Random Kid Quotes

We're driving home tonight from Applebee's (where we celebrated Mackenzie's perfect school attendance record with her coupon for a free kid's meal) and Mackenzie flips on this smooth, adult-sounding voice and says: Let me tell you some things about me. I like playing and I like playing with friends. I don't like to be alone. I like to wake you (meaning me, Mommy) up in the morning. I don't like it when you sleep or take rests. And I do like playing with Meredith (her best friend whose backyard runs into ours). End quote. How's that for classic?

Madison does this funny, yet, annoying thing sometimes when you ask her a question. It goes like this: Madison, where did you put your shoes? Answer: Nuffing, Mommy. Me: No, Madi, where did you put your SHOES? Answer: NUFFING, Mommy! So when did a 2 year-old's version of the word 'nothing' become a catch-all expression? She uses it all the time to answer questions like: Where is your blankie? Why did you hit Mackenzie? Why did you take your pants off? Why don't you want to wear your seatbelt?... If it wasn't so darn cute it would be infuriating!!!

Mackenzie's First Report Card

The first page with all the important basic information. Followed by Satisfactories in all areas. Followed by the truth. I've know for years Mackenzie has a very "attention-grabbing" kind of voice (when she wants, that is), but for Ms. May to point it out made me shake my head and laugh in pity for her (Ms. May, that is). But I really will keep trying to get Mackenzie to keep it down... I promise.

Cancer Follow-Up

So my August 1st post left out the after-drama of the secondary pathologists findings. I just want it documented so I don't forget why I was so angry after everything seemed all peachy keen. So, my first pathology report said my 1.6 cm nodule wasn't cancer. Unfortunatly the specialist up North somewhere disagreed. SO, the second report said I had 2 cancer spots, both papillary carcinoma. One 1.6 cm the other 1.4 mm. This meant I definitely 'qualified' for radioactive iodine treatment (RAI) - which absolutely sent me spinning with anger at the irony of things. Why didn't they just find that in the first place? Then I'd be happy to have the RAI and would have been expecting it. Now, I feel like someone told me I wasn't going to have Christmas, then said I was, and then changed their mind again. YOU CAN'T DO THAT IN THAT ORDER and expect it to be taken well. Long story short, I thought about it... alot, and felt/feel that the RAI would do more harm than good right now. I'm not going to go through all the technical reasons of why that is on this blog, but suffice it to say (along with the fact that a 2 year old doesn't understand she can't touch mommy for 5 days b/c her mommy is radioactive and there's no where for me to do the stupid treatment but at home), I am not doing the RAI. So we are watching my TSH levels and calcium, etc. very closely. And someday, I'll understand all this and why it unfolded this way.

Halloween 2008

 

Halloween 2008 was great. These are pictures from Madison's school party and parade. She was a 50's girl and was absolutely adorable if I do say so myself.

 

Mackenzie was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, mostly because Dorothy got to carry Toto in a basket and any costume that has a stuffed animal involved was A-OK with Kenzie. We painted her old white shoes red, and then I actually got brave and braided her hair. Her school does a parade with only the kindergarteners dressing up and it was adorable. Afterwards her class did a finger-puppet song about pumpkins and they all did great.

 

Here's pictures of the girls all trick-or-treating. We walked our neighborhood loop with our neighbors, the Lannans, and the kids had a blast. Thank goodness for the stroller!

 

Here's pictures of the pumpkins we made the Monday night before Halloween and all the girl's candy after trick-or-treating. We love Halloween!

Prague!

 

October 3-12, 2008 I got to tag along with Dave to Prague, Czech Republic. He had to go for his company's Value Forum meetings, and I was dying to go. Jessica and Chris Brough offered to watch our kids, and we took them up on it (can't wait to watch baby Ezra next April! Love you guys!). It was an amazing trip. We stayed at the hotel Andel in the south west part of the city along with about 80 other people there for the conference. Dave didn't have to work every day we were there and we took advantage of it. We saw the Old Town Hall and clock tower, Kolovy Most (Charles Bridge), Prague Castle, Wencelas Square (where the Velvet Revolution occurred in 1989) and other amazing places and sites. I learned so much about the people and communism and capitalism and how going from one extreme to the other can be devastating to many. I also learned that either form of government can be cruel if the people and their leaders have no morals or values holding up their societies. I saw some amazing things and some very sad things, but everything I saw opened my eyes to the beauty and honor of living in America. We truly live in a blessed place.

 

This is the view off the Charles Bridge. It was a gorgeous day and the leaves were just starting to change colors.

 

Another view off the Charles Bridge.

 

Although I failed miserably at getting pictures of all the people of the trip, here is one of us with Greg and Jayne Jackson. Jayne and I got to pal around a lot on the trip while the guys worked. It was a great time.

SeaWorld San Antonio

 

September 27, 2008 Mackenzie had been asking to go forever, and since we had season passes and had only used them once, we decided it was time to take a trip to SeaWorld. San Antonio is only 90 miles away from Austin, so we drove down that morning and back that night. The weather was beautiful and we had fun seeing the dolphins and sharks and riding the little Shamu roller coaster. Of course, the girl's (especially Mackenzie) favorite part is getting a stuffed Shamu to add to her/their collections. We love SeaWorld!!!

Mackenzie's First Bike

 

So, we realized that Mackenzie is closing in on 6 years of age and has never ridden a bike. This is mostly because we have a super steep driveway and live on a busy section of our subdivision. But because no child should grow up without knowing how to ride a bike (I mean, how would she ever understand the phrase, 'It's just like riding a bike, you never forget.'?) and it was a beautiful Saturday in September (the 20th to be exact), we decided it was time for a trip to Wal-Mart. Mackenzie tried out several different bikes before falling in love with this one. She rode it all around the store and was so proud of herself. Later that same day, Dave walked as Mackenzie rode her bike to her friend's birthday party. She was so excited to ride the whole way! Now, we need to build up her confidence and get rid of the training wheels. Oh well, one thing at a time.