Tired

The birthday girl was pooped from her busy morning and rested up to go
the jungle gym later.

Hen ready to blast off

The children's museum is even better with a friend!

Mackinna's friend, Nora met us and played. The girls had a great
time. It was so special for Mackinna to have Nora there and Nora even
brought her a Groovy girls doll- wearing an ORANGE shirt!

Mackinna turns 4

Its funny how much older four feels than three.  I'm really struggling with this one.  I can't believe my baby is four years old already.  It seems like just yesterday she was a newborn in my arms, and now here she is this beautiful, smart, creative KID.  I don't know where the time has gone!

She celebrated with her friends at school yesterday.  I guess Mrs. Coleman made her an orange birthday crown that she wore all day long, and she sat in a special seat, while her friends sang really loud.  She brought in beautiful butterfly cupcakes, that she worked very hard to make.  By the sounds of it, I think it was a really great day for her.  And now the celebration continues as we meet her friend Nora at the children's museum this morning, then we are going out to an early dinner and are going to hit the Jungle Gym for open gym, and back to the house for ice cream cake and gifts from Mommy, Daddy & Kaden.

 Tomorrow is the tailgate party- it should be fun.

The Recital is approaching...

Here is the most recent video of Mackinna & her dance class practicing their recital dance.

Road Trip

We took a little road trip with my Mom last week to North Attleboro to visit Debbie and family.  Despite the hotel pool being closed for repair we had a good time, but I think Mom was glad to drop us off and drive away when we finally made it home.  I think she had had her fill of us!

Mackinna & Kaden as bats at Capron Park Zoo.  Apparently Mom used to take Shawn & I here when we were little.  I don't really remember it.

Grace & Kaden looking at something- or each other at the zoo.

Gracie & Kaden playing at Coreen's house.

Mom, Debbie & Mackinna.  Mackinna LOVES Debbie.

We stopped at the cemetery to introduce Grammy to the kids as Mom put it.  Here is Mackinna with the MacKinnon head stone.  She liked that, but she sure did ask a lot of questions about how Grammy got "in the rock" and how she could get out to go to heaven.

Pajama Jam & Grandma Cam

It was a pretty exciting day around here today.  Not only was it pajama day at Mackinna's school, but Grandma Campbell is due to arrive any minute, and yes Mackinna went to the airport still in her jammies.  And she told me when Grandma gets to the house she's going to have her change into her jammies as well.  At least by then it'll be somewhat near bedtime!

Santa?

We were returning from little road trip with my Mom on Monday when we made a stop at the New Hampshire liquor store. When we were in the Gin aisle, Kaden suddenly starts, "ho ho hoing" and pointing. I look, to find a shelf filled with Beefeater gin. I laughed. Not quite Santa, but I guess the red coat is pretty similar. Maybe they shop at the same place.

And then we danced

Kaden has been thinking of giving up his morning cat nap so that has given us lots of time to play today when Mackinna is at school.  After painting we played ball and then danced a bit.

Craft time with Kaden

Kaden made some beautiful paintings this morning with Mommy while Mackinna was at school.

Valentines

After much work and anticipation Mackinna's Valentine goodie bags for her friends at school are complete (and in time for their party today).  We made chocolate covered graham crackers, pretzels and just little chocolate hearts.  Mackinna is so interested and into it for about 5 minutes then I end up doing them alone...  She did a tremendous job decorating the name tags though!

Sunday Drive

It was nice to have temps above freezing today.  The kids took advantage by going out for a little Sunday Drive.  Here they are returning home.

Baby Hog

Today at the ice fishing derby, Grandpa asked Mackinna if she wanted to go check out the cabin.  Mackinna was quite busy and not really interested.  Her reply to Grandpa, "No I'm going to be a baby hog."  She then settled down into the sled to hold her cousin Dylan- one of her favorite past times.  She's really upset that he's getting so big and wiggly and he's often too busy for her!

Cousins

Can you tell Mackinna needs a nap?

Ice fishing?

Without fish or traps...

Kaden has started sleeping in Tucker's old train bed, but I think sleeping in it isn't near as cool as playing in it...  I don't think I realized how large the thing was or how much it didn't match the kids' room, otherwise I don't think I would have agreed to it.  So I think in the coming weeks we'll spilt the kids up and give them each their own room and move the guest room to the third floor... I'm not really excited about that- but look at how cute Kaden is sleeping in there.  I guess its worth it.

Disney on Ice

At the last minute I was offered some tickets to Disney on Ice from a station at work. I almost didn't even bother because I didn't think the kids knew any of the story lines. You see, unlike last year when it was all about the princesses, this year's stories included Peter Pan, Lilo N Stitch, Lion King, Little Mermaid and Mickey & Minnnie. I scurried to try to get my hands on some of those movies to familarize the kids with the stories, and didn't have muck luck. The only one we ended up watching was 101 Dalmatians which I swear I read was in the show, but I was wrong! Oh well. Mackinna got to watch 101 Dalmatians anyway and both kids loved Disney on Ice. They never took their eyes off the ice. I can't believe I almost turned down the tickets! Mom came with us and we all had a great time, despite not knowing the story lines and characters. There was just always something cool to watch. I'm not sure anyone even blinked!