February

My little Maddi turned 10 on February 4th. 10! It still boggles my mind a bit, how fast that decade has gone by. Maddi is a wonder. She is bright, funny, beautiful, intelligent - and as amazing as these qualities are she is also one of the kindest, most considerate, selfless people I know. She is determined and consistent and she has such amazing self-control. Her laugh cracks us up and her spirit warms my heart. She warms our home with her thoughtfulness and awareness of others. Happy Birthday, dearest Maddi! (Yes, again. In case you lost count, that's three times in two weeks.)

Eli celebrated 100 days of kindergarten.

He's so cute.

 About a week later, we all stood in line for 5 hours so Sammi could audition for America's Got Talent. The overall setting and experience was definitely not glamorous. It was essentially waiting in line for five hours outside, around, and through the arena, the line zig-zagging throughout, with a very mixed assortment of the human family. One woman (who had officially changed her name to "Forever Friday" - true story. She showed us her driver's license to prove it) pointed a finger at Sammi and said "YOU! You are that girl in blue that sang at that Valentine-thing and were better than everyone!" Sammi looked perplexed as the woman then swung towards me, pointed and said "YOU! You're that hair lady with a tattoo!" Hahaha. No. We were directly in front of a guy that was a bit "off."He didn't get too close to the kids, but he seemed rather intent on standing as close to Matt as possible, so that gave us a giggle. Matt, however, grew weary of his new "friend" that stood inside his bubble and rapped in his ear. Yes. Rapped. The kids did AMAZING as we waited for 5 hours. Henry just sat and looked at everyone the whole time and Charlotte entertained with song, dance, and awkward questions. Keith and Eli used their V-tech "cameras" to document the occasion - and random strangers - and Maddi read, joked with Matt and I, and took it all in. Sammi did really really well. She got a little nervous right before, but pulled it together. It's like she thrives off of the pressure. I found myself rather surprised at how well she sings her song - I've always known she was good, but it seems like this last week she stepped up a level. Anyway, only one of us could go with her into the audition so we decided Matt should go. He said she did awesome - she sang it the best she has since she's been singing it for us (which is a LOT). She did her own arrangement of "Hanging Tree" from Mocking Jay movie. We weren't allowed to have cameras, but I'll post a video I made of her singing it on here) .  (side note: we assume she didn't make it on the show because they didn't call and have posted on their website that all calls have been made. No worries - it was a fun night and such a good experience for her. We're happy.)

We celebrated Valentine's Day...

Maddi taught Skipper how to play "hide-and-seek"...

And Matt got a camper for his birthday (it was an early gift, and will cover his birthdays for the next decade.)

By the end of this month, most of us were coming down with what seemed to be only the sniffles, but was soon to be the unleashed illness-of-the-century for our clan. *ominous, foreboding music*