Madison's Birthday

Madison had a wonderful eighth birthday.  The day was somewhat low key, as the kids and I celebrated with Madison.  She started the day at an art class she had wanted to take at the rec center.  That was only an hour and a half (during which, the boys and I went grocery shopping at Harris Teeter across the street from the rec center).  After her class, she requested Joe's Crab Shack for lunch.  We had a great lunch with tons of food, and they topped off lunch with her favorite dessert, Campfire S'mores.  I've recently grown a love for Joe's Crab Shack with their on-site playground.  It makes for somewhat of a relaxing lunch for me too  :) After lunch, we came home to swim in the pool and go on a bike ride.  We topped the day off with cake, movies, and popcorn.

 

Madison had a birthday of wants and needs.  She really NEEDED a new bike.  Her other was getting way too small.  This is her 24 inch Schwinn bike, and she loves it. It is the right size, but she looks so little on it compared to how big she looked on her old bike.  The bike was a bit of an adjustment with the 21 gears and the brakes only being on the handle bars, but she quickly got the hang of things.  Now, the Justin Beiber bag is a joke...she is not a fan, at all.  In fact, that was the joke.  She does not understand the obsession so many girls at school have with him and makes fun of it.  Well, I saw the gift bag on clearance and knew it had to be part of her birthday. 

 

 She really wanted a horse. Madison has been saving money like crazy to buy a specific American Girl doll when we visit my brother and his family in D.C. later this month.  The doll she wants has its own horse, so thanks, Target, for having this one. It's perfect!

 The birthday bash

 She's been begging for this since before Christmas.

 Thanks, Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Andrew, for the necklace bead set. It's perfect!

 Random, yes, but requested, yes.  Madison really wanted an adult sized pair of left-handed scissors.  Now, if you didn't know, the blades are reversed, so it does make a difference.

 Delighted

 Molly.  She has wanted this doll for a long time. Molly's story is that of a girl during WWII whose dad is a doctor off fighting in the war...familiar???  She LOVES the Molly story so much.

 Thanks, Nana and Pop!  She was very excited about the bag and the hair styling set. 

 Grandma and Grandpa, the pink safe is a huge hit and is already storing her "treasures."

So excited to play the "Madeline Visits the White House" game...perfect for the upcoming trip. 

 Who gets excited about a president placemat??

 Madison, as the history buff points out different presidents (yeah, we're going to Mt. Vernon on this trip too!).

 And, who plans to read this on the trip???  Madison LOVED the book.

 

Ready to travel with Molly in the tote bag (I think the president book was in there too).

 

Thanks again, everyone!  Madison had a great birthday.