GingerbreadHouseParty

Today we had our first (hopefully) Annual Gingerbread House Making Party. It went PerfectlyPerfect. I like to keep things fairly simple, because Mackenzie and her Peeps are three and I don't want to overstimulate. We invited Ben and Ari and of course Ari's same-age-as-Zachy little sister, Cate.

Mackenzie woke up early. Of course she did. Why would my daughter who really needs her rest get enough sleep on a busy day? That might decrease my stress some after all. But, she did good despite being tired. Yay Mackenzie!

So, the friends arrived about 9:15 or so. The kids ransacked the house playing for about thirty or forty minutes. I tell you, it is interesting to clean up after having kids play in the playroom that don't live here. My kids go through phases where they play with certain things. And, they tend to have routines with how they play with what they play with. But bring in other kids and everything gets gone through and ends up in strange places. Not complaining! Just find it fascinating at the end.

Back to our Par-tay. I had found a well rated easy Quiche recipe on All Recipes, cut up some fruit, put out some yogurt, and Mama Julie brought some bagles. Whala...we had a yummy brunch. Even the kids ate.

Okay and now, onto the 'reason' for our most wonderful gathering....Our 'Gingerbread Houses.'

I premade the Graham Cracker 'Gingerbread Houses' and had all the candy and frosting in bowls. Some of the houses were structurally challenged, but the point was FUN and FUN Was Had By All!

The girls eating together.

Me waiting for the table to mysteriously start to move apparently on it's own.

Note to self: Need to get the new table out.

Zachy enjoying his food.
Pretty much all gone, so he enjoyed it A LOT!

The Big Kids waiting patiently for the Gingerbread House Making to begin.

And, for some reason, Mackenzie decided to put on a Snow White dress.

Decorating time!

SOOOO Focused! Love it!

And, yes, some candy was consumed in the process.

Meanwhile, back in the playroom....

They were handing things to one another and saying,

'Dank you!'

How cute are they?

And now...

Ta-daaaa!

The Big Kids with their Houses!

They Done Good!

And Had Fun!

And that makes Me veryVeryVERY Happy!

'TistheSeason

Today is feeling a bit crazy. A lot to do. Mackenzie has two friends coming over on Friday and we are making Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses. I am not crafty, so I have been preparing things well in advance, well since last night. Trial runs are important in my mind when you have no idea what you're doing. So, between that, making sure I have the food ready to put in the oven (it's a morningish gathering and I work tomorrow), doing some sort of minimal cleaning, getting totcollege gifts ready to drop off tomorrow and, oh yah, taking care of my one and three year olds, the day has been WILD! 'Tis the Season...

Some random tidbits from our day:

• Zachy just came in from out back with one shoe off. He handed it to me. I put it back on. And he walked outside. I thought that was adorable.
• Later he walked up to me with a jacket. He demanded he have it on. Then he couldn't go outside because it was dark and he got very upset. I thought that was adorable too, because he is expressing himself so clearly and I LOVE that!
• We went to the small, but bigger, neighboring town. Checked out the thrift store and got a small baking pan perfect for a totkitchen; found a red plastic tablecloth perfect for our Gingerbread Making Party on Friday at the 'market;' and mailed Christmas Cards at the Post Office. Almost felt like I live in a real city. Almost.
• Found out Santa is making an appearance at the Family Dining Restaurant Friday night. Not sure if we'll be able to make it, but sure will try. Depends on how the day goes!
• Getting out of the house for our trip to 'town' was awful. Mackenzie wanted to be baby and I needed her to put on some clothes because it is cold outside. We both had meltdowns. Hate when that happens. But, all is OK now. And, we had a good time.
• Poor Zachy just got really upset because Mackenzie would not let him have her pink princess purse. I got him the pink Dora one and he was happy. Bet he'll love reading that one day!
• The other day Mackenzie said, 'Momma, Can I have a princess jacket? Jordon 'Milton' has one.' Already? Doesn't the whole but everyone is wearing it start later? Later than THREE?
• When Dad picked up Mackenzie from the Preschool Room yesterday, she was outside playing her baby game with Saige. Great. Let's hope she doesn't start playing puppy. That one gets weird.
• Naptime coming up. Will they nap? Will Zachy nap two and half hours like he did on Monday? That was my Christmas Miracle.
• Getting together all the gifts for all the people at the Totcollege. Teachers and Student Workers and the Director and Co-Director and the Cook and the Teachers from the last two rooms...is it all really necessary? 'Tis the Season...and I DO appreciate them all, tremendously. They take great care of my kids two days a week. That's HUGE!
• Last week Mackenzie said, I go to school at college. She's right actually, the Totcollege is on a college campus.
• I think it's a lot less stressful to just decide not to be ready for the holidays. But last year I had a good excuse. A practically newborn.
• My White Chicken Chili smells....DELISH!
• He napped an hour and a half. Not bad. Mackenzie had a rare decent nap too.
• Made a trial Gingerbread House with Mackenzie. She had a great time and was really into it. But we ate too much candy. 'Tis the Season...
• I'm really glad we did the trial run. Told Dad to pick up M&M's and Lifesavers. Bigger candy just wasn't sticking. Now I'm ready, or so I think I am.
• Zachy has been touchy all day. Having one of those nothing is right in my world days. He's had his happy moments, but he's been pretty crabby. Didn't help that Rufus smacked him in the face with his tail. I think it hurt poor Zachy's feelings.
• Gosh it's hard getting ready for a Friday party when you have 12 hour days on Tuesday and Thursday. Doing it all today and I'm pooped.
• Hoping the morning goes smoothly with Mackenzie tomorrow. Despite being an early riser, she's not a morning person.
• Having too much to do in one day means way too much tv for Mackenzie. I hate using it to babysit. But, I suppose 'Tis the Season....
• Wondering why I washed the kitchen floor over the weekend. Couldn't I have found any other way to waste my time? 
• Have I brushed my teeth today?
• Mackenzie has decided she likes purple. She only wants to wear purple socks. This is a problem since she only has one pair.
• Truth be told, the chicken chili did not come out as flavorful as I like.
• Zachy sort of threw up. Sure doesn't seem sick though. Well, he has been crabby. But he's not lethargic, not at all. No fever. Who knows.
• Oh no, I hear Mackenzie saying she wants out of the bath (Dad is giving them a bath). It's too soon. I need a longer break. Say it isn't so!!
• After he gets on his PJ's, Zachy walks right to the bathroom to brush his teeth. His enthusiasm has rubbed off his previously toothbrushingphobic bigsister.
• Almost time to get the youngins' in bed. Too pooped to pop...that would be Me. 'Tis the Season...
• Zachy walked up to me to give me kisses, his new favorite thing.
• Before bed Mackenzie said, Thank You for a Good day.
• Too pooped to pop for sure. But a Good Day Indeed. 'Tis the Season after all...

FotoFriday11.26.10

I did not get around to posting yesterday. Yesterday was Thanksgiving and it's pretty obvious what I am Thankful for. I am incredibly Thankful for Mackenzie and Zachy. They are both incredibly remarkable Spirits. I am also Grateful that they have a truly good Father; A Father who loves them very very much. We had a nice day. Mackenzie did not eat too much, she just wanted pie. Zachy enjoyed all the sides, the stuffing, the green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and far too many cranberries (full of s.u.g.a.r. - we saw the impact of this right after dinner!). Both loved having pie!

Some pictures from this week in the lives of Mackenzie and Zachy...

We had some cold, rainy weather this week.

Winter has arrived.

Mackenzie's family tree craft.

We had a lot of fun together making it!

Mackenzie got on RufusDog pretending he was a horse.

He was less than thrilled!

Zachy in 'his' necklace holding money.

Totmusing:

'When I grow up, I going to be a horse rider and save allll the horses!'

A little hard to see, but she is on her stick horse here.

Zachy figured out he can drag things behind him.

And he likes carry things and swing them around.

He looks a bit crazed here! And there's our humanitarian horse rider in the background.

 'Bubbles!' He loves Bubbles.

Trying to keep ourselves entertained with laundry basket rides.

Whatever works!

He's just cute. That smirk...so playful and yet so wise.

How sweet is she? I can't help but smile right back!

FotoFriday11.19.10

Not a Bad Week At All...In Fact, it was a Pretty Fine Week in Our World!

Mackenzie playing with the fall leaves.

Later in the week, Zachy rediscovered them on his own.

Zachy playing his 'game.'

The one where he catches the spoon his mouth and won't let go!

Note the mischievous grin and twinkle in his eyes!

Mackenzie's first 'person' drawing!

Working on her Treasure Box.

 Zachy sifting through the remnants of our tomatoes.

Mackenzie painting her pumpkin.

And her face.

Proudly displaying her finished product.

Doing a ballerina dance for Zachy and I.

The FIRST STEPS Moment!

And also the first Teeth-Brushing Moment.

Yay Zachy!

Carrying the zoo animal visor, BECAUSE I CAN!

Yep, I'm a Rockstar! I WALK!

Sister lending a helping hand.

Why? Why not?
Monkey See...Monkey Do!

It's....Music Time!

TwoGoodThings11.13&14.10

Had problems with the Internet yesterday, so I was not able to post this.

Yesterday's TwoGoodThings....

1. Mackenzie is a mini-me. She likes to follow me around and do what I am doing. Tonight I had to change Zachy's diaper and get his jammers on. She brought in one of her dolls (Bucee) and did everything I was doing, said everything I was doing, laughed when I laughed. It was really funny.
2. Zachy made the funniest expressions tonight. I can't even explain them. He gets so animated. At one point tonight he was crawling back and forth behind Mackenzie just laughing. He thinks he is really funny. He is really right. Then he started with the downward dog. And he was looking at Mackenzie and I through his legs, upside down. Yet again, thinking he's a riot and once again, he was right!

And, for today...TwoGoodThings...

1. Making a Treasure Box with Mackenzie. I went to the mall yesterday and got a shoebox. Today Mackenzie and I went to the Dollar Store for some additional craft supplies. When I was getting ready, I had put on a -shirt and some casual 'lounge' like pants. Not quite sweats, but comfy. She said, 'Momma you can't wear those to the Dollar Store. You need to put on clothes like for work (which means jeans...haha!).' She is a riot. So, anyways, after her nap we got started. It was a blast. I'm not too crafty, but what we have done so far looks cute. A bit of a patchwork covering since we just had one size construction paper, but I think it's working out nicely.  And, most importantly, we're enjoying it...To-Geth-Er!
2. I already said the Big News about Zachy, which was he TOOK STEPS! Tonight we had Steak Night. Zachy doesn't quite do steak yet, but he gets into the Spirit of the Family Dinner thing. Sitting on this Throne. After dinner, Dad and Mackenzie went and got ice cream. Mackenzie, Dad and I started to enjoy our ice cream at the table and Zachy was crawling around playing. But he caught on. Yes He Did. He came over and pulled up on me, I gave him a taste and it was aaalllll oooovvvveerrr from there! He was on lap within a couple seconds sharing my serving and clearly enjoying every bite. Maybe that's what gave him the boost for those first steps!
3. OneMoreGoodThing....Zachy and Mackenzie were taking bath together. Next thing you know he starts to hand her the foam letters and she throws them at him and they both start laughing hysterically and he hands her another and she throws it at him and so on and so on.

A Good,  Good Weekend for Us. Quiet. Did not have any real plans, but a Good Weekend.

FotoFriday11.12.10

This week was strange. I should have some great fotos. We had a playdate last Friday and went to a birthday party on Saturday. But, no pictures from either event. Mostly due to dear Mackenzie's (not too good) mood. I worked Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday was not our best day at all, and Thursday was a catch up day. So, a slow week in fotos! But here are a 'few.'

The birthday party was football themed. Zachy wore a Longhorns jersey.

(Mackenzie had a CUTE cheerleading outfit and refused, thus...no pic!)

Could he be any cuter?

Painting...

Zachy's first painting!

Playing together...well, sort of.

Mackenzie playing cars and Zachy playing Princess castle.

GenderAppropriateOrder has been restored...

Zachy playing cars...

...and Mackenzie playing Princess castle.

(Expression would pretty much sum up the mood of the week, unfortunately.)

Awww....