January

It's been almost a month since my last post and I don't really have a good excuse. I could blame it on the technical difficulties I've been having with Blogger on the computer. But, most of my blogging is done through my phone or the iPad. Time does seem to be moving really fast lately though. Maybe that's my problem! We're just too busy having fun.

After ringing in the new year, we celebrated our sweet, sweet Madelyn's 4th birthday. Her annual check up was good. The doctor re-confirmed that she's still a genius and, it turns out, a little on the smaller side. She was in the 25th-30th percentiles on both height and weight -- a petite little thing!

We hosted her first kid-oriented birthday party. Eleven of her friends, and their parents joined us, during the Broncos play off game for the Fun Bus. In spite of the cold -- the kids had no idea it was 12 degrees -- a GREAT time was had by all. Purple cake pops were served along with chocolate milk. The only thing that might have made the day better would have been a Broncos win. Oh well.

 Fun Bus. Hello, old friend.

The grand finale - sliding out the back of the bus.

I think each kid did this at least a half dozen times.

Happy birthday, dear Madelyn.

Purple cake pops like the lady requested.

The gumballs were hit, too. Kids and adults dug in after the cake pops were gone.

Somehow I didn't see that one coming.

The following weekend, Madelyn and I took a trip to Chicago for a girls' weekend with Auntie Kate and Aunt Trish. What fun! We got free DirecTV on our flight out so Madelyn watched Madagascar 3, a household favorite. Upon arriving in Chicago, we lunched and later got manicures and pedicures at ZaZaZoo Nail Salon. A friend of mine, the former director of SPAVital at Pura Vida, who now lives in Chicago, recommended it as a good salon for mommy-and-me manicures. Madelyn's nails were beautiful and it was a real treat.

Living it up.

The skyline on a COLD January day.

On Sunday, we brunched at Tweet where Kate and Trish pointed out "the actor from The Bodyguard." I corrected them as him being from Dumb & Dumber which just happens to be one of my favorite movies. Griff says all my movie quotes come from that movie but I'd have to replay the tape of the last ten years to confirm or disprove that fact. Thanks to Trish, though, I got my picture taken with him - Mike Starr!  He was incredibly gracious and very kind. Although he may not be there every Sunday, I highly recommend Tweet. Their food is delish, the service is excellent, and it's very kid and family friendly.

"Pills are good!"

Enjoying a delicious fruit salad at Tweet.

On Monday, Auntie Kate, Madelyn, and I visited the Shedd Aquarium. Somehow, it still cost us $78 to get in on free day but it was worth the price of admission. We saw everything there was to see including the Jellies exhibit and had a blast.

After returning to Colorado, Anderson & Co experienced a bout of the stomach flu. No one was spared. That was the pits but we're all back and on the mend. Life is getting back to normal. Madelyn returns to school and gymnastics, half marathon training with my little running partner (Sawyer) resumes, and Griff will be in and out of town again for work. Bring on February!