Halloween 2008

This Halloween was filled with many events, Sweetie. On this day, we celebrate your Grandma Becky's Birthday- Happy Birthday Grandma!
Your Halloween events began the previous weekend wehre you joined your cousins for a party at the Air and Space Museum. On Halloween, you had a school costume parade, and then a harvest party. That evening, we went to your friend, Xander's, where we had dinner and then on to the highlight of your day- trick-or-treating. You also had a special guest join you at most of your events: Auntie, Kristi. Your auntie had fun spending the holiday with you. She even helped your teacher during the school events- thank you Auntie!

Fall Festivals

Kenzie, can you guess what you enjoyed most about the Harvest festivals this Fall? It wasn't the apple picking, pumpkin carving, hay rides, arts & crafts, fresh apple cider or the animals...

Helping Daddy

Whether it's helping Daddy in the yard or with small tasks around the house, your favorite is definitely to help him make chocolate cake!

The little things you say...

• Mommy, "I'm Mackenzie (last name), do they call you Mommy (last name)??"



• Every Morning: "Wake up, Daddy, it's 2-5!!"



• "I brushed my teeth, Mommy, I'm a big girl"



• We ask if you went in your pants, and you respond: "... ummm, jus a lil bit..."



• You look out the window or stand outside and say, "Mommy/Daddy, it's a beautiful day!"



• Grandma went to the potty and you said to her: "Yay, Grandma, you get a jelly bean!"



• You drop some food on the floor while you're eating. Mommy bends down right away to clean it up and you gently pat her back and whisper: "it's ok, Mommy, it's ok..."



• You see a bruise on Daddy and you say: "Daddy, you have an owie...?" and bend down to kiss it to make it better.



• We pretend play with your trains and you accidently roll over our foot or leg and you say, "I'm sorry, Mommy, I'm sorry, it an accident" and you gently give Mommy a kiss on the foot/leg.



• After accomplishing something, we say, "did you do that, big girl?", you proudly tell us, "yes, I do it ALL by myself!"



• We go to the grocery store and you ask, "do you have money, Mommy/Daddy?" one of us says, "yes", and you say, "YAY, Mommy/Daddy, can I have a cookie!?"



• Getting ready for school, you ask, "you have to go to work Mommy... you make monies for us?"

School Life - Fall 2008

Kenzie, your school encourages parents to drop in at anytime but they also set aside open house dates so we can participate in class activities and see how you are doing. On this day we all sang songs including the morning welcome song which we recorded for you here. You enjoy singing this song at home with your own tamborine and include Mommy, Daddy or Bella's name. We counted, and recited the ABC's, participated in story time and helped you make a spider. Well, your Daddy helped you make a spider. Although it took you a while to warm up (go figure), you really enjoyed having your Mommy and Daddy in class. We were also able to appreciate your classroom's Halloween decorations up close. You all did a good job decorating!

You seem to really have fun at school, Sweetie. The happiness in your face when you interact with your friends or the proud little smile when you give the right answer to the teacher's question(s) warms our hearts.

Hello Friend

Kenzie, it had been a while since you had a play date with your buddy, Xander. You were very happy to have him join you at this Fall festival where you enjoyed arts and crafts, a hay ride, carnival rides, slides, and (your favorite) the moon bounce!

Fall Art Festival

The family enjoyed an evening performance by the The Washington Philharmonic and a fireworks display for the grand opening of a local Art Center and Gallery. Kenzie had a good time until 8:00pm, then it was downhill from there as she requested if we could go home. Kenzie, you were so tired, you were really happy to have Daddy give you a ride on the wagon.

Enjoying Art

On Saturday mornings, Mommy takes Kenzie to a local art workshop. Kenzie enjoys the art projects, and so far this season she has made an art portfolio, a photo frame and a chef's hat (as shown). After art class it's time for a girl's lunch at a local restaurant, and then it's off to the house to join Bella for a nap, and time for Daddy's Hawkeye game.

Helping in the Kitchen

Kenzie, you really enjoy your role as little helper around the house. You especially like to help Mommy and Daddy with the cooking while wearing your little smock/apron that you received from your Great Aunt Diane. On this evening Daddy was grilling marinated pork loin and you helped Mommy with the veggies and the corn bread. You did a great job Sweetie!

First Day of School

The end of Summer Camp and the start of a new semester for the "Toddler Room."




















Kenzie, you usually arrive at school about 9:00am and leave after your last circle time session (4:10pm). Your class schedule this semester is below:

• 9:00 - 9:15 Snack Time
• 9:15 - 9:40 Educational Circle Time
• 9:40 - 10:00 Class Group Activity (Music, Singing, Dancing, Yoga, or Arts & Crafts)
• 10:00 - 10:40 Outside Play
• 10:40 - 11:00 Story Time and Potty Training Time
• 11:00 - 11:30 Lunch
  
• 11:30 - 2:00 Nap
• 2:00 - 2:15 Snack Time
• 2:15 - 2:50 Educational Circle Time/Class Activity
  
• 2:50 - 3:30 Outside Play
• 3:30 - 4:10 Spanish Circle Time

Goodbye Pool

The 2008 pool season in our subdivision is now closed for the Summer and Kenzie is really going to miss going to the pool... Kenzie, you progressed really nicely with your basic swimming skills thanks to Daddy. You started out with Mommy or Daddy holding you in the water as you tightly wrapped your little arms around our necks and we swam and twirled you about. By the end of the season you became comfortable jumping into the pool, floating on your back, and swimming by your Daddy's side!

I'm a Big Sister!

Festival

We spent a nice morning in Olde Town Alexandria at the Fireman's Festival.
Kenzie, you love firetrucks, so we decided to take you to see them up close. You got to sit in the firetruck but you got a little shy so you jumped right back into your Daddy's arms. The fireman tried to coax you back up but you only sat for a bit. You did enjoy getting into the boots and receiving your very own fire hat! We also visited the various vendors, one of which was doing some face painting. You decided you wanted a yellow flower on your arm and you were very proud to show it off once it was done. We ended our morning with a nice Brunch and then with our tummies full we headed right home for your afternoon nap- Mommy snuck in a nap as well!

Summer Camp

Kenzie's school has added some fun Summer events for the toddlers. They added the below to the school's regularly scheduled activities and educational curriculum:

• Monday- Water Play (play area water sprinklers and water tables)
• Tuesday- Music in Motion (Learning to use various instruments with music/singing)
• Wednesday- Wacky Wednesdays (wear PJ's to school as above-courtesy of cousin, Katie, wacky hair day, Hawaiian attire...)
• Thursday- Show and Tell
• Friday- Various performances (puppet/magic/animal shows by outside vendors)

Your favorite activities so far this Summer, Kenzie, have been water play and music in motion!

Mommy why is your tummy so big?

Kenzie you are going to be a big sister, Sweetie. We are trying to help you understand that a new little brother or sister will be joining the family soon. We are not sure how much you understand but we are trying to prepare you as best we can. In this picture you are amazed at how big Mommy's tummy is and you are saying hello to the baby who is estimated to arrive August 7, 2008...

Okoboji 2008

Another fun year spent at Camp with family! Below are some pic's of your highlights, Kenzie. Wish we would have taken more pictures but we had some rainy weather. Overall, it was great to spend time catching up with family, meeting the new addition to the family, Dylan, and Kenzie enjoying some time playing with her cousin Allison.

Kenzie also spent some time visiting with her Great Grandparents. They showerd her with love and surprised her with some cake and ice cream to celebrate her Birthday.

Celebrating You...

For being such a wonderful Father and Husband, Happy Father's Day! We love you so very much!!

Kenzie Birthday

A small event turned into a big celebration with all of Kenzie's little school friends (10), good friend Xander, and her cousins joining her to celebrate! They all enjoyed arts and crafts, parachute time, a scavenger hunt, the limbo, a pinata, lunch and some birthday treats. Kenzie, you seemed to have a wonderful time at your party, Sweetie. We tried to capture as much as we could so you could remember the good times. Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!