Nada Nada Limonada

I remember that during my two weeks of seventh grade Spanish, my teacher had a poster on the wall that said, "¿Que Pasa, Calabaza? Nada Nada Limonada." I'll let you Babel Fish Translation that yourself. Call it homework, if you will...

Anywho, I guess that's pretty much been our lives lately - yard work, and our anual Pioneer Day Firework Fiesta. This year's extravaganza was another success, except for the taddle-tale neighbor that called the fuzz on us. Luckily we had taken all of our fireworks inside about three minutes before they drove by.

I don't have a whole lot to blab about, so I'll just share this interesting article that I found online. It made me think about my own cat, Kitty (whom my parents have had since I was eight). He has been run over, shot, had two holes in his stomach, and has been in more than his fair share of fights. At this point we're pretty sure he's immortal. However, do you think that there is a girbil or hamster that can do the same thing for him? I mean, he's over eighteen years old, and we're all pretty curious as to when he'll go to Kitty Heaven. Maybe if we can get one of these amazing animals - the family can all fly in for his final days. Or maybe Leezard (my brother's bearded Dragon) will know. Afterall, he seems to be pretty tight with the cats around my house.

Why Six Months is Awesome

Life is good as a six month old. Here's why:
You get to eat any and everything you find on the floor.

You can crawl.

You can finally participate in Dad's cool tricks.

Your legs work.

We can finally tell which parent you look like.

And you're CUTER than ever.

Now?

I'm wondering at what point I should begin to get scared. If anyone has HAD these experiences, feel free to give any insight. Yesterday morning I was sitting on the couch with Jude, and Madelyn was on the floor in front of the TV. We were all minding our own business when Madelyn's jumper began to jump itself. It bounced up and down twice, and then swung back and forth for about thirty seconds. All three of us stopped and stared. When I finally realized what had happened, I ran to the computer to IM Rob. He wrote it off as a stuck spring. I decided to believe (if only for my own sanity). But tonight at dinner, Rob and I were talking, when the microwave started beeping. Our microwave (that hasn't been used all day) decided to start itself. It entered in the time of six minutes and thirty four seconds, and began to microwave nothing. So, uh, now what? Do I wait for my refrigerator to say Zuul, or should I get the heck out of here before we all turn into dogs?!

On an added note, the microwave started itself again yesterday - right in front of me. This time it started itself for seven minutes and two seconds. I've decided to take the advice of friends and my mother (whose house is also haunted) and make friends with the ghosts. I told them yesterday that these little games were fine by me, but I would NOT put up with any of them deciding to show themselves. Thus far we're all in agreement. I'll keep you all posted.

"Happy Earth Day To Do"

It's been four days since Madelyn's party, and she's still singing "happy earth day." I think it was her favorite day of all time. We started the evening with a few gifts at home, and then headed over to Chuck E Cheese. Madelyn threw the biggest fit in the parking lot because Rob was walking too fast. He was carrying the "manoons" and she couldn't keep up. The girl OBVIOUSLY had no idea where we were going, or balloons would not have been such a big deal. The second we walked through the door, the crying stopped. That was also the point at which I smashed into the cupcakes I was carrying, leaving a very unfortunately placed frosting spot on my shirt. There was singing, there was dancing, and of course there were games. Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate. Madelyn had a blast, and spent the entire next day playing with her new gifts.





After the party, we came back home and Maddie played with her gifts. We then spent some much enjoyed time on our new sod. That was, until Rob realized he was lying on an ant colony. No worries, only a few bites here and there. All in all, it was a great birthday.

This pretty much sums up how Madelyn felt about her rockin birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. Once I'm past this flu, I'll post more pictures...like my rockin cupcakes.


Untitled from makopp47 and Vimeo.

Since We're Not Celebrating...

Madelyn is two today - but we're not having a party until later this week. It's been super crazy with our family reunion, so we decided she wouldn't care if we put off her party. I figured I would take a minute, and post some pictures of Madelyn taken today, and post a few little know facts about her. We'll call it a "Madelyn Spotlight" - if you will.

Madelyn loves water - tub, pool, drinking, you name it. She'll even go on the big water slides by herself.


Madelyn loves to dance - and she's quite good, if I do say so myself.

Madelyn has two favorite songs: Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears, and The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani. She can sing a lot of the words to both.

Madelyn is (and has been since birth) the worst sleeper. Jude outsleeps her by at least 4 hours/night.

Madelyn's best friend is the dog next door named Gilly. She can spend hours a day standing at the fence playing with her.

Madelyn knows most of her colors, ALL of her body parts (even down to details like eyebrows) can count to ten, and is amazing at puzzles.

Maddie hates anything sweet. She hates fruit, juices, and candy. She only drinks milk and water.

She's an AMAZING manipulator - even at this age. Example: Maddie asks for bubbles, I tell her no. She then jumps up and down with sheer excitement screaming, "Yay!! Bubbles!! Okay!!" And runs to find bubbles.



Madelyn is SUPER independent. She likes to play on her own, and enjoys entertaining herself. She's also very good with kids, and plays very nicely - she doesn't hit, and she's really good about sharing.

Maddie LOVES to cuddle.

Maddie loves to make people laugh. The girl is pure hilarity.

Madelyn is one of my best friends. I genuinely enjoy her company and am so proud to call such a cute girl my daughter.



Happy Birthday Madelyn! I absolutely adore you!

Right around bed time, little miss Maddie starts to put on a show. This is how she lets us know that she's not even a little bit tired, see - she can move everypart of her body all at once - so no, it's not time for bed - look, she's totally and completely awake - in fact she's so awake that we should probably have a party for our energetic, totally alert, super crazy dancing child.
I totally fall for it, and let her stay up.




from makopp47

Journalism at it's Best

This is a really tragic story. Almost as tragic, is the coverage of this story. I realize that great quotes help to relate the story - but really? Sound effects? I'd like to know how the journalist figured out how to spell that noise. Maybe this should have been one of those times when eyewitness accounts should NOT have been included.

Untitled from makopp47 on Vimeo

Jude thinks Madelyn is hilarious. Maddie was a bit upset yesterday when Stef's baby didn't have the same reaction to her obnoxious scream. Tough Crowd, sorry Maddie.

Filling the Void

We've had a few major events occur over the last couple of months. Here are the things that - unless you live with us - you missed. You may not have realized that you missed them, but let's be honest, you knew you were missing something.

First and foremost - Mrs. Stefanie Farnsworth is a MOM!!! I'm going to hijack a picture from Nate's (Stef's husband and Rob's BFF)blog. I hope that he's not one of THOSE people who will freak out. And yes, I enjoy using the term BFF for my husband and Nate. Maybe I should buy them matching charm bracelets. Anyway, here she is - Miss Alice Farnsworth. I love this child.


Second, Madelyn started sleeping in her "big girl bed" in March.

Third, Jude started eating solids. Here he is "enjoying" peaches. Madelyn has also decided that she likes baby food. She now eats applesauce, rice cereal, and peaches. That's, what - eighteen months late? But I always say - better late, than later.




And last but not least - Madelyn has learned to share. Well, I take that back. Madelyn has ALWAYS been really good at sharing, but now she's learning to share with Jude. He seems to appreciate it just as much as we do.

Visit from G-Pa

My dad came out last weekend to see Madelyn and meet Jude for the first time. Good times had by all. Thanks for the visit Dad! Madelyn used to run to the front door yelling, "DADA!!" But today, she ran yelling, "G-PA!"


But it's okay - she was still excited to see Rob and show him all of the things she had placed in our bathroom sink.

Shiver Me Timbers

Water from makopp47 on Vimeo



Rob's parents bought a BEAST of a waterslide for all of the grandkids to play on. At first Madelyn was less than thrilled by the ice cold hose water - but she eventually fell in love. So much so, that she is now obsessed with reliving her experience through the pictures and videos on our computer. She throws at least one fit a day where she points at the computer and cries,"Water?? Water?"

School's-Out-For-Ever

Yesterday was the last day of school for all of the Utah kids. For the next three months I will be living with backround noise that is comparable to a deafaning afternoon at Chuck E Cheese's. I'm not complaining (too much) I LOVE summer, and can appreciate the joy that these kids feel running from the last day of school. But the first morning of Summer Break is the first day that I get the old pit in the stomach that once was filled with Culver. For those of you who have NO idea what I'm talking about, this is the place that I spent every summer at for most of my life. I was a camper for six years, and a sailing instructor for three years. It is the place that I made some of my closest-lifelong friends, who I can almost guarantee, are currently experiencing the same longing that I am. I miss WATER! I miss being on the lake all day long, only to go late night swimming. I miss root beer floats with my dad, and long drives around the lake in the Wrangler. (Lets not even START on how much Summer makes me miss my Jeep). I miss waking up at 7, and riding my bike to work. I miss the silly tan line that my Tevas would leave on my feet after a long summer in the sun. Everyone always says "Culver gets in your blood." So true. I miss it dearly - but as much as I miss it, I wouldn't give up the fun I can have this summer with my husband, kids, and Stefanie. It's going to be a summer of kiddie pools, lunches, and porch swings. I'm excited. But to all of my Culver friends that follow this blog - just know that I miss you! Here are a few pictures for reminiscing.

This is the lake that I learned to sail on, and the builing where I taught it.

This was my favorite boat to teach the kids on:

But this was the coolest boat that we had:

Too Long Gone...

I spent last night talking to a dear friend about relationship/non-realtionship problems. My friend has been hanging out with this guy for what seems like forever, and he's super affectionate with her. In everything that I've heard, my opinion is that this guy is crazy for her, but scared to make any moves. So, this brings me to the purpose of this post. Is it REALLY possible for friends to date? All my realtionships started very quickly, and the friendships developed as the relationship developed. Wait, that's not true at all - I had ONE relationship in which the boy and I were friends first, and it truly was the disaster of all realtionships and break-ups. According to the Movie "When Harry Met Sally," it is impossible for men and women to just be friends - because one of them usually has ulterior motives. I used to be a pro at this kind of consulting, but I've been too long gone (four years last wednesday) to be an expert anymore. So tell me this, dear blog-followers, have any of you made the transition from friends to dating sucessfully? And at what point in a friendship is it too late to take it further?

Future Dentist?

One of Madelyn's favorite things to do is to brush her "eee."



Once she's finished chewing on her toothbrush, she then enjoys brushing other things - like the fireplace, her hair, me, Jude's hair, her eyebrows and the carpet.