Friday, June 13, 2008

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY - MADDIE!!

Wow - our little girl is now 7!!
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She is so excited about her birthday this year!
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We were hoping to be celebrating it in the States with all her Grandmas and Grandpas and Friends, but we are now enjoying a beautiful day here in South Africa.
The Birthday excitement and celebration started yesterday when I took Maddie, her friend Elzette, and Alex to Build - A - Bear! Yes, they just opened a Build a Bear store here in South Africa! The only requirement I told the kids is they had to pick an animal that lives in the wild here. That way they have a special "bear" to remind them of all the animals they saw here. It was a great evening with Maddie. She had so much fun and she was especially excited to show Elzette what Build a bear was all about!! The even nicer part was we had the whole store to ourselves (I am not sure if people here have any idea what Build a bear is all about yet).
Here are some pictures of Maddie's special night:
Maddie and Ellie the Elephant

Putting the stuffing inside

Elzette and Riley the Dog


Alex and Simba the Lion

What a great Night!


Friends 4 Ever!!
Tonight we are going to have pizza (her absolute favorite) and a party at home!


Maddie and Alex - Alex gave her his gift this morning

A new horse!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDIE!
You are so sweet and precious to us!!
We love you so much!!
You are growing up so much here in South Africa - Please don't grow up to fast!!
You are an amazing sister and friend to all!!
We love how you take care of your brother and watch out for him.
We love your hilarious giggle and the many faces and tricks you pull (you must get some of that from your Grandpa)!
May God Bless You in this coming year!
Love Mom, Dad, and Alex

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yutarets! kasagad bah!

joan b. said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MADDIE! It looks like you had a two-day celebration :) The Build-a-Bear place looks exactly like the one here in Grandville. What a fun place to take a friend! You are a sweet girl and it's been great to see all of the pictures your mom posts of your life in South Africa. It seems like one adventure after another!
Sending love and birthday hugs,
Aunt Joan

Sonny Huisman said...

Happy Birthday Maddie! I can't believe you're 7 already! And I love you're two front teeth!

We love you, girl!

It looks like you had a terrific day!

denise said...

Happy 7th Birthday Sweetheart!
Another year older and so grown up.
We've tried to call and it just rings and rings. We were hoping to talk to you today so we'll keep trying!
It looks like you are having a wonderful birthday. Not too many of your friends can say they had a birthday in South Africa! You are making such great memories and having so much fun.
We wish we could spend the day with you (I'm used to us celebrating our birthdays together :(
Tonight we will have the family over to celebrate my birthday so we will be still be celebrating together!! We will think of you at our party and pray that you have a blessed year ahead. We don't know what God has planned yet but I'm sure it will be great!!
Sending love from the moon and back to you! Love Grandma D and Grandpa too!
p.s. Excellent choice on your build-a-bear animals! Exactly what we would have picked!

Michelle said...

Happy Birthday Madison!
We will be sending you a special package next week! so keep watching your mailbox...

We love you and miss you
Uncle Dan, Auntie Chelle, Chase, Drew, Joy & Juliet

Lis said...

Happy Birthday Maddie!! Last year we celebrated with you on your birthday! Remember the fun we had! I hope you had a great day - it looks like you had lots of fun! I love to see your smiling face and I see you are getting your teeth back! You look so pretty! Give your mom a big huge hug for me okay!

Hugs,

Miss. Melissa


Hi Maddie, what have you been doing? Have you seen lots of animals lately? Have you seen any zebras? Did you have fun shooting guns with your dad? (I am really jealous that you could do that!!!) Have you seen any big huge elephants? I just came home from camping and it wasn't the same without you! Happy Birthday Maddie - I miss you lots!

Your Friend,
Justin

Levi is standing here in the background singing "Happy Birthday Maddie, Happy Birthday Maddie...." too cute!

Katie said...

Happy Birthday Maddie. I can't believe how old you look with your new teeth. How fun that they have build a bear there too. I loved your birthday video to mom too - how precious. Love you and miss you all!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Maddie. We tried and tried to call you, but either the call wouldn't go through or the phone just rang & rang.
Looks like you had lots of fun going to build a bear. Love your choice of animals.
I'm sure the pizza party was fun too.
Hugs & Kisses!
Love,
Grandma & Granpa L

Anonymous said...

I missed this special post on your birthday Maddie.....I was so happy to talk to you and pray that you have many more birthday's to come. I love you so much and miss you lots....Buster sends you some special kisses and hugs....