Most recently...

We went to Florida for over 12 days for Winter Break with Aunt Joanne and the Abelson grandparents. It was so enjoyable to be together for such a long time. Steve and I loved being with Madi day in and day out.

Madi had a great time in the pool and especially on the beach, making sand castles, "cakes" and putting her feet in the frigid water (pics to follow). Some time in Florida was spent in Ounta Gorda, some days of the trip were spent in Naples. Every evening while we were in Naples we went to the beach to watch the sunset. Each night there was a group of guys who were playing their guitars by the ocean. Madi walked right up to them (the only child to do so each night) and asked if she could play their guitar (they let her do so, even with the $3000 Ovation guitar). She had a blast watching them strum and pick and then tried to do so as well after studying them. She has a musical drive, with a love of playing instruments and singing.

We saw Uncle Dan Monday evening after we got back from Florida (Uncle Dan was in NY on his way to Israel). Uncle Andrew and Kari came over to our place to visit as well.

Madi will be 2.5 on January 21st. She has exploded verbally and physically. She holds a pen with pointer and thumb and loves to write with pens above all other writing materials.

She loves to say "Look at me" when she does or draws something. She loves to copy what we are doing she also says "Stop it mommy, no laugh" when I laugh at something she does. She often looks us in the eye with a serious face when she wants to tell us something important. She plays her guitar while Steve plays his and she makes up songs, facial expressions and all (while strumming). After finishing her milk before bed she will hand us the empty cup and say "I go to sleep" and does so peacefully.

After her first day back to school we asked how her day was and she stated "I have friends".

Madi always finds the moon. She loves looking at the moon and finding it. It reminds us that it is the little things in lfie that bring joy to children and too often that joy is lost in adulthood drama.

She is a great girl to be around and we constantly remind ourselves how blessed we are to have a daughter who is healthy, growing and makes us laugh and appreciate life each day.

Abelsons