Mackenzie's 5th Birthday!

It's hard to believe it was 5 years ago today that we welcomed this sweet baby into our lives. 

What's even harder to believe is that my sweet baby has turned 5!  We are so proud of the little girl that you have grown into.  You have a huge heart, a hysterical personality, and a determination to learn and try new things.  In fact, just this Summer, you learned how to tie your shoes, jump rope and swim without floats.  You are a bit of a perfectionist, and sometimes get frustrated if you can't master something right away.  But you will NOT give up and will sit for hours practicing something until you have figured it out.  I hope you keep this determination always. 

To start off the birthday weekend with a bang, your cousins, Aunt Kate and Uncle Buzz came up for a sleepover.  You were so suprised and loved having them here for a weekend of fun. 

We also celebrated your birthday at Pump It Up, a place in town with inflatables.  It was a big hit! 

And, on your official birthday (Tuesday) Mommy and Daddy took a half day off work and picked you up before naptime (your least favorite time of the day at daycare) and suprised you with an afternoon movie, The Smurf's.  You were SO excited to get to leave school early! We finished off the day with Boston Market for dinner, a bike ride, and a nice warm bubble bath before bed.

We are so honored to be your parents, and love watching you learn and grow.  We are so proud of the big sister that you are.  While you can be rough and tumble at times, you also impress us with your thoughtfulness.   During daycare drop offs, when your brother is crying (and without any prompting), you console him by saying "Don't worry, Caleb.  School is cool.  You will play, eat lunch, go outside.  It is so much fun, brother!"  (You say this, even though you are just as heartbroken to have to go, but put on a brave face just for your brother).You are wise and kind beyond your years! 

Happy birthday, Kenzie Roo!  We love you!

Daycare Debut

A few months ago, we decided on a daycare center to send our children to, now that I am returning fulltime to work.  Ideally, we would have loved an at-home daycare, but transportation to preschool for Mackenzie was an issue we couldn't work around.  So, we picked a school that is highly accredited, well-known,and that felt like the best fit for our family's needs.  Although school does not start for a few more weeks, we decided it would be wise to slowly phase the kids into school, so that hopefully by  the time II return to work, they will have adjusted to the routines and schedules, and become aquainted and comfortable with the staff. 

We picked Wednesday of last past week as their first day.  Wednesdays are "water days" where they play outside and enjoy lots of fun water activities.  That particular day they also had a local musician visit the school.  Jeremy cancelled a morning meeting and met me there to walk the kids in on their first day. 

on our way to school, Caleb was not a fan from the very start

Heading in for their first day.  Caleb is such a gentleman and was more concerned with opening the door than being in the picture.  :)

We took Caleb in first and he happily ran right in and started checking out all the toys.  We got all of his things unpacked and quickly exited the room before he noticed.

 It was not long before he was in tears, and this lasted most of the day.  His teachers are WONDERFUL and cuddled and held him the majority of the day. One even layed by him and rubbed his back during naptime.  It was a rough day, but he made it through and we were so proud of him!  I can't imagine what he must have felt being in a strange environment with strangers, unable to anticipate or predict their schedule or new way of doing things.  Seeing him crying when we dropped him off and when I picked him up broke my heart.  His poor little eyes were bloodshot and swollen by the time I got there, but when he saw me arrive to pick him up he ran into my arms yelling "Mommy, Mommy" and all was well in the World again.

Day 2, all smiles when he saw Mommy come in during snack time

Mackenzie had a great day!  She went right into her room and one of the little girls had drawn her a picture and had it waiting for her.  That made her day.  She was pretty shy and quiet (which are words I would normally not use to describe her:), but joined right in with her class and waved to us with a smile when we left. 

When I called into school, the Director told me that when she popped in, she never would have known it was her first day.  She said one of her teachers commented to her that she "wishes she had a 100 Mackenzie's" and that it was the easiest transition she's ever had with a new student.  Mackenzie has made a couple of really good friends, and seems to be happy there.  She isn't overly excited to go there, but she's not upset or complaining about it either.  I'm sure it will just take time.  Praying it gets easier for all of us in the future.

Aside from not being with my kids everyday, I am sad that they will only have a few hours together before and after school each day.  One day after pick up, Mackenzie told me that she misses Caleb when she's at school all day.  Luckily there recess times overlap, twice during the day.  Mackenzie shared this story about her and Caleb at recess.  Get out the tissue box.  It is so sweet, it will make you cry.   Here's the conversation:

(Kenz)"Mommy, guess what, I saw Caleb outside today.  He was crying."
(Me)"Oh really?  You guys get to play with each other outside?  That's great!"
(Kenz)"Well, Caleb's on the baby playground, and I'm on the big girl playground.  But when we are outside and he sees me, he starts yelling and crying "sissy, oh sissy" over and over and he runs to the fence.  Then he puts his fingers in the holes (of the fence) and I put mine in and he pats my hand."
(Me)"Oh Kenzie, that is so sweet.  I know it's probably his favorite part of the day seeing you."
(Kenz)"Yeah, but then my friends call my name and I want to go play with them and go down the slide.  So I leave him and then he just cries and cries.  He keeps screaming "oh sissy, oh sissy" and then I go back."
(Me) "I am so proud of you for taking care of your brother.  I know you want to be with your friends, but I'm proud of you for being there him."  (choking back the tears)....

4th of July

We started off our weekend hosting a cookout at our house with friends.  The weather was hot and muggy, so we had all kinds of water activiites for the kids to keep them cool (and occupied:).  The slip-in-slide was the hit of the night, and got so much use it actually broke toward the end of the night.  Definitely a sign of a good party.  With the kids occupied, the adults enjoyed some adult beverages and good conversation. We ended the night watching Red,White and Boom's Fireworks on the big screen downstairs.

The next morning, we hit the road and headed out to The Buzzard's lakehouse.  We enjoyed several cookouts, soaking up the sun on the dock, swimming, smores, boat rides, and of course fireworks on the lawn.  My parents joined us this year, and it was so nice to be surrounded by both our families (and lots of help with the kids:). 

After a good nights sleep at the lake, and another full day there, we loaded up that night and headed home to recoop.  The next morning we headed over to my friend Beth's house, to meet up with several of my high school girlfirend's and their kids.  Our caravan left on foot, and walked about a mile to get to Dublin's 4th of July parade.  The kids loved watching all the floats and collecting candy in their bags!  I love that my kids have become great friends with my friend's kids.  It's so fun watching them grow up together and enjoy these annual traditions together.  Later that night, Kenzie and I enjoyed a girl's night with my girlfriend's and their kids and hit up the fireworks display.  It was a blast (pun intended:)! After 4 nights of being up until well past 10, the girl was beat!  She barely made it out of the neighborhood before she was asleep.

It was an action packed, fun-filled weekend!  We are so blessed to have been able to celebrate our country's independence with dear friends and family.  Thanks to all the past and present service men and women who protect and defend our freedoms!  God Bless!