Madison's Birthday Week

This week has been all about Madison.  For me, it's hard to believe that my sister is turning 16.  Her SWEET SIXTEEN!!!  I love her and will always love her, but I remember when we used to play with dolls and had an imaginary friend and small silly things like that.   To start her (Birth Week) off, we had lunch at one of her favorite restaurants, Watershed, with a close family friend who is like an aunt to us.  Her name is Anita and she plays tennis with my mom.  She is funny and I always know that I will have a good time with her.  My mom, sister and I enjoyed the mussels.  I have just recently learned to like mussels and man were they good. They weren't just good, THEY WERE GREAT!!!  For dinner that night, we went to Taqueria del Sol. (That's my favorite restaurant.) This place has excellent fish and chicken tacos, but their sweet tea, fresh salsa and cheese dip is to die for.

The next day we went to visit Nana.  We had brunch at Mimi's Cafe and it was delicious.  I had chocolate chip pancakes with bacon. YUMMY! :) After our wonderful brunch, we were surprised to find out that we were visiting The Shermans.  (Todd, Amy, Aidan and Ian are our cousins.) Aidan and Ian, our twin cousins, were just recently born.  They are unbelievably CUTE!! We stayed over for a couple of hours.  We held them and watched them sleep.  I love that family so much and I know that Todd and Amy will do a wonderful job of raising them and I can't wait to watch them grow up.  Once we had hugged and air kissed the beautiful baby boys, the four of us, (Nana, Pop-Pop, Madison and I), headed to Macy's to have a short shopping trip for Madison's birthday.  Madison got a darling white skirt and a dark tank top, while I chose a pink and brown tie dyed skirt.  After we got back to Nana's apartment and had a short rest, we headed out in nice clothes to a restaurant called Fleming's. FYI : If you enjoy lamb chops, get them at Fleming's. (They are the best lamb chops I have ever had.)

After a good nights rest, I woke up on Friday refreshed and went to play a tennis match.  It was the first time I was playing on my USTA team and I was a little nervous.  I was playing singles and my opponent was a girl that had won the last tournament I had played in.  She had an excellent serve, was head and shoulders above me in her playing ability and won the match 3-8.  Later that day, it was time to go to the bris for the twin boys Aidan and Ian.  The boys were adorable even though they had a rough day.  Amy and Todd did a terrific job arranging everything. (By the way, the food was EXCELLENT) (Picture: Left to right: Aidan, Amy and Ian.)  (Sorry Todd, I can only insert one image)

Tomorrow is Madison's birthday and I have heard that there are even more surprises.  I can't wait.  Hopefully she will like her presents and enjoy her SWEET 16!

We leave for London soon and I am super excited.  I probably won't write while I am away, but I will be sure to fill you in when I get back.