Madi is 4!

I can't believe my baby is 4. I will probably say that every year of her life. . . .but it's valid anyway! Madeline is says that when she grows up she is going to be a teacher because she likes to tell people what to do. She also thinks Eleanor will be a chef since she likes to feed people. To this end, Madeline has been playing teacher at school. She says that she tells her friends to take naps on the playground and when to play different games.

Madeline is in love with her school friends. She always comes home telling us who she played with and how much fun they had. She loves to have playdates on weekends and I think Madi's favorite part of her birthday party was having her friends come over. Madi now says things like "Evelyn was my best friend today but Harriet wasn't my friend because she didn't wear sparkly shoes." The other parents and I have no idea where the girls picked these phrases up, but who is and isn't friends doesn't seem to interfere with how much the play together. Apparently cliques start early in school!

At 4, Madeline is stubborn, a good thinker, and full of questions. She wants to know how everything works, help me with any and all activities around the house, and spend as much time as possible with her sister. My favorite thing that Madeline does now is tell us that she loves us. In the middle of dinner, she will look over and say "Daddy, I love you this much." So cute! Then she asks how much you love her. Madeline is still getting up in the middle of the night, but usually she just comes across the hall and climbs into bed with Matt and I very quietly. She hates going to bed, Madi says she thinks I'm doing something fun without her. Madeline's favorite activity at home is watching outside to see what he neighbors are doing. She plays well with all of the kids in the neighborhood and when we hang out with friends. Madi is still dramatic, loves clothes (regularly asks me if her outfit is pretty), and has more energy than I know what to do with. The last four years have been amazing and I am so excited (and nervous) to watch as Madeline continues to grow.

Madeline wanted a ballerina party for her birthday. She has been all over Pinterest, letting me know what she wants to have at the party. We asked Miss Mariah (Madi's ballet teacher) to come dance with the kids for an hour, had pizza, lots of cute snacks (Madi helped me make the cupcakes, marshmallows, and popcorn), and invited Madi's "home friends" and school friends. The party ended up being more people than Matt really wanted but we all had tons of fun anyways!

For her actual birthday at school, Madeline wanted to bring "purple monster cupcakes." I frosted the cupcakes and Madi drew the pupils on the marshmallow eyes and placed them on the monsters. Lucky for me, Madi only had to bring a dozen cupcakes to school because my hand was killing me after frosting just five of the monsters. After school, Matt and I took the girls to Corvette Diner to finish celebrating. We had a great family dinner in the blacklight room. Ella could not figure out the hyper-color table and Madi got to blow out her candle on the end of a giant straw!