Love for Learning

Lately, Mackenzie is getting really good at using the computer. I found a site (http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/index/load.htm?f) where she can practice her alphabet, especially the lowercase and phonics. She discovered that it had a signing section and was teaching herself the signs. Mackenzie is so smart. I remember when Abe blessed her when she was a baby. In the blessing, he said she would have a love for learning. She really does love to learn. It's amazing how much information her little brain has absorbed.

Kindergarten???

So, here's my new dilemma. Macky's birthday is in September. So, that means next year she can officially start school. I have always thought I would wait until the year after next to put her in kindergarten. I just thought it would be good for her to be the oldest. Also, Macky and Brooklyn would only be 2 years apart in school instead of 3 if we were to wait. Now, I am not so sure. I think she will definitely be ready for school, both intellectually and socially. I just kind of feel bad because she doesn't really play with any other kids on a regular basis. Basically, she doesn't have many friends. I now think it might be a good thing to put her in school so that way she can be around kids her own age more instead of hanging out with boring mom all day. I just don't know what to do! If you have any opinions on this matter please share them.

Mom, look at her...

BUM! Yep, that's what Mackenzie said out loud in the ladies' locker room at the pool yesterday. I thought I was going to die! I knew the somewhat large lady in the black one piece swimsuit had obviously heard my daughter because she was standing a mere 3 ft. away. I didn't know what to say so I just sort of ignored Mackenzie's rude comment. The woman started to walk to the other side of the bathroom when out of Macky's little trap popped, "Her bum is soooo BIG!" It was extremely embarrassing!

Big Sister Redeems Herself

Today, Mackenzie showed just how kind and wonderful she can be, proving she isn't just a bully (as blogged about previously.) Here's what happened.

Sometimes I tell Mackenzie that if she's really good in the store, she can get a treat. So today, we had to go to store and she was pretty well behaved. At the check out line, I told her to run over to the other isle and pick out her treat. She came back with a big smile on her face, holding up her peanut m&ms. Knowing that Brooklyn was going to want her share and that peanut m&ms are more of a choking hazard than the plain ones, I suggested Macky go and get the "brown ones." So she did. Now, I had 2 treats. What I meant was for her to trade the peanut for the plain. Didn't happen. Fine, Macky could have hers and I would buy one for me and share with Brooklyn. Why? Because moms deserve treats for being good too! After we paid, I asked Brooklyn (who was holding my m&ms) if I could have some. She shook her head "No." "Please," I said. She shook her head again. I continued to press the issue. More headshaking. Then out of nowhere, a sweet little angel named Mackenzie says, "Mom, I'll share with you." I was so excited! Not because I got some yummy m&ms, but because my child had done a random act of kindness. She had shown me love when nothing had been asked of her. It kind of makes me think of the atonement. Noboby ever demanded Christ do what he did for us. He did it because he loved us. It's something called Charity. My child showed me today that she has charity! I've succeeded!

P.S. Brooklyn never did share her m&ms. So, I eventually took them away and then ate them. She's cute though!

Zephyr Cove, Lake Tahoe

Here are some fun pictures of family (mostly the kids) at the beach at Lake Tahoe for the Rutter Family Reunion.

Big Sister turns Bully

As I was trying to get my girls ready for bed tonight, I took them to the bathroom to brush their teeth as we do everynight. Tonight was somewhat different though. I first got Mackenzie's toothbrush ready. While she was brushing away, I put Brooklyn's "safe to swallow" toothpaste on her brush (she hasn't mastered spitting just yet.) When I started to brush Brookie's teeth though, her mouth started to foam up. Did I accidentally put Mackenzie's toothpaste on Brooklyn's brush? Her toothbrush had a wierd odor so I reluctantly decided to taste it. Blah! It was hand soap! Mackenzie had squirted hand soap on her little sister's toothbrush! I immediated washed Brookie's mouth out and then asked Macky, "When did you put soap on your sister's toothbrush?" She replied, "At 6:30 o'clock." So after Macky went to the corner for being naughty, I asked her, "Why did you put soap on her toothbrush?" Her response: "Because I did it because... I did it because...it is wrong." We then had a little "Choose the Right" conversation. Macky apologized and gave Brooklyn a hug. But what's almost more disturbing than big sister bully is that Brooklyn didn't seem to mind her new "toothpaste."

Nevada Highway Signs

I just returned home from a long 7 1/2 hour drive from Winnemucca. On this wonderfully boring drive through the middle of nowhere, I noticed some interesting street signs.

1) Firetruck crossing--This sign I past in a very, very, very small town called Goldfield. Now, I understand there are many fires in Nevada. However, when I am driving 15 mph down a street with absolutely no firestations in sight, do I really need this warning? Is a firetruck going to jump out of nowhere in front of me? I am glad the Department of Transportation thinks so.

2) Horseback riding crossing sign--I saw this sign on our way to church this morning here in Las Vegas. First of all, I believe this is the answer to rising oil prices. If we really want to send those oil tycoons and OPEC to the poor house, let's just all buy horses and ride them. Nobody in Las Vegas does this though. So it boggles my mind why we need this sign.

3) This is probably the most popular Nevada highway crossing sign. It's called Open Range. In Arkansas, we have deer crossing signs. No big deal, right? Well, deer are wildlife. Bulls are domestic animals. Put up a fence!

4) Last but not least, is my favorite : tractor crossing. No further comment.