Our Little Dancer

October 24, 2008 was Mackenzie's first dance class. Actually its her first anything really, outside of Sunday School she hasnt been enrolled in anything.

I told her that she was going to a dance class and she said the word dance a million times.

We got there early so she could see the 3 & 4 year olds dance and she kept saying my turn my turn, and when that didnt get me to move she said Sensi's (thats her version of Kenzi) turn.

When it was her turn, I told her to listen to her teacher, Miss Ericka, and have fun. She is doing this thing that I love, when she's told what to do she looks at you and says Ohhhhhh Kayyyyy, really sweetly, I got one of those OK's.

This is her walking into to class all by herself like a big girl. I never thought Iwould be that crying Mom but right after this pic she looked back just a bit unsure, then kept walking - I cried this was the first time she needed to walk alone.

Mackenzie is like her Momma and is an over toucher, once she loves you or when she is trying to love you she will touch you, your leg, face whereever -.

She sat right down next to Miss Ericka and started rubbing her leg.

Parents can seat in the class so I settled into the back of the class. I am always proud of Mackenzie, she is fun and friendly and generally well behaved.

But this day I was really proud of her. She was such a great listener, and she was clearly enjoying herself. She tried every move the teacher threw out, she even cleared the floor with her jumps - her and Daddy have been working on jumping he he!

She was my little Flash Dance girl, leg warmers and all. I'm not sure that dancing is her thing, I know her Dad has hopes that she will be a track star like he was - but I am proud of her.

At 2 years old, she was braver then I was at 12 - I dont know that I would walk into a room knowing no one. And she tried with all her heart to move and dance to the best of her ability.

This was so much more then just a dance class - this was a glimpse into her character. She is funny, and smart and has heart.

Whether you become a prima ballerina, a track star or stumble upon her own dreams and talent, my wish for you is that you walked into everything so bravely - I love you Kenz!

Oh What a Night!

Happy Halloween!

Mackenzie had a blast dressed as a flutterfly as she calls it - but she was a peacock! I love this outfit! We went to Target today and people loved her, she is so fun.

I took her to see her Daddy in the office, and she went office to office begging for candy. I would prompt her to ask for candy - she would relectantly repeat what I told her - then go give the person she asked candy from all of her candy - poor thing thought she had to keep giving her candy away - so sweet!

It was time to take her home for a nap before her big Halloween Party at church. While on the freeway - I heard her say " I break it" -

Mackenzie is a really honest child she doesn't lie with the exeption of asking her if she is poo'ing (she will lie in mid grunt ) sorry I digress - so when she breaks our stuff she says "Oh, I break it."

So I tell her Dont worry about it - I'll fix it when we get home. Not 2 minutes later I hear this

"Yumm Yumm, Shhocolate is yumm" - I look back and what she broke was the wrapper, she can open candy - and of course it was her Moms fav - Almond Joy.

I didnt see her when she left her class tonight but her Daddy said she had an awesome time!

Happy Halloween to you and your little Monsters!

The Great Pumpkin Patch

Wow, time flies when you are having fun! Where
did summer go! I love fall actually. And I love traditions - and to me fall is the time that ushers in holiday traditions! So every year we have taken Mackenzie to the same pumpkin patch -

This rustic apprearing patch is right on 2 of the busiest streets San Jose has. But its a tradition our family has started.



This is Mackenzie at about 6 weeks in 2006







In October 2007 Mackenzie wasn't even walking yet, and her hair was still growing in. She was teething a lot, and only had a few words in her vocabulary.







This years trip was different - she had been seeing the tumkins every day on our drive home from work - well actually our drive anywhere because of where the patch is

we drive passed it about once a day if we are out.

We went on Friday, October 10th. And she was so excited - she just yelled tumkins over and over. She will be a peacock this year - but if you ask her she is a buttaply.

We hope you are enjoying fall and all it has to offer, football, sweaters and scarves, stew and warm yummies - and traditions.