Every year when we celebrate Madeline's birthday, we can't help but pause and see how far we have come. This year Madeline's birthday fell on Sunday so she opted for a simple celebration at home. Her diner of choice was Macaroni and Maters (a family recipe). Lets just say that Madeline is the only one head over heals about this meal. She eats this almost everyday for lunch and when calories are important Madeline can have what Madeline wants. Madeline is not really a cake or dessert person, but she likes to paint and draw. This year I had the kids decorate the cake. Madeline wanted a lemonade and pick lemonade cake. I never really worked with fondant before but figured with Google's help I could make something work. I covered the cake with white fondant and then with Google's help we made edible cake paint. The kids enjoyed painting and decorating Madeline's cake. I gave them the left over fondant and they cut out shapes and added it to their masterpiece. This cake was well decorated and a complete sugar heaven. We sang Happy Birthday and all took a bite of the cake and that was about it. That evening we played a game as a family and watched Madeline open her gifts. Her main celebration was Great Wolf Lodge. We combined her birthday with June's staycation activity. Great Wolf Lodge deserves its own post.
Madeline is one of kind special girl. She is a complete joy to have at home and her smile and laugh are contagious. Madeline loves to draw and paint. She loves to ride her bike, jump on the trampoline, and swim. Madeline loves to build things with her Legos, play Cake Boss, and play games with her family. Madeline loves her pink, her monkeys, butterflies, owls, and her DADDY. Madeline loves to go camping, fishing, hiking (with Daddy carrying her), and she likes to help cook in the kitchen. Madeline loves to learn and she is up for almost any adventure there is. Madeline's health has turned a 360 and we have been able to discontinue two of her meds. Doctor appointments are down to less than 10 a year and those are required twice a year visits to cardiology, pulmonology, orthopedic, and tummy doctors. Madeline loves to give hugs, cards, and letters of appreciation, and she knows when it is needed. Madeline has a heart of gold and is very compassionate. She loves her brothers and is very sensitive to their needs. When they are sick she won't leave their side. She wants to take care of them and do whatever she can to help them feel better. Madeline demonstrates her love and commitment to Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. Her faith is strong and she has a real knowledge and understanding that they are real. Her prayers are sincere and heartfelt, and she communicates with them with the knowledge that they are real and they hear her. Madeline is a gift to those around her and a huge blessing to our family. It is a joy to be her mother and a joy to homeschool her. You can feel of her love for you, for life, and for Heavenly Father and our Savior. She loves to laugh and when she does you can't help but be reminded of what life is about. Madeline runs on Madeline's time and there is no changing it. We can learn a lot from her and the blessing it is to slow down and really enjoy the simple things in life. Madeline does not let her physical limitations get in her way, if she wants to do something she will. Her determination is an example to all to not give up and to not let things get in your way of accomplishing and doing what you desire. As her mother I learn from her example, and hope to one day be filled with the faith, love, determination, courage, and joy she has. Madeline truly loves life and lives each day to the fullest.
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