Weekend Update - It's a Visit From Santa!!

What a busy weekend!!! On Friday evening, our new neighbors (they moved in about 6-7 months ago, so it's their first Christmas on the block) hosted a wonderful Christmas party. They said they did it every year at their former home and are planning on continuing the tradition in their new house! So many new friends to meet as they invited friends from their old neighborhood and all the kids too. Guess who was the star of the evening??? Of course -- Santa and his elf!! And he brought a gift -- a book for every child. [Parents had been informed ahead of time to get a book, wrap it and put your child's name on it and stash it in a red bag (of course!) on their side porch during the week leading up to the party!] It was so much fun and Santa was in great form! He brought Maddy the book called "A Very Marley Christmas." I think a movie is coming out soon based on Marley, but this book was not the Jennifer Anis*ston, Owen Wils*on version. I checked with Maddy to see what she asked Santa to bring her and she said a surprise! So sweet!

And then Saturday was Maddy's 7th birthday! She accompanied me on some shopping and then we went to the movies and saw Desperaux!! He's not a mouse -- he's a gentleman!! Even though I do not like rodents of any kind, it was a good movie! Last evening, the temps were below zero with wind chills well below zero (like -20) so we opted for pizza at home instead of going out to eat. A good decision, I think as the streets were very icy.

And then just before bed, another exciting thing happened! Maddy lost one of her top front teeth! She had two bottom teeth pulled last year due to their slowness in falling out, so this was really the first one to lose on her own. Actually, I helped it along and pulled it -- not one of my favorite parental duties. Her smile is so different and so cute!

Last night Philip and Catherine came to spend the night. Maddy and I made blueberry muffins this morning for breakfast. She is so excited to have Philip and Catherine here for a visit. They are headed to the Children's Museum for some more fun this afternoon! What a weekend! And yes, Philip is a bit of a bed-head in this photo, but he consented to have his picture taken so bloggy friends can see Maddy's smile without that tooth!