oooooommmmmmmmmm. . . .

So, Mackenzie and I were cleaning the house today. Fun, Fun! Actually, Mackenzie and I both enjoy cleaning. For the most part we only used water to clean (except in the bathroom of course!). Anyway, armed with our trusty microfiber cloths and a bottle of water, we set out to clean the laundry room. You know, dust the baseboards, wipe down the washer, dryer, walls, etc. ANYWAY, Mackenzie kept spraying the walls and then "letting it dry" instead of wiping the water off. Well, I asked her not to do it and told her she would have the water taken away from her if she did it again. Yup. You guessed it, when I wasn't looking, she did it again. So, I took the water bottle. She became all disgruntled and ran into the family room. I finished the little I had left to clean in the laundry room and then went out to find her.

All was quiet in the house. . .a concern when there is usually some type of noise coming from Mackenzie. I stopped to listen. Then I heard "ooooommmmmmm". . . pause. . . "ooooooommmmmm". . .and traced the source to my daughter! She was sitting in the corner, legs crossed, hands laying on either leg, fingers pressed together, saying "oooooommmmmmm." I had to inquire.

"Mackenzie, what are you doing?"

"I am meditating because I was mean to you."

"Oh, of course. Is it making you feel better?"

"Yes."

"Ok, you get back to meditating, and I will go help daddy."

I left the room with the echos of "oooooommmmm" following me.

Where did she learn how to meditate you ask? Her school of course! They teach sign language, spanish, and yoga. I LOVE HER SCHOOL!!!!

I don't have pictures of the acutal event, but I did ask her to repeat it, and she did. I will post the pics soon.

"ooooommmmmmmmmmmm"

Mackenzie goes to the Dentist!

Mackenzie had her first official dentist appt yesterday! I was really curious about how well she would do. And of course, like any parent, I brought my camera along for some pics. Oh, you mean most (normal) people don't bring their cameras with them to the dentist? Hmmm. Maybe I am stranger that I originally thought!

To begin, I must mention that Mackenzie was bothered instantly by the light that the dentist uses to look in your mouth. She was instantly offered sunglasses, and proceeded to have her entire visit wearing shades!

Sara, our dental hygenist started by "counting" Mackenzie's teeth. Mackenzie was ok through that part. I learned that Mackenzie has 20 teeth - 10 on top, and 10 on the bottom. Who knew? Once the counting was over, Sara started cleaning Mackenzie's teeth - with bubblegum toothpaste! This was the part I was most anxious about - Mackenzie hates it when we brush her teeth. You would think she was used to it now. . .but no! Mackenzie actually did a fantastic job! She said it tickled!! THANK GOODNESS!!!



Whew! We got through the cleaning to the spit-sucker-thing. Sorry. There is really not a nice way of putting it, and I have no idea what it is called. Maybe it is a "Saliva Vacuum"? Hmmm. I will have to ask on my next visit! Anway, I was for sure that THIS was where Mackenzie was going to lose her mind. Again, she surprised me. She liked the Salvia Vacuum. She thought it was neat and cool!

Then time for a little rinse. . .then the sucker again. . .and all was still well.

Until. . .the dentist came in. She really, really liked him. Until he used the tooth hook thing to poke her teeth and check for cavities. One poke, and she was done. Finished. Outta there! She didn't cry, in fact, she was very brave. But, there was a major boo boo face. They recommened that we take her to a kiddie dentist for x-rays and such. I made the appointment today, so I will fill you in after we go!

More Easter Pics

Easter is OVER. It's so sad. The excitement leading up to the day is almost unbelievable. . .and then, it's over. BUT, I got some really cute shots of Mackenzie in her Easter garb.
First though, take a look at our Easter weather. . .this was the scene while Mackenzie was hunting for her eggs!!

My nephew at breakfast. . .look at that sweet, handsome face!

Mackenzie (being Mackenzie) decided to SORT her candy at the breakfast table. . .

It's the Easter Bunny! Mackenzie wanted to know why he was so BIG. It took almost three HOURS before she was brave enough to venture up to him. . .and then when she did, she needed Ryland to go with her. You would never know it from her face!

Look at that face. . .I am so loving those baby blue eyes!!!


Watching the snow. . .such a peaceful pic!

It's almost EASTER!

Mackenzie has helped us color Easter Eggs since the time she was 11 months old!!! This year wasn't any different!!! Last night we set about to color a dozen eggs for the Easter Bunny. We only had one casualty, and it was daddy's fault, not Mackenzie's! Here are a few of this years pics!

We've been busy!

Well, I haven't blogged for a bit, but it hasn't been b/c I have been slacking!! We have been crazy busy! Of course not crazy enough that I didn't have my camera with me! Let me start with last week-end. Matt needed to install some tile around his parents fireplace before they returned home from their three month sabatical. He procrastinated a bit (meaning he waited til the last week-end before their return). . .but it worked out fine! He got the fireplace finished on Sunday, and his parents came home on Thursday. He did a fabulous job, and their fireplace looks wonderful! Now, I know you are thinking to yourself, "I know she took photos, so where are they already?" Hmmmm. About that. I forgot to take photos of the fireplace!!! Can you believe it? Mackenzie and I were totally busy entertaining Aunt Kathy. . .or was it the other way around?!!

Anyway, Matt finished all the tile on Saturday, and all that was left for him to do on Sunday was replace the stone that had been removed to accomodate the new fireplace & tile. In order to do this, he needed a few extra supplies from Lowes. SOOOOO, on Sunday, we headed over to Lowes. . .Matt said he would only be in the store for a "few" minutes, so Mackenzie and I waited in the car. . .for a long. . . long. . .LONG! time. We got bored. I got out my camera. From then on out, we were both totally entertained! Look at the crazy faces my child can make while sitting in her car seat. . .

After Lowes, the three of us headed straight over to Matt's Parent's place to finish the job. Well, let me rephrase that, Matt headed over to finish the job. . .Mackenzie and I went over to play. Aunt Kathy, Mackenzie, and I left Matt with his work to go for a walk. It was kinda a blustery, cool, overcast day, so we didn't stay out too long. Here are the pics I captured from our journey. . .




Upon our return, Auny Kathy decided it was time to clean the abode. . .it had accumulated a fine layer of construction dust - everywhere. Mackenzie couldn't stand to watch someone else clean without volunteering to help. She enjoys cleaning more than she enjoys her toys! She was given a cloth and then some of her own chores. . .look how busy she was. . .it was her own personal version of heaven!!!!

We stayed and chit-chatted with Aunt Kathy. . .even after all the work was finished. Then we rushed home to get ready for work and school they next day. It ended up being a very fun week-end!

A New 'Do

Mackenzie needed a haircut. . .and I mean badly.  Like three months ago.  However, we, or rather, I, tend to avoid going b/c, well, quite frankly, it isn't fun.  Mackenzie hates it, and therefore, makes me hate it.  BUT, guess what?!?!  Her absolutely, positively, incredible, wonderful, magnificent school has a professional beautician come TO the school to cut your child's hair while you are working.  It's wonderful.  It's easy.  It's perfect!  It's also kinda scary.  See, all you do is fill out this little form on how you would like your child's hair cut.  Attach a check to the form, and then pray.  Pray hard. Pray that your child doesn't have a mohawk when you pick her up.  

After work on the day of the haircut, I raced to Mackenzie's school.  I couldn't wait to see what had happened to her hair.  Upon entering I spoke with the assistant director. . .I asked her how Mackenzie did during her haircut.  She said she did wonderfully.  She sat still.  She listened.  She was a GOOD GIRL.  My Mackenzie.  Sat. . . Still. . .Through an entire haircut. . .and I didn't have to hold her down!  Whoo Hoo!  Progress!   To make this even more impressive, I forgot to "warn" Mackenzie that she was going to have a haircut when I dropped her off at school that morning.  Amazing, isn't it??   

When I asked Mackenzie about her haircut, she said that she was a good girl.  The the lady who cut her hair was very "nice", and it was FUN!  WOW!   A ll that for only $11 (plus tip).  It was worth EVERY penny!

Oh, and in case you are wondering, her hair looks WONDERFUL!!!

Happy St. Pattys-Gras-Ween!

I am not sure which holiday my daughter thought she was celebrating today. . .St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, or Halloween. MAYBE she just wanted to be like her Mama. Although I am pretty sure she didn't get her color preference from me!

While I was sitting at my desk today at work, I get an email from Mackenzie's teacher. . .let me quote it for you...

"Your daughter wanted some eye shadow so she put green marker all over her eye lids! LOL! It will not all come off! Giving you a heads up so you are not in shock when you get here!"

Of course my daughter wanted GREEN eyeshadow, who wouldn't?? I instantly googled "permanent marker removal", which led to some very interesting suggestions. Try perfume, kosher salt, toothpaste, WD-40, and Goo-Gone. None of the offered suggestions sounded good for the area around the EYES! So, I called the doctor. The nurse pretty much said that Mackenzie would have green eyes for a while. . .we could "try" eye make-up remover, but she will probably be stained for a bit.

In the end, I emailed the teacher back and thanked her for the warning --- I also asked for a photo. . .she sent one, and I was immediately relieved. You see, I was imagining racoon type green eyes. The actual result was much less scary! Although I have a feeling she will have green eyelids for quite sometime.

Here are the results. . .AFTER we cleaned her lids with eye make-up remover!!! She is such a BOOGER!

Birthday Party #6

The last few months have been FULL of birthday parties for Mackenzie's friends. . .I think today marked number six. . .since December. Most have been at the "bounce house" place. The one we were invited to today was at the YMCA. It was a very nice change of pace. . .not that we don't love the bouce house! What I really loved about the "Y" was the fabulous LIGHTING in the room. Most people probably don't think about the lighting while at a birthday party. . .but, well, I do. The lighting in the bounce place = flat. So, I end up taking only a few photos. Today, I took a ton. I couldn't help myself!!!

This is a photo of the beautiful birthday girl, Sydney. Isn't she precious??

Mackenzie being a goof ball! She was sure to scream out, "Mama!" so that I could catch her in the act! I am so glad I did!!!

Cupcakes and gifts. . .


The Y did something very cool. . .while Sydney was opening her gifts, they had the child that brought the gift sit next to her. So, while Sydney was opening Mackenzie's gift, Mackenzie got to sit by her and help! Cool idea, eh??

This is the birthday girl goofing off. . .

We were so lucky to be invited today. . .the other parents and kiddos that were invited were so much FUN!!!

What we've been up to. . .lately. . .

Matt is under the weather. . .he has a BAD cold. . .with a FEVER, and a cough. Because of his fever, he can't seem to get warm enough. So, Mackenzie and I have been taking care of him. We put blankets in the dryer to make them toasty warm, and then cover him up. We ask him if he needs anything. We give him pitiful looks. We do our best to make him as comfortable as he can possibly be, while trying to stay far away from his GERMS! Poor Matt!

In other news, Mackenzie has a birthday party to go to on Sunday. So she and I stopped at Wally-World to pick out the birthday gift, as well as pick up 101 Dalmatians. Who would have known that this movie would be so entertaining to a 3 (almost 4) year old??? She loves it. She won't MOVE from the couch when it is on. As soon as it is over, she's all, "Can I watch it again. . .just ONE more time?" So far I have not had to watch the movie two times in a row. . .I find other ways to entertain Mackenzie. Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful movie. . .it's just, ANIMATED!



Anyway, while we were at Wally-World, Mackenzie found a tea set that she just HAD to have. I couldn't resist. . .mostly due to the fact that if they would have had an adult size version, I would have bought a set for myself. I bet it would cost more than the $5 deal I got on Mackenzie's set! So for the last few nights (and days) we have been having tea parties. She lines the cups up. . .fills them with tea, milk, and sugar (I get two lumps, thank you very much!), and then hands them out to Matt and myself. She has been a very good hostess!





New subject. . .

Anyone that knows Mackenzie knows that she is a picky eater. She won't eat anything that doesn't "look" good (at least to her). There is a caveat to this rule however - if it is chocolate, or fruit, she will eat it first. . .ask questions later. She would probably eat, and enjoy, chocolate-covered grasshoppers! So this morning for breakfast I remembered that I had a honeydew melon in the fridge that was probably teetering on the "fresh fence". So, I sliced off a piece for myself and Mackenzie. Mackenzie has had honeydew before, but not still on the rind, so it didn't look "normal" to her. She looked it, recognized it as a fruit, and shoved it in her mouth. Then she gave me a look. . .a weird look. . .which was followed by a, "hmmm, that's tasty. . .what is it?" I told her, and she then proceeded to eat about 5 more pieces!


Other than that, we don't have much going on. My Amaryllis-es. . .or is it Amarylli(?) plants are blooming. You usually see them in stores for Christmas. . .apparently mine like the month of March better! Take a look for yourself!




Hmmmm. . .the only other photo worth sharing is of the cute little chick that I bought for Easter. I couldn't resist buying it. . .it was a total impulse purchase. . .and I don't really know where to quite put it. But I like it nonetheless. Look at that face!

It SNOWED today!

On Sunday we almost reached a record high temperature. . .somewhere around 78 degrees. It actually felt HOT. I came down with a bad case of SPRING FEVER. Yesterday the high was about 30, and then today it snowed. A lot. Like 10 inches in some areas. Just writing about it is depressing me. . .so I am going to talk about more exciting things. . .like this past week-end!

Saturday was a very busy day for us. Mackenzie and I went to a birthday party for Calvin (the neighbor across the street). . .who was celebrating his fourth birthday! We went to one of those really cool and crazy places where the kids get to bounce, slide, run, and jump on those HUGE bounce "houses". I LOVE that place. It totally wears the kids out and they have a great time in the process.

After the bouncing the kids got to eat cupcakes, ice cream, and chips. They also got their fair share of lemonade and/or fruit punch. After they finished their snacks, Calvin got to open some very cool gifts. . .


When the party was over, each child got a "loot" bag FULL of some little trinkets. Mackenzie's favorite?? The eye patch. Go figure.

Matt had to miss the party to do a commercial photo shoot for the St. Charles Business Magazine. So Matt had to work while Mackenzie and I got to play! :) After the photoshoot Matt picked us up from the party then we all went home and took LONG naps!

Saturday night we had another party to attend. . .this one just happened to be at our house. . .but it was hosted by Matt's parents! Every year they host (from far, far, away. . .in a totally different state) a Valentine's Day Pizza Party. As many of their kids, in-laws, and grandkids get together and celebrate V-Day by eating pizza, playing games, and spending some very good quality time with each other. This year we had a blast. . .we ate Papa John's pizza, salad, wings, and brownies! YUM! Afterwards we bowled, boxed, and played a bit of tennis. . .on a Wii of course! It was great!

My Birthday was. . .a month ago!!!

Yikes! That means only 11 more months until another birthday! Actually, that doesn't hurt my feelings. . .I LOVE birthdays!!! Here is a picture that my lovely sister-in-law, Kathy, took over at her house. It's me, and of course, Little Miss Mack. Usually I am behind the camera, so it's nice to have a photo taken of me. . .every now and then!

The BEAUTIFUL cake you see was created by Kathy as well. It was strawberry. . .and oh so GOOD. Kathy sure knows how to throw a birthday party! LOVED IT!

Thanks, Kathy!!!

Techno Kiddo

Mackenzie has just discovered the magic of the computer. She loves it. . .and I love that she loves it! I can set her in front of Matt's PC while I check the weather or my email on my PC. It keeps her totally entertained and I can get a few minutes to catch up on work. . .or Facebook. . .you know, the important stuff!!


Over our Christmas holiday my grandma, or Mackenzie's Great-Grandma, taught Mackenzie how to use the mouse. Since then, she has become a mouse-using pro! She really enjoys playing games on Nick Jr. and Noggin.com, and I love the education she gets. . .as well as her total enjoyment.