Happy 5th Birthday, Madeline! (Plus a bonus feature!)

Wow!  What a memorable 5th birthday you had, Miss Madeline Grace!  You had a blast with a small glitch.  Starting from the beginning of your birthday weekend, you knew you were going to be 5, and you.were.excited!  This meant "big kid" school.  This meant "holding up a WHOLE hand when strangers ask me how old I am!"  Five is clearly a big deal to you, my sweet girl!

 

Grandma and Grandpa had grand plans for your fifth birthday!  You have been begging them to sleep over at their new house since they moved.  Grandma made a special plan since your birthday fell on a Saturday.  You were going to spend the night on Friday, have a special dinner with Grandma and Grandpa, sleepover, wake up on your birthday to go to the marionette theater, have lunch out, and come home to celebrate with us!  Grandma pulled out all the stops - candles, acrylic wine glasses, cookies, and cake!  Unfortunately, you don't look so happy in these pictures because as Grandma was preparing your special birthday dinner, you took a tumble.  You were dancing, twirling, squealing, spinning, and who knows what else in your socks on Grandma's hardwoods.  You fell, landed on your elbow HARD, and screamed bloody murder.  Well, Grandma doesn't get too worked up about "injuries", but this one got her.  She knew something was up.  You wouldn't let go of that elbow.  You wouldn't smile.  You wouldn't eat.  However, she proceeded with the birthday dinner, and everyone tried to make the best of it.  Grandma put you to bed, called us at 11 PM because you were crying in pain, Daddy did some chopping an adult ibuprofen pill conversions over the phone with Grandma, you insisted you were staying the night, and back to bed you went.    

 

After your ibuprofen pill that Grandma fashioned into a kid version, you woke up all smiles even though you were still cradling the elbow.  Grandma decided it wasn't broken, but it wasn't right.  Grandma consulted with us and shared your insistence on the marionettes, and we agreed to let you carry on with your special date.  Grandma's old school nursing came in handy, and she fashioned you a sling, let you wear one of her diamond necklaces (um, Grandma?! Seriously?!), and off to the marionettes you all go!

All smiles at the marionettes.....

Upon your arrival to the house, you were cradling that arm pretty badly, and we decided to hit the urgent care.  Daddy snapped a few photos of the swollen arm and elbow area.  It was kinda nasty.  This over the top, freak out Mama is actually REALLY glad this little incident happened with Grandma and Grandpa who do not get rattled.  I would've been at the ER in a flash.

But, being the awesome parents we are, we celebrated Madeline's birthday BEFORE hitting up urgent care.  She was okay with it, and we wanted to celebrate.  SHE wanted to celebrate!  So, we did, sweet girl.

You loved your cookie cake!

You loved your gifts!

Your little sister also loved your gifts!

You loved your crown from a card.

 

Despite your little birthday glitch, you had a WONDERFUL DAY, and you were such a trooper which was no surprise to us!  Grandma and Grandpa sure did feel awful about the mishap, but falls, bumps, and bruises happen. 

 

Urgent care told us it was a broken elbow.  The pediatric orthopedic doctor told us it was a bruised growth plate in the elbow.  He put you in the cast for two weeks because you started Kindergarten on Monday, August 19, 2013.  Yes.  That's right, you turned 5 two days before you started Kindergarten, and you were put in a bright pink cast the afternoon you started Kindergarten.  It was an awesome beginning to the school year, seriously.  All the "little people" counselors, helpers, and teachers knew Madeline Grace!  You didn't need their help, but you sure had the extra help ready and waiting if necessary! 

 

Sunday, August 18, 2013 - Wild Wing fun after church to continue the birthday celebration.

 

First Day of Kindergarten - August 19, 2013 with your fancy pink cast - Madeline, you no kidding asked for a "pink, purple, and glittery sparkle cast" when the orthopedic tech asked your color preference.  He was dumbfounded & looked to me for guidance.  I said, "Nope.  Dude, she's serious. Got sparkles anywhere in here?"  We settled for hot pink!

A week into the cast, and she barely notices she's wearing it.

 

Happy 5th birthday, you sweet, sweet girl.  Our Madeline Grace!

Madeline's 5th Birthday, Part I

Madeline's fifth birthday was phenomenal!  She celebrated for days!  Part one of her celebration began today when my mom and her best friend from church, Ms. Ginny, took the girls to get manicures and pedicures, lunch, and a little shopping.  It was a glorious day for the Stewart girls.  From Grandma and Ms. Ginny's reactions, I'd say they had just as much fun as my girls did!

 

What a wonderful start to a fifth birthday!  Madeline and Amelia are so fortunate to have a grandparent living close that wants to take them out to do special treats like this.  Ms. Ginny's daughters live in Texas with her grandchildren, so my girls are her "special grands".  Ms. Ginny definitely aids and abets my Mom's indulgence of my girls.  It's a sweet little deal for everyone involved!

Fripp Island 2013

What a fantastic beach vacation we had this summer!!!  This was our first summer spending an entire week away at the beach.  We rented a house just perfect for us, and we didn't plan a ton.  Our only plans were to relax and enjoy family time.  We finally felt like the girls were old enough to be free spirited and spend their days on the beach, their evenings hanging out, and hitting the sack as close to bedtime as possible!  It was great fun, and we cannot wait to go back to Fripp Island next summer!

 

 

We definitely looked like the Clampets rolling onto the island.  I *may* have over packed and over prepared, but welcome to having me as your Mama or wife.

However, the amazing packer that is my husband got us there with everything I purchased and packed.

The girls were good sports about riding with stuff crammed EVERYWHERE.

We enjoyed many friends over the course of the week - Columbia friends, Eric's college buddies and their families, and even a dentist that Eric works with happened to be down there...family time was treasured and awesome, but meeting up with friends throughout the week was also very enjoyable.  Perfect blend.

The Clampets also made it to the beach with enough gear for the whole beach crowd.

The girls were beside themselves during the daytime on the beach.

 

We invited my parents down for a couple of days.  They are HUGE beach people, but they enjoy spending time with the girls and bringing treats.  Popcorn for dinner anyone?

Friends came to play with us after dinner and bath time.  If you know me and my parenting style, having friends over after bath time is a giant treat.  That's what vacay is about, right?!

My husband corrupting future Clemson girls into doing the Wolfpack "woooo wooo" hand motion thingy.

Off to the beach...the golf cart rides were almost as fun for the girls as the beach. 

Did I mention the Clampets came to Fripp this summer?  Seriously.  That was us.

Relaxing and watching TV for the first time on Thursday night....the girls were pooped.

Eric grilling.

Eric realizing we had a meat eater friend joining us after smelling our burgers.

The alligator sniffed these out.  Did I mention that I *may* have over prepared for this trip?

He decided to come a little closer.  I know the signs say, "Don't feed the alligators." But, I suppose people do in order to get friends like this away from your grill and your toes! 

For the record, we didn't feed him.  He left on his own accord.

We made it over to a friend's house for some fun one evening!

 We tested out the pool facilities one day to get a break from all the sand.

Oh, Fripp Island, we can't wait to visit you again next summer!!!