Christmas is getting closer . . .

As we waited on Grandma and Grandpa to arrive so we could start the Christmas festivities last Friday, we passed the time with Christmas decorated donuts and a BIG game of memory.

Madi loves to play memory and we continue to be amazed at her ability to remember where each card is located.

She's beat us before and we do not try to lose.

The best part about playing with her is that when any of us gets a match she runs and gives us a hug. It's the sweetest thing.

Another celebratory hug . . .

More Christmas posts to come . . .

Daddy's Shoes

I guess Madi felt like being in her Daddy's shoes.

We just looked over and saw her like this.

She definitely has BIG shoes to fill!

Thankful . . .

for this sweet . . .

beautiful,

little girl!

Makin' Carmel!

We started a tradition of making carmel for family and friends a few years ago.

This year Madi really wanted to help so we thought it was time to teach her about the stove and cooking. She was very careful and helped a bunch!

She even "helped" wrap each carmel. We kept the ones she wrapped for our house. :)

Cousin Sleepover

Madison spent the night with her cousins the night of our Sunday School Christmas party.

Aunt Shelle snapped this pic before bedtime (don't worry, they didn't sleep all together!).
Bless her heart! As if her three weren't enough she kept Madi too.

Glow Sticks

The other night Madison got to pick out a "treat" at the store. I steered her away from candy and to glow sticks because I had seen a neat idea using them in the bathtub.

She picked the blue ones! She was so excited that I told her she looked SCARY!

She has always enjoyed bath time but she was definitely more excited than normal.

I think she took the longest bath on record that night.

The only down side to this fun idea is that the glow sticks only work one time and then you have a disappointed little girl the next night come bath time. :)

Letter to Santa

One day out of the blue, Madi said she wanted to write a letter to Santa. We hadn't talked about it before so I know she must have heard it somewhere. So, I asked her what she wanted to say and spelled out the words for her to write.

Then we mailed it . . .

I taught her where the return address and mailing address go plus the stamp. (Everything's a learning opportunity, right?) :) She wanted to write Santa twice. I guess to ensure it would get there!

Here's what her letter says:
Dear Santa,
Bring me some presents. Please leave them at the door.
(Heart) Madison

We laughed at her letter because when we explained to her the idea of Santa she was NOT happy about him coming INTO our house through the chimney. So a friend of mine said that while they were "getting to know" Santa they would say to leave the presents at the door. I told Madi we could do that and she loved the idea. But of course I didn't think she'd remember that part when writing her letter, but she did!