My kid, the cat.

Mack's imagination is quite active. These days, you never know who you're talking to or where she is. Some days she's a puppy (and you know this because she comes to you with a ball in her mouth for fetching). Some days she and Duncan are catching rays at the beach. Some days she's flying on a rocket with friends we've never heard of. To be sure, every day is an adventure in her mind. Yesterday she was "Duncan" all afternoon. She didn't speak , only purred and meowed. Is it strange that she's slightly better behaved in " cat mode"?

Playing with her ball:
Waiting for a back scratch:
Bath, kitty style:
Kitties do lots of napping:

A makeshift kitty bed:

" May I have some privacy?"

What I know

It's been over ten years since I have worked in a preschool but I am now reminded of this simple fact: Asking my three year old to hurry is like asking my cat for a million dollars. It's just not gonna happen. Even still, going preschool pace has taught me a lot. For instance, there are 9 stairs from our house to the car. There are four cracks in the sidewalk in said distance and contrary to popular folklore, stepping on said cracks has had no ill effect on my back. And those are just the things I learned this past week.

I've said it before and it's even truer now. Staying at home, slowing life down with Mack, going her pace has taught me so much about life and about myself , too. This is a gift that she has unknowingly given to me. Even when we are on the cusp of tardiness for our doctor's appointment, or I have two arms full of groceries and a long journey up the stairs ( 15 steps, in case you're wondering), I am thankful for a gentle reminder that life is fast enough all on it's own. It's ok to slow down.

I think God designed children as they are with a definite purpose in mind- to remind us of what really matters. And it's my prayer that one day, when the curiosity of childhood is replaced with the break neck pace of adulthood, she, too, will have a reason to slow down and enjoy life .

Have you seen him?

This is how I've been seeing Mike these days. He's about to finish up the first quarter in his second master's degree . Even with a full time job, a part time job, a three year old, a wife and countless other things to juggle, he's still managed to pull stellar grades this first quarter. I'm so proud of him!

She's a well child!

I am happy to report Mack has a clean bill of health for another year! Aside from a little lingering fluid behind her ear drum, she's one healthy girl.

Height: 38.75 inches ( 85%) ( she grew over three inches in a year)
Weight: 32 lbs ( 60th %)

Mack did a great job following all of the Dr. Baker's directions and he was impressed by her developmental skills calling her " Well above average" . She did need to get one booster shot which she took like a champ! Though Dr. Baker is a friend of ours, we do hope that we won't have to see him at the office again for another year!

Side note:
Mack work this shirt ( Made by my dear friend Angie) and got a ton of compliments! Not every girl gets a Candy Land shirt to match her Candy Land birthday!

Happy Birthday, Mack!

Mack's birthday celebration continued through Monday, her actual birthday. We invited Grammy to visit the Natural Science Museum with us, a place Mackenzie had been very anxious to see. She's been learning about dinosaur bones and wanted to get a glimpse at the real things. Here are a few pictures from our exploration:

" Planet Earth!" Mack shouted as she saw this really cool picture on the wall. Grammy showed her where Michigan is:
Finally! The dinosaur bones she'd been waiting to see. They were a bit overwhelming:
Sitting in a REALLY old boat!
We cruised through the museum at a pretty fast past so , with lots of time before lunch, we headed over the Hands On Museum where we played for a few hours before heading over to " Red Robin" ( yum ) before lunch. Our day ended with her favorite dinner, pizza pasta, and some quiet time with her new treasures. It was a great way to celebrate our little three year old and we are so excited to see what the next year brings for her.

"I'm FREE!!"

Yes...as of 3:06a.m. on March 7th, Mackenzie Claire was " free" years old. The advice " Don't blink." Again echos in the recess of my brain. From baby to preschooler, just like that! The party is over, the celebrations are complete. And we are left with sweet memories. And of course, tons and tons of photos.

We had a very busy week here. Mack was sick but got well just in time to attend the "Butterfly Ball" with Mike. They double dated with Will and Olivia and when Mack got home she told me " I had a wonderful time at the daddy dance!" and she meant it!

Gram's presents arrived on our front door step at a good time. Mack was just starting to feel better and cabin fever was setting in. The cash register is a must-have for any little girls collection and it sure gets a lot of attention:
Party day arrived and Mack woke up ready to party! She helped me set up for our CandyLand themed birthday party:
Before we knew it, guests started to arrive. The first one up was Uncle Andy who made it in from Iraq just in time! Mack jumped right into his arms. I think she couldn't believe how tall he is because she asked him to " Throw me up to the sky!" and he did :)
Grammy worked very hard on replicating the Candy Land game board. I can see my drooling from across the room! This is the cake little girls dreams are made of , I'm sure:
With Griffin being sick and Ben unable to make it, the kids table was " Ladies Only" but I don't think they minded:
You can bet Mack wasn't able to wait long before the cake was sliced:
There were some fabulous gifts opened. Mack has her choice of so many new things to play with- wonderful books , puzzles, new wooden food sets for her kitchen , a very special teddy bear all the way from Camp Victory in Irag, a magnet set ....She loves them all! The present that made for a blurry but priceless picture was the gift from Mack's godparents, Will and Erin:
Mack was exhausted by the time everyone left! Between being sick, being so over the top excited , being stuffed to the gills with candy and surrounded by family and friends, she could barely keep her eyes open..wait...she COULDN'T keep her eyes open:
And just as the day was jam packed with lots of highs, there had to be some lows to balance it out...bed time.
The day was just great- everything we'd hoped it would be. The only thing missing ( aside from a large, fast moving cleaning crew ) was my family and friends in Colorado ( and Arizona amoung other places). Days like this make the happy times bitter sweet knowing there are so many who wish they could be there to kiss this sweet birthday girl. We love you all and you were missed! And I kissed her extra for you .

Mack's 3rd Birthday Video