We have a SIX year old.

Six years ago, Madeline Lea Hughes was born, and she was the prettiest, most perfect baby I had ever seen.

Today, she turned SIX and Chris and I can barely believe it!

She can be a little shy/timid in new situations but pretty silly/crazy/loud when she feels comfortable. She has A LOT of friends! From preschool, church, Kindergarten, the neighborhood, Madeline finds people she likes and sticks with them. 

She loves playing with her sissy and, most of the time, is very kind to her! :)

She's still at the age where she wants Chris and I to be around her, and I really cherish that. She always wants us to eat lunch with her school, come to class parties, chaperone field trips, etc. I know it won't always be that way, but for now, I will attend everything I can!

She acts pretty mature for her age and a lot of times I forget she's only five six. She loves to read, craft, and do any type of art project. 

She LOVES anything sweet. She lives for dessert so we have to watch her sugar intake!

She loves her grandparents and spending time with them. We're so lucky they live so close and can love on her as much as they do.

Happy birthday, Madeline. We love you!

What's Up Wednesday!

Before Winter Break started, Madeline got to choose a book for her school birthday book club.  I thought for sure she would choose a Pinkalicious or Fancy Nancy but she chose Brownie and Pearl. I think because it's a book she can read completely on her own. 

Now, whenever anyone at her school checks out the book, they will see this sweet picture in it.

Doesn't she look so big? 

Mads has been enjoying this first part of Winter Break. She loves to see what Bella is doing every day.

We celebrated Christmas with our cousins.

 Sydney's crazy pose. This kid cracks me up.

 Since mommy and daddy don't get a two week Winter Break, Maddie has been spending time with her nana and grandma.

She built a gingerbread house with grandma...

And taught Nana how to take a selfie!

We've also been taming this mane every morning. Every. Single. Morning.

Hernia Repair Surgery

Quick note: Happy happy birthday to my BFF Danielle!

She and I had a girl's night at Pf Changs a few weeks ago. Think red wine, Mongolian Beef and two desserts. Because, birthday.

During nap last weekend, Maddie and I ran some errands. Since it was raining, there was no line to ride in Santa's carriage.

We had so much fun that we came back the next weekend with Daddy and Sissy.

*****

Sydney was born with an umbilical hernia. We hoped it would spontaneously heal but it hasn't. Since kids have to be out of school anywhere from 1 - 4 weeks, it's advised the surgery takes place before Kindergarten.  We met with the pediatric surgeon and decided it was time to take care of Sydney's. As soon as we got Madeline on the bus last Friday, we headed downtown to Norton Children's.

The nurses were fantastic. As they were wheeling Sydney away, one gave her her phone so she could watch YouTube videos.

The surgery took about 45 minutes and Sydney was away from us for about an hour and a half. Everything went well and we were so excited to see her coming back to us.

Sound asleep. Before she woke up and got a little crazy. :)

Our instructions were to keep little miss wild-child Sydney calm for a week. We kind of balked but the nurse told us that kids instinctively are calmer post hernia surgery, understanding their limits. 

Not mine.

The next day I was pulling her off the top off the laundry basket, begging her not to jump off my bed and yelling "Stop running!" over and over. 

But, she has recovered quite beautifully!

On Tuesday, I took PTO and Sydney and I got out for a little bit of shopping. And her favorite mall lunch, pretzels!

My Secret Pal dropped off a Christmas basket and the girls loved their wands.

We saw Santa at pre-school.

Madeline and I baked all afternoon (Sydney was napping) and delivered some cookies to our friends and neighbors.

And, just like that, Madeline's Winter Break has started. She's off school for more than two weeks. We're looking forward to sleeping in (maybe til 7 - haha!) and snuggling!

November and December - Life Lately

Goodness - it's almost the end of 2016!

I feel like this year has flown by! I spent all of November recapping our Disney trip so here's what we've been doing since then!

Madeline and I went shopping and then filled up shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. We had a fun time with our friends Tara and Kristin packing presents for children.

Matching sissies enjoying lunch at Chuy's.

 Our love of Mexican food runs strong in this family!

We went to Claire's birthday party and got our face painted!

We went to Kensley's birthday party and celebrated Minnie-style!

Stella had a spa day!

We met Santa at Gustavo's.

We went to Costco with Dave and Tara and antics ensued.

Madeline went for her hair cut which comes with hand and neck massage.

Chris had a week off from work and had lunch with Madeline one day.

She loved it!

Then he was sad about going back to work so, we had a date night at Corbett's. YUM.

We went to the family Pajama Jam at Church.

I tried to take a serious picture of the girls in front of  the "Jesus is why" wall.

 Except it didn't turn out right.

Sydney jumped from the ottoman to the couch and flipped over the back. Landed on her forehead. Scratch is from the hardwood floor plank and you can't see the nice goose egg that developed later. 

We went to Stella Murphy's birthday party! 

Our Elf came and brought donuts from the North Pole!


 And some Christmas jammies!

And she's been doing some crazy thing!

And that was our November and part of December! Headed into the homestretch of 2016!