Staring Contest

This afternoon Maddy walked up to me and said "let's play the stare game." At first I had no idea what she was talking about but she kept staring at me with these HUGE eyes and serious face. Then it dawned on me....she wants to have a staring contest. Thanks David, for teaching her that game. 

I'll admit it...she won every single time we played it. And no I didn't let her win because she's 4. She won because she's so cute and you can't help but to smile when you look into her beautiful eyes. I challenge anyone to try it, I bet you'll laugh too. :-)

Flashback Friday 2/25/2011

For this Flashback Friday were going back to February 4, 2007. This was our first night home with Maddy and this picture captures Zack meeting Maddy for the first time. Zack is our first baby and pretty much from the day we brought him home we wondered how he would handle kids. As you can see in the picture I don't look too concerned, I didn't care what was going on, I just wanted to sleep. It took Zack a few days to warm up to Maddy and realize that his world was forever changed. But he is wonderful with the girls and doesn't ask for much in return.

Later in the day, Zack is still not sure about this "thing" Daddy is holding.

By the next day, I was awake and Zack adjusted to the fact
 that Maddy would sit in my lap now and he would have to sit next to me.

Picnic at the park

We've had some beautiful weather this past week. Like sunny and in the 70's beautiful weather. So this morning Maddy and I packed up a picnic lunch and headed to the park with Kate. We haven't been to the park much since we moved to Macon. Mainly because it was hard with Kate. All she could do was sit in a stroller or back pack and watch. Which usually made her frustrated about 15 minutes into our playtime. Well Kate is pretty steady on feet now and wants to walk everywhere so she can finally "play" at the park.

The park is a great place for Kate to practice her moves because the floor is recycled rubber and there isn't any mulch or bark for her to pick up and eat. She was pretty cute trying to chase after her big sister.  There was a small area for "little kids" that had a slide and she loved going down the slide. It was hard to catch pictures of them playing (but I got a few) mainly because I had to keep my eye on both of them. Remember Maddy is my daredevil and will try to jump and slide down things she shouldn't. :-)

At one point Kate was taking a break in her stroller and I looked around the playground. There were several moms and lots of kids. All of the kids were running around playing and talking to one another like friends yet all of the moms were in different corners of the playground either staring off into space or busy playing with their phone. When we first got to the park I thought all the kids must have been friends because they were playing so well together but as I watched I realized that none of them knew each other before today.

As I thought about it more I also realized that none of the moms spoke to one another. What happens between childhood and adulthood that makes it difficult for adults to reach out and even say "hi" yet to our children it's so natural? I am not asking for you to be my best friend or come to my house for dinner but we should at least be able to say "hello" especially if our kids are playing together. I am guilty of it too. I could have just as easily walked over and started a conversation but I didn't. It's way easier to sit on the bench and talk to Kate than to put myself "out there" and risk being rejected or even worse having the other mom think I am "strange".... :-)

But next time I am going to put myself out there...Next time I am going to say hello. :-)

And the winner is.....

Congratulations to Karen Jackson! You won the first ever Bury Cute giveaway. I'll mail the watches to you this week! :-)

To everyone else.....

Don't cry, we'll do another blog contest again soon! :-)

Thank you to everyone that comments on the blog. It's fun to know who is out there reading us. Have a great weekend!

It's giveaway time!

Okay it's giveaway time! This week The Hickory Box and Bury Cute are giving away a pair of watches. They are both the popular silicon watch band style with a little bit of bling. They are perfect for the upcoming spring season. Of course the peace sign watch is in honor of our new line, Groovy Girls.

So how do you play?  Well the rules are simple:

1. At the end of this post leave a comment. Doesn't matter what you say just leave a comment, could be as simple as "hi!" Comments left on Facebook are not eligible.

2.Make sure you leave your name in the comment. If you choose the "anonymous" profile you have to type your name in the comments section otherwise I won't know who you are. :-) For more instructions check out this post: Talk to me people.

3. The comment section will be open until this Saturday, February 19 at 12:00pm. After that I will pick a random winner. The winner will be announced here on the blog Sunday morning.

4. You don't have to be local to participate. I will mail the watches to whomever wins, whether they are in town or out of state.

And just to be clear, there is only one winner and the winner will receive both watches! If you have any questions let me know. You can either Facebook me or email me at jessica_bury@yahoo.com.

Good luck and happy commenting! :-)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! Or as Maddy's says...Happy Vassentine Day. :-)

We've had a very sweet day so far. The family ate breakfast together and swapped valentine's. Then Maddy had a great party at school and came home with lots of goodies! Kate especially loved the party, she walked around the classroom and was doted on by 8 little girls who all want to be big sisters. :-) Our day continued with Maddy and I making "clean" brownies. I'll let you know how they come out. We are trying to phase out processed food and non-organic food in our house so these are my first attempt at non-box, organic, gluten free, brownies. The batter tasted good so I have high hopes that they will be yummy once baked...But I digress.

We are staying in tonight and David is cooking grilling dinner for us and then once the girls are asleep we plan on watching the movie Valentine's Day. I know, that movie is soooo last year. We were a little busy last year with a new baby, a bar exam, and moving. We're just now getting around to watching it.  Hope everyone has a great day with their loved ones. :-)

Click below for pictures from Maddy's party at school.

Pictures from Valentine's Day

Flashback Friday - February 11, 2011

In honor of Valentine's Day and the snow we had here in north Macon yesterday (yes, we had a dusting of snow that was gone by 9am) I have chosen these two pictures from 2008 for today's installment of Flashback Friday.  Valentine's Day 2008 we woke up to several inches of snow in North Carolina. It was the first "big" snow that Maddy got to go play in. She kinda didn't know what to think. But isn't she cute in her snow suit directly imported from Hong Kong by Mr. Steve?  :-)

Look at those bangs.... I think she got her first haircut a week later.

What is this stuff?

Talk to me people....leave a comment

A few people have mentioned that they can't leave comments directly on the blog. Part of the problem was on my end. I have fixed that problem and now the comments section should be open to everyone. Below I have created a "how to leave comments" direction sheet for you. I know I am a dork. Remember I used to teach K-12 grades and faculty how to do "computer" stuff. Old habits die hard. :-)

Now that everything is fixed and anyone that wants to leave a comment can, let's practice. Leave me a comment directly on the blog, not Facebook.  Why, you ask?  Because next week I am going to have the first ever Bury Cute giveaway... All the cool blogs are having giveaways, we should too!

So if you wanna a chance to win the giveaway (and no I am not giving away one of my girls) you have to learn how to leave a comment on the blog. If you still have problems commenting let me know.

The directions might be hard to read, so click on picture itself to open in a larger window.

In case you wondered where Kate has been....

Mmmm....yummy yogurt.

It occurred to me this morning that I haven't blogged about Kate in awhile. So just in case you wondered where Kate has been here she is.... She is 13 months old and my life has changed in a big way because she is WALKING!!! Guess I forgot to mention that with all the Maddy"ness" going on around here. She took her first steps several weeks ago at Mimi and Poppi's house. She prefers to walk with something in her hands and as Uncle Fireman Ben says, she looks like Frankenstein when she walks, but everyday she walks more and more.

She wants to climb stairs now and even this morning she was trying to climb on top of our ottoman. So I find myself a little busier these days watching her, clearing paths, and comforting her when she falls. As I watched her this morning play with an empty (and clean) yogurt cup and spoon I realized that she's nothing like Maddy. I mean they look alike but that's about it. Maddy was very curious and adventurous. Kate is methodical and deliberate (as much as a toddler can be). You can see this when she plays and walks. She gets this serious look in her eyes like she's trying to solving some hard math equation. Yet she's very funny too, as you can see with her new favorite toy the yogurt cup.

Here Mommy have some...

You can't catch me.

Fancy Nancy Birthday Party

This morning Maddy had 9 friends over for a Fancy Nancy Birthday Soiree. Ooh la la, it was an event that's best described with pictures. So for this blog check out the Picasa Web Album below and be sure to read the captions.  And before you judge us, we know we are over the top.  It's just who we are, and I am okay with that. :-) It's also the reason that we only do this every other year, next year it's pizza! :-)

Merci Beaucoup (That's fancy for thanks) to everyone who came and made Maddy's day so fun. A huge "THANK YOU" also goes out to Mimi and Poppi for all their help. No one does fancy better than Mimi. :-)

Enjoy the pictures!

Click on picture to see Maddy's Party.

Groovy Girls

Remember last week when I told you to stay tuned for my new business venture and alternative to indecent Barbie dolls? Well they're here and they are GROOVY!!!  I am so excited to introduce you to Groovy Girls. Groovy Girls are all about fun while promoting diversity, healthy self image, and individuality. Each doll is unique in name and look.

What's so fun about Groovy Girls is that they have lots of adorable clothing options.  Groovy Girl has a swimsuit, PJ's, artist outfit, ball gowns, princess dress, the list goes on and on.  Every outfit and doll is designed for a 3-7 year old to dress by themselves. I love that, because Maddy still can't dress Barbie without some help from Mommy or Daddy.  Plus there are no "little shoes or accessories" for baby sister or brother to chew on and potentially swallow.

Speaking of accessories, Groovy Girls has a fabulous line of accessories. Check out the sleeping bag, the cafe, and the purple car. How cute are they?  So cute! What I have in stock right now is just the beginning. There is a whole line of mermaid girls and accessories, superhero girls, princess girls, and there is even a prince with a dragon! 

So where do you get these Groovy Girls? They are at The Antique Mall on Watson Blvd in Warner Robins. They are inside The Hickory Box, booth #265. My mother in law (aka "Mimi") has two booths inside the mall and sells a variety of fun fashion jewelry, home decor, unique furniture pieces, and gifts. The dolls and accessories are inside the booth with my own Bury Cute tag. The Antique Mall is a fabulous place to shop, if you have never been in you need to go. Every time I go I find something I want or need.

You can also email or facebook me if you are interested in purchasing a doll. Right now we have Tamae (African American) and Thora (Caucasian) in stock and they are only $14.95 each! In the next few weeks I hope to add a 3rd doll to the lineup. In addition to the dolls I am also carrying some of the accessories all of which are pictured above. The more you buy the more I can expand the line and add more dolls and accessories.  Hope you like the dolls as much as we do. Let me know if you have any questions or if you would like to buy a doll. :-)

Goodbye 3, Hello 4

Dear Maddy,
Happy 4th Birthday! It's hard to believe that exactly 4 years ago a nurse handed us a little bundled up baby named Madalyn Ruth. At that moment everything in Mommy and Daddy's world changed. No one could believe how much thick, black, curly hair you had and how huge your little cheeks were. I just kept staring at your lips, those are the same lips that look up at me today and pout. :-)

Time sure has flown by. It's hard to believe that only 4 years ago Daddy had to sit next to your crib and hold your "paci" in until you feel asleep. Now you sleep all by yourself in your big bed. You love being "Fancy" and dress up is one of your favorite things to do. That's why you wanted a "Fancy Nancy" birthday party this year. You also love playing school. You line stuffed animals and dolls up and read  stories, have snack time, circle time, and then you pack up their book bags to go home.

Speaking of school you are learning a lot this year. Just the other day you signed your name on a birthday card for a friend all by yourself.  When we are out and about you point out all the letter "M's" you see and say "look M for Maddy."  You also do it for most of your friends in school too, "look "T" for Tate or "L" for Lia and Lucie."

Words can't describe what a good big sister you are to Kate. Sometimes you can be a little rough but overall you are loving and like to teach her new things. And Kate loves you!  Every time we pick you up from school she screams "Ma-Ma" until you get into the car and then she smiles the biggest smile ever when you say "hi" to her. Just remember that she is your little sister and she looks up to you. Having a sister is a very special thing and I can't wait to watch the both of you grow up together.

I could go on and on about you Maddy Ruth... but I won't. Just know that Mommy and Daddy love you so much and we are so proud of you. You are beautiful, smart, and funny. We are so thankful that God blessed us with you! Just as you sang this morning I will also sing.... "goodbye 3, hello 4" to my little Maddy.

Love,
Mommy

Flashback Friday is a little early this week, but I couldn't resist sharing these pictures. Just look at that face and those lips.... :-)

Madalyn Ruth Bury, February 1, 2007

Under that mask is a proud Daddy