Saturday in Sugarland

Today was spent roaming through Sugarland with Madelyn, Mom and Rachel. It was low key and we had absolutely no agenda.

We ate yummy treats as the sunshine hit our skin and the breeze blew through our hair.

We walked. And walked. And walked.

We laughed. And laughed some more.

Madelyn enjoyed playing around the fountain.

She would beg Grandma for more coins to throw in the water. With each toss of the coin another wish was made.

"I wish to spend all day with Aunt Rachel!"

"I wish for a pony!!"

"I wish to go to Uganda to see Joshua and Emmanuel!"

I could have listened all day to the desires of her sweet heart.

She even squeezed in a two hour nap as we pushed her from store to store.

Post nap we ate the most delicious fajitas on the patio at Lupe Tortilla! The wind was so constant that we all even began to feel a little bit of a chill in the air. After dinner we headed back to Aunt Rachel's house to get some rest.

I think we could go for another Saturday in Sugarland some time soon!

campIN

MK and Luke camped in last night. I enjoyed the smores and the movie but most definitely made my way to my comfy bed when it was time to go to sleep. Madelyn loves it and apparently Luke does too (or he just loves to share in her excitement). Maybe they will venture to the backyard sometime soon! But then again, why would you when you can have all the fun in your living room??

Pajama Day

Today was pajama day at school. MK's school planned a winter festival and encouraged all the teachers, children and parents to wear pajamas. Madelyn was so excited.

I, of course, had to get a few pictures before she left the house.

We set out some cute little owl pajamas but she decided to stay in the ones from the night before because they were "soooooooooo comfy".

Luke took her to school and went to the winter festival with her. They played lots of games and had fun together. Now she is saying that every school day is a pajama day! We will see how that goes!

my favorite time of day

Some of my favorite hours of the day are between 5:30pm and 9pm. Just about every day I get to spend every waking moment playing with Madelyn. We read books, create art, cook, clean, feed baby dolls, build giant towers with blocks, go on adventures and the list goes on and on each and every day. I love it. I am so thankful to be able to stay at home with her. However, I absolutely love it when Luke walks through the door after work.

He is such an amazing father. He crams all the fun in to a few hours and I am pretty sure the best part of Madelyn's day begins at 5:30pm too!

Today, right when he walked in the door he asked Madelyn if she would join him for a walk around the neighborhood. When they came home, they whipped up a little brinner (breakfast for dinner) together in the kitchen for all of us. After we ate, he led us in a hands on family devotional. Then Madelyn challenged him to a few little games of her own. Of course he always goes along with her requests, even if they require him to make a fool of himself.

I love and look forward to these hours because I just love to watch them together.

Usually I am fairly unimportant in her world at this time of the day, but that doesn't bother me.

There are usually nightly concerts and tonight we started a new family reading time. It was a good time for her to wind down and for everyone to just be together. We probably read at least 10 books a day but  during family reading time she looks at her own books while we read ours.

I am so thankful to be married to a man who is an amazing father to our little girl. He loves us well.

not her finest moment

It is a happy talent to know how to play.  

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Surprise!

Aunt Rachel surprised us and drove up from Houston Saturday morning! Luke was the only one that knew she was coming before she was standing on our front porch knocking on the door. Madelyn was unbelievably excited and so was I! We all wish she lived closer, but we are so thankful that she is close enough for spontaneous weekend visits.

This afternoon we all went to the park and enjoyed the beautiful weather and break from the chilly temperatures.

Thanks for coming Aunt Rach! We love you!