Blogging...

..apparently to be a professional blogger you must update your blog more than once or twice a month....some do it daily....I however, do not.

Mom and I had a girl's week while dad was traveling last week. It sure was tough managing mom without dad there, but I kept her in line. We played, laughed and heck, she even remembered to give me a bath. Then on Saturday she took me out for a very special breakfast. It's sort of a new tradition when mom or dad travel, if the other parent is very good while caring for me, then we get to go for DONUTS! Yes, you read that correct. I love donut holes. They rock! I actually can eat 5 all by myself. Mom took a picture of me shaking my head when she asked if I would share one with her. Heck no lady!!!!




While dad was gone I also helped mom put up the tree in the basement. It needed some additional decorating with family coming to town, so I offered to help out. Until then, I really didn't care about the tree or the presents in the house. But now, I have learned that you can pull ornaments apart and I am becoming an expert at tearing paper. It makes a really loud sound though so mom and dad keep using this word, "no" and "don't touch." Whenever they say "don't touch" I gladly put the item down and then clap for myself for listening. Then, I touch it again which makes them say "don't touch" and I then put it down and clap again for myself. It's great game that lasted 10-15 min. the other night. I have mom and dad well trained!




Well, that's all for now. Supposedly we will be baking cinnamon rolls this week. I'm sure mom will need my help with that too.....good thing I'm around.

Love - Ms. Maddie

PS. Elvis is even in the holiday spirit....he really wants a new dog bone...

My Stats.....

...well the latest stats are in....

I'm 18.5 pounds and 30 inches long.....with 1 molar working it's way in.



I have a countdown on for Christmas. Somebody, Mom calls him Santa, is going to stop at the house. I guess he'll come through the fireplace.....I better make sure we don't leave it turned on, otherwise he might burn his bottom. Dad says I'll be fast asleep, but I was thinking of turning the house alarm on so we will all wake up and greet him. Mom said we need to make some cookies to leave out with a bottle of wine....did you know Santa likes a glass of wine? Actually last year he must have been really thirsty and drank the entire bottle. Oh well, silly Santa.

Anyway, I am going to see Santa this weekend to make sure he got my list. I asked for some books and a softball bat/ball. I thought about sending him an e-mail with GPS instructions to our house, but I think he remembers me.

Talk to you later - Maddie

PS. I'm also going to a birthday party soon. I don't know much about it yet, but Mom and Dad said it's at church for someone named Jesus........I wonder if they'll have a cake like I had on my birthday? Mom and Dad said it's church, no party.....but I think they're wrong. You can't have a birthday celebration without a party!!! I'll bring the treats to help out. I wonder if he likes Cheerios?

The season of giving....

It's the season of giving. You can feel it all around you if you step outside. There's something in the air, you can't put your finger on it, but people are just genuinely friendly in December and heck, more apt to open a door for you or offer a warm smile. Maybe it's the anticipation of Christmas. No matter what, it's a great time of year.

This time of year presents it's challenges as well. Presents, presents, presents.....it seems we rate a successful Christmas on the amount of material gifts one gives/receives. It seems we keep moving farther away from the meaning of Christmas.

I found two clips; one which is a tear jerker and one that just warms your heart. The first one will stop you in your tracks and makes you appreciate everyone in your life. (you may have to copy and past the URL) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye39mgcHC3E

The second, well it's just cute and a great display of sharing your gifts with others. (you may have to copy and paste the URL) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE

With that, enjoy the holidays but take time to give back. Not only will it warm your heart, it will warm the recipients.

From - the management of Madeline

PS. If you have any childrens books which you no longer need/want, feel free to send them our way. We are always looking for new ways to connect with the community and there are places requesting books. I know many people have hundreds sitting on shelf that haven't been touched for years. Send them to us please. Thanks!!!!

The Tree...

Hi there!!! It's me Madeline and I've got a countdown of days until Christmas.



First, I have had lots of questions about what a red nose looks like. Here it is...





Last weekend we went to the mountains and I cut down my very own Christmas tree (well, Dad cut it down but I like to think it was for me). I figured we would come home with something similiar to the tree on Christmas Vacation (the movie) or the Charlie Brown Christmas tree.......actually I thought we would end up a mile from our house buying one at the end of the dad....that happened to Mom and Dad a few years ago. I was wrong on many levels.

I thought this adventure would be great.....something filled with snow and hot chocolate....maybe Dad pulling me on the sled and then pulling me on the sled while carrying a big, big 50 ft. Christmas tree back to the car. Well, there wasn't any snow so the sled was a "no go." Then Mom informed me I wasn't allowed to have hot chocolate (maybe when I'm 2 she will let me have some).

Anyway, I dressed really warm and got to ride in the hiking pack on Dad's back as we hiked up and down the mountains looking for the perfect tree. We finally found one but it was pretty big.....Mom and I weren't convinced at first since we couldn't see the part of the tree that would fit in our house. You see, the tree must have been 50 ft. tall, but Dad said the top 10 ft. would look great in our house. So Dad started sawing and Mom and I had a snack. Then, Mom got to carry me in the hiking pack so Dad could carry the tree....the really big tree. Did I mention it was all up hill/mountain to get back to the car? I think they enjoyed the workout and I enjoyed the view.












Now it's not a tree like you see in the mid-west. It's not exactly full and tall. Don't get me wrong, the tree is tall....heck, Dad had to take it back outside to cut more off after we got home because it was hitting the ceiling, but you can see right through it. So, full? No. Tall? Yes.







We had a ton of fun though and would honestly do the hike again. I offered to help decorate the tree but apparently my "style" isn't what mom and dad had in mind so they laid me down for a nap. I guess Christmas isn't about the tree you find, but the experience to find the tree.

I've been good though and haven't pulled any ornaments off the tree. Heck, I don't really care we have a tree because I have a singing bear that someone gave me. I really like it. It sings the same 3 songs over and over and over. I think Mom and Dad like it too. They like it so much they race to turn it off since it doesn't stop.

I'm at a new sitters house now. My other one accepted a job out of the house so now I'm at Ms. Katie's place. You know what this means right? I have a new boyfriend. His name is Alexander. He's kind of a two timer though since there is another girl and he flirts equally with Brin and myself. Oh well, she's pretty nice so it's okay.

Life is good!

Maddie Rose.