Madison Rides a Horse!

Madison, our little girl who has been afraid to touch a kitten or baby bunny actually went for a horse ride. She didn't technically touch the horse of course, since she was sitting in the saddle though. Her friend Tabitha rode with her on Sparkles and Anna walked the horse around. Madison did really good at holding on. We were so shocked that she went for the ride that we even made a video of it for you to watch.

Madison's Uncle Mark

Madison's Uncle Mark (Jim's brother) was involved in a very serious car accident in North Carolina. Since a lot of you are praying for him right now we wanted to put up some pictures of him in case you had never met him.

Wyoming 2007

Madison with Jim, Great-Grandpa Levitt, and Uncle Mark, 2007.

Christmas 2006.

Going to School

Today Madison put on my backpack and told me she was "going to school". Then she tried to go out the front door before I stopped her!

Potstickers

Madison learned how to make potstickers (dumplings) the way our friends Gaofeng and Minya taught us to do it. It was a lot of fun, she got to wet the edge of the potsticker wrap and then Jennifer would seal it up. They did really good too, not one of them busted open when we cooked them (granted, they were not as full as Gaofeng can make them).

Then, because Jim was using chopsticks, Madison insisted on her having them too. She understood how she was supposed to use them even if it took two hands at times. She liked the potstickers and ate several of them.

Madison's First Pet

Okay it isn't much of a "pet" but a cricket is a good place to start! He didn't last very long between Madison squishing him up (I mean picking him up) to put in the jar and all. She loved walking around with him and looking at him in there (and shaking the jar too!). He was quietly laid to rest when she wasn't looking after a couple days. I spotted a little tree frog the other day in the back yard but Madison was napping so I didn't catch him. Maybe if we see him again she will get her second pet.

Car Wash and Chuck-E-Cheese

Madison got to go to her favorite place this week...CHUCK-E-CHEESE for some pizza and games. She was still hesitant to go on a lot of the rides but she did sit with Chuck-E on this one. She wasn't about to go hug him or get her picture with Chuck-E when he came walking around the place. Last week we were at the libray for story time and Madison was sitting by herself up front listening really well. Well that is, until Clifford the Big Red Dog came walking in and she freaked out and started crying and wanted to "GO HOME!". She doesn't like character's dressed up in costumes yet. Someday I am sure she will love them.



Madison helped daddy wash Jennifer's car this week too. The previous day she helped me when I waxed and cleaned my car....she "drove" it the whole time I did it. She thought it was so cool when she found my stash of coins in the armrest and she took everyone last one out! Washing mommy's car was fun because she got to help do it. She then decided her princess car needed a washing too. She even learned (kind of) to use the hose to rinse it off. I of course had to dry the car multiple times since she would spray it too, and then we both had to change before we all went for a walk because Madison sprayed daddy with the hose (which got lots of laughs from mom) and was pretty wet herself too.

Trip to Michigan

We made the long drive back to Alpena to see family and friends in July. It took us about 13 hours to get there, but that included about an hour swimming in Lake Michigan on the way. We stopped at a beach in the U.P. and Madison loved the water and sand as a break from the carseat. Madison got to ride on the lawnmower with Grandpa Gagnon. She got to ride while I cut the grass prior to leaving for vacation too... did I mention we have a push lawnmower? She rode in her backpack carrier while I mowed the grass, my back took a few days to recover.

Madison couldn't get enough of the blackberries growing in Grandma and Grandpa Levitt's backyard. She would eat as many as we would let her. She also loved blowing bubbles and was showing Grandpa how she does it.

Madison thought the boat was really really cool, and that was while it was parked in the barn! When we actually took it for a ride on the river she was super excited. She even got to drive the boat! Playing up front in the cabin and peeking out the window was a lot of fun too.

We timed our trip home to be able to go to the Gagnon Family Campout which was at Beaver Lake Park this year. Madison got to play with the kids, swim, roast marshmallows and go for a boatride.

We also went to Aunt Alissa's baby shower and Madison was a great helper opening the gifts, and telling Aunt Liz what they were. Madison left her Pack-N-Play crib in Alpena for the baby. We are trying to convince her that it would be a good idea to mail her pacifiers to Aunt Liz since they baby will need one. I think she is on to us though, since she doesn't agree with that idea :)