December: The Birthday.

 

It's official, she's two.  And she likes to tell people as much, so if you get the claw hand from Maddi, that's what it means.  Still working on getting those two fingers to stand up on their own!

To celebrate, we took a stroll on the Riverwalk.  Madison loves watching the mariachi bands and waving to the folks on the riverboats as they pass by.  This time of year the whole place is decked out in festive lights.  But her favorite part, hands down, is the little gelato shop where we let her have a whole cup of ice cream to herself. But only because it was her birthday (and now that I'm looking at the photos I'm thinking, Really? We let her eat THAT much ice cream?? She did share a little). 

Welcome to Texas, where the boot of Italy has a spur. Of course.  

Afterwards we took her to the Five and Dime store (Breakfast at Tiffany's, anyone?) and let her pick out a toy, then went by the Alamo to see the lights. 

Maddi also had a "Little Chef" themed birthday party, because cooking is one of her most favorite things to do.  We found a good deal on a play kitchen and food and planned the whole event around it- watching Ratatouille, "baking" with play-dough, chef hats for everyone, the whole shebang.

We had so much fun with all Maddi's little friends! 

Annnnnnd... the proverbial singing happy birthday movie: (Notice the way Madison dives into her cupcake after the song.  Way to go, girl- have your cake and eat it too!)