Sisterly Love

I have to post this because I know one day Mackenzie will be quite annoyed with her little brother in those dreaded teenager years. Right now I am so lucky that they adore each other and get along pretty well. Ten years down the road I will have to make her read this blog.

I am very lucky to have Mackenzie go to school with me. It's one of the best decisions I've made. I get to see her everyday and be involved with activities at school. I also get the inside scoop on her friends and what happens in her own classroom. (Thanks Linda! You're the best!)

So . . .

Towards the end of the day Linda called to let me in on the love Mackenzie has for her brother Dylan. Mackenzie was allowed to go to the treasure box and pick out a prize. She picked out two things and asked her teacher if she could take one home for her brother. Linda told her not this time and Mackenzie went back to the prize box and contemplated the situation. After looking over the two contents in her hand, she put her prize back into the box and decided to take a little matchbox car for her brother. She told her teacher that she wanted the car for her brother and it was okay if she didn't get anything.

So when it was time to go home and pick up her brother, Mackenzie was SO excited to see Dylan. She was bursting with pride and joy over the matchbox car she chose for her little brother. The minute she saw him she quickly announced that she had a surprise for him! Of course Dylan adores his big sister and with great enthusiasm himself says, "Weally? Fo me???!! Both kids were so happy and their smiles were priceless.

Later on I told Mackenzie how sweet that was of her. She told me she really wanted this gummy thing (didn't quite understand what it was). But, she knew how happy her brother would be if she got him a car. "You know mama, Dilly just loves those cars and I knew he would really like this blue one!" Moments like these just melt my heart. I hope they will always love each other and look out for each other as they grow.

Sweet Girl

On Valentine's Day, Nonni gave each of the kids a present. Unfortunately, Mackenzie's outift did not fit her. So, Nonni wanted to get Mackenzie something else to replace the gift that didn't fit and had asked what she might like. I aksed her and this was the conversation that followed:

Me: What would you like Nonni to get you instead?

Mackenzie: Why is she going to get me something? She already gave me a piece of candy and some stickers.

Me: Because she loves you and wants to get you something else.

Mackenzie: (After some pensive silence) I can't think of anything and I don't really need anything. I already have everything that I need. She doesn't need to get me anything else.

I was so touched that my sweet five year old did not go on listing a whole sleuth of toys, clothes, or whatever else. I was quite shocked to be honest. I was expecting her to respond with some ridiculous toy that she didn't really need. Sometimes that kid leaves me speechless. I hope she'll respond with the same answer when she's a teenager! I know - I won't hold my breathe. I'll enjoy the sweet innocence of this moment - right here - right now - today!

Who Are You Today?

Starting at about the age of two, Mackenzie loved to play dress up. For awhile she wore dress up clothes more than her regular clothes. I have some pretty cute and funny pictures of her in all kinds of crazy outfits. Now that she's 5, her dress up is starting to diminish. She has one maybe two outfits that she still enjoys wearing. However, she has now passed the torch onto her brother. I didn't think little boys would like to dress up, but I am wrong. Of course it's not the cute girly princess stuff - but it's still pretty cute. You decide who you'd like to be today!

My clown

Spiderman

Mickey Mouse

Buzz Lightyear

Home Depot employee (not sure what the sword's for??!!)

Creepy man

Safari man

Santa's Helpers

Who's your favorite?

Crazy or Really Nice?

The kids have been asking me since it began raining on Friday to go outside and play in the puddles. (The truth of the matter is that Mackenzie has been asking me for a VERY long time.) I have always put it off for one reason or another. Well, mostly because cleaning up the mess they would endure frightened me.

I don't know if I had a moment of insanity today, or if I got sucked up into remembering how much fun jumping in puddles was as a kid. So, I dressed them in play clothes and let them have at it. Here are a few pictures from the event.

And for those of you who really know me - you know how obsessed I am about stain removal! Did you see Mackenzie's pink jacket!!!! I about had a heart attack when I realized they were laying in the puddles making "snow angels" with their school jackets on! Luckily, I'm the master of stain removals! So you decide. Am I crazy or just a really nice mom?