StatusUpdate

Thought I'd use some facebook statuses to catch us up even more! I know, I'm still a whole Friday Faves behind though!

• something tells me i should have woken zach up before his nap hit 3.5 hours. it's a play now, pay later kind-of thing.
• darn you, laundry. darn you.
• lunch time. mackenzie wants fish crackers, pretzels or cookies. i have offered turkey. i just asked, 'are you ready for turkey, or do you want to hold out and see if you get snacks?' her response? (with a smirk) 'i'll hold out for a bit longer for snacks.' predictable, i know. but it was pretty funny.
• dad took the kids to the Y. quiet house. yummy turkey and avocado sandwich. and then the cat throws up. can momma get a break? please?
• gymnastics this morning followed by an evening literally running around the zoo = mackenzie out in 5!
• okay so we went to say bye to mackenzie's preschool friends who are graduating to kindergarten. i know it's only preschool and not even my child who's moving on yet, but i wanted to cry. not cut out for the emotions that comes with this parenting thing!
• going to a 'graduation' potluck this evening at Mackenzie's preschool for the 'friends' who will be starting kinder next week. next year it'll be her. oh my.
• and in 3 short years it'll be zachy...oh my oh my!
• never had to work with mackenzie on 'using her words' as the saying goes because she uses them just fine. zach's a little less verbal. unless it has to do with sugar. 'more cookies' flows out of his mouth perfectly.
• mackenzie got a new, special purse yesterday. it's a black poodle with a sparkly pink shirt & bow. i emptied it out tonight & she had put in it: a camera, a cell phone, something to pull her 'hair' back with & her ID (ymca). just like her momma's purse. made me smile. ♥ her!
• My kids birthdays are 4 days apart. I was filling out invitations for Mackenzie's school friends and on the second to last one almost wrote in Zach's date. So, of course I had to open all the others to make sure I wrote the right date, which I did. So, now I need a bunch of invite envelopes. Annoyed. But at least we actually live by stores now. Out in nowhere land, this would have been a major crisis.
• okay, zachy zacher...if you want to feed rufusdog hotdogs, that's fine. but deli meat's not cheap!
• zachy, almost 2, got out his favorite plate, brought it to me & said 'salad please.'
• something tells me that whoever came up with the phrase 'no sense in crying over spilled milk' was either not a parent or long past the toddler years.
• kids playing and laughing. hear a boom and zachy crying. 'what happened?' i ask. 'he fell and broke his head.' oh, glad it's nothing serious.
• suddenly find myself wondering why i didn't take advantage and nap and when both kids were napping, which does not happen often anymore. also wondering why the extreme sleepiness sets in just as the second wakes up. coincidence? i don't think so....
• ‎'it wasn't me. it was zachy. he tried to reach it....with a stool. and then he took it away. he VERY took it away.' i suppose it's possible, if he weren't in the living room busily trying to throw a balloon at the ceiling fan. nice try, mackenzie.
• zachy is 23 months today, a month from two & mackenzie is a month minus 4 days away from four. i know they're still little, but it goes so fast. we were at the zoo monday, which is where they celebrated their 1st & 3rd birthdays. eleven months is not that long ago, but zachy was still a baby. now he runs & climbs & talks. all in eleven months. mackenzie has gone from a totgirl to a little girl. it's crazzzzzy!
• just a hunch, but i don't think 'iphone,' 'text' or 'debit card' were part of my 3 year old vocabulary.
• took the kids to the zoo this morning. love all the playdates we get to have but sometimes it's nice to see them just interact with each other. they were simply adorable together.

FridayFaves7.22.11

Time to share some favorite moments from the last week. Yay! I mean two weeks ago. Okay, so I'm a little behind, but it's cause we are having fun!

Saturday...

• Having Kathy and Tony T. come over and seeing both kids enjoy them and seeing them enjoy the kids. Such a wonderful evening with wonderful friends.
• See above.

Sunday...

• During Suessical the Musical, Mackenzie snuggling up to me and looking up at me with the sweetest, most delightful smile ever.
• Zachy bringing me books and saying 'The End!' I didn't know he knew that phrase.

Monday...

• Mackenzie working really hard on getting her doll's clothes on and saying 'I proud of myself.'
• Zachy intiating me in Ring around the Rosy. And, loving every fall. Both of us. 
• Sibling fave: Going to the zoo this morning, just the three of us. Mackenzie and Zachy playing so well together. We have a lot of super fun playdates these days, but it was an absolute simple delight to get to see just the two of them enjoying each other.

Tuesday...

• Talking to Mackenzie on the phone on the way home from work. My she sounded so big!
• Zachy, who had come home sick, taking my hand so I could put him to bed. Cutest thing was, it was more a game. He really just wanted to milk the whole sick thing for attention. Smart boy!

Wednesday...

• Mackenzie got to get together with Saiger for a playdate. She waited so patiently and was so excited when she arrived!
• Zachy trying to hit the balloon to the ceiling fan. For a really long time. With sound effects. 'Whoaaa.' "Ahhhh!'

Thursday...

• Zachy 'helping' me sweep the front. I would sweep it into the rock area and he would sweep it out. He likes to 'help' a lot these days!
• Mackenzie got really excited at drop off because her teacher told her they were going to have a special sibling field trip to the gym. She couldn't wait to see her Zachy!

Friday...

• Mackenzie and I sitting in the front playing 'camping.' She must have run in the house twenty times to get more 'things' for our camping trip. We had apple tea!
• Zachy enjoying the smoothie Dad brought home. Really enjoying it. It has sugar afterall, right?
• Sibling Fave: Seeing the pictures from sibling day. Mackenzie holding Zachy's hand. Being the Big Sister to him. The two of them waiting together for balls, Zachy's favorite thing to do. Laughing with Saige as she waited for Chase to come. Love those glimpses! Love them!
• Honorable Mention: Impromptu playdate at Ari & Cate's house!

That was last last week. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I'll get to some memories from this week.

Poopyhead

Zachy and Mackenzie.

It's hard to explain the changes that take place in their relationship. It's ever evolving. As he grows and she grows. As she learns and he learns.

They are more interactive in their games. He follows her lead quite well. Unless he doesn't want to. And he's gotten able to express that. Also quite well.

He taunts her at times. He used to like to take her things for the reaction, but I'm not sure he really understood what her reaction was. Now he knows. For sure.

He will also give her hugs when she's upset.

Today at the zoo, he was on the jungle gym and she climbed up after a few minutes. He yelled out with excitement...Kengy! Kengy!

Sometimes she will say that he says something. Zachy called me a 'Gooble de doo.' Oh really? And what does that mean? I don't like it.

The other day she said,  Zachy called me a poopyhead.

While I doubt this was initially true, he practiced his new word.

Over and over.

Until he uttered it perfectly...

Kengy Poopyhead!

And, no matter what she says, I think she liked it.

NoMatterHowSmall

Yesterday Mackenzie and I went to see Suessical the Musical put on by teens at our local Fine Arts Theater. We met Ben, Caleb and Momma Julie and Ari and Momma Tess.

I'd say it was a good time. Last week we saw Alice in Wonderland. Mackenzie did a fantastic job of following theater rules. But, the second half got a bit boring for her.

Suessical kept her entertained. All the singing and the dancing and the 'Feather Girls' as she named them. She laughed at times. She smiled. Her eyes sparkled. She really did enjoy herself.

Afterward, we went for ice cream with everyone and the kids ran around the Square. She, like Ari, got Rainbow Ice Cream.

She spent much of her time at the Square playing Feather Girl. A mother I chatted with for awhile commented on just how funny she is. Is the brunette yours? She asked. Yes. I said. She's really funny. And has a great imagination.

Yep, that's my girl.

Just remembering it all makes me smile.

In the words of Dr. Suess...

A Person's a Person, no matter how small.

Thank You for a special day, Mackenzie! I love you. So very very much.

Doesn't take Dr. Suess to remind me...

How lucky I am!

FewMoreMinutes

Mackenzie woke up at 6a this morning. Not wanting to join her, I kept telling her I just needed to keep my eyes closed for a 'few more minutes.' That went on for a good two hours.

I was in her bed. I think she hung out in her room most of the time. At first she quietly played games on the phone. That took care of several 'few more minutes.'

Then she got more active.Changed clothes about five, maybe more, times. Emptied most of closet and drawers in the process. Got out stickers and put them all over. Took out puzzles and did not put them together. Dumped out her Lincoln Logs. Went through all her dress up clothes. Three bins worth. There was stuffed animals and dolls and play food and baby bottles and more. All over the floor. Necklaces and crowns and wands. All over the floor.

Every few minutes she would tell me to get up. I wouldn't. I'm pretty sure that every few minutes another pile was made. We had company over tonight, so yesterday I cleaned her room really good. My two hours of a 'few more minutes' completely abolished my efforts from the night before.

I'd like to say lesson learned....but my guess is tomorrow morning at 6a, wanting a 'few more minutes' of sleep will completely erase any memory of the consequences.

Sleep and this cute little face...

FridayFaves7.15.11

Given how busy life is, my goal is to, at a minimum, post FridayFaves each week, which will be a favorite memory from each day of the week. One for Mackenzie and one for Zachy.

Shouldn't be too hard, right?

Well, maybe narrowing it down to one each!

Saturday...

• Zachy riding his bike in the driveway. Round and round he goes. In the Zone. His 'report card' on Tuesday said that one of the activities he enjoyed that day was 'talking about bikes and riding on bikes.' Sounds like my boy.
• Taking Mackenzie to her first play and her trying so hard to follow the rules of being at a play. She did GREAT! Used her quiet voice, even when she really really really felt like she was ready to leave.

Sunday...

• Mackenzie sitting in the shopping cart playing games on the phone during a shopping trip with Mommy and Grammie.
• Zachy throwing a piece of paper at the YMCA. He was so adorable he drew a crowd! And he was so intrigued by how it floated in the air, he didn't even notice me leaving.

Monday...

• Zachy saying 'Bye Bye Gramma' after she walked out the door.
• Mackenzie performing her first doll haircut and then trying to hide the evidence in a large trash bag.

Tuesday...

• Zachy giving my own ball to throw in the house alongside him. And laughing as I did. I am sure I will regret that someday, won't I?
• Mackenzie fave of the week: Mackenzie's sweet, sweet groggy smile first thing and saying 'I love you Momma.'

Wednesday...

• Zachy proudly showing Dad the picture he made at storytime. As soon as Dad walked in the door. He'd even taken his nap with it.
• Mackenzie goofily telling me before bath that she has to decide when it's time for her to potty. Being a Big Girl!
• Sibling Bonus: Zachy pushing Mackenzie and then hugging her. Love Sibling Sweetness!

Thursday....

• Zachy insisting on helping me lint roll the couch. Such a little helper!
• Mackenzie drawing me a picture at school because she missed me. I missed her too.

Friday...

• Zachy fave of the week: Coming home from the store with Mackenzie and Zachy sitting in the back of Dad's car with a determined look on his face and a squirt bottle. Can you say: Armed and Dangerous?
• Mackenzie telling me to take two more bites of my salad and then we will go to the store. She even put up two fingers for emphasis!
• Sibling bonus fave of the week: Mackenzie sitting on the floor crying and then Zachy sitting next to her and putting his arm around her. Doesn't get better than that (except the Mackenzie crying part, of course).

There you have it. Some good memories from this week. Have I mentioned lately just how lucky I am? Well I am. Incredibly.

MishMashOfCrazyCuteness

As promised...here I go! Bullet point Momma is going to catch up. Somewhat. In no particular order, get ready for a mish-mash of crazy cute!

First...some facebook posts:

• Love when Mackenzie runs in, grabs a towel and yells out, 'Just stay there Momma. I didn't do anything!'
• "Ow, Zachy hit my bike helmet." Why? I asked. "Cause I was doing something to him."
• watching wizard of oz, m's new favorite movie. 'but mom, why she's not in kansas anymore?'
• this morning mackenzie said to jeff, 'dad, i'm going to go to the mall with you to keep you busy but i can't tell you why because it's a surprise.' note to self: careful how much you tell the 3 yo!
• Mackenzie got mad at me for calling her 'Honey' and insulted me right back with a 'Sweetie Pie.'
• Zachy has now discovered the power of hiding behind closed doors. Found him the other day in the bathroom in the dark munching away on chapstick. This was probably after he declined the lunch I made him.
• i love the random thoughts my daughter has when we talk before she goes to sleep. 3 (almost 4) year old minds certainly are busy places!
• followed a slightly stressful day at work with some family time at the square. kids got to run around while we listened to 'prescott idol' contestants perform. and it's an absolutely beautiful northern az night! just perfect :-).
• If Zachy eats one more tube of my chapstick, I'm going to....I'm going to....well, maybe actually put them somewhere out of his impulsive (almost) two year reach? ♥ ♥ ♥ (yep, I can do ♥ s now.)
• we went to walmart this evening and when we got there i commented how crowded it was. mackenzie said, 'see mom. that's why i didn't want to come. i knew it was going to be too busy.' yes, my dear little three year old tyrant, i am sure that's exactly what you were thinking during the argument-filled half hour it took to get out the door.
• We're going to play a 'Saiger's' house today - Mackenzie's school BFF. She's crazzzzy with excitement. They've been together for 3 years now....too sweet :-)
• Really wish I had listened to that little voice that said "Put the craft supplies away." Maybe then there wouldn't be purple paint all over the playroom floor. At least it's the playroom, right? Mad at myself.
• perfect night at the zoo tonight with Ben & Julie. Weather was perfect. A little rain before, which cooled things down perfectly and then again right at closing time. Couldn't have asked for a better evening. Oh, and Ben & Mackenzie couldn't have been cuter. And Zachy too, of course.
• zachy getting a sugar high at dinner was hilarious. now at 945, not so funny. that'll teach us.
• mom/grandma is in town. a beautiful day. a beautiful night. life is good.
• This morning Mackenzie informed me that she knows everything. Excellent. She turns 4 next month, mission accomplished!
• "When I go to Kindergarten, will I drive myself?" Of course you will, Mackenzie.

And now, what else? Off the top of my head....

• Zachy has his entourage, which includes 2 big pillow pets, 1 small pillow pet, Gunky and a blanket. One day I took another stuffed animal out of his crib and put it on the couch along with the rest of his entourage. He threw it down and said, NO! The boy knows his entourage.
• Zachy loves to throw balls. Actually, he loves to throw just about anything.
• Mackenzie loves Glinda the Good Witch from Wizard. Loves her. She has a framed picture next to her bed. She has a string of lights, which Glinda watches her through. She loves Glinda. A lot.
• One day Mackenzie was crabby and yelled at me. I reminded her that she was Glinda and Glinda smiles. It worked.
• Speaking of Mackenzie smiles....Tuesday morning, Mackenzie woke up and with a beautiful groggy smile said I love you Mommy. You know it. I melted.
• As I was getting ready to leave for work, Zachy followed me around with his shoes. Trying to get me to put them on so he could go with me. Sweet, but it broke my heart.
• One afternoon when I was doing the dishes, Zachy closed the dishwasher and said, Momma, uggle (snuggle). Did I? Absolutely. How could I resist?
• When Mackenzie took the sharebag to school, she took a barbie-ish doll (only one she owns) who she calls Glinda. I tried to talk her into taking her To-To instead.
• One day  I asked Zachy for kisses and he started kissing the air, over and over and over again. CuteNess!
• I wasn't feeling too good on July 4th. I was on the bed in the playroom and Zachy pretended to put me to sleep. He put a 'blanket' over me, hugged me and gave me a kiss. And then he decided it was more fun to use me as an obstacle course. He climbed on the bed, over me, off the bed, ran around the bed, climbed on the bed, over me, and so on and so on.
• Out of nowhere, Mackenzie said, Momma I don't want shots in my arm. Will you tell the doctor that?
• Zachy has been practicing animal sounds. One evening I asked if he wanted a Hotdog. He said, Ruff ruff.

I know I keep saying it, but things are good. We have been having fun. And, I feel totally Blessed. Blessed that you two sweet beings are in my life and Blessed that we are getting to do things. Fun things.

Until next time....

Driving&Smiling

Two weekends ago we went to Tsunami on the Square. We met the Ben of the Na-Boys and Montana and her parents as well. Everyone did their own thing, but hung out together.

Tsunami is a performing arts festival held annually on the Courthouse lawn. The festival begins with a parade. The remainder of the day, there are different acts performing. There are people singing, doing skits, playing music. You see jugglers and mimes and dancers. Behind the big stage is the Kid's Zone. A funky little event, but so perfect for the little ones. It was a beautiful day.
At one point our local High School drummers came over and played for the little ones. I felt like part of our community. And I loved it. I felt proud. I love our town. I love that we are part of our town.

Mackenzie took a little bit of time to get her confidence up, but she was up at the stage, working on joining in, shyly raising her hand. She saw, wanted and got a fairy skirt and wings. Once she got those on, her confidence grew. And grew. Then came the gymnasts from the Y. My little Mackenzie was all over that! She stood in line. On her own. Wanting to flip. And flip she did. Twice! It was unbelievable and wonderful.

Zachy just took it all in. He had a blank stare, but he was lovin' it. Lovin' all the action. I could see the neurons in his brain synapsing all over. It was crazy. Such an easy soul he is. People smile when they walk by him. They can't help it.

Our day ended with some ice cream. A perfect day it was.

After we got home, I drove the grocery store. I realized I was smiling. Driving and smiling.

And here's why...

I love our town. I love my family.