Playing Catch Up...

It's been quite some time since I've blogged about you.  A little over a year to be exact. You've kept me very busy, young lady....busy in a good way, though.  In the last blog entry, you were starting first grade, today you are in the second month of second grade!  My how time flies when you're having fun.  That sounds so cliché, doesn't it?  Well, nothing about you my darling, is cliché [klēˈSHā/]. 

 

You are a fascinating child!  It's an honor to be your mother.  It amazes me on just how perceptive, compassionate, bright and fun-loving you are.  You have a mind of your own and when it's made up, that's it, it's made up!  You carry yourself in a polite and professional manner, but at the same time, you know what you want and you are not afraid to go after it.  Hmmmm.... I wonder where you get that from?

Speaking of knowing what you want, at seven years old, you've started your very own business, a photography business called, "Photos With Madison".  Your focus is clear, helping little girls to create lifelong memories with their dolls.  Your Opa would be so proud of you; in fact, he'd be so proud of the both of us.  In your words, "I inspired you to want to start your own business when I started mine, "Tantalizing Tablescapes & Décor"; and my friend, Ms. Wendy McGinnis of Elegant Exposures, Inc. inspired you to become a photographer!  How cool is that?  I can't wait to see where this journey takes us, but I promise to enjoy the ride with you!   

Our job, as your parents, is to embrace your dreams with you and guide you along the way.  We want you to follow your heart.  God's word says that, 'He gives us the desires of our heart'.  Therefore, this desire that He's placed in your heart to photograph little girls and their dolls (and boys and their toys); He will also give you what it takes to nurture it and allow you to see it grow.

One of the ways that we are embracing your dreams and guiding you along the way is to have you 'learn' how to use your camera to take better pictures.  Since this is 'your business', your Dad and I decided that photography lessons would be the next step.  Our job, as your parents, is to embrace your dreams with you and guide you along the way.  We want you to follow your heart.  God's word says that, 'He gives us the desires of our heart'.  Therefore, this desire that He's placed in your heart to photograph little girls and their dolls (and boys and their toys); He will also give you what it takes to nurture it and allow you to see it grow. My very talented friend Sarha Rush of Sarha Rush Photography has graciously agreed to give you weekly private lessons!

Watching you, 'do your thing', is just so fascinating!  I love to watch you learn.  You seem to just soak everything up, its amazing!  I can't wait for you to start teaching me how to use my camera.  :-)

Madison's First Day of First Grade

 

This was from last year...First Day of Kindergarten.  

Look how I've changed:

Violin Recital May 2013

Click to Play

Tennis Match April 2013

Three Generations of Love

Click here to view this photo book larger

Photo Book Tip: Create an adventurous travel photo album at Shutterfly.com.

We miss you Opa!

Opa - We are a little in shock right now as your passing was very unexpected and very quick.  We are thankful that you did not suffer, but we wish we were able to say goodbye.  We are grateful for all of the wonderful memories we made together and we will cherish them in our hearts forever.  You are gone, but you will never be forgotten.  We love you.  Until we see you again.....

Happy Hanukkah!!! Merry Christmas!!!

In our home, we have decided to celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. Your mother (me) was raised as a Christian and so was your father; however, your Opa (my father) is Jewish and so is the rest of his family, including your Auntie Auntie Nancy and Auntie Leslie.  It is because of your Opa that we embrace Hanukkah.  In fact, many households celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah, as we've discovered together in the book we read, "Light the Lights! A Story About Celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas". Our Star of David tree topper is an interfaith tree topper - it's our way of showing how we embrace the two holidays.  Of course, we are not "practicing Jews", however because of who we are, this is the way we've chosen to celebrate it! At Hanukkah, we celebrate God's miracle to the Jewish people.  At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Even though our beliefs differ, we respect Opa and his family for what they believe as they respect us for what we believe.  Its called love.  The lesson here: Always be respectful of others, their culture and what they believe.  

Madison's 6th Birthday Party at The Locomo (Roller Skating Rink)

 

Madison, I am truly proud of you, you virtually planned this "roller-skating" party on your own.  Almost everything was your idea, from the venue to the color of the cupcakes!  I enjoyed making the cupcake toppers with you, what fun!  At your party, the face painting was a surprise for you and you were so excited to get your face painted.  You truly enjoyed yourself at your party with your closest friends.  The thing that impressed me the most was that you did not use the 'skate mate' to skate.  You were very comfortable skating without it in your new "birthday skates" (with pom poms).  Your Daddy and I got in on the fun too, to your surprise!  Daddy dressed like, "Don Johnson" from an 80s TV show called, "Miami Vice"; and Mommy dressed like how she used to dress in the 80s when she lived in the Bronx.  Hahahahahaha! Happy 6th birthday my precious, you are growing up to be such a sweet, well behaved and well mannered young lady.  We are truly blessed to have you as a daughter!

Happy 6th Birthday Madison!

Madison you are the joy of my days! On this special day, six years ago, you changed my life. You are a miracle child and you have been a huge blessing to me and to Daddy! We are very proud of you and honored to be your parents.  Stay sweet!  We love you forever and a day!