Strawberry Birthday Cake

Strawberry cake upon Madison's request.

Happy Birthday Madison!

Read more about Madison by clicking HERE.

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Birthday Girl

Yep, My little baby girl is turning fourteen tomorrow. I simply can not believe it. As a baby, Madison was the sweetest, cutest little girl. Here is how I remember her:

It's time for the "Mommy Bragging Moment".....

Madison was such a smart little thing (still is) when she was a wee tot.  She was an early talker and an early walker. She was literally running at nine months, and having a baby right now that is ten months who is creeping/almost walking, I still can not get over how early she walked.  She had such an adult wit about her even as a toddler.  When she had just turned three, Ashley was preparing food for Gibson and placed the food on his high chair tray.  He referred to the tray as a plate when he put it there, and Madison said, "Daddy, that's not a plate, that's a tray.... you made a joke on that one." She said things like that all the time.

When Madison was about five, she let us know she was aware of the world and she placed high expectations on herself. She would have trouble going to sleep because she worried about people dying, war, and things of that nature. Things that your average young one doesn't think about. In kindergarten she cried because she had a hard time estimating how many beans were in the jar. She had a 'need' to count them.  In first grade, she tested into the gifted program, and I had to ask her gifted teacher to help me understand her need for perfection. 

Needless to say, as the years have progressed, the need for perfection has dwindled some, but Madison has continued on in gifted classes making high scores.  She is organized and knows how to study.  She will make herself flash cards, copy notes, and ask me to quiz her.  She takes the initiative to do well.

Beyond academics, Madison also excels on the basketball court.  Having a daddy as a high school basketball coach, Madison has grown up as what some would call a 'gym rat'.  I can not tell you how many practices Madison has attended, and as she has grown older, she has actually participated in them. We didn't really realize it until she started playing organized ball, but at all those practices she was absorbing the information and watching those high school girls.  From about the age of eight or nine she really stood out with her defensive plays and moves.  She continues to work hard on her shooting, and is an outstanding player on the eighth grade team.  She also plays travel ball. She had 18 points in one game, but she had a dream the other night that she will score 28 in an upcoming game.  I have no doubt she will.

Madison has a smile that can light a room. People often comment about her smile. She has a quick wit that adults can appreciate. She has strong will that can come off as sassy at times, but it will take her far once she matures.  My Madison is  fun, friendly, and totally FABULOUS at FOURTEEN!

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What happened to the Blogging Mom?



Goodness me!  My last post was on January 5th, and it was simply a recipe. That just stinks! I was doing so good before that, but OH WELL!  The activities of my busy life have caught up with me.  First there was Christmas, which means that the whole family is home for Christmas break. (Remember, I am married to a teacher) Then we were back in school for 4 days when my granddad passed away. This was a sad time, but he lived a FULL life, just shy of 95 years. Next, we had a snow storm here in GA.  It was unlike any other we have ever had since a cold front came in right after the snow. This kept the snow on the ground for over a week and caused school to be out for an entire 5 days.  Of course, being home for 5 days you would think I would be able to blog just once at least, but nope!  The whole family was home again, and of course I had to do my share of sledding! One more thing.... we are in the heart of basketball season, which means my two older kids are playing and Ashley, my hubby, is coaching his high school team.  This makes very little time during the evenings for things such as blogging. So, now that everyone is back in school and I am home alone during nap times, you just might see an increase in my blog postings.



Madison and Gibson enjoying the snow.



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I want to live on a Farm! ~ Mom Blog ~

.... and no, it is not ME that wants to live on a farm! 

Can you see me driving this? I will stick to my swagger wagon.

 We have all heard the old adage, "The grass is greener on the other side of the fence." Well, in this case, my very own thirteen year old daughter thinks the grass is greener in a cow pasture. I can not tell you how many times she has requested that we move to a farm.  She has darn near begged.... "Please, Please, Please, can we move to a farm?"

I keep trying to explain to her, "Madison,  there are no neighbors on a farm, and you are very social." She says, "Yes, but there are chickens."

What the heck am I doing to do with a da*m chicken, I ask you?  I realize that I may not always find the time to talk to my friends, but I am not going to settle for chicken chat. Plus, we don't even go through a dozen eggs a week.... egg salad, egg Benedict, french toast, boiled eggs, scrambled eggs... rotten eggs!

When I tell you that this would be an extreme move, I am not exaggerating. Keep in mind that I actually live in a country club golf course community with about 700 homes. So, we would go from 700 homes with people everywhere to one home in the middle of the boonies, no neighbors in sight.... don't think so.

She wants to trade the golf balls for cow patties, the tennis courts for hay bales, and the swimming pool (with a water slide I might add) for feeding troughs. She says, "But it will be fun!".... Ummmm... and what do you call the tennis, pool, and golf? 

As the story goes... she will keep asking, and I will  keep saying for the umpteenth time, "Madison, we are NOT moving to a farm!"

Pre-wrap for your hair! ~ Mom Blog ~

It's pink... It's purple.... It's way cool, but it's not really intended for hair. Of course, leave it to somebody to reinvent a product for another purpose. It's sport's pre-wrap, which is normally used for bandaging purposes and most often comes in a dull beige color. Boooooring!! In this case though, it comes in a variety of fun colors and it's being used by the sporty teen girls as hairbands. So Fashionable! Madison and I searched locally for it, but couldn't find it, so I surprised her by purchasing some online. You can wear one color or you can get creative and do things like braiding the colors. What a fun way to add some color to your hair!

Order your Pre-Wrap today!



Fall Flashback ~ Mom Blog ~





It's Fall Flashback! 
This picture of Madison and Gibson was taken just 4 years ago, but they look so young to me.
It's just a fact I have to face... they are growing up.
They also look like they are getting along and actually like each other.
Can't say that happens too often now a days.
~Parents of teenagers know what I'm talking about~



Who took my Deodorant? ~ Mom Blog ~

It is Wear It Wednesday, and my tee for this Wednesday is.....

 

If you have a teenage daughter, you are going to be able to relate to the scene I am about to recreate for you....

You are in the bathroom having just gotten out of the shower. You dry off and walk over to the counter.  You have all of your supplies set up for this daily ritual you go through. Towel dry your hair and reach for the moose.  Grab the powder and then move onto some perfume. Next, go after the deodorant. Deodorant!!!! Where is the deodorant? HELLLLLLLOOO!!!  I know it is here looking everywhere! I did not move the deodorant. I always have the deodorant right here. 

Realization.........ARGH!!!!!  MADISON  AKA dear daughter  has taken my STUFF again!!  smile smile

What to do?  Reach for the hubby's sport scented masculine stuff.  Whatever at this point. 

Madison gets home from school. Here is the conversation.

"Madison, have you seen my deodorant?"
"Yes, it's in my gym bag."
"Why did you take my deodorant?"
"I was out."
"So, YOU are out. You decide to take mine, and now I am out."

She chuckles, and of course I realize this is absolutely something I would have done as a teenager.

Search Amazon.com for Deodorant