A tale of two wish-makers

 There are dandelions a-plenty in our yard right now. We've already watched the bright yellow blooms get picked over by pollen-hungry bees and then change to white, fluffy fuzz. Neither Mackenzie nor Mason can pass by a " blowing dandelion" with out stopping to make a wish.

Mackenzie is a methodical wish maker. She first contemplates the wish, a secret she isn't allowed to share. Caught up in fairy tales and wondering where the seeds will go, she blows the fluff slowly, watching it dart and float through the air. She isn't one to pick all the wishes at once. No, she likes to save some for tomorrow,too.  This is the way of Mackenzie in everything.

Mason, with his quick impulses and fast little legs, can't help but pick as many dandelions as possible in one fell swoop, not even getting the stem with every pick but a handful of fluff instead. He can't be bothered to blow each puff individually. Who has time for that?  So, with fistfuls of dandelions clenched in tiny fingers, he shakes his arms as fast as he can, sending fits of fluff around him. After a few shakes, the remaining bits of stems and whatever fluff is left gets tossed to the ground and he is onto something else. In life, Mason approaches every situation this way: Wishing is for the birds! I'm gonna MAKE my dreams take flight.

These ponderings and observations are priceless to me. Getting to watch my children grow, gathering memories and then giggling to myself at the differences and similarities between these two is a gift that I could never repay. So instead of trying, I will gather a few dandelions for myself and send off wishes for them. May they always be true to themselves and content with themselves. I wish they will always look outside of themselves, be kind and compassionate even though the world is not. I wish for happiness and I hope that they know that , even when happiness is fleeting, they can make the best of every situation. I pray they never feel unloved and always know I'm on their sideline, cheering them on, making wishes of my own.

A beautiful sight

My kids have grown accustomed to being my little photography side kids. There is rarely a day that we are in the car and I don't back up or turn around because I saw a sight that needed to be captured. They don't even ask any more " What are we doing, Mommy?" because they know the drill.

Our Zoo

 Just when it seems that we've squeezed as many new breathing beings into our home, we somehow find another pet that needs a place to be.  This time, Mackenzie has been lucky enough to be the proud owner of " Delfuny  " ( her choosing) a spotted salamander. She got him from Kaleb who found him in the yard. He's been a lot of fun to watch although the rule still applies that, if Del seems to be unhappy with us, we return him to his natural habitat.

Sleep tight , Macky

Sydney has basically become  Mackenzie's cat. She really doesn't like the rest of us but will turn herself inside out to get the attention of Mack.

Steady rhythm

With birthday's in the books, things have settled down for a bit. The kids have have had fun enjoying their new birthday acquisitions .

Mason with his remote control truck

The new tent has been so much fun!

How does this girl keep looking older? She has loved having her own desk in her room.

Mack's room is covered in things like this.

A chart Mack has made for her room

Who can resist?

                                           Who can resist a little boy with a cowlick? Not me!

Birthday and Easter Celebrations

Birthday celebrations continued as Mason and my mom both had birthday last week.  My mom was going to be in Washington visiting our family there , so we celebrated the week before on Easter Sunday. My mom made Mason a train cake and  surprised me with a camera cake!

The completed dozen

Working hard on their eggs!

Planting their magic jelly beans

Look what sprouted from our jelly bean seeds

I was surprised when Mack asked to have Cheerios for breakfast on Easter morning. I thought she'd much rather scour her Easter basket . Then I saw that she had a creative thought in mind

Mason was very excited to be the center of attention but he did not like being sung to.

On Mason's actual birthday, Mackenzie stayed home from school and we celebrated at the zoo! It was a perfect day to spend at the zoo. After our Zoo day, we ordered steamed dumplings for dinner- Mason's favorite- and watched Cars.  After all of that, he was exhausted and even requested to be put to bed!

You're two now, Mason. It's time you start carrying your share of the load.

Playing in the tent Mase got for his birthday

Mason sure loves this bubble lawn mower he got from the Hansfords

Mason's dinner guest ( The night before his birthday).

Birthday morning! Grammy's gift was a bit hit.

Mike and the kiddos checking out the tigers.

Off they go!

The last time I rode on a carousel with Mackenzie, I had to stand next to her to hold her up!

A big bright spot in the day was when Mack and Mike got to feed the Larakeets. They talked and talked about how much fun that was! Those photos are on Mike's phone so I will get them on the computer and post them soon.

Mackenzie cooling off with her ice cream cone

After a long, exhausting birthday, Mason was carried to the car atop his daddy's shoulders. With a stop in the gift shop, a drink of cold water and his binky, he snuggled in for a short nap on the way home.

Two is exhausting.

Catch me up!

Gunner is my co-pilot! The smile he gets  on his cute puppy face when he gets to go out is so heart warming.

My birthday dinner at PF Changs- Mason had the whole section laughing as he was belly laughing at Mike's funny faces.

Post birthday dinner excursion to a cool bookstore! Mase like the parking lot views best.

Guess who has a new big kid desk!

Gunner started out for our run smiling, however, that vanished a few miles in. He was ready to go home and he took his time getting there.

80 degree day means skorts at school