Early Celebration

Mommy and Daddy thought it would be great to celebrate your third birthday at Walt Disney World this year, Sweetie. Plus we also needed a little vacation of our own. :) We went a bit early to avoid the summer crowds and Auntie Kristi was able to join us as well. You enjoyed the pools, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and the resorts kids activities. But most of all, you enjoyed the Magic Kingdom. When you saw Cinderella's Castle you seemed to be awestruck. Then you got distracted with all the Mickey and Minnie Mouse balloons and the other rides we passed as we made our way to Peter Pan. When you spotted Cinderella's carousel and Dumbo you were so very excited. Overall, you said your favorite was Dumbo and then the cars at the speedway which you were able to ride on twice with Daddy.

We ended a great day at the park with a visit with Minnie and Mickey. We were not sure how you would respond to being so close to your (larger than life) favorite character, Minnie, that we were prepared if you got a bit shy... When you saw her you ran right up to Minnie and gave her a big hug! We are so glad that we have these pictures to share so can see the joy in your face, Sweet girl. I think your baby sister, Bella really enjoyed Mickey as she giggled when he was playing peek-a-boo with her. We all had a wonderful time and are very grateful that we were able to take this trip together.

Thomas Event

Kenzie, your friend, Xander, introduced you to Thomas when you were about one. Every time you had a play date together or when we had family outings together, he always had his Thomas trains with him. Then, on Easter 2007, you got your very own Thomas Easter themed train. Ever since then you have treasured your trains just like Xander and really enjoy playing with them very much. When we heard about the Thomas event we immediately thought to take you. You really enjoyed every minute of it, sweet girl!

Earth Day

Kenzie, you and your sister are future caretakers of our planet. At school you learned about the importance of Earth Day and at home Mommy and Daddy will continue to teach you how important it is to do the below. These actions will help you understand what you can do to prevent the environment from suffering future damage.
Preserving this precious earth for you, your little sister, and future generations to come is one of our priorities, Sweetie.

• Recycle


• Keep lights off when not in the room or at home


• Conserve water


• Use bags from home at the grocery store


• Planting


• No littering


• Love and respect animals big and small

Easter

Happy Easter, Darling. This year you were very excited to share this special occasion with your little sister, Bella.

A day in the life of toddler "you"

Kenzie: "I will hide first and you count"
Mommy: " Okay (counting), ready or not hear I come. Is Kenzie in here (room-to-room)... Oh, I think I hear something, is anyone in here?"
Kenzie: "No, no one is here"

"Mommy, the slide at school is only for one person to go down... some of my friends take too long so it is hard to share and then I get timeout."

Kenzie: Daddy, I can help you... I know, I know what I can get... the tools!
Daddy: "Good girl, okay some of these (tools) are not for little ones so you can hold on to these screws for Daddy and I will show you where to put them once I ask you for them okay?"
Kenzie: "Okay, yeah Daddy, teamwork!"

Kenzie: "Mommy, can we go to the park?"
Mommy: "Yes, maybe after our nap this afternoon"
Kenzie: "Yeah! Daddy, Mommy says we are going to the park so you better get some rest!"

"Bella, sweetie, are you okay?" (Bella fussing)
It's okay, lil sweetie, it's okay, Mommy's here with us"

Kenzie: "I'm a butterfly flying through the air... come on Mommy you are the bee... oh, oh, I have a cough"
Mommy: "oh, are you okay?"
Kenzie: "I'm okay, I think I will fly to see the doctor (flies away and comes back )"
Mommy: "hello little butterfly, what did the doctor say?"
Kenzie (long pause and then giggles): "he gave me medicine and said no more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Daddy: "Hands up in the air"

Kenzie: like you (just) don't care!!"

walking in to a room and sees Daddy: "what shak'in' baking?"

"Mommy, I'm going to work, wish me a great day and to have fun!"

Kenzie: "Daddy, something is stinky... "

Daddy: "oh, yeah, what's stinky?"

Kenzie: "Um, it's Bella, she's stinky..."

Daddy: "we're off..."

Kenzie: "...like a herd of turtles!!"

Kenzie: "Mommy, are you taking me to school?"

Mommy: "No, not today, Sweetie. Would you like me to take you to school?"

Kenzie: "No, maybe Daddy should take me and you can come later."

Mommy: "Honey, what are you taking to SHOW and SHARE today?"

Kenzie: :"Um, I want to take my blue car, but I will put it in my cubby because I don't want my friends to get it"

Kenzie: "Mommy, Daddy, where are we going?"

Mommy: "We're going to church, Honey, there will be a choir singing and some people will be playing instruments too."

Kenzie: "Will my friends be at the show too?"

Fairytales and Make-Believe

Kenzie, you enjoy what you call "ballerina dancing" and telling Mommy and Daddy that you can fly through the air with your magical wings. We love to watch you and listen to your little sing-song voice as your imagination takes you on your adventures. And, we can't forget the special tea time with your teddy bears, dolls and sometimes Mommy or Daddy joining you. Such happy times!

ABC's

Remembering...

This morning the sun was shining bright when we woke up and you said, "Mommy, Daddy it's a beautiful day outside!" I smiled, and I thought about the day when you were just a little over two year's old: You and I were running late to get to your art class one Saturday morning and we were pulling out of the driveway. You said, "Mommy!?", I replied, "yes, honey?" and you said, "you look so beautiful today, Mommy." I stopped the car and turned back to reach for you with a big smile on my face and squeezed your little hands to tell you how sweet it was to say that, and to thank you for making Mommy so very happy. I remember having tears of joy in the corner's of my eyes... Such wonderful memories. I will continue to treasure moments like this always, Sweetie.

Letting go

Kenzie, this used to be your little chair when you were a baby. Now, your little sister uses it and I guess you think you can still fit into it. One day when I didn't hear you playing or chattering away with your dolls/bears I had to check to see what you were up to. Most times, your Daddy or I will call out, "Kenzie, what are you doing?" and when you hesitate to respond and say, "nothing" we know you are up to something! This time I didn't call out to you and I found you having a treat in the baby chair. Luckily the camera was close by and I was able to get this shot of you. You silly girl, I can't believe how much you have grown.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

This morning you helped Mommy get Daddy's gift bags ready and then we made him some breakfast, little one. After we let Daddy sleep in a bit, we went upstairs with his breakfast tray and surprised him. You decided you wanted your breakfast in bed as well, so a tray was brought up too. Thanks for being a good little helper, sweetie.

Happy Birthday to a wonderful father and husband, we love you so!

Getting ready for Santa

This was the first year that we would be celebrating Christmas at home. Santa was coming to visit and you were so excited for him to come. You kept looking out the window thinking he would be there any minute, it was so sweet. Here you are with Daddy getting ready:

A Visit To Santa

Kenzie, you were quite exited to go and see Santa this year. You wanted to tell Santa to come to your house for Christmas and to bring you the toys on your list. When the time finally came, you were super shy... you could barely even look at Santa. Your little, Sister, Bella didn't know quite what was going on but you did seem to enjoy him conversing with you. If you listen closely he tells you what kind of cookies he likes and mentions that his reindeer like carrots!

Jingle Bells

Kenzie, this is your abbreviated version, Sweetie. Thank goodness for the new unbreakable ornaments Daddy bought...

Thanksgiving

Kenzie, you and your sister enjoying a little peace and quiet before the guests arrive. Below is a picture of the pine cone turkey you made at school during arts and crafts- so cute!

Crash!

Kenzie, we decided to bring your trike indoors so you could still enjoy it despite the cold weather outside. You've gotten pretty bold and like to ride it really, really fast. Even with one of us watching over you, you sometimes tip over from the speed and onto the wooden floor or into the house plants you go. These little accidents usually end up with you giggling and saying, "oh, oh, I boinked my touchie, Mommy/Daddy!"

Your Special Day

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.