Happy Halloween!!!

This Halloween was great! The kids had a ton of fun and loved wearing their costumes, even when we weren't doing anything for Halloween. Mackenzie's grandma bought her a costume last year for this year so she was a pretty pink pumpkin. Since Cameron doesn't really have a clue about dressing up, we let Mackenzie choose his costume. She decided he was going to be Spider-Man. They were both so adorable. Mackenzie helped me carve pumpkins and we went trick or treating 4 times. We also passed out our own candy while we were home.

Friday the 26th we went to Marty's stepdads work to let the kids go trick or treating. Saturday we went to the Halloween carnival at church where they had games and more trick or treating. Sunday before dinner at my dads we went to the zoo boo at binder park zoo for more trick or treating and seeing the animals. And, of course, today we went trick or treating at the local businesses and went to a few houses.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable holiday. Now it's time for my favorites, thanksgiving and Christmas!!!

Bittersweet

Mackenzie's therapy is bittersweet. Bitter because she only goes until the Monday before thanksgiving because she turns 3. Sweet because, technically, she no longer needs it. She's passed all of her tests and is doing great. She talks like a normal 3 year old and has made leaps and bounds in her speech in the last 18 months. Her teachers said they're going to miss having her in the class because she's so good and she makes them laugh! Do I have a class clown on my hands here? I know she's going to miss school and her teachers too. She gives each one a hug before she leaves everyday. Hopefully it won't be too much of a transition for her and will be pretty easy. She does still have dance and we're going to go to tots and tunes once a month too. We weren't able to go because it was the same time as her classes. And Cameron will be able to participate too so he'll love that. He's always trying to stay and play in Mackenzie's class now! At least she still had about 3 weeks left!

Being a mom

It has been just me being a mom today. Mackenzie came into my bed at 3 am. But she did sleep until about 7:30 which never happens in her own bed. Then breakfast and dance class. She had a ball today and did great!

As a treat we decided to get some happy meals for lunch which the kids love. Once we were home, nap time! But not for me. I had dishes to do. Then play time, wake up dad, make dinner, Barney movie, more playing... The life of a mom and wife.

Finally, it was bed time. But still not for me. I had to pick up the kids toys. They have so many! I had to get rid of some. I really don't think they'll notice.

Now it's my turn. Shower and bed. I have to be up by 5:45 for work tomorrow. Marty isn't able to get out of work early and he works all day so the kids get to have their Papa come over and spend a few hours with them. Mackenzie was very excited when she found out today :)

Dance class

Mackenzie is getting busy for being not even 3 yet. She goes to her therapy/school Tuesdays and Thursday's, but we've also added per-ballet/creative dance to her activities on Friday mornings. So far it's a 3 year old class since they don't have enough 2 year olds yet. However, she lives it. She's by far the smallest almost 3 year old in the class, which is why they want her with the 2 year olds. Last Friday was her first class. She danced/played for a half hour, and got to meet the owner of the dance studio. That's a big deal for the little ones. The owner is usually working with the dance team but the little kids teacher was sick. She had an absolute ball and was disappointed to be done after just 30 minutes. She was ready to go back as soon as we left! This dancing may be a big part of her activities. We'll see as she gets older.

Since she liked dance and wanted to continue, she needed her dance outfit. Mackenzie and Cameron spent Saturday night with my mom, so once I dropped them off I went on my way to find dance clothes. I was on the hunt for tights, a leotard, ballet slippers and a dance skirt or tutu. I was able to find them all at Meijer, so that was not to bad. However, I'm cheap. They had everything at Meijer, including a skirt. The leotard, slipper and tights were all a good price. The skirt, on the other hand, was quite a bit more than I was willing to spend at her age. Plus, I knew I could make one. Since, at this point, I knew I would be making the skirt, I decided to make her a tutu. I think they're cuter than skirts for 3 year olds. Her tutu cost me about $2.50 to make. Now that's a steal!

Tomorrow is Friday and she gets to go to her second dance class! She's is so excited and freaking out today when I told her she goes back tomorrow.

Mr. Motor Mouth

Since Mackenzie was the first baby and didn't babble like a normal baby does, I really didn't know how much they communicate before they really develop speech. However, I am learning quickly now with 2 kiddos talking non stop. You can, pretty much, tell what Mackenzie says all the time now. On top of that, Cameron is babbling like crazy. I know we don't have to worry about speech therapy for him!

I'm proud of both of my kids and feel bad sometimes. On my way to work today I was wondering what it would be like and what Marty and I would be doing if we didn't have them. I love them dearly, of course, but our life would be drastically different without them. I think I'll keep them :)

She's sure growing up

Mackenzie is getting so big! She started going to school again this year. She's only able to stay until her third birthday but at least she gets some interaction.

Unlike last year, this year parents drop off the 2.5 year olds for an hour and a half. Last year we stayed with them. She has so much fun and they say she's such a big helper. Today when I got there to pick her up, she didn't want to listen, so I automatically think she did it the whole time. Her teacher said nope she was a perfect little angel, showed a friend how he should jump, shared her favorite chair and was just so good. That made me feel really good. I just wish she'd do that at home!

Not to be left out, Cameron is slowly learning how to feed himself with his spoon and fork. It's taking more time with him than it did with Mackenzie. I think that's because he's a bit more stubborn at this age than he was. He'd rather use his hands than his silverware.

Sewing

Has been on the back burner for a bit. Marty got me all the necessities for me to make a dress for my birthday (I of course picked it all out, including the pattern) but I haven't made it yet. I've washed the material and cut out the pattern. However, once I started reading the directions, I began to get nervous, so I didn't do anything with it. Until today. The kids spent the night with my mom and I have a break before I have to be back to work, so I decided to work on it again.

I was right to be nervous about it. The material is so hard to work with so it's taking a lot longer to do than I had planned. Good thing the kids aren't here. There's no way I could do any of it if they were.

I had to take a break at the moment to get some lunch and give my back a break. It is not easy to half way bend over for an hour. Plus, I worked this morning and that always does a number on my back. I really wished we had a jacuzzi tub.

Enough here for now. I need to get my lunch and get back to my dress.