God Bless America, Land That I Love

September 11, 2001 is a big deal.  One that I know we will explain to you two in the coming years.  I don't how know Daddy and I will go about it, but you know that the country in which you live in, is a free country.  One that you shouldn't be afraid to explore.  A very tragic event happened 10 years ago, and maybe because Mommy was born in New York and still has family living there, or maybe because her Granma Edee, Dad, brother, cousin and few uncles all have served or are serving in the military, but I think a bit more patriotic than most.  And I hope that we will do our job to teach to you two to respect, love, and have pride in the United States of America.

This is 3 THOUSAND American flags.  One for every person that was lost in the senseless acts of September 11, 2001.  Mommy got a little lot choked up at this point.

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you...

September 13, 2011

Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

It's Mackenzie's THIRD birthday!  To say that you've been obsessed with The Wizard of Oz is a slight understatement.  Ever since we went to the beach last Thanksgiving, we've probably watched the movie at least 3 times a week and that's no exaggeration.  Up to this point, you haven't been into princess' and dress up, so I was really struggling on what to do for your birthday.  You randomly told me back in early June that you would love to have a "Dorofee" party.  It was at that moment, that I went into party planning mode.  I will admit, at first, I was a bit hesitant because I didn't realize that there was so much W.O.Z party material out there.  I did a bit of internet researching and discovered a rainbow cake and from there I was on a roll for planning the perfect party for you.

While Mommy and Daddy were in Colorado, you and Granma were discussing your upcoming birthday and apparently you batted those big hazel eyes of yours and proclaimed that you would just LOVE to have your party at Granma and PawPa's house so everyone could swim "wif" you.  We arrived early at Granma's to start the decorating and were greeted by "Dorofee's" house complete with the wicked witch under it!

Daddy, Mommy, and Uncle Matt (who mind you, made the very special trip home to celebrate with you...that Uncle Matt is one of your biggest fans), blew up many, many rainbow themed balloons to make a rainbow for all the guests to walk under.  Granma MADE your "Dorofee" costume, that mind you will come in handy for Halloween, and we had a scarecrow and lion costume for Nolan but it was too hot for either one of them.  Sidenote, Mack, you insisted that Noley dress up as the "Yollipop Guild" complete with swirled top hair.  I just couldn't bring myself to do that to you, Nolan.  There was a witch along with a poppy field, the scarecrow, and a jar of tin man chocolate hearts for everyone to see.

The weather was perfect, and even a bit too chilly for this Mommy to swim, however, you, Nolan, Daddy, Uncle Matt, Uncle Mike, Drew, and Papa all swam all over the place with you.  You were so happy all day and it made Mommy and Daddy's hearts smile to see you loved by so many people.  Aunt Carmen and Aunt Brandon along with Maureen even made the trek up to the land of Oz (a.ka. Flowery Branch) to be with you.

September 10, 2011

Monsters and Monkeys

Mack, you're really big into dressing up these days.  Thank goodness for costumes!

And we ended the night with a fantastic choice of pj's!

It just so happens that this happened that night too...

 Nolan, you fed yourself for the first time!

And because Monkey #2 can't be outdone by Monkey #1, I present to you this...

September 8, 2011

Mackenzie and Daddy's Beach Birthdays!

What 3 year old gets to celebrate her birthday at the beach?  Mackenzie does!  Daddy decided long before your birthdays that he wanted to spend his birthday at the beach.  Well, because your birthday is the day before his, you got a beach birthday also!  We left for Panama City late Thursday night, September 1, 2011.  Daddy and I are big fans of driving long distances during the night because you two will sleep almost the entire way.  We found out a few days before our trip that a hurricane was a brewing down in the Gulf and there was a good possibility that it would rain most of our trip.  Well, it did, but we didn't let that stop us from having some much needed family time and fun, fun, fun.  

Rick and Trish were down in the area during the same weekend and came over for 2 days to hang out with us.  Between the rain storms, we would go down to the beach and play our little hearts out.  Nolan, you again thought sand was food and consumed mass amounts of it.  Mackenzie, you've been terrified of the ocean since the day you saw it for the first time.  Every time we've taken you in, you've climbed up us like a cat.  Now, remember, there was a storm coming in.  The Gulf was rather choppy and there were double red flags flying the entire weekend.  Double red flags means that the water is closed to the public and it's against the law to enter.  Well, no double red flags were stopping you from playing in the water.  We couldn't keep you out of the ocean!  Several times, the beach patrol had to stop and tell you to get out and as soon as he would drive off, you would run right back.  This terrified me, because all I thought, was one wave could take you right out and that would be it.  I know that sounds crazy, but I was so nervous all weekend.  We would have rather taken the nice sunshine and calm waters over the tropical depression Lee that came ashore, however, a rainy day at the beach is nicer than a rainy day at home!

Some fun facts about you right now:

*You love to press buttons, no really.  Whenever we get to go cups, the first thing you do is press all the buttons in.  It's so hard not to laugh at you when you say, "Can I press your buttons?"

*You've learned your phone number along with Daddy's.  One day you were walking around with a toy phone.  You asked me what your phone number was, so I told you.  You got annoyed because I said it too fast.  I said it 3 more times much slower.  The next day you spewed out the numbers and my jaw hit the floor.  

*Directions and places are pretty important to you.  You want to know where we're going all the time.  You specifically are asking what town we're going to or in.  You know you live in "Dowis", Granma lives is "Fwowery Branch" and works in "Lawrrrrencebille".  

*You have a new found love for banana peppers.  We ordered them on a pizza at Mellow Mushroom and you devoured them minus the pizza.  We have to be careful when ordering them when we're out, sometimes they're hot and not mild.

*Ms. In-de-pend-ent is your name!  You want to pick out your clothes (which sometimes causes a riff in our day), dress yourself and put on your shoes.  Because of this, we have to start getting ready much earlier than we have to be anywhere on time.  You did go to "Puglix" wearing hot pink shorts, an orange and black leopard print tu-tu, and a black and pink zebra print tank top not too long ago.  I had to let you wear it.  You came out of your room and said, "Mommy, don't I look gorgeous?"

*You're new favorite cereal is "Po-bo Pebbles"

*There's a giant billboard for a car dealership on 85N on the way to Granma's.  On it, it a huge clock, you refer to it as "The Tick-Tock Sign".

*Daddy taught you a new trick when playing with Nolan's tools.  That trick is, "Righty, tighty, lefty, woosy."  And that's only when you're using a "ranch".

*You're starting to broaden your food groups.  You'll eat spaghetti o's now and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!  You love all types of olives, even the greek green and purple ones.  Tortillini is a new favorite with butter and garlic.  

Mack, you're getting funnier and funnier with each passing day.  We love you so much it hurts sometimes. You give the best, tightest hugs and perfect little puckered up kisses.

September 4, 2011