More Summer Fun

We actually had to bundle up a bit this weekend, definitely a nice cool summer for Mommy. Maddie loves the swings and slides at the park - - then we topped off the day with some DQ... Madison requested chocolate ice cream for her late day treat.

These pics were from a couple weeks ago, when the temp topped off at 90. Maddie went in for a cool at the fountains.

Summer Stroll

We decided to bring Maddie's stroller with us for our latest excursion. I must say, it was a hit! Funny thing though, while we were walking by other kids her age - - who were running around carefree - - we noticed that Madison just walked by as if she was too old for that kind of behavior - - she had much larger priorities at the time, making sure her baby was okay in the stroller.

The icing on the cake was when we made it to the park. We were sitting on the bench finishing up a snack from the nearby cafe, and we asked her - - why don't you go play in the park? Her response, "no, I'm just watching the kids". Watching the kids! I thought it was the 30-somethings that were supposed to be "watching the kids".

Maddie's schedule

So Grandma was in town this week, primarily to be with the little princess while we were at work. As usual, we outlined a precise babysitting agenda for Grandma to follow - - all the while having the premonition that each step would not be followed in sequential order, since Madison is very good at dictating her own schedule... when the right opportunity arises.

Minutes after we walked out the door, Maddie had full control and was able to manipulate Grandma into following her new (parent-free) agenda. Fortunately for Grandma, by 2PM, Maddie couldn't even make it to her crib. Maddie has NEVER taken a nap outside her crib - - this was a first, and a picture to boot! So many times I'm saying - I wish I got a picture of that.

A bit more adventurous these days

I'm still working on getting that perfect family photo, in the meantime - - here's Madison scaling up the precipitous cliff side at the park, photo was taken at 5 feet elevation.

She loves her attention

If Maddie's in another room and we don't hear anything for a minute, she's up to something -- and most of the time, she knows it! On this day, Maddie was quietly giggling in the living room until we walked in -- that's when she noticed, that we noticed, her rummaging through her cherished toy box.

Pappa razzi!

While we were at the park this past weekend, Cathy took some candid photos from a distance - - I realized that we're barely in any pictures with Maddie. My goal over the next few months is to take some quality family pics. We'll see if I'm a man of my word....

Birthday Month??

We took another trip back to Buffalo for a quick visit, and to attend another colossal sized birthday party at the C's house -- it was Cailee's big day, two years old! Everyone had a blast, and how couldn't they- - a cake prepared by a personal baker, a bounce house, the smorgasbord of food to choose from, and company that provided hours of entertainment into the late hours of the night -- yes, the C's know how to throw a party.

Maddie had an added surprise as well - the C's invited our family over and had a surprise birthday for Madison too! This event took Madison's birthday celebration into the four week range!

Happy Birthday(s)! Cailee and Maddie quickly dug in...

We took the kids to the play museum in Rochester, tons of stuff to do there - unbelievable. This, by far, was the most fun - watch Maddie's graceful dance moves, I'm not sure who she inherited them from....

Cailee really has a lot of fun dancing, she helped teach Maddie some of her own dance steps.

They had a mini-Wegman's to shop at, the kids loved it! It even had a checkout area to unload the groceries. Maddie loaded up on her usual faves: fruit and popsicles.

Maddie also spent a good portion of time chasing around her favorite cat.... again.

The Sippy Cup

While Maddie was playing in the living room today, we heard her calling for a sippy cup... to our surprise, she was grabbing a vase with two handles on it -- that was the size of her!! Not even I am clever enough to draw a similar correlation, but our little princess never ceases to amaze us. We just started laughing, too funny.

2 Years Old!

Our little princess has enjoyed a long celebration, with plenty of gifts arriving in the mail each day for the past couple of weeks... which was perfect, seeing how this year we limited her gifts to just a few toys - - we ended up getting her a small tricycle that she loves.

She had a small celebration with her Nana, a daycare pizza party, play date with her friends... and next week we are hitting up the zoo.

Madison and Isabella both wanted to go outside after the cake.

Another walk in the park

Maddie, Mom, and Nana went to the park... while I went out for a quick round of golf.

Bath Time

Madison wanted to play with her archaic ipod before the bath on this night. Sometimes she hits the right button and finds her tunes... actually, only once... but I was impressed. I've noticed the songs we download, along with the dvr selection, have slowly morphed into playlists for Maddie. She's learned a few songs too: her abc's, twinkle twinkle little star, happy birthday, old mcdonald. She even uses a common technique her mother and I use... mumbling through lines you don't know, and belting out the parts you remember... impressive.

Oh Princess......

Why do you have to get so big?

Say cheese for the camera......

Two peas in a pod

He thinks its so funny when she sits on him

These two are always up to no good (well she is)

Little Man AJ

Little Bubby!!! He finally got to sit in his bumbo seat. Cailee never lets him sit in it- She thinks everything is hers (well it is)


Little Bubb's big day--

Makin' a Wish

Madison put in her birthday requests a month in advance - - she really enjoyed tossing Mommy's spare change into the fountain.

The Weekend Stroll

Every weekend we get out of the house bright and early for a stroll at the outdoor mall... and so I can grab a StarBs - - it's not all about Maddie. She was definitely ready to go, where did she find that purse! great.....




My mother recently asked if we took any precautions due to the swine flu. We did spray the entire park with disinfectant to eliminate the swine risk -- that's why Maddie isn't wearing her mask.

It's nice getting to the park early, we have it all to ourselves. Here's Mom helping Madison down the watermelon, she loves to slide!

Fun in the Sun

Maddie and Mom enjoyed the pleasant weather last weekend - - playing with the sidewalk chalk from the Easter Bunny (Grandma)

... and chasing bubbles for over 20 minutes!

Baby Boy on the Way...

Well, the ultrasound (and doctor) both confirmed: There's a high likelihood that the next addition to the F family (in MI) will be a boy! Maddie is going to have a younger brother to look after!

Easter in Buffalo

Maddie sure had a fun filled weekend with her family and friends in Buffalo. We snapped this pic right after she downed a handful of M&Ms.


Madison was all about collecting the most eggs on Easter morning, Chelsea provided a helping hand too.


I am not a fan of cats, but my daughter definitely is. She seriously spent the majority of her time playing with this feline. Her mother is now making a strong push for Maddie's 2nd bday, a cat?? If I cave on this one, it's all over...

Her first popsicle!

Maddie's Favorite Doll

Lately the Little One cannot go anywhere without her favorite baby doll -- everywhere Maddie goes, the baby doll goes! Crib, car, dinner table.... luckily she hasn't brought it into the tub at night, probably just a matter of time. She takes good care of her doll, getting ready to be the perfect older sister!