Maddie's friends

For a 19 month old, Maddie is pretty young to have a boyfriend. But, she is so excited when she sees her little friend. She squeels, bounces up and down, and gets a burst of excitement that I can never get from her! These are a couple of pictures of them holding hands at the Palo Alto zoo.

My friend threw a pirate themed birthday party for her 4 year old, and it was so much fun. They walked the plank, went on treasure hunts, pinned the gold tooths on a pirates mouth, ate pizza and cake, opened presents... it was a lot of fun.

This is Maddie with her pulled together pirate outfit (ignore the pink shoes!?) She didn't really know what to do with the hook...

This is her little friend who is 1 month older than her. They have a lot of fun together.

This was the birthday girl in the background-- but the cake was amazing. My friend made this from scratch-- she puts "Ace of Cakes" to shame.

Swimming, swimming, all day long

Has anyone seen "Bedknobs and Broomsticks? It was one of my favorite movies growing up-- I just loved that song "Bobbing along, Bobbing along... on the bottom of the beautiful, bright blue sea....da, da, da, da..." Well, it's a classic. And, I always sing it when Maddie is in the bathtub, because I always think of that movie when I'm near water.

We have been in a lot of water lately. Our pool, the local pools, little pools. It' s been one of the only ways to beat the heat. One of my favorite pools is Rinconada Pool in Palo Alto (love the fountains, and the shallow entrance.)

We went with Maddie's little friend Heidi earlier on this week and she went CRAZY. I wish I could have taken pictures, but I was trying to keep her from drowning every second.

Heidi was freezing, and Maddie didn't seem to mind. (Body fat is actually a big advantage sometimes!)

This is the little fish after coming home from the pool. I went to Toys R Us and got her a stroller for her baby. She is OBSESSED with babies. She is always looking for her baby, and wants to take it everywhere. I actually love this obsession as it keeps her happy most of the time... but I don't know why the baby always has to be naked?

I bought little clothes for her to put on the baby, but the second I start buttoning up something..... "AAHAHAHAHAAH." Okay, okay.

The baby is better off naked.

Meals

As I am trying to pull myself together these days, I find lunch and dinner the hardest times of the day. What am I going to eat? But- more importantly, what meal am I going to pull together that is interesting and good for Maddie to eat? Because she doesn't really like vegetables (aside from the easy peas), I always try to hide vegetables in everything I can... but a girl can only go so far.

Yes- I've read "deceptively delicious." It's a great book, but I just don't have the time or energy to make such fantastic meals. Dinner has to be done in around 30 minutes or less, or I just won't do it. I am too tired these days.

This is poor Maddie last night after we got home from Church. This is the first time that she actually got her plate and fork and asked me to put something on it! She was so hungry!!

On top of the complexity of normal foods, since I don't eat Gluten, it just makes everything more complicated. Most things have to be made from scratch- and I certainly don't have the energy for that....

Oh, well. I'm off to Costco and Trader Joes this afternoon for some inspiration....

Oh Baby, baby, baby!

Baby Leeflang #2 is coming soon! (I have been trying to keep it a secret, but I can't do it anymore). We are very very excited, but still nervous about possible miscarriages. I think it's better to be positive, though, so that's going to be our motto ;)

She/he is due in late January... right around Steve's birthday! It is a perfect time. (I'm approaching my 10th week)

So far, I have been very sick and basically melt after 7pm every day. (You will always find me on the couch wishing that I could read a book or something, but I try to watch something on TV, and then fall asleep to get myself ready for when Maddie wakes up at 5:30 or 6:00 the next day.)

Boy or girl? I am excited for either!! (But- I've always wanted four girls? Is that totally crazy? Maybe when they reach 16 that's for sure!)

The Birthday party!

Last Friday, my friends threw me a fabulous birthday party! I had so much fun- they did not forget about any details...

The pictures don't do it justice- because you just had to be there. They strung lights in the rafters with lanterns, peonies on the tables, orange and poka dot plates... then there was dinner brought to us by Steve. He cooked salmon on cedar planks, roasted chicken, salad, rice, and a friend made her amazing Thai chicken soup. And-homemade strawberry ice cream for dessert. It was so yummy!!!

Because the party was in our unfinished house- this was the only toilet we had available! But- they put a really cute tea lite and flowers. hee hee.

I sat with my good friends Holly, Meg and Trevor. I wish I could have sat at each table, but I was too busy eating :)

Some beautiful guests...

More beautiful guests...

I'm so glad Jen and Jennifer (and husbands could come)....


More beautiful guests...

Last but not least...

The party throwers. (well, not really me). These girls could plan an AMAZING party for anyone at any time. Talk about talent!!! They were so generous from the beginning stages to the end, and I am so greatful for their friendship! THANK YOU FOR A PARTY TO NEVER FORGET!

Oh-- and, of course, the party actually started out with an AMAZING RACE. April did not forget any details. We first started on the "start line" in front of our house, and had to run all the way down to a local park to hit a target with baseballs.... run 1 mile back to a golf course to hit a couple balls.... win 10 tokens at an arcade...

Run, Run, and Run some more.... please help?

Read this awesome poster... which told us to find a newspaper, something blue, and a piece of cheese on the way back?! (Of course knocking on people's doors!!!) So hilarious.

The gang when we got back.... in total I think it was 2 1/2 miles? Whoa. It was not for the weak hearted.... but it was so much fun. Of course, my team won... (I knew the area pretty well, and of course knew the clues about myself!)

Here's to turning 30!!!!!!!!!

Some very late pictures

Steve, Maddie and I went to SLC a couple of weeks ago. Although it was short trip, we had a gret time. On Saturday, we spent time with my mom and dad... we went to a local garden (where Steve and I got married)... and went to the zoo. (Never go to the zoo in SLC on Saturday! It was crazy)

This is the little princess under the coolest tree. The little tree was trimmed in the inside, so they could put minature little chairs around in a circle. Perfect for an afternoon tea party!

This is a view from under the tree...

They had a really neat maze for kids.. winding through the vegetables..

And lizards!

The next day, we spent time with Steve's family. This is Maddie's little cousin who is 2 months older than her. She just celebrated her 2 year old birthday. She was so good at pushing Maddie on the swing!

These are the two little cousins hugging in the family room.

I took a couple of pictures of my niece in the backyard. This is my favorite.

This is Maddie's other cousin... he is so cute- especially after coming home from a couple of days of camping and not showering...

MORE PICS TO COME