A week of achievements!

It has been a wonderful week around here. Everything started with a certain dancing bumblebee... Grandma Debbie, Poppy, Nina, Daddy, Mommy, and Josh all came out to see a very proud bee buzz her way onto the stage for her first recital! (Sadly Grandma Linda and Grandpa were in Italy, but we know they were cheering her on from there!) Madison, Molly and Shelby were the custest little dancers I have ever seen. And Madison was so proud.

As the girls came in for the show Madison smiled a smile that would light the night sky and wave to all of us... "Hi Poppy!" She then mouthed hello to everyone else. They buzzed onto the stage and took their places and began their flight. 3/4 way through the dance Madison ran out to the audience and hugged each of us and states "I love you Poppy... Mamaw...Nina...Mommy...Daddy...Josh." Just as quick as she flew off the stage she was back, and finished her dance with a bow and a "Thank you, Thank you!" I have never seen a smile so big. I was so proud of her!

She got flowers and a trophy at the end of her recital. She has been eyeing the trophies at the dance studio since her very first class. I told her that if she finished the whole class and tried her hardest I would get her a trophy. With a little help from Poppy it was taken care of. She was even nice enough to share her flowers with the other girls!

Last week we started swim class through swim kids. Madison was hesitant at first, but has really gotten the knack. She went from crying when water splashed her in the face in the tub to now going head first for dive sticks. I don't mean that she is diving, just going under all by herself! She started at swim tots level 1 and before the end of the first week she was a swim tot level 2 and got her certificate and a prize from the treasure chest! She was very proud. I was so happy for her and on top of the world proud! On June 23rd she got her certificate for swim tots level 3. They had been waiting for her to go under water by herself. I didn't think she was gonna do it... especially since 2 days before she had \gotten out of the pool and tried to come to me. (Poor thing hates to be cold like me!) I ordered her a swim suit (not bathing suit) but one that goes from her elbows to her knees. I will post pictures later. We called it her "super suit!" WIth 3 minutes left in class she crept down the steps and hung off of the wall and let go! She came up and did it again, and again, and again! Coach Casey yelled for Coach Jason so he could see it and she got her Level 3! Another trip to the Treasure Chest! She was almost as proud of herself as I was of her!!

We have been spending a lot of time in the pool outside... 2 or more hours an afternoon! I have to pull the little water bug out of the pool for dinner. Tonight she didn't get out until after 7 pm! She dives in and out of the water like a little fish... she was practicing floating and swimming underwater! She has 4 weeks left in swim class... Can't wait to see what she can do then.

Off tomorrow to get fitted for Uncle Jay's wedding!

Madison's First Dance Recital

I promise to write with full details later, but wanted to share a few pics of our little bee...

Can it really be over??

We have made it home safe and sound! I can't believe the week passed so fast. Madison couldn't made up her mind if she wanted to come home or stay. She asked me several times if we could live at the beach and have mamaw and poppy come visit us. She also said at times she wanted to go home and see mamaw and poppy, but it never lasted long. We enjoyed our last few days at the beach. The weather was beautiful all week. One of Madison's favorite thing to do was walk the beach. She would walk for miles if it was up to her. This morning when we got up we took one last walk on the beach together and got in a little mommy time and grabbed a few more shells. It was a beautiful day. It made it really hard to pack up and leave, but it was also nice to get home...I guess =o) Would you believe she scored a another free cupcake from the bread company lady?? They call her the cupcake girl! And, I brought home nothing but CLEAN laundry!

Madison is already asking when we can go back. I told her it wouldn't be long!!

June 10, 2009

Sherry and Alyx arrived just after lunch time yesterday and we decided to skip nap time and head to the beach! The girls had a blast and Madison learned that she LOVES the waves! Of course she enjoys them in the safety of Mommy’s grip. She cracks up and squeals when the waves come in and break on her! I think she has grown up since we got here. We played peek-a-boo with “Crabby” the sand crab again today and got some good pics of him. We also saw a bulldog surfing and tons of birds!

Madison has a huge appetite here and naps are a necessity most days. She has been asking for them! I think I am ready to move here! She gets so much exercise and sleeps so hard! Alyx and Madison have played well together. Madison is glad to have another friend around. Popsicles are flying around here. We have gone through 2 boxes so far and have 2 to go! Time for lunch, nap anad then off to Jockey’s Ridge (Ribs as Mads calls it) and the Kitty Hawk Kites for kids day!

June 9th at the beach!

June 9th

I think Madison likes the beach. I have never heard more beautiful words... “Mommy, I love you tooooo much!” It seems every 20 minutes or so Madison is reminding me how much she loves me. She is having a great time! Mads and I were on the beach yesterday lying on our towels and talking when out pops a little sand crab. She squealed “Mommy, look at its little eyes!” We watched him go in and out of the sand hole a few times and he even ate a sand ant. Once his belly was full he disappeared into the hole and took a nap. That gave me an idea, so off we went to de-sand and fill our bellies. She is eating hotdogs on buns here. After lunch I tucked Mads in for a nice nap. I had to wake her after 3 hours for the second time so far!

We ate at Capt. George’s last night with Jason and Ashley and I have never seen so much food in front of a little girl, esp. my little girl. She had crab legs, rolls, broccoli, green beans, salad, extra tomatoes (with ranch might I add) and more. Then she hit the desserts!! I have pics, so I will post some. We took a night walk on the beach last night with Madison and our flash lights. Madison wanted to get another look at the sand crabs. She really enjoyed seeing them scurry around. Some of them let us get really close. I had to carry her because she was afraid they would pinch her toes, but it really was fun. The moon was full and beautiful too! At bedtime Madison told me her favorite part of the day was “the crabs!” and the least favorite was “the waves.”


Our day started off bittersweet because we had to pack up Mrs. Joann, Mrs. Lynn and our beloved Ccelsi and send them back to VA. We so enjoyed having them here and wish they could have stayed all week! Madison and Ccelsie were sad to say goodbye, but we promised them that we would get them together soon.

More of our friends leave today and we anxiously await the arrival of Sherry and Alyx!