Happy Birthday Madison

Happy Birthday Madidi!! Madison at nine months called herself "Madeedee." It is a cute nickname we use sometimes. Well, she's six and so proud of it! A few days before her birthday she said, "Now Mom, you know that you need to decorate the house with streamers and balloons all over the place and have all my presents out in the morning when I wake up, right?" She added several other things as well, but the norm in our house for birthdays is to decorate and leave it up for a week and have lots of balloons and presents around for the birthday girl. Madion loves parties. Mikeala doesn't care so much, but Madi thrives on it. Can you see all the children? It was suppose to be an outside BBQ and swim party, but it rained all week so it got moved indoors. That was an adventure with 10 plus kids and families. We did hot dogs and hamburgers, chips and fruit with the yummiest chocolate cake ever! It was the first time I "cheated" on my no sugar diet. I had made so many deserts over the week and the two enormous chocolate cakes I made for Madison with the divine cream cheese and powdered sugar frosting put me over the top for temptation. I love sugar...but especially chocolate cake that I make! The frosting turned out wonderful-or at least yummy till we had to open a new package of powdered sugar and then it ended up tasting like soap. The packers put it in with the laundry soap so it was nasty! AHHH!! My friend, Jacqueline saved the day. She made a new frosting and helped me save the birthday cake--can't have everything run smoothly.
Madison got her wish of a decorated house and lots of presents. She even got to sit with the special red plates that Oma and Opa got us for special days. I think it was a success. Bobbing for apples is one of the things that is now permanently on our birthday party to do list. We tried watching a big movie on the big screen, but the kids only lasted about 30 minutes. I just didn't have enough planned for an inside party. Our house was trashed, let me tell you!
Madison also decided to have a fashion show. All the kids brought their favorite outfits and strutted their stuff. Really Madison and one other girl really thought it fun, the other just were humoring Madi. She is our little actress and gymnast. Leader and artist. We went out for dinner on her birthday and were at a restaurant with a big play area. They love it because it has a huge trampoline. Well, Madison had the few kids who were there (strangers) organized into a mock gymnastics practice within a few minutes of "meeting them." She will be our organizer. Now we just have to help her get pointed in the right direction! Love you Madison--for all your spunk, goodness, energy, enthusiasm and charisma. Even with your tears and struggles, we think you are awesome and are so glad you are a part of our family! Happy Sixth!