MyLilSleepAvoiders

I had myself two little sleep avoiders tonight.

Zachy just wanted to play ball. Really bad. He was having so much fun. But then came time for jammies. Got them on with some protest. Time to brush your teeth, Zachy! He walked out of his room right back to the balls. Silly guy. You know what I said! Teeth! He went into the bathroom, got his toothbrush and walked right back to the balls. No more balls tonight, Zachy. Time for bed! Teeth brushed. And then, a light bulb went off in Zachy's head: I'll play that great  game Mackenzie plays. Baby! Down on all fours, crawling, saying Baby! Chase me Momma. So, I did, tried to lure him back into the room. Finally got him there. In the crib. Right to sleep.

And now for Mackenzie.

No Momma, I need to do my paperwork. this is what the teachers do. Cutting. Writing. Choice time: Do you want to walk there or have Dad carry you? Dad comes over. I WALK THERE. Too late. Potty time. No, I need to do my cutting! I no have potty. I went poopy. Yes, there was indeed some more potty that needed to come out. Done. Jammie time. Fussing girl. Do you want Daddy to put on your jammies or me? Me? Then cooperate! Book time. It's late. One story. Nooooo. I want this many (ten fingers). Not happening. But two is a nice compromise. Books done. Laying down. Fifteen minutes. Droopy eyes. She pops up. The problem is, I not tired. I want to eat. Should have eaten more at dinner. I have an idea. Come with me and I show you. Nice try Mackenzie. Dad's turn!

Good Night My Sleeping Zachy and (Almost) Sleeping Mackenzie. Love You Both! SoVeryVERY Much!

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.

MondayRandomness

Ah, it's Monday. I usually like Mondays. As I have said before, I am home with the kids. It falls between the weekend and 'workweek' (Tuesday work, Wednesday home, Thursday work). For the most part, things are in reasonable order, as good as can be expected anyway.  This tends to make the day pretty low key.

We had a pretty good weekend. Yesterday, we woke up to a winter wonderland and had some great outdoors snow play. Lots of fun. The snow was fluffy, the temperature perfect (I was even out there in shorts since I had just gotten off the treadmill). Mackenzie and Dad made a snowman, with a little 'help' from Zachy. Zachy enjoyed the snow a lot more than he did the first time. He walked around, but pretty much wanted to be holding hands. If he saw a bit of oh-so-familiar dirt peaking through somewhere, he got pretty excited and made sure to pick some up and throw it. He also got brave and threw some snow. Mackenzie made snow angels and was out there for over an hour, I'm sure.
 
Saturday we thought the storm was going to arrive and decided to head south for the day. We went to the mall for awhile. Funny how malls are mini outings for people with toddlers. We tried the playarea, but unfortunately parents allowed their above the age and height limit kids to play in there. So, we went up and down the elevator (or 'alligator,' as Mackenzie calls it), had some yummy pretzels, walked through the pet store, and found a nice outdoors run around area with squirting water. Zach enjoyed just walking around and getting some energy out. Mackenzie and Dad ran through the water. She took off her pants and undies, which meant I had to talk to her. People laughed. She was quite entertaining.  She did put her pants back on  and continued to have fun anyway. We finished off with an early dinner at Chili's. Mackenzie ate fries. Zach had some fries and pizza. Healthy, I know. Simple outing, but fun and the kids were pooped and went to bed easy.

When we were at Chili's, Mackenzie was flirting with the waiter. Before we left she almost said, Bye bye stinky butt. But, she stopped herself! Love it. I think that kids will play around with the those words and really don't get too worked up at all, but I do want my kids to understand when and where. Fine line, I know. The main thing is, she is learning self control! She caught herself and stopped herself and still managed to be silly crazy fun.

So, that was our weekend. Because the temps warm up around here pretty quick, the snow is now melting away quickly or just very wet. The dirt underneath has turned to deep, thick mud, which means we are stuck indoors today. But, we are making the best of it. Got some jumping on the bed time, made a fort. After naptime I suppose an agility course of sorts will be devised and we will have to have a dance party. Perhaps we can venture outside for a walk on the street, provided we can make it across the driveway with minimal collateral damage (after getting the mail, it looks like this might not happen).

Anyhow, while I'm here, I thought I'd share a few random things along with perhaps a totmusing or two:

• Mackenzie really loves to play cars. I'm sure I have talked about it before. She parks them. Then has them leave and other cars take spaces. She talks while she is doing it and has her cars interacting somewhat socially. Fascinating. I think they might be the closest thing she has had to a 'comfort item.'
• When Zachy plays with cars, he crashes them. Or throws them. Which is pretty much what he does with everything.
• The other day I told Zachy he looked adorable. Mackenzie got concerned and asked, Does that mean I going to look a-handsome? (Since I usually call Zachy 'handsome' and her 'adorable.')
• This afternoon, before Zachy was going for his nap, he put his arm around Mackenzie and said Hug.  That was sweet. Last night before bed he was chasing her around the house trying to give her kisses. That was funny. So was her screaming.
• Kids stood on the scale this morning. Zachy is about 21.6 pounds and Mackenzie 31.4.
• Before bed the other night I suggested to Mackenzie that we clean up the toys. She said How about you clean and I play. A few days earlier, after waking up in the morning, she said, Look Momma, we forgot to clean up the Princess Castle. I thought the word We was a funny and interesting choice.
• After playing outside last week, Zachy walked in with one shoe and looked baffled as he said Where shoe? Totally confused and concerned he appeared. Poor little guy. I searched the yard with him. No luck. About a half hour later he just happened to find it. Right inside one of Dad's shoes. And, how do you think it got there? He laughed when he pulled it out. Sneaky boy!
• I made banana bread for breakfast this morning. Zachy took a bite and said Mmmmmm.
• Yesterday he had some sliced black olives, which he lovvvves. How'd he eat them you ask? He picked them up by poking his finger in the hole and then eating them off his finger. I think this qualifies as multi-tasking. He ate and amused himself at the same time.
• I love the smell of bacon. Has nothing to do with anything.  But I do.
• Mackenzie loves bacon. Don't know if she loves the smell yet, but she loves bacon and I have no doubt will kow that she loves the smell someday.
• We had a play date scheduled last Friday with Ari and Cate, but their Momma was sick. Mackenzie said, How about I draw her a picture so she can feel better? My girl can be pretty sweet!
• I know we have talked about Mackenzie and her 'door' thing, where all the doors off the living area have to be closed. She now gives us a stern talking to if we leave one open. Next thing, she'll be giving us some sort of consequence.
• In the midst of quiet play, Mackenzie says something. I ask What? because I hadn't heard her. She replies with I not talking to you, I talking to someone else. Opps, my bad!
• Not complaining, but what's up with the over three hour nap, Zachy? Hope you're feeling okay!
• Yesterday Mackenzie was playing 'Infant room' and she and Zachy were the babies. I would say Naptime! and Zachy would lay right down. Funny and cute. At the same time.
• The problem is....I crabby. Spoken like a true Mackenzie.
• Next up, Zachy. On the living room floor, crying. Until he sees me, then he smiles. He really wants to 'get' the whole tantrum thing, but he's just not there. Not yet anyway.
• Zachy is a food thrower. Totally.
• I think my ear has been colored blue by the Zach. That's the price I pay for trying to eat while holding a fussy one and half year old.
• Mackenzie invited me into her fort. She has it pretty well stocked. It even has outside dining.
• Zachy played a 'Mine' Game with some Chapstick. He said Mine and ran away laughing, making sure I was chasing him.
• At dinnertime we sang Farmer and the Dell. I don't really know the sequence, but apparently Mackenzie does: The farmer takes a Wife; The Wife takes a Child; the Child takes a Dog; The Dog takes a cat; The Cat takes a Mouse; The Mouse takes the cheese; And the Cheese stays still. Or something like that. Point being (yes, I do have a point), they must sing the song in Preschool and she knew the order and I was proud.

Two kids asleep by 7:30. Mackenzie was O.U.T. at 7:06, Zachy at 7:30, which surprised me since he took a three and a half hour plus nap. Jury is still out on why he's so tired. Momma is pooped, but, overall, a pretty good day. Gonna miss those kiddos of mine tomorrow. Yes, I sure will.

FotoFriday2.25.11

A few fotos from the week...

The kids playing BabyChicks.

They put the tops on and then hatch.

Next, Dad gives them 'worms' to eat.

Again and Again and Again.



We had ourselves a little snow.

Mackenzie went out and tried to catch snowflakes in her mouth.

Call me crazy, but I'm not sure they'll be this eager to help ten years from now!

Mackenzie's friend Ben came over for a playdate.

Zachy loves, and I mean LOVES, the Balancing Cactus.

And, he's actually pretty good at it.

He did this all by himself!

Mackenzie Photo of the Week, cause she looks so cute!

Mackenzie combing her two favorite games, Cars + Princess Castle.

Zachy Photo of the Week, cause he too looks so cute!

Wobble-running Zachy!

Sibling Photo of the Week:

The Rocking Horse can apparently also be used as a Teeter-Tot.

When playing Teeter-Tot, Mackenzie will tell Zachy, 'Just one more time.'

But she keeps on going anyway, cause she's having fun too!

WordyWednesday

• This morning after we woke up Mackenzie said she wanted to go potty first. When it was my turn, she asked, in her very best fake grown-up voice, if I needed help or if I wanted privacy. Awww, sweet girl!
• At night when I am singing songs to Zachy before bed, he will yell Yay! after I finish. I have a theory about this: He doesn't want to go to bed, so he is encouraging me to continue because, clearly, he is not yelling Yay! based on my talent.
• I love how, just when I get Round 1 of the endless straightening up that will go on throughout the day done, Mackenzie will immediately ask if she can paint.
• Zachy holds conversations using his favorite words: Whoa, Where go?, and Yay! Usually in that order.
• Mackenzie wants to be the 'Winner.' Always. She also likes to be first or second, depending on which benefits her better at the time.
• I think Zachy thinks 'food' is called 'hot.'
• Mackenzie lets Buddy in and says, 'Buddy, you sure are dirty. I going to clean Buddy off.'
• Right before cleaning Buddy off, she had cleaned up her own spilled milk. Is my girl feeling okay today?
• Zachy loves playing with the thing that pops balls lately. That and throwing balls. And with the Balancing Cactus (ages 3 and up, but he has the idea, yes he does). And with the train that he can stack things on. Most of his games involve use of the word Whoa and some sort of throwing or knocking over things and watching them crash.
• Yesterday on the way home from school the road to the school where Mackenzie will likely go to Kindergarten was closed for road work. Mackenzie was very upset. She expressed her feelings about it very well, feeling sad and upset. About fifteen minutes later she says I still a little sad about the school. Those trucks are going to jail! (referring to the trucks doing the road work).
• We had pancakes this morning. I don't like to give Zachy syrup because he'll just 'eat' that and leave the rest. So I was very slyly trying to pour just a little out for Mackenzie behind the refrigerator door. I look over and Zachy is bent as far over to the side as he can be, watching me and signs 'More,' which, in this case, means 'Busted!'
• Did I already tell the story about hearing Zachy talking in his room after he woke up from nap? He stayed in his crib, just talking away happily for a good twenty minutes, no crying. Finally I decided to go get him. He points to the door to the back room and yells 'Cat.' Apparently he had been having a conversation with BuddyCat, who had been 'trapped' (by his own volition) in the back room.
• Zachy loves to play 'monster.' He gets all into it. Tonight he was getting his diaper changed and heard Mackenzie and Dad playing and he was so excited to finish and join in. Cute. Funny. That's Zachy.
• Mackenzie helped Zachy wash his hands today and said Good Job Zacher!
•  Have I mentioned how Mackenzie, after she gets out of the shower, runs to the floor heater I set up for her and gets in the fetal position. She has this whole system worked out for putting lotion on and everything. It's crazy.
• Kids are in  bed, Momma's going to watch American Idol...that's all folks!

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!

MyBabyMackenzie

The other night after Mackenzie fell asleep, I took a few moments to look at her sweet sleeping face. I cannot believe how 'big' she has gotten. She's three. It's so hard to remember back to when she was an itty bitty baby. Seems so long ago now. I felt a little mushy, loving the little girl she is and missing the little baby she was. It goes so fast. I'm thinking it's time for a little Mackenzie update. Catch up a bit on what's she up to, what she's saying, all that good stuff.


As always, she is as hilarious as ever. Just about every time she opens her mouth it's funny, whether she wants it to be or not. She has a sarcastic side to her. She not only says sarcastic things, but uses a sarcastic voice and sarcastic facial expressions. She likes to use the word 'Sorry' when she is being sarcastic. I not going to do that Momma. Sor-ry! (with a cute lil' head tilt and all.) She tends to be very much aware of what the rules are, but breaks them anyways and, what a shock, resists any consequences. As soon as a 'consequence' is being implemented, she will state all her infractions and promise never to do them again, in a very I'm humoring you type of way. Oh, okay Mackenzie...nice try!  Or, she tries to find new creative ways to push limits. One day she didn't like something I said and she said, I going to spit at the word (insert spitting noise). See Momma, I no spit at you, I spit at the word. Again, nice try Mackenzie! Clever and full of sass that girl is and, as I have said before, way smarter than I am. Unfortunate, but true! (I'm happy to say she has finally, it seems, moved on from the spitting phase. Replaced by what, I don't know yet. But she appears to be 'over' spitting.)

Mackenzie has a thing with doors right now. We have three doors off the living room, two bedroom and one bathroom. She will close them all and wants them to stay closed. If I go in a room and don't close the door when I come back, she will stop whatever she is doing and go close it or will say: Will you please close the bathroom door for me, Momma? If I do close it, she will say, Thank you for closing it for me. Polite little thing, isn't she? Now she also wants the window blinds closed, which is a drag, since it makes the house even darker. But she seriously cannot tolerate them open right now. She is in a Scaries Stage. So, I oblige her because...

Mackenzie likes to be the boss. At all times. She has no problem letting us know when we do something wrong. Noooo, you supposed to do it like this. You supposed to say it like this. And, she has no problem telling me when I do something she doesn't like or when she is mad at me: I no like that Momma. I not love you. I not your friend. But, when she's over it, she will sweetly say, I love you again Momma. You my friend. And, she's irresistibly sweet when she does. As much as she likes to be the boss and to be in charge, she also very much likes to be my helper. She is the most adorable helper there ever was. I am sure of it. She takes her jobs very seriously and works them to completion. She's diligent. And, as much as she likes to be the boss, she still likes to be our little girl and to be snuggled and taken care of.

Her imagination continues to be phenomenal. It cracks me up how I have gotten her so many toys to stimulate her imagination, yet very often she would much rather use a box for her baby to sleep in during her imaginative play than the play crib. I guess that's why they refer to it as 'using your imagination,' right? All of her play these days involves her imagination. And very often focuses on figuring out social norms and relationships. She rehearses a lot through play. With her dolls, her little people, stuffed animals, real people. You name it. One day on the way home in the car I heard in the back having pretend conversations with her friends. Saige, that's a beautiful shirt. Do you want to go play and be my friend? Oh here comes Emerson. A whole world she had going on in her car seat. Hearing it being played out was simply magical. As you can see, she's moved into social play. Her friends change all the time. Seems that the kids at the totcollege go through phases where so and so plays with so and so and the next day it's so and so and so and so. Lately it's been Saige again.

When things don't work out as well as she - we - would like, she is able to talk about it. Today her friend Ben was over and she did something that upset him. After he left she pretended to be Ben and told me that I was his Mommy. I asked 'him' what he did today and she went on to tell me about his play date with Mackenzie and how she hurt his feelings.(She did apologize to Ben and he accepted, so it was all okay. But clearly, after he left, she still had a little more processing to do.) This showed me that not only is she aware and trying to figure things out, but that she has some empathy too. And, is capable of reflection.

She works hard on her problem solving skills and, frequently, tries very hard to 'do the right thing' instead of impulsively reacting. She will 'decide' to wait patiently for her turn or share and take turns with someone or something. One of the best things about this is that she feels a sense of accomplishment when she successfully handles a situation. Seems that Three is a lot about repetition and rehearsal. Hard work. One morning she had had a rough morning and was cranky. After she calmed down, she said to me Momma, I'm sorry. Sometimes I don't know what the problem is. I was crying, I don't know why.

She's hit a few new 'milestones.' In no particular order:

• She's very into being 'first' unless it involves something she doesn't want to do and then she wants to be second or whatever is last.
• She is also into things being 'fair,' which means swayed in her favor. She has used the phrase Mo-om. That's not fair!
• Using different forms of the word 'Bored.' One day she was doing something unsafe and I told her I didn't want her to get hurt. She asked Why and I told her then we would have to go the hospital and she replied with Oh Mo-om. The hospital is boring!
• Being focused on being a 'big kid' and all that comes with it.
• Carrying BuddyCat around, which he doesn't always like.
• Having an evolved sense of 'what usually happens.' Usually I snuggle with Buddy in the morning on the couch.
• She loves using scissors. She is sort of starting to draw people like figures. She makes an 'M' and and an 'A.' And, she recognizes a few letters. She can do some counting - meaning identify how many objects there are. I think she counts to 20 now.
• She has some sense of time. Past and future. But they are still always yesterday and tomorrow.
• Using the word 'gross' on a regular basis. And 'stinky butt.' And, unfortunately, 'stupid.'

Mackenzie is a sweet girl. I talk often about her sass and spirit, but the truth is she is as loving as they come. She wants to please. She loves having fun. She loves to laugh and make others laugh. Actually, she really loves to make others laugh. She is vibrant and full of brilliance. Although she can be shy at times, when she is comfortable, she confidently takes the lead and is a good leader. She's inquisitive and is eager to explore and learn. She loves to snuggle and give hugs. She's 100% lovable in every way.

One night we were playing in bed before sleeptime and I told her I was going to eat her for lunch the next day. She got really (pretend) serious and said, But then you won't have a child. But then you could born-ded me again and I would be your baby.

She still is my baby. Doesn't matter how old she gets, she always will be.

Have I told you lately MyBabyMackenzie how much I Love You? VeryveryVERY Much!