Ah, sweet relief!

Well, the computer is dead.  -BUT- someone in high places loves me because my brother was able to pull ALL our info off it before scrapping the poor thing.  Woot!  I'm so relived/excited/happy/etc./etc./etc.  I so badly want to go print all the pictures off now just to make SURE I have them, you know?  But, if I follow my big brother's advice, that won't be necessary {thank goodness, cuz that would get pricey!}.  He gave us a few external hard drives with the instructions to use one as a memory extension for our new comp {an HP Notebook, YAY!!!  I LOVE this computer!}, and one for a permanent archive.  I am under strict rules to back up everything on a regular basis to both hard drives so that this never happens again.  {Yes sir, Ryan sir!!}  :O)  I love my big bro, thank you Ry!

On to Madi's birthday!  Oh, what a fun day!  We started off bright and early at 5:40 with Madi wandering into our room and Maelee K screaming, Madi's defense was "She woke up all by herself!"  Yeeeeeeah, right.  When we told her "Happy Birthday!" and started singing to her, she got all crusty.  So, we stopped and asked her what was wrong.  "It's not my birthday!"  "What makes you think that?"  "I'm still the same size!  I didn't grow last night!"  LOL  The birthday girl requested French Toast for breakfast and then helped me make little heart-shaped cakes for her birthday party.

  I made cream cheese frosting in 4 different colors for her and her friends to "paint" their cakes and then decorate with sprinkles. 

They played back and forth between the water and the swing set and then I brought them all inside and played the Fairy Theater scene from Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure. 

After, I asked the girls if they wanted to go on a search for treasure just like Tinkerbell did.  They were SO excited to turn into fairies with my magic glitter spray and then follow the clues all over the front and back yards that led them to the sparkling treasure - their goody bags.  Oh, I love little girls!  They are so much fun!

After a nice, looooong nap, we made some dinner and invited Grandma and Papa Bear over {Jonnet and Russell} for chocolate cake and ice cream.  I'm so surprised, Madi didn't get ANY toys this year!  She got books, a subscription to National Geographic for Kids {SO cool!  Thanks, Michele!!}

art stuff, hula hoops {about the closest thing to a toy! And she's already better than I am!!},

play dough {that's a HUGE hit!  She has spent hours already making all kinds of fun creations},

make-up {thanks so much to Aunt Tawnya... note the sarcasm!  Madi has really enjoyed putting lip gloss all over her face, Keahi's face, etc.  Lovely!}, clothes {including a bright orange bikini from my sister Yvette - and a matching one for Keahi!}, a super-cute bag, beanie and flower clip made by Jennie {good job!  SO impressed!!},

a bag of dark chocolate Bliss by Dove {Ooooooh!  Heaven!  Thank you tons Grandma G-G!}, and money.  When I was putting it all away last night I about fell over!  No toys?  And she didn't even notice or care?  She's either growing up or hasn't grown up enough!! 

The day ended with a big hug, kiss and a "Thanks, Mom.  I had a good birthday!"  Yep.  That makes it all worth it.  All of it.