Drama Queen Turns 7!

Seven years ago today, Maddie entered this universe with a "take over the world" mentality, an energy that outruns the energizer bunny and an "all the world's a stage and I'm in the center of it" attitude. She's still going, and we're all running to keep up with her! If I was lulled to sleep by my older two compliant children, I am wide awake now attempting to stay one step ahead of this spunky, life of the party last born.

Maddie was born in Silverdale, Washington, although we wisked her out of there to Indiana when she was 5 weeks old. So, basically, she's a true red-necked Hoosier girl! Although, we're teachin' her to talk right proper English! No offense to our former neighbors who "growed up" here in Indiana! (Not jokin' about that one either.)

(Maddie...days old!)

It's amazing to me that Maddie is now the same age that Alix was (7) when she was born. Nick was 10, and both kids were ecstatic to be at the hospital when Maddie arrived. Since I had an emergency C-section, they couldn't be in the room, but as you can see...they loved her from the beginning and spoiled her with attention nonstop. Perhaps that's why she believes the world revolves around her!

Madisen Jolynn, unlike big sister Alix, could play dolls and Barbies for hours. The Barbies would always get married or have boyfriends; the dolls were her children and seemed to always have a babysitter watching them so mommy could go to meetings. Don't know why the mommy was always going to meetings! Almost every single night for years, she would marry her daddy after he arrived home from work. After donning her Cinderella dress, Maddie and Tony would march downstairs for the wedding ceremony, get hitched and come back up the stairs as my mom! It was all a little like Freaky Friday every night.

(Maddie...1 1/2 years)

This strong-willed, "knows what she wants" girl has thrown her fits, but she also lives life to the fullest...full of affection, fun and mega-energy. I'd love to bottle that energy up and drink it, so I could make it through the afternoon sleepies! Maddie's sensitivity to God and pleasing Him gives me so much joy. Even when she gets into trouble, which happens quite often, and loses self-control, which is a huge issue, she is quick to ask for forgiveness before we "officially" discuss her poor behavior. It never fails to happen that while we are seriously engaged in a discussion that she begins cracking jokes and attempting to be funny. Her philosophy must be "life's too short to be serious".

(Maddie at Grandpa and Grandma Weston's house...summer 2007)

Maddie started gymnastics when she was 4 1/2, largely influenced by her big sister, and loves to compete. She doesn't really understand much about the scoring of the sport, so currently her goal is to have fun chatting with the other gymnasts while waiting her turn! At one of her first meets, she was in the bathroom between events and said in front of all the girls present, "Mom, I think I'm going to get 1st place all-around!" Nothing like a little humility. It would've been nice to be an invisible mom at that point! Perhaps she thought if she was the first to claim it, the place was hers.

(Maddie competing on floor, January 2008)

I heard Maddie's teacher say one day as I was helping in her class, "Maddie, that's enough drama!" Yes, THE drama queen resides at my house...singing, acting and loudly misbehaving. One night I actually banned her from talking during dinner because Tony and I could not have a conversation without her interjecting something or talking loudly to herself. Her attempts to distract and annoy were foiled. A few times she tried making some small squeaks, but mean mommy gave her the look! And, I threatened her with not being able to come with me to watch Alix cheer, and that was the final ticket. Her life is socializing, flitting about, talking with anyone who will give her the time of day. Not go to the basketball game where there might be friends to hang out with? She didn't dare lose that opportunity!

(The 7-year-old Birthday Girl)

Celebrating Maddie's birthday has been a true feat this year. While I won't go into the nitty gritty of our schedule, I will relate that there was not one single night we could find near her big day that all 5 of us could be together. Between sports and other outside activities, we worked out a party in stages. Yesterday, schools were closed for a staff work day, so we planned a birthday lunch at Applebee's. The night before, Tony remembered that he had a big luncheon to attend in which he sponsored a table. Thus, he bagged out on us, and the 3 kids and I partied alone. That evening, we allowed Maddie to open her presents with a different set of four people present. Today, after I took cookies and juice to her 1st grade classroom, Maddie opened grandma and grandpa's presents with another combination of four. And, on the evening of her birthday? Well, it's just Maddie and me. The others had people to see and places to be. In a little bit, I'll put together a gourmet birthday meal of macaroni and cheese or hot dogs, whichever nutritious meal Maddie chooses.

(Maddie and her special request 'ice cream cake')

Two birthday traditions we established long ago were the birthday person gets to choose the restaurant in which they would like to eat and the type of cake they desire. Our family is not a huge fan of the traditional cake. Typically, we all eat one piece and the rest of the cake rots. We are avid fans of ice cream around here. Most nights, a bowl of Moose Tracks or Cookie Dough or Cookies and Cream or any other chocolately concoction is consumed by all...except for Tony, who is boring and enjoys plain old Vanilla Bean. Occasionally, I've purchased an ice cream cake for birthdays, which pretty much ensures complete consumption by everyone. This year, however, I created my own delectable ice cream cake dessert. I'm certainly not counting, but I believe Nick had three helpings. The recipe is listed below in case you'd like to try it for your own celebrations!

Easy Celebration Ice Cream Cake

24 Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

1 pt. strawberry ice cream, softened

2 c. thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping, divided

1 pt. chocolate ice cream, softened

2 T. chocolate fudge sauce

Line 9-inch round cake pan with plastic wrap. Place 14 whole cookies around edge of pan Crush remaining cookies; place crumbs on bottom of pan, reserving 1/2 cup. Spread strawberry ice cream over crumbs; top with 1 cup of the whipped topping and remaining crumbs. Top with chocolate ice cream.

Freeze 4 hours or overnight. Remove from pan by lifting plastic wrap; carefully peel off plastic wrap. Let stand 10 minutes. Top with remaining 1 cup whipped topping and drizzle with chocolate sauce. Makes 14 servings.

Though this momentous golden birthday...7 on the 7th...is almost over, the years of celebrating Maddie will continue. We may have our days (and sometimes weeks on end) of challenge with this headstrong child, but I would not trade one of them for a million compliant children. First of all, I'd be insane with a million kids no matter how obedient. Secondly, the spark that Maddie brings to any situation, the humor that pours forth from her lips, the humongous arms-and-legs-wrapping hugs, the sweet and honest prayers to her Savior outweigh any spontaneous thoughts of boarding school. I believe we're going to keep her!

Happy birthday to God's marvelous, magnificent, masterpiece...Maddie.