madelyn is 9

this girl was up and dressed with her self-made "birthday girl" sign pinned to her dress and the birthday crown from our trip to toys 'r' us when i came out this morning. she loves being the center of attention!

unfortunately, daddy couldn't get the whole day off from work. so we sent him some pictures of her birthday donuts from her favorite donut shop. i think the main attraction is the size of the donuts (and they are delicious). the kids were also excited when one of the bakers came out to squeeze a little frosting on their fingers.

next stop? chuck e. cheese! we try to consolidate into one birthday trip and since we didn't have any specific plans for madelyn's actual birthday, we chose to go there on her day. she wasn't complaining at all.

the happiest kids in town! sugared up and ready to go.

 everyone filled their pockets with tokens and took off except manning, so he is the one with pictures.

happy with his jackpot

they all love to crunch and munch their tickets. today was our largest total from a single day - 1,054 - and it didn't even take forever.

mason chose not to spend any tickets (his third trip where he has chosen to save his tickets). he is the only one who is able to resist the prizes. maddux always saves a little of his, but mason leaves empty handed every time. madelyn and manning blow every single ticket of their share.

madelyn chose to have lunch at home. and to make it herself! we had bahn mi pasta salad (noodles, broccoli, carrots and cucumber tossed with mayo and topped with avocado - and sriracha for those of us who like a little spice).

we also had dinner at home per madelyn's request - spinach alfredo with bread crumb topping. i should be flattered that she likes my cooking so much.

madelyn couldn't wait to get to the presents! we opened gifts while skyping with the grandparents and then opened the family gifts. daddy and i are getting her some additional furniture for her room on our trip next week so nothing really to open from us, but she didn't mind.

madelyn liked maddux' card.

 i remembered a picture with the birthday kid again. yay! manning didn't want to smile.

super excited for some alice in wonderland tsum tsums. 

madelyn also requested that i make her birthday 'cake' - chocolate chip banana bread with vanilla ice cream.

we just love this birthday girl - and she loves being the oldest! love.