and for wisdom. Help her to know how much she is loved.

Happy 2nd Birthday Madison!

Mission: Birthday Impossible Update

Well, the invitations went out in the mail today. Check!

Next on the agenda: I spent over an hour yesterday surfing the net for a Mickey Mouse silhouette cookie cutter. Do you know how hard it is to find one of those things? Heck, it'd probably be easier to drive to Orlando (about 8 hours), go to Disney World and buy one myself! So, I'm still on the hunt, FedEx account # in hand . . . need to overnight it when I find it just to make sure I get one here before the party.

Visited Edible Arrangements yesterday. They've just opened a store in our local area. Love the idea! If you are not familiar with them, let me explain. Basically, they make fruit arrangements -- to look like flower baskets. So, rather than sending someone a flower basket, you can send them a fruit basket. Pretty clever, huh? Well, I thought it would be a good idea to have one of those there fruit basket thingys at the birthday party. So, I stopped in there to talk with them about ordering one for the big day. Needless to say, I was a little disappointed. I explained to the girl that I would need this basket for a child's birthday party. The pieces of fruit in the current baskets seemed to be a bit large for toddlers. So, I asked if they could cut the fruit into smaller sizes -- didn't have to be fancy or anything, just smaller. Y'all know what she said? No. She said that they are a franchise and they cannot alter the designs of the basket. Hello? What happened to customer service? Ok, ok, I understand the whole franchise thing, but I also understand that a toddler will pull a big 'ole piece of fruit off that basket and try to stick the whole thing in his/her mouth. Problem, don't you think? So, I thanked the nice lady for her time and thought to myself, I can make one of those things, no problem! (Disclaimer: I love Edible Arrangements and their ideas and I will continue to use them in the future. I'm not trying to say anything negative about the company, they just couldn't help me in my situation. Please check them out -- it's a great idea for friends.)

Well, hubby came home from work, greeted me and asked about my day. I told him my ordeal with Edible Arrangements. And then I told him my fabulous idea about making the basket myself. I went into great detail, explaining to him how I had figured out what cookie cutters to purchase, etc to make the fruit fun shapes for the basket. And how I could use the Mickey Mouse cookie cutter (which I haven't found or purchased yet) for the fruit, for the sandwiches and for the cookies. And do y'all know what his response to me was: "Oh yes, that's exactly what you need to do. One more thing. As if making the invitations weren't enough, let's just add another thing to your list of things to do! Let's make sure that when it's time for the party, you're completely exhausted and worn out, unable to enjoy any of it." Well, not exactly the response I was looking for, you know? It should have went something like this . . . "Wow, hun, you are so talented. I will be waiting, barely able to contain my excitement until the day I can view this lovely creation. Martha Stewart look out!" I know, I know. He's showing his concern for me. I can appreciate that. But, the fruit basket is a go --- I'm doin' it!

Well, I'm off to look for the cookie cutter . . . let me know if you just happened to see one some where!

Happy Birthday Babe!

In honor of my Hubby's birthday, I've made a list of "41 Things I Like About My Hubby":

1. He's soooooo handsome
2. He likes motorcycles
3. He's an awesome pilot
4. He has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
5. He's very hard working
6. He's the efficiency manager of our home - he knows the best, most energy efficient, quickest way to do everything!
7. He has a military background which totally explains #6
8. He's way intelligent
9. He keeps himself in tip top shape
10. He's a great father
11. A great balance of discipline and fun
12. He thinks a map is a necessity on road trips. If we don't have one, we'll hear about not having one for the entire trip!
13. He loves his morning coffee
14. He would love to live on a farm
15. But we don't
16. We actually only have about 1/4 of acre, if that, at our current residence!
17. He's well traveled -- (cue song) "I've been everywhere man, I've been everywhere!"
18. He's a great friend.
19. He still keeps in touch with most of his high school friends
20. He is smart with our finances
21. He loves to crank up his old tapes and dance with Maddy1
22. Not sure if he just likes the music loud or if all those years of flying have deafened him
23. He's obsessed with his hair or lack thereof (sorry babe, but it's true!)
24. I tell him I can't see it disappearing
25. He thinks I'm lying
26. But I'm not --- I think he's HOT!
27. And I think he'd still look hot without any hair
28. He's just that good looking!
29. I love his wit
30. But I'd never tell him that
31. Well, I guess I just did
32. He's a control freak married to a control freak
33. Makes for an interesting household!
34. He really wants to be more romantic
35. He says he's just not made to think that way
36. I think he is romantic . . . sometimes
37. He really is a wonderful husband
38. Loving and caring and thoughtful
39. He does laundry and household chores!
40. He's quite meticulous. A place for everything, everything in it's place!
41. He's mine!

I love you, Hubby! Thank you for all that you do for me and for our family! I hope that you enjoy this day!
XXXXX OOOOOOOO!