Madeline's Birthday

March 9, 2009 . . . My granddaughter is turning 9 on the 9th of March in the year 2009!  Now that is pretty cool!  And so is she!  I remember how excited Erika, Whit and I were as we drove over to Idaho Falls on that day 9 years ago . . . anxious to see the newest and most awaited member of our family!  She was beautiful!  Even her "Lyle Lovett" hairstyle was becoming to her!  We loved everything about her from her giggles to her wiggles!  And of course since she is the one and only grandchild, some may think she is a bit spoiled . . . but I prefer to think of her as SPECIAL!  As she has grown taller and taller (she seems to have her mom and grandma Bell's legs) she has developed into a great animal investigator . . . very curious and knowledgeable about all animals. Fears hardly any - except spiders.  Has been known to keep Papa at bay as she hunts down and captures snakes . . . and I keep a safe distance as I view the amphibians that she seems to find.   Not many can say they have helped in the "chicken slaughter" . . . nor feed the chickens an gather the eggs daily . . .   Her teachers at school sometimes think that she may be "stretching" the truth a bit as she shares incidents from home such as being there to help put the tube down Mufaso's stomach (the cow), posing with one of her favorite pets, Mulan before she headed off to cow heaven, herding the ducks and chickens and any other visiting fowls into the chicken "condo" at night, running wild and free with Bentley the border collie and giving a wide berth to Myron the 6 toed cat.  She loves all things leopard, which gives me a purpose in shopping!!  She loves to rearrange all my little knick knacks . . . but has never broken a one even when she was little.  She has a very definite idea of how things should look.  She is always ready to spend time with her Meaw and we've shared some great times together . . . from sleep overs to fun times at Placerville.  Sure do love that girl!!