All Grown Up

Somehow, before my eyes, my little girl has grown up.  I don't know if it's because I've been so preoccupied with a newborn, busy juggling 2 kids, or trying to sell a house, but I am so proud of  what a great kid she has become.  I have been making monthly posts about her little brother, for the past 6 months, so I decided that she was due her own post.  So, sweet girl, this one is for you!

*Some of our best conversations are in the car.  She is so observant and is never reluctant to say "S-T-O-P, stop Mom, the light is red, or G-O, Go Mom, it's green.  Ocassionally, she will yell out an "eat our dust" to a car we are passing. 

She no longer takes naps, but occasionally will if we go for a car ride.  I will admit, there are days when Momma needs a break and I will load up the kids, pop in a movie, and take an afternoon drive...and within minutes she is out. 

*She LOVES swimming, and is taking her second round of swim classes.  She is not afraid to put her face in the water, bob under water and touch her feet to the bottom, or even. . . .

. . . dive off the diving board. . . that's right, not jump, but dive!  She is completely fearless!

*She can spell a handful of 2 and 3 letter words (go, no, yes, etc), along with family names (Mom, Dad, Mackenzie...we're still working on Caleb).  She also knows her birthday, phone number, address and how to call 911.

* She is ridiculously independent.  I'm not sure if this is a girl thing or part of being first born, but there are few things she wants us to do for her.  She picks out her own clothes each day, brushes her own teeth, straps herself into her carseat, and makes some of her own meals (with my help, of course).  This is a picture of her changing out of her swimsuit  and into her clothes after swim lessons.  I will tell you that if she was aware of the fact that I snapped this photo, I would be in the dog house. Every day when she goes into change, she says "Mom, don't come in, I need privacy."  :)

*She is head over heels in LOVE with her brother.  She is completely smitten.  She gets the best smiles and best cackles out of him.  She loves the role of big sister, and we are so proud of her.  I hope this special bond continues all of their lives.

*She loves to cook.  One night last week, before bed, she said "Mom, tomorrow morning let's make pancakes.  We need to get the ingredients.  Directions:  flour, milk, eggs, butter, jelly and syrup. Does that sound good, Mom?" I am predicting that this girl may be hosting her own show on the Food Network!

*While she still has moments of being a typical 3 year old (whining and dramatic), she surprises us with her maturity.  Without us asking, she is good to use please and thank you, and will even reply with a yes ma'am.  One night we were out to dinner with friends and there was a table of kids next to us being really roudy, running around and refusing to eath their dinner.  Their mom got onto them and Kenzie was taken back and totally absorbed into the situation.  A few minutes later I took her to use the bathroom, and we crossed paths with the kids from the table next to us (let me just add that they were without their mom....all 4 kids, running wild....nice, right?).  Kenzie went right up to them and said "can you guys sit down and eat your food please?"  I was so proud of her.  I have no doubt that she will be a leader in life and will not shy away from doing what is right. 

I love you so much, sweet girl!  Thank you for making our life full of laughter.  I hope you always stay a "Mommy's girl" and will let me share in the joys and sorrows of your life.  Love you to the moon and back!