Obama at ASL

Before the weekend, we noticed Parking Suspension signs on the streets surrounding ASL. Yesterday, the Met Police put up their yellow cones along the streets as well. Rumour on the playground was that Obama was coming to ASL today. Some people said he was coming to speak to the students during the day, and some said he was coming to speak to embassy employees in the late evening.

Yesterday on the way home from school, Maddie was asking about the yellow cones. I explained that someone important was coming to ASL. She asked who and I told her Obama. She said, "I know who he is. We talked about him when he first was new." We talked about why the parking was suspended and why some important people need police and security with them. I commented that it was probably a good thing they already had security at her school, and Maddie added, "And a Lost and Found."

This morning, we were informed by friends that Obama wasn't landing until 19:45 so we knew Maddie wouldn't get to see him. Too bad. After school, the streets had been cleared and the police dogs were sniffing around the school. I guess we'll get the details about his visit from our embassy friends tomorrow.

Maddie and I are going to check the Lost and Found in the morning to see if Obama left anything behind.

Cheetah Girls Update

Some of you graciously volunteered your services to make the Cheetah Girls club a big success. Kristina asked to be the manager and Grammy Bammy offered to sew the costumes. Some of you who have not volunteered have been given job assignments anyway! Papa Ricky is the "picture taker for the magazines" and Papa Scott is the "stage builder". Maddie is so happy to have you all in her club!

Weekend Get Away

At the last minute, Luke decided we should get out of town since Maddie had a day off from school. Friday, we drove to Stratford upon Avon and saw the Shakespeare sites. Saturday, we went to Warwick Castle and came home.

Luke and Maddie in front of Shakespeare's birthplace

Izzie found spring

Maddie feeling inspired by her quill

Ally and the girls at Anne Hathaway's Cottage

Warwick Castle

The girls on the playground at the castle

Even though we were seeing some pretty amazing places, the girls probably enjoyed the indoor pool and room service at the hotel more than anything!

Swimsuit Models

We just booked a trip to Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt in April. We've had a cold winter and are in desperate need of some sun as well as new clothes for a beach holiday. Here are the girls modeling their new polka dot swimsuits on a cold, Sunday afternoon.

The New Neighbor

Our new neighbor, Camille, was born on Friday, February 13th. Mom was able to see her in the hospital on Saturday, but Maddie waited patiently until Tuesday. When she finally got home, Maddie couldn't wait to hold her. Eric and Shannon, Camille's parents, have been so great about letting Maddie cuddle, kiss, and smother their first baby.

Camille is absolutely perfect. She's a beautiful baby. We're all excited to have a new neighbor and sweet little friend!

Cheetah Girls - Friends Forever

Recently, Maddie decided to start a club. She had a lot of ideas - cheerleading, High School Musical, cooking, drama, dancing, and Cheetah Girls. After weeks of careful consideration, Maddie has decided to start a Cheetah Girls Club. She wanted me to be sure to tell you that she was introduced to the Cheetah Girls by her cousins, Cicely and Hailey. Since she made her decision, she has spent a lot of time writing Cheetah Girls songs for her club. She does her best work at night after she's been tucked into bed. She'll lie there for hours, working on the lyrics and singing loudly. When she's perfected the lyrics, she dictates them to her Mom who writes them down on carefully selected pieces of paper. Here are the lyrics for her first hit:

Lita nita cheetah friends.
Cheetahs are friends.
Cheetah everything is yours for good.
Cheetah dancing is for them as well.
Cheetahs stay together forever and ever and ever.
Cheetahs are really good together.
Cheetahs do everything together.
Cheetahs help each other.
Cheetahs never fail.
Cheetahs are dancers forever and ever and ever.
Cheetahs are good dancers.
Cheetahs are best friends forever and ever and ever.

Next, I'll try and have her make a music video.

And while we're talking about Maddie, I should tell you that we were on the corner of Exhibition Road and Cromwell Road on Friday where they were getting ready for London Fashion Week. Through a window, we could see them doing hair and makeup. She had lots of ideas about what kind of makeup the models should wear for the occasion. The best part - You should have seen her face as she watched them unload racks of clothing from large trucks. She was so interested in the styles and colors. What I would have given to take her inside to see a real fashion show!

And she sleeps...

... through the night for the first time. HOORAY! It only took her fourteen, long months. Of course, Mom didn't sleep through the night. Izzie has her programmed to wake up more often. Hopefully, Izzie will do it again tonight.

Mom was so excited about Izzie's big night that she had to take pictures of her and her trusty side kick, Minnie Mouse, before she got them out of bed.