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I know everyone says this.

The time goes by so quickly.

I remember…..really remember…. the day Madolyn was born.

She was 4 1/2 weeks early and she was an emergency c-section.

I remember like it was only a few months ago.

It couldn't have been seven years ago…could it?

But it has.

Seven years and this little girl is growing up.

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This little girl that thinks her older brother is the funniest kid around, she is always making up a story or a play and she SKIPS everywhere.

EVERYWHERE….even after getting in trouble.

She can be upset and the next minute it is forgotten and she has moved on.

Doesn't hold a grudge and is so generous to the people that she loves.

She has been letting us know for the past week what the schedule was for her birthday.

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She wanted pumpkin pancakes with apple cider syrup for breakfast (a family favorite), dinner at PF Changs and playing at Chuck E Cheese….yes, Chuck E Cheese.

Her breakfast was served on our china and our Tiffany crystal goblets…because seriously….when else are we going to use those things???!!!!

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She was all smiles when she came downstairs and saw the table and her presents. 

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I do this for my children because that is always what my mom did for us. 

We always came downstairs to a birthday banner, presents on the table and our favorite breakfast.

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I always felt so special…and I hope my own children grow up feeling the same way.

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We met my sister and her family for dinner at PF Changs and then headed to hell…I mean Chuck E Cheese.

I tried to bribe her not to go.  I offered cash….CASH….she was adamant that the big rat was where the action was.

So we went.

I told my husband that 160 tokens was it and we were out of there.

I had wanted to order a cake from the French Pastry shop here in town and she would not hear of such a thing…we HAD to get the Wal-mart cake (I refuse to buy groceries there…but my Kelly loves Wal-mart…LOVES) with the makeup kit on top.

So…the makeup cake was what we got.

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At the end of the evening you can see the amazing selection of high quality toys that can be traded for your tickets…just look at those choices.

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And just think…besides the incredible quality toys we probably brought home the H1N1 virus…yummy!
!!

You should have seen me with my small bottle of antibacterial hand wash walking around that place.

I would have drank it if I thought it would help!

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!!!!

Maybe next year we can fly to Paris like you originally asked…and yes…she really asked to go to Paris for her birthday!

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Just in case you want to make some yummy pumpkin pancakes for yourself.

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2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup pumpkin
1 3/4 cup bisquik
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tbsp sugar
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Beat eggs on high for 5 minutes and add the rest of the ingredients.

Cider syrup

1 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 cup cider
4 tbsp oj
2 tbsp butter

Mix brown sugar and cornstarch.

Stir in all but butter.

Boil until thick and blend in butter.