Sunday, February 8, 2009

Happy Birthday, Kenz!

Whoa! What? Hmmmm? Come again? McKenzie is FIVE?!

February 4, 2009
Dear Diary: They say that the most crucial part of a child's development is from ages 2 through 4...so, I guess that means...I'M DONE! I only hope she can apply all the lessons she's learned. I sure hope she remembers how to wash her own dishes without getting water all over the counters, and to how to clean up after herself without smearing the apple juice all over the floor. I hope she remembers how to do her own hair, and pick matching colors for her clothing, and to at least try not to show her underwear to strangers. I guess she'll get by without a drivers license for a few more years...I hope she remembers to look both ways before she crosses the street, and to get a drink of water before she climbs into bed...and Baby, and Cuddles, and blankets, and books. I hope she remembers to speak in a kind voice when her brother rips her favorite toy away, and to say her prayers, and to brush her teeth...yes, every single tooth. And I hope, more than almost anything else, that she remembers to flush that darn toilet.


February 8, 2009
Dear Diary: It's not working out so well. Perhaps, maybe, McKenzie still needs me after all. :)


Well, it's true. McKenzie is five. My sweet, loving, independent, crazy little lady is growing up. I sure do miss those little wispy curls and those cute, kissable cheeks...but I'm finding that she has so much more to offer. She's becoming logical and funny; her feelings seem more sincere, and she's quite clear when she expresses her opinions about things. She's growing into a new phase of life - and I'm surprised at how excited I am to watch it mature even more.

She had a wonderful birthday: pancakes for breakfast...

...parties for preschool...

...lunch at Costco (with Daddy!)...

...TK's Jungle with her awesome mom and her good friend, Brookelynn...

...playing with her presents - she really scored big this year with all the grandma/nana/aunt/uncle presents...

...and her favorite meal: broccoli soup, for dinner. Yes, she is crazy. And they both sat there devouring it like they hadn't eaten in months! This picture totally isn't staged.


Have you ever been to TK's Jungle? It's so awesome! Huge, inflatable toys to jump in, slide down, run through... it was awesome. We were the only ones there for a long time - and we seriously had the time of our lives! I totally forgot I was the adult a few times until I'd try to squeeze through a small space and have a little more trouble than the kids. And, of course, there was the visual proof as the girls snapped pictures of me sliding down the slides... I looked substantially more massive than the cute little girls...ahem... But, the best part of the whole thing: I got in for FREE!!!! It felt totally backwards - paying for the kids and waltzing in myself with no fee. I almost felt like it was my birthday! We really, really, really had a ball.

























That night, as she was offering the blessing on dinner, she said, "And I'm so, so, so, so, so, SO grateful that TK's Jungle is in this world..."

Happy Birthday, my little princess!

9 comments:

  1. Wow, what a great birthday to have when you turn 5. She is lucky to have such a fun mom! And I'm glad you found a fun place to take her. I loved your diary entries. It is nice to know that they still need us for a while longer... even though there are days they think they don't.
    She really is a sweet heart.

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  2. Looks like she had a blast! When Bryan was out we went to a place similiar but adults couldn't go on the slides unless you were under some weight that most adults aren't. It made it hard to take Clara. It's hard to believe it's been five years. She is such a cutie and it totally cracks me up how she is soooo analitical like you and Brian. Funny girl! Happy Birthday Kenz!!

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  3. She looked like she had a great day! You are a great mom Linds! So fun! It is really hard to believe that she is already 5. Lily just turned 7! For the first time I feel like I am an old mom. Happy Birthday Kenz! We love you! :)

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  4. What a fun day - sounds like a wonderful birthday!

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  5. I am so coming to visit you again. I can't believe how much I miss all of you right now! I also can't believe that Kenz is actually 5. Looks like her party was a smashing success. Just so you know... if I ever have a child, you are planning its parties. Yes, I said "its." I don't know its gender.

    Oh, and by the way. Next time I visit- we are SO visiting TKs!!

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  6. I can't believe it has been 5 years since Jessica and I would come visit teach you and we would talk about our pregnancy woes. Congrats on making it this far and good luck with the rest!! Love ya!

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  7. Oh, my gosh! I can't believe she's 5! The last time I saw her was when she was a baby, I think! It's been way too long. Tell McKenzie, "Happy Birthday" from the long lost cousins!

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  8. How fun for you guys! I am glad to hear that she had an awesome birthday. Oh and I would have played with them too. It's too much fun to be a kid and miss out.

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  9. It's such a balancing act--letting go of the precious child they've been in order to watch and see the fascinating person within...

    I loved your journal entry!

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