2GoodTuesday

Generally speaking, things are good. Busy. Busy. Busy. Good. Good. Good.

Here's 2GoodThings from this week, both from today:

1. I got to pick up the kids from totcollege. Mackenzie, Saige and Jordan S. were playing. I watched them run around together, all laughing, all engaged. Mackenzie saw me, screamed, and then hid with Saige under the table. Jordan S. quickly joined them, which meant I got to pretend I couldn't see any of them. I remember Mackenzie and Saige as babies sitting at the table in the baby room. Now they are little girls. Playing together. Using their imaginations together. Learning to be friends together. And with new friends, like Jordan S. Absolutely Awesome.
2. Zachy, Zachy, Zachy. He was sitting on the slide, 'talking to a teacher,' pointing at the other teacher, who was blowing bubbles. Look of total contentment on his face. When he saw Mackenzie and I, he ran over, with his arms out, smiling like only Zachy can. After greeting us, he walked to the door confidently, like he owns the place, and said, Let's go! Again, Absolutely Awesome.

2GoodTuesday3.29.11

We had a really good day yesterday. It was beautiful out, and should be even nicer as the week continues. We got some sunshine, Zach took a nice nap, Mackenzie played nicely by herself for a little bit, and Mommy never felt like I was totally struggling to keep up.

This week's 2Good things have both already been referenced, but they really were awesome.

1. Zachy saying Mommy and not just Momma. Something so sweet about hearing your child call you Mommy.
2. Mackenzie and I stumbling upon a circus. The look on her face as she clapped along with vigorous excitement. Simply delightful.
3. Here's a third: This week they have had a few times where they have played well together: taking turns pushing one another on the racing car, making 'paddy cakes' in the sandbox, and collecting rocks in the creek.

2GoodTuesday3.22.11

Not a bad week. not at all. Here's my 2GoodTuesday for today. Plus One.

1. Over the weekend  I put Zachy to bed. I could tell he was in a snuggle mood, so I sang songs to him for about twenty minutes. Part of the time, he swayed from side to side and 'sang' along, especially the word 'Happy' during You are My Sunshine. After while he just rested his head on my chest. When I put him in the crib, he said Hug and after I gave him one last hug, he just went right to sleep. It was perfect. And sweet. I Love Him.
2. Today was the first day back at Totcollege for the kids. Mackenzie made me a card that said I miss my Mommy. Mackenzie. Don't tell her, but I missed her too! I Love Her.
3. One more. Tonight the kids were playing together. They took turns riding and pushing one another on the sit and ride 'car.' Cooperatively. Happily.

I Love Them.

My Babies.

Grateful Momma.

2GoodTuesday3.15.11

Wow. I feel like I have been out of touch and am behind. I neglected my FotoFriday from last week. But all for good reason. We had a special mini-vacay with Grammie! Whoot-whoot! We met her down south over the weekend, stayed at a hotel, which Mackenzie was veryVERY excited about and had super fun adventures. Much more to come on our weekend, photos and everything.  And hopefully I'll catch up on the last week too!

Right now, it's late but I, at least, want to do my 2GoodTuesday from the week. Too much to decide. What's it going to be?

1. Tonight I was singing You Are My Sunshine to Zachy before bed. During the You make me Happy, when skies are gray part, he started repeating the word Happy over and over with a big big smile, moving his head from side to side. Momma's smiling!
2. I can't come up with a Mackenzie 'moment' of the week. The truth is, her excitement throughout our vacation was 100% AWESOME. Watching her joy was absolutely priceless. Momma's feeling happy! VeryVERY happy.

2GoodTuesday3.8.11

Here's Three...

1. Zachy playing with balloons tonight. OhMeOhMy. He was giddy with excitement and laughter. Hard to get him calmed down for bed. But he was having fun.Fun.FUN! And that I like. A lot.
2. Mackenzie and I telling secrets. Whispering in one another's ear. Her secret for me? I missed you when I at school today, Momma. I melted. Not sure if there's any of me left.
3. Sibling too good from the morning: Mackenzie asked for an 'animal' and Zachy went and got her one. Actually what he got her was a rubber monster from the bath, which he calls 'Elmo.' So, I think he thought she asked for an Elmo. Regardless, it was sweet!
4. Okay, just one more. So this makes it 2GoodTuesdayx2. I know I already posted it, but Zachy says Mackenzie's name! Yay! Sibling Love.Love. Gotta Love It! Zachy heart 'Kengy.'

Total sidenote: I think kids are hardwired to know Elmo. Zachy has seen Sesame Street maybe once a 'long time ago' and yet totally knows who Elmo is. It's Freaky.

TwoGoodTuesday3.1.11

Here are TwoGoodThings from bright and early today!

1. This morning, Mackenzie wanted to get herself dressed for school. She put on her tee-shirt backwards and said That okay, I want it that way. She then looked at me and said I want to get dressed all by myself. I said, Great!  Get started! And she said But you're still sitting in front of me! So, I had to leave. She then put on her hooded sweatshirt. Backwards again, but was determined to show me how it could still work and proceeded to twist the hood around so it was sort of on the back of her head...determined! As great as she did getting it on, she did eventually ask me to turn it around for her. My girl is getting so big!
2. In the process of running into the back bathroom, Mackenzie woke up Zachy, since she had to go through his room to get there. When I walked in, he was standing, ever so patiently, in his crib, holding his Gunky and said Momma Up. When I was getting ready to leave, he came and hugged me. He's a sweetie-pie for sure.

2GoodTuesday2.22.11

A pretty good 'week.' We got some snow over the weekend. Just enough for Mackenzie to get a 'taste' of it. Literally. She loves going out when it is snowing and opening her mouth so she can taken in some snowflakes. She even knows that each and every snowflake is different. Thanks Miss Anne at totcollege for educating my child! Sunday Mackenzie and I went to Walmart to get out and to pick out a toy with some Valentine's money Grammie had given her. I must say I was impressed with how thoughtful she was. She was quite careful and thorough in her decision making. Zachy had a good week as well. We got to hang out a bit together on Saturday when Mackenzie and Dad went to the library. We didn't do too much, just played and spent time together. He's a delightful companion! Sunday Zachy got to go for a run with Dad when Mackenzie and I went to Walmart. He's 'run' quite a few miles. I'll have to get the official tally from Dad.

So here's my 2GoodTuesday for this week:

1. One morning Mackenzie woke up before me and quietly stepped over me to get my phone, which she handed to me so I could see what time it was and let her know if it was okay for her to wake up or not. She's sweet in the morning. She almost always says I love you first thing. A pretty fabulous way to start the day!
2. We'll have a 2GoodTheme this week - mornings. Last Thursday I had to wake Zachy up for school since he just wasn't waking up on his own. I rubbed his little back, while adoring how sweet he looked. Still didn't wake up. So I picked him up and just held him for a few minutes and then he woke up. He got down without saying anything and walked to the other room with his Gunky. And then just sat there. I walked in to find him and he started laughing. It was just a cute Zachy morning thing.
3. And a third. But it has nothing to do with the morning. Mackenzie knocked Zach over yesterday (I know, that's not good!). She was crying because of course she had consequences. Zach saw her crying and went up and hugged her. I love SiblingLoveMoments!

2GoodTuesday2.15.11

1. Family Circle Time last night. I think it's going to be a new addition to our nightly routine. Right before bath.
2. Zachy walking up to Mackenzie with his arms wide open, saying Hug. Mackenzie hugging him really, really tight and saying, I love you Zachy. Not sure it can get much better than that!

2GoodTuesday2.8.11

This week has been full of 2GoodMoments. Not sure I can narrow it to 2, so maybe I won't.

1. Mackenzie was playing Restaurant Leader. She got out a paper and pen and started to take orders. She was completely into her role. 'Do you have Chicken Nuggets?' 'No, we no have Chicken Nuggets. We have pizza. I be right out with that. I bring you a soda first. Do you want a booster for your baby?' Come to think of it, she was so busy taking our very big order, we never did get our food!
2. Zachy 'sitting' on the potty. He wanted to. He looked down, very pensively. Trying to figure out what exactly was supposed to happen next. Not surprisingly, nothing did. He is only 17 months after all! Who knows, he took a bit longer to walk, so maybe just maybe he'll be an early potty-learner.
3. I know I already referenced it, but Zachy asleep in bed hugging his Gunky. Oh me oh my that was a sweet, sweet sight. Speaking of Gunky, Gunky really needs a bath!
4. Already referenced, but I enjoyed my day with Mackenzie and the memories that it brought back! Oh, and I am loving our new book Knuffle Bunny.
5. Our family parade the other night. Initiated by none other than Miss Mackenzie Nicole.Zachy took a bit to catch on, but he did and once he did he was 'in!'
6. Playing chase in the field yesterday with Mackenzie and Zachy.
7. For whatever reason on Saturday Zachy could not get  enough of me. He wanted meMeME and only ME. I thought it was sweet.
8. This morning I told Mackenzie I was going to pick her up from school and she got a little smile on her face. Little, cause she didn't want me to know she was happy about that. The girl has to keep her Momma guessing!
9. Sitting with Mackenzie at her table and telling one another things we like about each other.
10. Playing ball with Zachy and him wobble-running up to me and saying 'Where ball?' (not quite that clearly, but I knew what he was saying). And then going to look for it with him, getting down on the  floor next to one another and looking under things. We did find it. I just find so much delight in him communicating his needs and interacting with his world. It's amazing! Each and every day.
11. Mackenzie helping Zachy put on his shoes for school this morning.
12. Lastly, cause I have to stop somewhere, the following quote I saw on Positively Positive on Facebook: The light in a child is love. Yes it is.

2GoodTuesday2.1.11

It's that time again, Tuesday. The 'first day' of my two day work week, which ends on Thursday.

We had a good weekend. On Saturday we went to Costco, as usual Zachy got lots of Oh how cute he is. As did Mackenzie, but I think people 'see' him more because he is in the cart, whereas she is walking around or, at one point, on all fours playing dog, until she noticed how dirty her hands got, and then her OCD self stopped that game really quick. After Costco, they had some playtime at the mall and Mackenzie ran into her friend, Montana. The evening topped off with a trip to Red Robin, where a nice little girl gave Mackenzie a balloon. Made her night. And, she even said Thank You!

Oh, I almost forgot, earlier in the day Dad and Mackenzie went to the elementary school and played for an hour and a half on the playground! So, yah, Mackenzie had a pretty fabulous Saturday.

Sunday we took a family trip to the 'Mergress Park,' as Mackenzie calls it. It's actually 'Congress,' but 'Mergress' works and sounds adorable when she says it in her sweet three year voice. That was fun. We played on the swings, went down the slides and Mackenzie even did a bit of hiking up the 'mountain' with Dad. Zachy continues to love going down the slides and would yell Goooo when he was ready to come down.

Dad said that when he picked the kids up from school today, that Miss Sara told him that Mackenzie got a game of Musical Chairs going with some of the other kids. She's a leader! The Toddler Room said he had Tuna Noodle Casserole and loved it. They were starting to think he was going to keep going through naptime.

So, here's (at least) 2GoodThings from our week last week...

1. Mackenzie, Zachy and I all on the swings while Dad pushed us. Higher and Higher. I was 'pretending' to be scared, so Mackenzie joined right in. Dad, of course, kept pushing us higher. Zachy was laughing right along in the baby swing and was full of 'Whooooaaaa's.
2. I enjoyed spending a little one on one time with Zachy on Saturday when Mackenzie got to spend time at the school 'park' with Dad.
3. Okay, one more. Mackenzie told me this morning that she was going to miss me today. That just makes me melt.
4. I just thought of another one. I love coming home and having them be excited when I walk in the door. And then, I love how quickly they start interacting with me as if we never left (Momma...I need....Momma....UP!). It's the perfect end to the 'work' day.

2GoodTuesday11.18.11

My 2GoodTuesdays for this week...

• Tonight I gave Zachy his bath. Just me and him. I loved playing with him. He's so funny. I had a little foam guy I kept popping up over the side of the tub and he was hysterically waiting in anticipation of where the guy would pop up next. When he caught him he would yell out and throw him. The boy is hilarious. After the bath, I held him while he gave himself kisses in the mirror. A lot of kisses. It was funny. And cute. And then just odd.
• This week we got Mackenzie's 'room' set up. New furniture and transformed part of the bedroom into her own little pretty area. She has a new pink bean bag for chillin'. She decided to stay in her 'room' for awhile and read books. She kept coming out to update me. 'Momma, I reading 'Pinkalicious' now.' 'Momma, I still in MY room. I reading 'Too Loud Lily.' She felt special and that felt good.

Now, how 'bout adding in a Totmusing or Three?

• Momma says, 'You've made quite the mess in here Little Miss.' To which she replies, 'I thought I was decorating!'
•  'My issue...my issue is I no want to play with my little brother.'
• Yesterday Mackenzie took Zachy's fly swatter. After a lot of negotiation, I got her to give it back. He had long since moved on, but, quick study that he is, he figured out he won and smugly said, 'MINE!'

2GoodTuesday

I was trying to make it a habit to write Two Good Things that happen every day, but somewhere along the way it faded out. Sometimes I don't have time and, since this is primarily for my kids, I figure the last thing they need is to shift through 365 plus entries a year. Maybe I'm wrong.

I cannot usually devote too much time to blogging on Tuesdays, but the least I can do is post at least Two Good Things that happened during the week. Maybe more, but at least two.

So, here's 2 for this week....

1. Last night I was reading a book to Zachy called 'Yummy Yucky.' Every time I turned the page he licked the 'Yucky' side. I have no idea why. He's 16 months, I cannot imagine he really knew what he was doing, but he quickly figured I found it amusing, so I am sure he started to ham it up a bit. The boy has a sense of humor!
2. Over the weekend Mackenzie and I went on an 'Adventure' to Target to get her a bedspread. But, she only had eyes for bike helmets. After letting her get one (Who am I afterall to deprive her of a safety related item she is begging for?), I tried to redirect her attention back to picking out the bedspread, but she was too busy dancing and twirling in circles with her new Pink Princess Helmet on top her head. 'Twas quite the sight! A cute sight.

So, that's it. 2GoodTuesday!

TuesdayCuteness

Usually I work on Tuesday, but I'm home with the kids today. Did I mention that, starting today, I only work one day out of the next fourteen? I think I can handle that. Anyhoo, my goal today is to keep a list of their cuteness. Oh, and to take great care of them, of course. So, here I go....starting now!

• Groggy Mackenzie telling Zachy, I still waking up. I no want you to touch my face.
• Zachy 'running' up to me and laughing. I see he has a chapstick in his hand, which he knows he is not supposed to have. Once he knows he's busted, he turns and 'runs' away laughing so I'll chase him. Goofball BabyTotBoy!
• Zachy pouring 95% of the milk out of his sippy cup 'cause he still treats it like a science experiment eight months and counting later. Then he takes the last sip as if he's been drinking it all along (despite all the white liquid evidence on his tray). After taking that 'last sip,' he signs More, not  because he wants more to drink, of course, but to pour all over his tray. Clever little sixteen month old I have. And wasteful.
• Mackenzie getting mad at Rufusdog for 'knocking' her off her chair. And laying there moaning until I came to check out the scene of the accident (Worry not, no tots were harmed in the process, no matter what she wants us to think!).
• Mackenzie playing 'baby.' Oh wait, that's not cute. That's totally annoying. Keeping it real.
• Zachy bringing me his shoes and saying, Out.
• After getting his shoes on and realising that did not get him outside, he brings me his jacket. It worked. How could I resist that much cuteness?
• Mackenzie sounds so sweet when she is playing Totcollege. I hope she really talks to her teachers that nicely! I am thinking she does. Hmmmm. I wonder if she plays Momma's daughter Mackenzie at school and talks to them there like she talks to me here. 'Tude and all.  Hmmm. That would be interesting. Might get her expelled.
• Zachy doing the Downward Dog.
• Mackenzie asking me to close the gate to the playroom aka her house. Her imagination is adorable and pure genius. And her quietly playing alone, not too bad too! I like.
• Zachy laughing with glee as I get his science experiment ready, aka milk in a sippy cup, at lunch. One  would think the saying Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results applies here eight months and counting later. But seriously, eventually he has to learn to drink liquid out of it, right?
• Zachy trying to feed Mackenzie and Mackenzie saying, I NO want you to feed me Zachy!
• The two of them building a tower of blocks...together.
• Mackenzie actually being able to build the tower while I changed Zachy's diaper and then saying, Do-da-da-doooo! I the Big Kid! Right.As.Zachy.Knocked.It.Down. Ahhhhhh!!!!!
• Zachy and Mackenzie dancing to Lauri Berkman. Smiling just thining of it.
• Mackenzie coming in the kitchen and saying, Mom, Olivia is not over, in effort to avoid laying down for a rest. (She got to watch Olivia before nap and was to tell me when it was done.)
• After telling Mackenzie she needs to go to her room for rest time (translation Momma needs quiet time), she walks toward the playroom and says, This my room! Nice try, Mackenzie, Nice try!
• Just when I think I cannot take another disastrous naptime, they both fall asleep perfectly. Cute, maybe not. Awesome, totally. Although if I picture their sweet sleeping faces, that is insanely cute.
• Zachy giving himself kisses in the mirror.
• Playing Princess Zachy and Queen Mackenzie. Yep, Zachy put on a little Princess skirt, by 'choice.'
• Zachy 'helping' me carry the laundry basket to the bedroom. Oh, he was so happy with himself. Mackenzie then joined in and he loved that too.
• Zachy doing his 'new' thing at bedtime and getting out of bed, walking to the door, walking to see Mackenzie and then running away laughing 'cause he's busted. (This is the second time I have mentioned Zachy getting busted. Mischevious little guy, isn't he?)
• Mackenzie saying, Thank you for a good day too. I love you too, Momma, before bed.

Yep, it was a CuteCuteCute Day! Lovin' My Babies!

HappyHumpDay

Getting home from work last night was awesome. GoodThingNumberOne (from Tuesday)...

• Zachy 'walking' to greet me when I got home with his 'I'm a Rockstar' expression. Yes, you are a Rockstar my almost-walking Zacharoo! I know I keep gushing about it and will continue to do so, even later in this very post, but his 'walking' is precious. I could SCREAM it's so cute.

I was also greeted by Mackenzie calling out to me from the bathroom. 'Momma, I pooping. Come see.' If your not a Mother, this probably sounds gross. Not that if you are a Mother it's something you look forward to, but it's all in a day's work. Yep, that's Motherhood, all inclusive: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

Zachy continued to practice his walking, but was pretty tired, so taken to bed fairly early. When I got out from putting him down, Mackenzie was still playing away. Resisting her bedtime. She was playing, what else, 'Preschool.' At (real) Preschool, the kids are immersed right now in art projects. Next month they have a special Parent's Night set up so we can come and see our kid's work. I can't wait.  (Hmmm...tonight Mackenzie said that tomorrow they have 'music class.' Maybe the kids will all sing a song together for the special Parent Night? Oh, how lovely would that be!) So, last night she was having me 'paint' objects. She, of course was the 'teacher' and I was the 'friend.' When I would finish, she would take My Masterpiece (hey, I can dream, right?) over to the drying area, tell me in her 'teacher voice' that I had done a 'Good Job' before sending me home for the day. Then calling me back to do it all again, of course.

She finally got into bed, but just would not fall asleep. I had been up early, so decided to go to bed with her.
 GoodThingNumberTwo (from Tuesday)...

• Mackenzie whispering, 'I love you too. No more talking.' before rather quickly falling to sleep.

Today was a fine day. Zachy practiced his walking a lot today. He is 'there.' Favoring crawling a little still, but not too much longer. I love seeing him walk over to me. Such a different sight than I am used to. Again, the look on his face just makes me smile every time, smile and feel a little like (happy) crying at the same time. He wants to practice his walking in any way he can. He pushed a walker around for a bit. He figured out he could transport stuff on it. The random things he would put there was hysterical. He was walking with his walker, saw a bib on the floor and said, his always favorite word, 'Ut-oh,' picked up the bib and put it on his walker. Very thoughtfully. Then just transported it all over to nowhere. He also likes to walk holding hands like I have mentioned. And, of course, he did a lot of solo, unsupported walking. As I think about it, he might have actually walked more than he crawled today. The balance just might have already shifted. When he is walking unsupported, he likes to carry things in his hands. Because he can. Again, random things. A zoo animal visor, a purse, a block, a sketch a doodle. You name it, he'll carry it. He even tried to 'kick' a ball while walking. Whoa, Slow Down Buddy! Kicking balls come much later! And now that he is walking all over, he is MUCH LESS clingy! I'm telling you, there's a little push-pull resistance to independence that happens right before walking.

Mackenzie was an absolute delight today. She is getting so good with her brother. I know it pains her at times, but she really tries. She said 'actually' today. I Love when toddlers start saying 'actually.' Because, when they learn that word, then they actually start to say it all the time! She also kept using the phrase 'on purpose.' We discussed whether RufusDog pushed her over 'on accident or on purpose.'  She was convinced it was 'on purpose.' Today we painted her Pumpkin. Carved off the top and painted it. Yes, I realise it is way past Halloween, but the beauty of having a three year old is that she doesn't totally know what goes with what. I take that back, today she said, with a big glossy-eyed consumer driven expression, 'I sure hope Santa brings me A LOT of presents!' How does she know that? Speaking of Santa, I told Mackenzie that maybe he would bring her a new bed. Her own bed. She loves the idea. So, now she is sure Santa is bringing her a bed. Oops, Momma should have thought before suggesting such a thing was possible. Possible to a three year old means it's happening. I'm in a bit of a bind, if Santa doesn't bring her a bed, will she forever be disappointed in Santa? It all sounds great, Mackenzie in her own bed, but would she really do it? So, that's my latest and greatest dilemma.

Our HappyHumpDayGoodThings...

• Mackenzie loving being teased by neighbor Rich. I love when she gets to interact with people, enjoy herself and show off her fun n sparkly self.
• Zachy shoveling sand into a bucket and dumping it out. He is so studious; his fascination with things is never ending.
• Playing music together. All of us, experimenting with different instruments, Mackenzie singing and Zachy applauding.