FIVE!

My little girl, has turned five!  I can hardly believe it.  It truly does fly by and I can't believe I'm writing this (even though it's three months after the fact).  She has grown in so many ways.  Just the other day I was looking at a picture that was taken shortly after she had turned four and I can't believe how much more mature she looks in one year!

We out did ourselves in the way of celebrating.  Considering her birthday was on a Thursday and she still had school the next day, we didn't have the parties (yes parties,) until Friday and Saturday.  But we did let her open some of her gifts on her actual birthday and had a celebratory cupcake.  It was the same cupcakes I took to her class for her birthday earlier in the day.

A bit frightened by Dad lighting the candles on her cupcake

Dora Ballerina Movie (Makenna is still wearing her dance outfit from class earlier that night)

Hello Kitty hat for winter:

Just in time as it decided to snow that night!

In looking back over the 5 short years you've been on this planet, I can't believe how much you've grown in height, looks, and personality.  I thank God every night for sending such a sweet spirit to me.  To show me face to face all my quirks and flaws as you reflect to me what I show to you.  This has only made me try and be a better person so that you will then reflect to other's what a great girl you are.

I so look forward to many more years of watching you grow, learn, and love.  You make me laugh with all your "butt-shaking" and you amaze me with the things you come up with, your amazing memory, and how you understand and grasp things so quickly. 

Even though I get impatient with all your questions sometimes, I love that you're trying to learn and understand everything around you.  I love Sundays most of all with you as you cuddle up on my lap during church and I'm trying to hold on and remember your embrace.  I know as you grow older those tender moments will be less and less as you grow and become more independent.  I hope you always know, that you can run back into my arms for any reason and I'll always have two arms open to hold you.

Happy Birthday my little one!

Precurser to Halloween

We did the annual Trunk-Or-Treat at our Church on Saturday the 22nd and this year, Makenna was more into it.  Although she still wouldn't do the cake walk!  Dang her...doesn't she know that it's not about her!  It's about me getting some yummy cake.  Hopefully next year she'll come to understand this and be a willing participant to indulge her mommy's need for sweets in the form of cake that someone else made (or bought).

Again, sticking with the Hello Kitty theme (her idea) here she is:

I can somewhat say this is my first "home-made" Halloween costume.  Pretty lame I know, but hey, I'm not a seamstress by any means.  I'm a shopper and google-idea browser.  I found the headband at Hot Topics on-line and decided to try our local Hot Topics store and by sheer luck (and that there seems to be a massive Hello Kitty craze as of late,) I was able to get it.  The T-shirt, purse, and stuffed animal she had already, along with the red pants.  Bought the pink tutu for dance so just Incorporated it with the outfit and borrowed the pink shoes from cousin Katie, who although younger, has about the same size feet. 

Then I went out and bought face-paint, which we now have an over-abundance of.  I had initially thought to paint her face white but then thought better of it and just used the yellow and black face paint.  I'm pretty certain I saved myself and her much aggravation by not painting her whole face. 

I only hope next year's outfit is as easy...maybe even the same one?!

The Long Awaited Return

Well obviously one of my New Year's Resolutions was NOT to be timely on the blog - so I guess you could say that I'm keeping up with that resolution - yeah for me!  Need to put a positive spin on why I'm so far behind besides general laziness.

So for a quick return - here are a few pictures that I mentioned in the last post (which seems like eons ago):

Bowling - only picture I got as Autumn's camera was on it's last bit of battery life, and if you recall, I had totally forgotten mine.

Pumpkin Farm (back from Oct. 2011):

 I like this one of them from behind.  It shows a sense of peace and love before the dreaded who pushes the pumpkin cart fight ensued along with tears and unhappy children.  Well, really only one child...mine.

Bits and Bobs

The title of this post is taken from our days in England.  It's basically "Miscellaneous" said in a more fun way.

Anyways,  here's a few things that have been going on.  On Sept. 6th, the day before Makenna's first day of school, I decided to take her out and we went bowling.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera!  It was our first time bowling and we decided to invite our cousins Katie and Natalie. 

It was quite a hand full...3 adults and 3 kids bowling.  Natalie (who's 2,) kept trying to take her turn constantly.  Katie and Makenna just kept standing in the way where ever they were.  But we got through 2 games a piece and decided that was enough.  Not to mention how much the prices went up!  I remember when you would "rent" bowling shoes and get your money back.  I guess they realized that no one was going to steal these corny things, so they now make you pay for the shoes and you get nothing back in return. 

Makenna and I then went to the ice cream store.  It was just her and I in the store, and my ice cream was a bit melted and messy - not as good.  Either way, I enjoyed a day with my big girl who was starting the next chapter of her life the next day.

On Sept. 18th, it was a nice "Fall" day so Chris decided to get some painting done.  Makenna loves painting so she decided she had to help and Chris and I always love watching the two of them doing things together.

Of course she tired of this quickly but it was fun while it lasted.

On Monday, Oct 10th we decided to go to the pumpkin farm with Aunt Autumn, Katie and Natalie.  Since we left a little sooner than I had anticipated, I didn't have my camera - yet again!  (I still have to get the pictures for bowling and this from Autumn). 

Makenna enjoyed it until her and Katie started fighting over who got to push the cart with the pumpkins in it.  Makenna didn't want to do the maze so she played in a play area, and did a obstacle course.  I had to go in and help her the first time, because she wasn't sure what to do and got scared, but then the second time through she was a pro.
On Thursday, October 20th, Makenna found the guitar that daddy got from his dad and decided she wanted to learn how to play.  Now Chris and Makenna play at the same level.

 So hopefully at some point I'll bug Autumn to get the bowling and Pumpkin Pictures.  AND hopefully at some point, I'll be caught up and stay caught up!  Here's to wishing.

First Day of School - Take Two

A full week went by before Makenna had to go to school again (Sept 14th).  I was kind of surprised at this since her school wasn't flooded, but I guess kids in another area that are bussed to her school were flooded.  I think it was Ninevah area, if I recall.

This time it was a full day and as you can see, we still went with the Hello Kitty theme.

The next day, after school, she had her fist day of dance class - 20 minutes of ballet, 20 minutes of jazz, then 20 minutes of tap.

First Day of School – Kindergarten (9/7/11)

I knew this day was coming and I was dreading it.  We got up bright and early (before 6am) to get our routine down that we scheduled out the night before. 

• Mommy gets up – gets Makenna up and then takes out the dogs while Makenna gets dressed.   
• Daddy gets himself up and ready for work.
• Then Mommy gets lunch together for Makenna (and herself) and feeds all the animals (both human and beast). 
• Daddy comes out and enjoys time with Makenna during breakfast.
• Mommy then gets Makenna brushed (teeth and hair) and daddy gets to take the dogs out for one last bathroom break.
• Shoes on, coats on – time to catch the bus!

Of course there may be a few extra minutes here or there to watch a little bit of cartoons and there’s always time to complain as we’ve found out.

We all made the trip to the end of the driveway, waited for the bus, had hugs and kisses, and I met the very nice bus driver – Sheldon.  He told me the “rules” of crossing in front of the bus – (go to the mailbox where he can make eye contact with myself and Makenna) and then when he gives the signal – a wave of his hand – we cross).  It was now my duty to pass this on and reinforce it with Makenna. 

I had a couple of questions myself.  What times does he expect to be dropping her off in the afternoons (he says around 3:45pm or so) and is he going to wake her up to get off the bus?  I’m serious I told him, I expect her to be half awake by the time the bus gets here.

Off they went and I cried.  Then Chris and I got in our car and went to the school to wait, and on the way, I cried some more.  We wanted to meet with her teacher and see where her classroom was and have a peace of mind.   We went in to the school and then decided to wait in our car for a while as we didn’t want to wait in the “herded” parent’s area.

Well, then close to 8am and her bus still wasn’t there!  Mind you she got on the bus around 7:05 a.m.  So about an hour later (exactly) – in she strolls.  After being so happy to see her alive, we walked her to the classroom.  She found her cubby and her assigned seat.  We introduced ourselves to her teacher, “Mrs. Friend,” – and yes that’s really her name.

We got a couple of pictures and we were on our way.  Chris took me back home and he left for work.  I took the day off to recuperate from the emotions and I wanted to really make sure I would be there when she got home. 

Good thing I did as I was startled by a phone call around 11:30 a.m. from an automated voice telling me that due to the weather (lots and lots of rain) that my child would be let out at 1pm.  I initially thought to myself, “boy if kids are coming home because of some rain – I can’t wait to see how many days I’ll have to take off due to snow!”

Since the bus driver gave me an approximate of 45 – 50 minutes to get home when they would normally leave at 3:05 p.m., I figured that she should be home 1:45 or so.  I went out in the cold wet rain with the dogs at 1:35 and started to wait and wait and wait.  The dogs were shivering and soaked so I took them back in and proceeded to wait some more – with Makenna’s rain boots in hand.
Finally after 2pm the bus showed.  I was a bit miffed but figured that due to the weather, he may have had to go slower than he normally would.  Or at least I hoped.  Otherwise this girl is going to have an hour drive each way every day!  Sure enough when he opened his doors, he had to wake her up.
But she was excited to see me and after a quick change into her boots, down the driveway we went.  I found out much later in the day the true severity of the rains – which you can see some of it in these links:

http://youtu.be/tMGIQoYxEvI
http://youtu.be/t5P5eMfiF3o
http://youtu.be/1O3B1URx_V8

There are many more if you go to Youtube but I thought these would suffice to show you why Makenna’s first day of school was cut short.  Not only that, but she then had a whole week off.  I felt like this girl is going to be so confused as to why she has to go a full day and for more than one day in a row when school starts again.

Here’s some photos of the day:

(Can you tell we're now into "Hello Kitty"?)

Heading down to catch the bus

Meeting the bus driver

Found assigned seat

Returning down the long drive back home (after half a day)

Made it through our first day looking a bit weary 

NYS State Fair 2011

We decided to make another trip to the State Fair this year (Sept. 3rd).  Unfortunately, we chose the last Saturday of the fair to go which also happened to be a very hot, humid day.  As we were there, I thought to myself, didn’t we go last year on a hot and humid day?  Why do we keep torturing ourselves?

Then to look at the grin and smile of my little girl on the roller coaster (kiddie roller coaster) and other rides that I recall why we come...which I would have pictures of if the camera battery didn't die.

This year we also went with my aunt and uncle from RI who came down. 

As a special surprise, we happened to see Crystal Bowersox (crystalbowersox.com) and got close enough to snap a couple of pictures.  I wasn’t willing to stand in line to get a picture with her but this was good enough for me!

I had also seen this on the news about this sand sculpture and it was truly humbling and amazing.  What was really hard was trying to explain it to Makenna.  She kept asking questions and the most simple answer I could give her was that some bad people did a bad thing that killed a lot of people.  Of course she kept asking why and I had no good answer for that.