Happy Birthday, MACKENSON!

Yesterday was Mackenson's 3rd birthday! He had lunch with Papa and Mama at the DFAC. In the afternoon he played outside with his sister and neighbor kids then opened presents. After supper he ate chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream. Marie gave him a dump truck (it's is a lot like a stomper-cool!), his neighbor friend gave him hotwheels, Papa/Mama gave him pajamas, cool socks, books and Sesame Street underpants, Gramps/Grannie gave him a bubble lawn mower. He had a very good day and was extremely happy and hyper by bedtime! This was his first birthday at home; he was at the creche for his 1st and 2nd birthdays. Happy Birthday, Mack!

The Lastest Creation by Woodworker Joe

Joe built a book shelf for Marie.

She was very happy to have something built just for her by her Papa. The shelf is by her bed and holds her books, magazines and glasses case.

She loves to pick a story from the books on her shelf at bedtime.

My House Doesn't Smell Like a Barn!...Anymore.

The smell that used to greet us at the door and remind us of an animal shelter is gone. Yippee Skippie it is gone! It involved a particularly nasty carpet that is roughly 10 years old and a cat who thinks rugs are litter boxes. Unfortunately Dylan thought right smack dab in front of the door was a good spot for her litter box. We didn't see eye to eye on this issue. So I spent one evening with an exacto blade, measuring tape, sharpie marker and bleach solution spray bottle to transform the dirty ole sponge into a vinyl entry space by the front door. When I lighted my smelly candles last night I actually smelled them. Ah, what a nice change.

I can't wait to rip up ALL of the carpet and put laminate flooring down instead. If you have ever heard me rant about how much I hate carpet you know on that day I will be in total bliss!

Share a Grapefruit With Someone You Love

Hooray, now I have someone to share grapefruit with! All last week Mackenson and I ate grapefruit for breakfast. Sometimes he would put it in his cereal, sometimes top his toast, but he likes it as much as I do! We also spent our breakfasts listening to Dave Matthews Band. Mackenson dances in the kitchen after he is done eating. Mostly this involves putting his hands in the air and twirling in a circle. One morning he ran to get "Puppy" to dance with him. Puppy is his stuffed dog toy that goes everywhere with Mack.

On Saturday I gave Marie and Mack grapefruit (and some other stuff) for ti mange/snack. Marie, who spent one week last summer stripping a tree of it's sour fruit and devouring it, insisted that she did not like grapefruit. When I left the room she ate it, so I think she was just being a little grumpy. Ah well, maybe it wasn't sour enough for her!

My Husband Rocks

Joe is indeed smarter than the average bear. Since this past summer I have had an extremely itchy rash in my ear, then it spread to the other ear. I went to the doctor twice for it, once I was given steroid meds (because I also had poison ivy and they thought my ear was affected by that). The second time I was given anti-bacterial/anti-itch drops and told to put baby oil in my ears if they itch. Well, when I put a q-tip with baby oil in my ear I felt like a dog who shakes its leg when its favorite spot is petted, it itched that much. Needless to say neither of these methods worked. My husband, the genius, told me to use some anti-fungal drops. That was three days ago and holy cow it worked! The first time in about 7 months that my ears don't drive me crazy!!! I love you, Joe.

Fun With Vocabulary

We bought a humidifier for Mackenson's room because he had a sinus infection. Lots of people have suggested we get one so we thought, what the heck, it can't hurt! As I was setting it up in his room Marie asked me what it was. I told her it was a humidifier for Mackenson's room. She looked very serious, "fire in Mackenson's room? I don't like fire.". Ah, always on the lookout for her baby brother.