Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now

McKenzie has a... fascination with mannequins.  For that reason, Old Navy is a particularly dangerous place for us to go.  The ONLY reason we got away with taking pictures with just two of their mannequins is because I promised her she could use my phone in the car if we left.  I took these pictures not because I thought she was being cute, but because she demanded that I take them.  We say this a lot around here: she is a nut!

This little girl was her favorite.  Notice the hand holding.

I think she's digging the polka dots on Ginger.

Afterwards, she asked what happened to this lady's head. Ummm...

Speaking of demanding pictures, she made Brant take her picture while she sat on a rock outside of Buffalo Wild Wings.  She then took a picture of her cup, because why wouldn't you take a picture of your cup?  A rather artistic shot if you ask me.

This girl?

I like her a lot.

First Day of School!

Ok, I don't know that I really count K3 as McKenzie's first day of school.  Other than her adorable little uniform, it felt a lot like sending her to mother's day out.  In fact, she's only going one more morning a week for K3 than she did for MDO.  Still, I wanted to remember her first day and make sure we got a few pictures.  As it turns out, McKenzie wanted to make sure we got a few pictures as well.  After posing for some, she turned the camera on us.

Although there is still a lot of focus on play, K3 is a little more involved academically so I look forward to seeing how much she learns as the year goes on.  Her first week was pretty good.  On Tuesday, she got in Brant's car after school and announced, "I had a great day!" followed immediately by "Where's my milk??!!"  Geez Brant, get the girl some milk! On Wednesday, she told me she cried on the playground because she wanted me there.  I might have teared up.  But on Thursday, she only cried on the playground because she ran into a ladder with her face.  Progress.

Our First Day Pictures

Sweet little one.

Silly girl.

She took this!

Here's proof.

Another one from the miniature photographer.

Super Sister

McKenzie is a great  big sister.  I know I've mentioned it before on the blog, but I really can't overstate it and I want her to know just how great she was when she gets older and reads this for herself.  Also, Annie has yet to really get into McKenzie's toys, so this whole being a great big sister might not last too much longer.  For now though, it's heartwarming.  Just a few things that make me smile almost daily:

-McKenzie asking to hold Annie just about every morning.  She smiles and says "Good morning Annie Bean" in a sweet little voice once they are both awake.  She holds her and gives her a gentle squeeze.  And with the exception of the iPad picture, McKenzie asked me to take all of these pictures of her and Annie.  I think she's super proud!

-Annie lighting up when she watches McKenzie.  Annie isn't exactly stingy with her smiles.  Give her a few seconds and almost anyone can make her crack those chubby cheeks into that sweet smile.  But no one makes her smile bigger or longer than her sister.  Just the other day, McKenzie and I both walked into her room as Annie awoke from a nap.  She gave me a courtesy smile, but when she saw her sister, it was over.  She smiled as big as the sun and made some super excited little noises.

-McKenzie understanding Annie's needs.  No, they don't already have some crazy connection that makes McKenzie know exactly what Annie is crying for.  I'm sure that will come.  For now, it just amazes me that when I have to put play with McKenzie on hold to feed, change, rock or hold Annie, she just allows it.  Not once has she thrown a fit because I had to take a break from Cootie Game or come back inside to put Annie to bed.  It's been this way since the day we brought Annie home and I couldn't be more proud of McKenzie for understanding her baby sister's needs.

I am fully aware that this sister sweetness can only last so long.  Once Annie starts showing an inclination towards and the ability to obtain some of McKenzie's toys, I'm sure we will have more than a few fights.  Until then, I plan to enjoy these lovely interactions between the two of them.

A Not So Quick Cleaning

A few weeks ago McKenzie joined me for my biannual visit to the dentist.  I have been talking to my dental hygienist about bringing McKenzie for quite a while.  She recommended that I bring her to my usual cleaning, let her see what happens to me and then see how far we might get with her.  Well anyone that has a kid knows that something like a dentist visit is a total toss-up.  Despite how well you know your own child, you have NO IDEA how they might respond in a weird situation like this one.  Personally, I thought McKenzie might let the hygienist count her teeth.  Maybe.  As it turns out, I was dead wrong.  Once I finished with my cleaning and x-rays, McKenzie excitedly asked, "Is it my turn yet?"  The girl couldn't wait to get in that chair!

After settling in, she looked at all the dental tools, felt the little air and suction thingy on her hands and let the hygienist get to work.  She not only let her teeth get counted, but also brushed and flossed.  FLOSSED.  I was in disbelief.  She wasn't a huge fan of the water being sprayed in her mouth, once telling the hygienist that she didn't like it and finally saying outright, "I'm done with that one."  I mean, I'd hate for her to be completely compliant.  But overall, a hugely successful trip.

Starting things out...

Not even phased by this!

Smiling...ok, making a weird face... to show her clean teeth!