Now she's three.

Mackenzie's birthday was November 1st, so I now have a three-year-old. A crazy, lovable, silly, talkative, stubborn three-year-old.

(On the slide at Chick-fil-a, my current favorite picture of her)

Last Monday on her birthday we went to Chick-fil-a for a birthday surprise lunch with some friends. She was so excited. This is about the best shot I could get of seven kids 4 and under sitting at at a round table.


Have I mentioned how much I love Chick-fil-a? And not only because they will bring me as many Dr Pepper refills as I'd like.


When Michael got home that afternoon Mackenzie got to open her presents. While she enjoyed opening them, it was nothing compared to Emma's excitement. Christmas should be interesting.

After dinner, we had brownies (courtesy of Lisa) with three candles in Mac's.

Sunday we had her party. It was a Toy Story/Dora/Diego/Scooby Doo/Princess party. Toy Story cake, plates and napkins, Dora tablecloth and streamers, Diego plates and napkins, Scooby Doo and Disney Princess decorations.

At three, Mackenzie is 36 inches tall (25%) and 30 pounds (50%). She refuses to be potty trained. She's capable, just would prefer not to. No more binkies (thanks to a visit from the binky fairy, more on that later). Loves to sleep in her bottom bunk. While she hasn't been regularly napping since the spring, she will still go upstairs and lay down in bed if she's tired. The girl loves to sleep. She loves her monkey and blankies. I have to limit her to two yogurts a day. She loves mac and cheese, grilled cheese, yogurt, honey nut cheerios, fruit. We made a lot of improvement this summer in what she eats. She'll now eat most veggies and most meats, when before she wouldn't eat anything but chicken nuggets for meat and the basic veggies. Not to say she won't put up a fight if there's something she doesn't want to try, but for three, she does very well. Except peanut butter. She refuses to try it.

She still does her "like this" thing when describing stuff. Calls granola bars granilla bars. She will scream no when there's something she really doesn't like/doesn't want to do. Will still lay on the floor when she's mad or frustrated. Did I mention stubborn? But she often will easily give something to her sister if she wants it, she shares easily and is so giving and loving.

She has lately been saying"da!" "ba ba!" when pointing out things/wanting things because she can and it's funny. You have to hear her say it to get it. Today she said "Sha-la. Sha-la" while wiping up water she spilled. When I asked her what it meant, she matter-of-factly said, "When you want to get a thing, then get a thing." Well, that clears it up.

She rides a two-wheeler, can pump her legs on the swing (no more pushing!) as well as Emma, and takes a shower more than a bath. Although to be honest, she'd prefer a bath. She'll start swimming lessons this winter and (hopefully) ballet in the spring. She's becoming her own person, which means more fighting between the girls as Mackenzie starts to speak her mind and have her own opinions. She is really in to books, and will disappear in to her room to read for long stretches of time. She also wants us to read to her all the time and will read aloud to us. She can now go to the Eagle's Nest at the grocery store and finds this extremely exciting. She's starting to get opinionated about her clothes, which I don't find exciting. She's in Sunday School at church.

She loves to snuggle, loves to play, loves her family and friends. She's beautiful, smart, and just simply amazing.

Four Years Old

I still can't believe she's four. Sigh. But she is. We had Emma's party on Saturday and she loved it. It was princess. And very purple and pink. And perfect for her.

We started out with dinner at CiCi's, her pick. She really wanted macaroni and cheese pizza.

Then we all came back to our house for presents, cake and ice cream. The polly pockets were a huge hit. As were all gift princess and the Dora nightgown, which she wore for the rest of her party.

Before Emma could blow out her candle, Mackenzie leaned it and blew it out. We re-lit it, and it then took Emma four or five tries to blow it out. She didn't mind though.

She loved her party. Loved the pizza, the balloons, the game. Playing with her cousins and her new toys. Wearing her nightgown. Turning 4. She's awesome.

She's two today.

And definitely a toddler. Oh my, she's so funny. So cute. So silly. And sweet and loving. And a bit rotten, too! She's talking so much. It amazes me. Hearing her talk, it's hard to believe we ever worried about her speech. New words every day. 2, 3 and 4 word sentences. She's so smart. She counts every day. Not always in order, and not every number. She tries to sing the ABCs, but doesn't know them all. She still takes great naps, 2 - 3 hours a day. Is a picky eater. She's partial to french fries, pancakes, bananas, Kix, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn and rolls/biscuits. Favorite phrases are "I find it!" and "I want that" and just started saying, "I do-od it" instead of "I did it." Very cute. She'll tell you "thank you" over and over until you say "thank you" back to her. Then she'll do the same with "You're welcome." She loves her big sister. They're so close. Whatever Emma does, Mac does. We love her so much.

We started the day off with church. She was very excited to go play in the nursery, and was just as excited when she saw us at pick-up time.


After church we picked up her cake and ordered the pizza then put her down for a nap as soon as we got home. Unfortunately, it was only an hour and when I woke her up she did not like it at all. When I was putting her hair it pigtails she started to cry and didn't stop for at least 15 minutes. She was going nuts. She finally calmed down with some help from Aunt Abby.

After lunch, Emma, Mackenzie and Claire all dressed up and stayed that way for pretty much the entire time. Of course, Mackenzie was Minnie again.


She was really into the present opening this year. I loved the look on her face as she saw each gift, she was so excited. First gift was ours, which included Diego. She loved him.


Emma really wanted to help (and by help, I mean open by herself) Mackenzie with every present. I got a lot of shots like this one. I also said, "Emma, no. Emma, let her do it. Emma, get back!" many times.


More Diego. She really likes Diego. She got quite a few Diego items: the Diego doll, the Diego rescue jeep, Diego books, Diego movie and Click the Camera.


And a Diego cake, too. She was a bit timid with the candles, so I helped. She wouldn't do it alone.



She really enjoyed it though. We moved the girls' picnic table in to the kitchen for the kids to eat at - great idea my husband had and we will be doing it for every party from now on.


My niece Rachel and her friend Cassie raked leaves for them to play in. Rachel had them all lined up for their turn to jump. Of course, this did not last and before long it was a free-for-all.


Grandma Sweeney makes each grandchild a pillow and gives it to them along with a sleeping bag. Mackenzie's got hers today - a pretty striped sparkly pillow with her name on it and a Disney princess sleeping bag. She was so excited about the pillow and couldn't wait to sleep with it. Turned her crib in to a bed for the first time tonight.

Night-night, munchkin. We love you!

The weekend

Saturday we went to family fun day at our church. We've been wanting to go to one of these for months now, but we've always had plans but this weekend we finally made it. Of course, Emma passed on all the bounce houses, which was expected. But she did want to get on the bungee jump thing, where you're attached to harnesses and can jump and flip around. Unfortunately the line was really long as after a half hour of waiting she was over it.

The girls played games, got prizes and had fun running around. We had lunch there, although all they ate were chips, pretzels and carrot sticks. Mackenzie was afraid of the cotton candy, which meant I got to eat it all. The girls had their first ice cream sandwich, and although Emma was afraid to try it, they discovered just how yummy they are.

(Emma performing for us)

Emma's discovered the joy of taking pictures. And she took this one, which is actually pretty good!

Just before we left, Emma decided to get her face painted, which then changed to hand painting. She was so excited to get a music (pronounced by her as musk-ick) note. She picked it out herself with no guidance from me.

Here's Mackenzie wanting Mommy. She was getting tired of the wait.

That night we attempted a movie under the stars at the amphitheatre. It started off well. We had snacks, drinks, loveys and blankies. The girls were in their pajamas. We were watching Madagascar 2. But then Emma wanted to sit in my lap. And then Mackenzie wanted in my lap. Neither would sit with Michael. They got mad. Then there was fighting, wrestling, crying, yelling. It was time to go. We were scrambling in the dark to fold up our chairs, find all our stuff, keep out of everyone's way, shush the children. It was pretty funny. Looking back that is. At the moment we were just trying to hurry and get out of there! They made it an hour though, pretty good for a 21-month-old and a three and a half year old, I think.

Malachi turned two last week and Sunday was his birthday party. It was a great evening. Emma of course couldn't help but assist Malachi in the present opening. I think unwrapped presents are irresistible to 3-year-olds. Happy Birthday to my adorable nephew!



At the party, Michael was pulling the kids in the wagon. It was like they were on a roller coaster, they loved it!


(Mackenzie, Malachi, Claire, Emma)

Catching up.

I haven't blogged much lately, it's mostly been scrapbooking. Which means I've got a lot of pictures to post and stories to tell.



My mom, sister, niece and aunt came over yesterday and we headed to the outlets to get Emma some fall clothes. I got some great deals at Carter's and Osh Kosh as well as the perfect, fitting, so her, shirt for Emma. If you know her, you've probably guessed it has something to do with talking. And you're right.

The girls (especially Emma) love the outlets because of the ducks, the playground and being able to run. I love this picture of the two of them walking back to meet my mom and aunt. They're getting so big. And Emma's got some long hair.



After only going to the pool once or so in July due to sickness and crappy weather, we've been then twice so far this month.

(Emma and Bree jumping in to Michael and Tim)

Lots of playground trips. Trying to hit all the parks in our area.

Emma fell Monday night at the park. It was very traumatic for both her and I, even though she wasn't really hurt, more scared with a sore bottom. To soothe her (and Mommy) we got some ice cream. We kept pushing Coldstone on her, but she was insistent on a chocolate cone with sprinkles from DQ.

This summer brought the girls their first treats from the ice cream truck, which also happened to be Mackenzie's first popsicle. Mackenzie and I got junior bomb pops, Emma had a Dora ice cream pop and I can't remember what Michael had. I'll ask tomorrow.

Mackenize ate her's shirtless and it's a good thing since she had blue all down her chest/stomach. She ate a little more than half of it, decided she was done so I threw it away, then proceeded to eat the rest of mine.

I babysat Caroline and Jack last month, always fun for the girls, especially Emma. She loves having Caroline over.

Celebrated my sister's birthday.

Tomorrow we're going to Deer Park, Emma is excited to see lots of deers, hee hee. This weekend is Twins Days and we're going to the parade Saturday morning. We haven't been to the actual festival yet but if the weather holds up we might check it out. There are fireworks Saturday night I'm hoping we can see them from our house because that would be great.

Still to come (I hate playing catch - up!) - the zoo, camping, our family reunion, the work we've done outside around the house this summer and a bunch of other stuff I've got to get down before I forget. :)

TGIF

So glad this week is over. It's been busy. It was VBS at church and I taught the Kindergartners. Everyday except Wednesday, that is. Why? Because this kid:

 
(picture taken Sunday 6/15)

has ringworm. Sounds gross, right? I discovered it on her leg Tuesday after lunch and we saw the pediatrician that afternoon. I stayed home with her Wednesday and then we had sitters yesterday and today. Thankfully, it doesn't bother her. It's not anything serious. Just initially very contagious. With a gross-sounding name. (Did ya know Lotrimin, as in the cure for athlete's foot, cures ringworm?) She's now the proud wearer of a Dora or My Little Pony band aid, though, for the next 4 weeks.

Back to VBS, it was awesome. This was my first time teaching and I loved it. Loved seeing the kids sing and laugh and learn about Jesus. They were so smart and knew so much already. This might sound a bit cheesy, but it just made my heart happy. When we'd be singing and I'd hear them sing about loving Jesus and see their eyes all lit up and doing the hand motions to the songs with grins on their faces I just felt joy. Pure joy as I sang along and acted out the songs with them. I was sad Emma only got to attend two days at mini-VBS, due to the whole ringworm thing, but we'll be back next year. I already decided I'm doing teaching again.

Michael's summer finally begins this coming week now that basketball and baseball camps are over. We can now hit the pool for some swimming and use our new zoo membership we got as a Christmas gift from my sister.

Our friends/neighbors just had baby #2 - welcome Jack! Marie - Charlie now has some competition when it comes to Mackenzie! :)

It's my birthday tomorrow. 32. For the first time we're not doing the whole party/cake/both-our-families-over thing. My choice. I'm not sure why, but for some reason it's just not a big deal this year. Maybe it's because it feels like it's just here all of a sudden. We were in Virginia, then VBS this week which flew by and all of a sudden it's my birthday. We've got a graduation party tomorrow for one of our babysitters, Maggie. We're going to go look for carpet for out basement. (So very excited about that!!!!) And that's about it. And I'm good with it. We'll see my family Thursday when we celebrate my niece's birthday and I'm sure we'll see Michael's soon, too. Maybe we'll just have mini-celebrations. :)

Have a good weekend!

We had a party!

Saturday was Emma's first birthday party and it was so fun! We had an Elmo party - Elmo plates and napkins, cake, balloons, hats. Lots of Elmo. Emma seemed to enjoy here cake. She didn't go crazy with it, she actually seemed quite serious about it. But Michael got a big smile out of her when she was done. :)










Everyone was so generous, she got so many fun gifts. Lots of cute clothes, her first puzzle, a piggy bank toy, books, a Weeble castle and a bounce/jumping Zebra. I know I've forgotton some things, but you get the idea. :)