It's all a big secret....so don't tell....

Let me tell you, having to keep a secret is really tough for a kid my age.
First off, I can barely remember what the secret is when someone tells me. Secondly, I can't articulate everything I want to say when I want to say it....so overall, keeping a secret is tough because most of the time I forget it! Anyway, there have been lots of secrets this year in our house.

It all started about 1 week before out big Out West trip. Mom and Dad learned some exciting news which meant we had to keep a secret from some relatives in Sedona, AZ....this was going to be tough, because they like to drink wine....and so do mom and dad...but we had a secret. Anyway, in Sedona about 5 bottles of wine were opened and consumed the first night. The entire time dad kept taking mom's glass and chugging her wine or switching her glass for his. I don't think he felt very good the next day when we went to the Grand Canyon. I'm not sure why he was stealing mom's wine....she usually really likes wine.

Then, after our Out West trip we immediately had to drive to Iowa for my cousin Hailey's baptism. Again, mom and dad reminded me to keep our news a secret and I really tried, but then we caved on Mother's Day and I signed the flowers for grandma from me and someone else. I guess I almost slipped on the secret. Really though, I think the secret was becoming obvious at that point.....grandma and mom usually drink lots of wine together and this time mom was only sipping very minimally on her glass. Grandma is a sharp cookie and was able to read between the lines.

Then I was told I had to keep the secret again when Grandma and Grandpa came to visit from Ohio. The first night I didn't say anything. Everyone had a glass of wine. Amazingly daddy poured the glasses and only gave mom about 2 Tablespoons which she worked on over the course of 4 hours. Then the next morning I decided I was done with secrets....they are just too tough to keep....so I put on my new shirt to show grandma and grandpa....can you believe they asked if I was serious? You make the call....here's a picture of me in it below.



So yea, I have had a really big secret this year....speaking of big, mom is getting bigger by the minute...it's funny. Also, I'm convinced everyone has a baby in their belly, the dogs, daddy, me, you and heck, even mommy. Yep, Mom has a baby in her belly and I think it's stuck in her belly button...that's where I talk into when I say hi to it.

Mom says it will make for a great stocking stuffer since my brother or sister is set to make their debut on December 24. Supposedly though, the baby will be here at least 1-2 weeks before then because the doctor says so. Anyway, mom and dad don't have any ideas for names this time....I suggested Noel, Hollie, Christopher, Nicholas, or heck maybe it's the next Jesus (I like to pronounce it with a spanish twist for accent).

So there, my secrets out. Don't tell mom or dad I shared it with you.....because it's their little secret.

Love - Madeline (aka...the "to-be" Big Sister)



PS. on a side note I am having so much fun this summer.....I have a new sandbox which came from a garage sale and a cool little tikes table which is just my size for coloring...by the way, I don't recommend eating the crayons, they just don't taste very good.

I like rocks....alot

It's been a crazy couple of weeks around here.

Grandma and Grandpa G. came to visit me. Mom and dad are really a sidebar to any visit from grandparents, I'm the important one here....really. Anyway, they brought me some really cool books which I had them practice reading multiple times. They sure are fun. We played in the yard and went to a brunch with bottomless mimosas....they all liked it. Oddly at the brunch, I got a mimosa, but mom told them to hold the champagne...so I guess it was more like straight orange juice. Anyway, it was fun. Grandma helped me plant herbs and some other shrubs....it was tough work. We played alot though and overall it was a great visit. From here, Grandma and Grandpa went to Minnesota to the cabin...without me...can you believe it?!!!



Then last weekend I took Mom, Dad, Elvis, Sadie and Dibs camping in our "new to us" (okay, it's used)pop-up camper. It was awesome. We tried to go near Denver since it was our first time out, but apparently it's really tough to get into campgrounds here, so we went to the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. It only took Dad and Mom 2 hours to figure out how to get the water and electric to work....after 1 hour dad decided a beer would help...I think it did since he got it all working. The dogs loved camping and so did I! I got to go on lots of walks and picked up tons of rocks to add to my collection...because, I LOVE ROCKS!!!! The campground wasn't exactly the nicest since there wasn't a hint of grass, the playground was scary, the highway was really loud next to it and we were placed next to the dumpsters and the shower houses....and there were 20 empty spots all around us....to say the least, mom and dad had lots of good laughs!

(the pics below show me helping to pack...as you can tell I like playing dress up with my red shoes, my hat and in this pic my map)


(The next pic shows me playing dress up again...I have my PJs on but then I put a swim diaper on top of it...again, with my red shoes...mom and dad wouldn't let me play outside like this...party poopers)


(this pic is of Dad and I taking the big dogs for a walk...no, that is not our camper and truck in the background)



I started swim lessons and let me tell you I'm like a fish....I flip and flop and look like a hot mess trying to navigate the water. But the good thing is I loved it and can't wait to go back. I tried to teach dad how to blow bubbles and kick but it's apparent it might take a few more lessons for him to catch on too...he tried to blow bubbles and I tried to eat the water. We make a great combination in the water.
My teachers sings really dumb songs, even mom and dad agree....especially mom since she used to teach lessons...oh well.

I hit a growth spurt which is a good thing....except I outgrew all my clothes. So mom just ordered new clothes which she hopes will last through the summer. At least I finally hit the 20.5 lb. mark. I'm growing up. Speaking of growing up, I'm getting another hair cut and photo taken this week. Mom and Dad said they'll send everyone a picture update next week so you can see just how much I have changed.

Until then - have a great week -
Love - Madeline Rose

PS. Elvis, Sadie and Dibs would say Hi but they are tired from their run today and are napping.

(the pic below is Dad and I...you'll notice I will now wear my hearing device without chewing on it...mom and dad are pleased about this)