First Day of Preschool

Today was Mackenzie's first day at preschool. I finally made the decision to go ahead and register her. I'm so glad I did. She was really excited to go. She picked out a new backpack(which is almost as big as her small body.) Her preschool is near our house so I was able to push the girls in the stroller instead of driving. I dropped Macky off, gave her a hug and she was gone. Brooklyn takes a nap during Macky's school so I have almost 3 hours of "me" time. I haven't decided what kind of fun projects I'm going to start doing during this time. Maybe, I'll actually finish a couple of cross-stitching crafts that I started years ago. Maybe, I'll just take a nap. Or maybe, I'll finally have a spotless house--at least until Brooklyn wakes up and Mackenzie comes home. In reality, as excited I am for Mackenzie to get away and learn with new friends, I miss her just as much. In almost 4 years, we've never really been apart on a regular basis. Now, I'm not going to be with her for 6 hours a week. I guess, I've always been really protective of her. She's my first born. Everything had to be perfectly safe. I had to have the baby gate always up, the outlets covered, food chopped to almost puree, no stuffed animals/heavy blankets in the crib, the special baby laundry detergent to wash her clothes and of course, I woke up often at night to make sure she was okay. On her 2nd birthday, I even got her a helmet and knee pads to go along with a little tricycle. Most people thought I was beyond crazy. But, I had my reasons. My little girl has always been very inquisitive and daring. She has always wanted to do bigger things than her little body should be capable of doing. For example, running. She never really started walking. After a few steps, she was like lightning. That was at 10 months old. Now, she is almost 4. I don't put up the baby gate anymore, no more special detergent, the food isn't chopped super small and I even let Brooklyn play with many "not for children under 3" toys. I know, I'm living on the wild side. I guess, there's a time when children grow up and parents have to let them go. I'm just glad that I only have to let mine go for a mere 6 hours a week.

Quote of the Day (or perhaps a lifetime)

"Mommy, you're the perfect mommy for me."

--Mackenzie Swensen

Labor on Labor Day

Another Labor Day has come and gone. Abram calls Labor Day a "useless" holiday. I actually watched a news segment on the internet about why we celebrate this "useless" holiday. Back in the 1800s many Americans worked 12 hour days, every day. Finally, they started to fight back for better working conditions and an 8 hour work day. How did they fight? By throwing a parade! Yes, a parade! I guess it worked because today most Americans get their 3 day weekend at the beginning of September. But what about those of us who don't get this "useless" holiday off? Abram hasn't had Labor day off since he began working as an accountant 3 years ago. They have a big deadline in September. He gets 2 days off but has to use them after September 15th. I guess the IRS or the client or whoever it is to blame doesn't respect the American worker and value their contributions to our society. And what about the 8 our work day? I could probably count the number of 8 hour days that Abe has worked on just one of my hands. Now, don't get me wrong. He has a wonderful job. But, if he worked 8 hours instead of 12 hours or 18 hours then it would definitely be better. Maybe he and his coworkers should throw a parade. It worked for the old timers in the 19th century. And last but not least, what about us moms? Moms never get Labor Day off. My mom even gave birth on Labor Day. Moms never work only 8 hours. Their working conditions are sometimes only subpar. As soon as we clean up, it seems there's an employee throwing macaroni all over the floor. Often times, our employees are back talking and occasionally they bite. Where's our parade? We need a moms' union to help us fight the inequalities of this "useless" holiday and society itself. No more labor on Labor Day.

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!