happy birthday to Madeline!!!!!

today is Maddie's birthday, but we celebrated over the weekend with Conner White, our neighbor. the party was a blast, with friends, family and fun! the kids probably didn't really get it, but they sure looked cute, right?

why do naps never work out right on those days when you really want them to? she wasn't too cranky, just wanted me to hold her all day. and i wanted her to toddle around in her birthday tutu! i knew i wanted to make a tutu for the girls, and Maddie's birthday proved the perfect motivation. then Michele got the cute little "fun to be 1" shirt and i wanted one too. i just didn't think it would tuck in well with the tutu. so, the night before, this onesie came to me. i've done initials before, so why not numbers. thanks to my Amy stash, it turned out cute!

Michele made these adorable "1" cakes for the kids. at first they both just stared at them, but eventually they dug in and got messy. as usual, i think Maddie won the eating contest. my parents brought Henry with them and it was pure heaven! Anna told me that Henry is her best friend. i'm not surprised, these two literally hold hands everywhere they go. now that they're a little older, they sit and talk which is always fun to listen in on. friday night we went out for ice cream and the place was packed. Henry and Anna made there way over to this little table with one chair, Henry sat down, then looked at Anna, and jumped up to give her his chair! so cute. they really have so much fun together, and Anna has been begging to go to "Canifornia" ever since he left. i think i'll comply. all the kids had a blast in the bounce house. this turned out to be a great investment. a few weeks ago Jason got it out for the neighbor kids and they bounced in there all day chanting, "this is the best Saturday ever!!!" i think they felt the same way this day! i know Anna and Maddie did!

at the end of the party, Maddie made her big announcement to the grandparents! when Anna turned one she opened this shirt as a present from mom and dad. this time around i slipped it on Maddie when the grandparents were left milling about. it was pretty funny, they all wondered why she was wearing Anna's shirt. i said, "because it's appropriate!" if you can read in the picture it says, "big sister," we are expecting our third child in October! it's really exciting and we feel so happy to add another member to our family.

happy birthday to Maddie! our fun adventurous, spirited girl, who loves to give hugs and play with sissy! you are a true Joy!