Maddux is 10!

I cannot believe my first born is ten! Double digits! Time flies. Ten is my favorite number, thanks to Chipper Jones and Brady Quinn. Here's hoping 10 is a fabulous year for Muppet-Man.
Cupcakes in honor of his big day. Strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting. The ears are coconut, the eyes and nose are mini chocolate chips and the tongue is a squirt of pink gel icing. I had so much fun decorating these!

Blowing out his candle

My parents came to Greenville for the day to celebrate with Maddux. Sandy and Spark-e joined them, of course. I love when they visit!

Busy, busy, busy!

These past few weeks have been a fun whirlwind of activity! The weather has been gorgeous and Emery is happiest when she is outside (or naked inside). I have been so busy chasing Emery around that I haven't taken a single picture on my camera in weeks. Thankfully, I usually have my Blackberry handy and have gotten a few action shots with that. Not the best quality, but you get the idea.

Atticus is such a funny cat. He loves to be under this quilt, even though it was 84 degrees. I just think he's the most handsome cat with stunning green eyes.

Emery has rediscovered her pram, although it's function has changed. Rather than being a gentle way to rock her to sleep as an infant, it now serves as an indoor jungle gym. She gets in and out of it every night after her bath.

Taking baby doll for a walk. Emery loves to push her baby in this stroller and seeing her do it while talking to her baby makes me want to cry. So incredibly precious. Disclaimer: we were walking on a quiet cul-de-sac in our neighborhood. The cul-de-sacs do not have sidewalks. I am not a negligent mother! I sent this picture to Ben at work the other day and he freaked out because Emery wasn't on the sidewalk. Apparently he thinks I let her wander down the main drag of our neighborhood in the middle of the road. Trust me, I don't.

Practicing for her career as a criminal? Not sure where she got the idea to siphon gas......Ben???

Cutest story ever: We have a red bellied woodpecker who has decided to make his home in our backyard. He is almost always out there, pecking away on a dead tree near Emery's swingset. I've pointed this out to her plenty of times as we're outside playing and hear him knocking on the tree. The other evening we were outside and I was busy calling the dog and not paying any attention to the birds when Emery suddenly yells, "Mommy! Wisten! The woody pepper!" Sure enough, he was pounding on the tree. I was so proud! And I think "woody pepper" is adorable!

We had a pretty cool St. Patrick's Day. As luck would have it, The Notre Dame Glee Club was in Greenville on March 17th performing at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. The Notre Dame Club of the Western Carolinas asked if any Domers in the area were willing to host several Glee Club members for the night. I thought this would be a fun opportunity to revisit my college days. The concert was amazing and afterwards I brought Wes, Scott and Trigg home with us for the night. The guys were great! Ben and I felt like college kids staying up late, drinking and watching the basketball tournament with our guests. The next morning I dropped them off at the Marriott to catch their bus back to South Bend. I felt like crap, but they were all bright eyed and bushy tailed. Geez.....I am getting old! Anyways, Emery didn't make it through much of the concert before becoming a HUGE distraction. I spent a good portion of the show with her at the school's gym.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I helped host "Girl's Night" the night after the ND guys stayed with us. What was I thinking!?!?!? Way too many late nights and alcohol last week. But I had fun!

GA Aquarium with Hayes, Auntie Alison, Granny and Opa

Ben has been in Whistler for yet another ski trip the past few days, so Emery and I loaded up and headed down to Atlanta for some fun with Cuz. Our main goal was to get the kids to the GA Aquarium. Success! I love the aquarium and thankfully, Emery does, too! My parents, Alison and Hayes joined us and we had ourselves a ball. We stayed for three hours, had the world's most expensive lunch (I'm not kidding.....$64.00 for pizza, french fries and hot dogs), visited with lots of cool animals and bought some fun souvenirs. I can't wait to take Emery back.

Granny and Opa with their granbabies in front of the Lion fish tank. Crazy looking local fish.

Emery loved petting the stingrays. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again: Emery is fearless.

The moving sidewalk was the highlight of Emery's day. She rode on it repeatedly until I dragged her out of there.

Hayes and Emery checking out the tropical tank.....well, Hayes seems more interested in his shoe. Those are pretty cute saddle oxfords!

MELT MY HEART. Hayes and Emery are so stinkin' cute together!

Chick fil A Teddy Bear Party

I don't know if all Chick fil A's plan as many activities as the one near my house, but we have been to several and they are adorable. Last night was a teddy bear party. Harper and her mommy joined Emery and me for dinner and playtime, plus the bear themed activites (cookies and coloring with your favorite stuffed animal).

Enjoying their kids' meals before hitting up the teddy bear party tables.

Emery brought her monkey and Harper brought a bright pink doggie. Every other child in the restaurant brought an actual teddy bear, but these two are rule breakers!

Artwork display....seriously could not be any cuter. Chick fil A is the BEST fast food restaurant.

Playtime afterwards. Emery wore herself out! She slept from 10:45 last night until 8:15 this morning. I realize most of you don't think this is a big deal, but anytime Emery falls asleep before 11:00 PM is cause for celebration.

Harper and Emery in the tubular staircase.