Danny's 3rd Birthday

I can't believe my baby is 3. He is so big anyway that it is hard to think of him as a baby, but now he is also leaving his baby ways behind and becoming more like a little kid. I am sad to see that part go but I am also thrilled to see him blossoming into a little person. We took him to ride Thomas on Sunday and he didn't know where we were going. We were at the railroad crossing to get into the Railway Museum when the RR crossing bars came down and Thomas came chugging down the tracks. Danny started shaking with excitement. He couldn't believe he was seeing Thomas in real life. He asked if we could ride Thomas. Of course!!! He was so excited the whole time. The Illinois Railway Museum is pretty cool even without Thomas. They have over 2 1/2 miles of old trains. Danny wanted to climb on and touch every one. He was so thrilled when we actually rode Thomas, he had a look of sheer bliss on his face. We had a small dinner and cake at our house last night for his birthday. I made a Train cake with tracks and everything. Danny was so excited. All day long he asked "Can we eat cake?" and he was thrilled when the time finally came.

Thomas

Today we are taking Danny to ride Thomas, he doesn't know about it. He is turning 3 this week, how can that be? We decided to surprise him with the trip to Thomas for his birthday. I can't wait to see his face when he sees a "real" Thomas. His little buddy Zach came over to bring him a present on Friday and they were so cute. Zach is 2 also and he and Danny get along famously. Danny is so excited to have his own friend.

Success

We made it through the 1st week of 1st grade. Madison did great. She has a teacher she really likes and has even made a few new friends. She did better than I expected for being at school all day. She likes eating lunch at school. She only ate the cafeteria food once (she's so picky) and took her lunch the other days. She loves recess -who wouldn't. There were only tears once at school when she got nervous the first day after lunch and couldn't find her teacher. Daddy brought her home a new barbie for having such a great week. The other success this week is that Danny has actually used the potty a few times. These are our first successes with the potty so I am thrilled beyond belief. I can't wait to be done with diapers (it has been for the last 6+ years straight). Dan surprised me for our anniversary this week by coming home early with flowers and jewelry. Then he took me out to dinner while his mom watched our kids. We went to the Olive Garden and it was so yummy, we haven't been since before we moved. It was a nice treat.

Happy Anniversary and the 1st Day of School

Today is mine and Dan's 9th wedding anniversary. We are going out to dinner alone tonight. Today is also the first day of school. Madison started 1st grade. I can't believe she is growing up so quick. she was very nervous, but I am sure she will be fine. Danny and I drove up there after I put her on the bus and went and peeked in on her. She was so excited to see us.

Fruits( and Vegetables) of my Labor

Well all my attention to the garden is paying off. We had strawberries already and some black raspberries (Madison fell in love with these and would eat every last one right off the plant). Now my other raspberries are starting to ripen too. My vegetable plants have vegetables on them and they are beautiful. We picked the first cucumber the other day. It is really cool to have grown everything ourselves. I feel like a farmer!!

Pinata

Madison went to a birthday party yesterday for her friend Cassidy. She was so excited because she broke the pinata!! I never thought about how exciting that could be for a little one. Every birthday party since she turned 1 we have had a pinata for her, because she doesn't think its a party without one. When she came home from the party she had the pinata with her and she was beaming about how she had broken the pinata for the first time. It definetly is the little things in life that can make someone happy!!