Sunday, December 16, 2012
Aristocats
Last month Madelyn made her debut at the Augusta Historic Theater as she performed as a bird watching cat in the play, Aristocats. Although she didn't have any lines, she sang and danced her little heart out. There were three perfomances in two days, each elementary school came to watch the performance. I watched her perform in two performances. All the kids did a great job and I'm glad our little community puts on a play/musical two times a year. I have a feeling Madelyn will be a repeat performer.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Last month my friend, Tim, invited me and Madelyn to go horseback riding at his place. He is a competitive team roper in his spare time and always has an extra horse or two to spare. I warned him that it had been years since I had been on a horse and Madelyn only had been on a horse twice in her life so we needed gentle, nearly dead horses to ride. Each of the horses are used for team roping but are gentle giants when not competing. Interestingly the horses that Madelyn and I were on were not fans of the horse Tim was riding and anytime my horse got near Tim's he would start jumping around and acting like a fool. So Tim thought it would be best if we traded. Talk about change, the "new" horse would barely walk without being kicked let alone walk. I was surprised he was the main horse Tim rode for team roping, apparently he knows the difference between work and pleasure. Reminds me of our old horse Byrd. She knew when my dad was on her it was time to work when DeAnn or I were riding her it was time for play.
Meeting "Heavy Duty." He is definitely a gentle giant.
Tim adjusting her stirrups
The view from my horse
Saying good bye.
We enjoyed our evening of riding horses. Madelyn LOVED it and was ready to get out of the arena and go to the pasture for riding. But I wasn't quite ready to let her have that much space to roam when she is just learning the "ropes" of riding. She continues to ask when she gets to ride Heavy Duty again and maybe in the spring we will schedule another ride.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
She's Gone Mad
This year for Halloween Madelyn decided she wanted to be a Mad Scientist. Quite frankly I think that was a very fitting choice. Her entire costume was borrowed which made the choice even more ideal.
I helped out at her classroom party and did my job by embarrassing her when I busted out the moves when the Thriller song was played. She won't soon forget that class party.
Ryan and I took her treat or treating with our friends, the Slussers, and hit the usual hot spots and then went door to door. She had enough after a couple hours and then handed out her candy to other trick or treaters. She isn't a big candy eater so my co-workers will likely get the left overs.
I helped out at her classroom party and did my job by embarrassing her when I busted out the moves when the Thriller song was played. She won't soon forget that class party.
Ryan and I took her treat or treating with our friends, the Slussers, and hit the usual hot spots and then went door to door. She had enough after a couple hours and then handed out her candy to other trick or treaters. She isn't a big candy eater so my co-workers will likely get the left overs.
Maddy (ugh that name makes me cringe, but some of her classmates call her by that name),the Mad Scientist.
The school parade
Her 4th grade class
Madelyn and one of her best friends.
How many grapes can she stick in her mouth?
The Pazzies always hook her up.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Pumpkin Patch 2012
Aubrey at almost 5 feet tall
Madelyn a little closer to 5 feet tall
naughty girls
Jump! Jump!
Just a swinging
This is my fav pic of the entire day.
"Jimmy Cracked Corn" This was only funny to me and my sister.
A couple weeks ago Madelyn and I went to Walter's Pumpkin Patch with my parents and my sis and her fam. It was a windy, but beautiful October day. There is so much to do at Walters and picking out the pumpkin seems to be Madelyn's least fav part.Thankful for the fun memories made with my family.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Daddies and Daughters
I am blessed that my dad did/was/is all these things and my daughter has a daddy that is doing all these things as well.
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
Photo Credit :: Danielle Rocke Toews
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
Photo Credit :: Danielle Rocke Toews
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
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