Little Mama

Kenzie has become quite the little mama to her baby dolls. She rocks them, disciplines them and feeds them. She has a stroller and play pen and swing too and that's her favorite form of imaginitive play. She even cooks for them in her little kitchen and changes their diapers too. Here she is this week sharing her dinner with her baby.

Winding down

Summer is winding down now. It's back to school for all the kids in the neighborhood. I can't wait for fall--all the festivals and holidays. It's always nice to spend our evenings outside watching the kids play. Here's a picture of Kenzie, Kyleigh and Caleigh in the wagon last week.

Flashback

Wonder Pets

Another H-O-T One!

This weekend was another birthday party and it was another outdoor one--FUN! I wasn't sure we'd make it since Kenzie has been home for 2 days with a fever, thanks to her 2 year molars coming in. But we got up bright and early Saturday morning and trekked over to the party. It was nice and steamy and Makenzie made it for about 2 1/2 hours before she began to meltdown and we had to duck out right before gifts were opened.
That's the birthday girl front and center.
Kenzie loved getting a "party hat" to wear.
Kenzie hitting the pinata. It took a daddy's muscle and a baseball bat to get the thing to finally open up!
One of Kenzie's friends, Lara.
Kenzie's friend Cadence.
Kenzie and the birthday girl.
Partying is hard work!
Race you!

RIP Prissy

Last Friday we had to put my 16 year old dog to sleep. She was just getting too old and failing in all kinds of ways that I'll spare you the details on. It was truly one of the saddest things I've ever had to do. Tim and I both looked like big dopes standing in the lobby of the animal shelter sobbing like idiots. We both dreaded Makenzie finally asking where she was. We just told her she was with Papa in heaven. And then she asked if Prissy had a tummy ache. Maybe she thinks Papa had a tummy ache too and that's why he went to heaven--isn't it strange the conclusions they draw at this age? I hope Prissy really is up there chilling out with Papa--he really loved her too.

She was the best dog I ever had--1/2 heeler and 1/2 Australian shepherd. My dad brought her home when I was 13 and she had been orphaned when her mommy was hit by a car. We lived on a 2,000 acre ranch and she had the life all dogs dream of. She was with me through junior high, highschool, college, a move literally 1/2 way across the country and back again, countless loves lost, new jobs come and gone, and even a new baby that she welcomed lovingly. I'll miss you Prissy!

Happy Birthday My Love!

Today is my husband's 36th birthday. It was also my late father's birthday. They were a match made in heaven--really. I couldn't have asked for a husband and father that got along better, mainly because they were both Leos and just "got" each other. I hope Dad is up there in heaven having a beer for his birthday. No doubt if they have beer up there, he's having one!




On to my husband.....

We actually celebrated this past weekend. I cooked a lovely dinner of Savory Crescent Chicken Squares (http://www.pillsbury.com/Recipes/ShowRecipe.aspx?rid=12362) and Corn Salad. Granny brought watermelon salad and potato salad. And by request, I made a triple layer chocolate cake with chocolate icing (http://www.bhg.com/recipe/frosting/best-ever-chocolate-cake/). And Makenzie walked around all weekend singing her version of Happy Birthday.

Tonight, again by request, the birthday boy will have Chicken Express for dinner! Hope he has a super duper day! Happy birthday baby!

I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T

Makenzie is at "that age." You know, the one where she wants to do everything herself whether she is capable or not? It's really bitter sweet. When you're a sleep-deprived parent of a newborn, you some times wish (in the middle of the night when they're screaming their precious little heads off) for the days when they are more independent to come a little faster. But then as they begin to shove your hand away or say "No Mommy! I help myself!" you begin to wonder where those days went so quickly. Wasn't it just yesterday? She's only 2 for goodness sakes! Sigh....

Party!

We went to the hottest birthday party ever this weekend--literally. It was in Bedias in the middle of a pasture pretty much, and it was H-O-T. The kids kept cool by swimming and playing on the water slide, but the mamas and daddies were miserable!


Look how red her little face is!
Getting her nerve up....
The birthday boy and Kenzie (chewing on the pool).

My Little Helper

Makenzie is finally old enough to actually help make cookies.....



And of course the best part is licking the beaters. Yes, I'm a bad mom ....but I survived all these years and my mom let me lick the beaters!

In other news....Makenzie has finally figured out the concept that everyone has a name other than "Mommy", "Daddy" etc. You can ask her what her name is and she finally will respond (in the cutest voice ever) "Kenzie Blue". She also can tell you what Mommy's name is and what Daddy's name is.