Birthday Time!

July 28 - here again!  It's a big day in our household - Madden's birthday and mommy's birthday...born 30 years apart!  For some reason, this year everything started to 'click' for Madden.  He has been counting down the days until his birthday for months, talking about what he wanted, etc.  There was MUCH excitement this year!

The celebrating started on Friday, July 27 with a party at his school with his classmates.  We brought cupcakes to share - and they also got snowcones!  They sang Happy Birthday to him too!

Madden got to leave school early that day and we headed home for a big surprise.  We parked in the front and came through the front door.  Inside, were balloons and streamers for him to run through (thanks to Pinterest!)  :)  He LOVED it!

Then, we told him to go check on something in the backyard.  When he opened the door, THIS is what he saw......

....his very own playground!!!!

For months he has been telling us he wants a playground and waterslide for his birthday.  We settled for the playground....but if you run the hose on the slide, then you get a waterslide!  :)

VERY EXCITED!  



He spent the next couple of hours outside playing.  It was about 105 degrees that day, so we turned on the sprinklers too.  He has continued to play on it....and I know when the weather cools down, it will be a fun place to play!

We ate pizza for dinner (Madden's request) and watched the Opening Ceremony to the Olympics (which were totally weird, by the way!)

A good start to his birthday.

The next morning was the OFFICIAL day - July 28.  Madden got up around 8am while Marc and I tried to sleep in a bit.  Madden started asking a million questions and kept asking....'hey, mom.....'   So, after answering several questions, I got one that made both of us wake up.

Madden:  "Hey, mom - how did the baby get in your tummy?"

Marc and I just looked at each other.  Really?  A question like this at age 4 at 8am in the morning?!

Me:  " God put it there."

Madden:  "Oh.  Because he loves us?"

Me:  " Yes.  Exactly."

and that was that..... :)

We got up and headed to the donut shop - Madden's favorite place.  From there, we went to the playground to eat our donuts and play.

Then, we went to get a 1/2 price birthday haircut!



Then, a trip to Target to pick out a new toy.  Which, we then had to bring home and wrap to open later that night.  Very silly....but just like me....buy what I want and then wrap it up!  Ha!

We came home and Madden played for a while.....then, we went swimming..

After swimming, we loaded up the van and went to do a little shopping for ME - then went to Uncle Dave & Aunt Jamie's house.

Madden has been BEGGING to go over there and go fishing with Uncle Dave.  So, that's what we did....and he even got his OWN fishing pole!

Heading to the pond.....with Scout!

Trying out his new pole...

Whew!  It was HOT.  The fish weren't biting, so we didn't stay too long. 

Got a few pictures of the 2 birthday buds and then headed to dinner at Rudys.

Opened a few more presents....including the one he picked out for himself and wrapped!

Best buds - Madden and Honey

We came back to their house for cupcakes......

...singing Happy Birthday.....

....and make a wish....

And that was it.  WHAT A DAY!  We ALL enjoyed a 2.5 hour nap on Sunday afternoon after all the celebrating!  We missed several other family members, but look forward to celebrating with them soon! 

Happy Birthday, Madden!  You are our greatest joy!