Baby Jesus

Since the Christmas season is upon us we have been talking about the meaning of the holiday. We have been reading and talking about the Jesus's birthday, as well as good old Santa. While I was in the kitchen this morning Avery walking in holding one of her baby dolls all wrapped in a blanket. She said, "we have a new baby". I asked the baby's name and she replied, very matter of fact, "his name is Baby Jesus". She also told me her name was "Mary" and that "Joseph" was at work. After provided me with all the information she went on her way to play Mommy for her baby "Jesus".

As for the rest of the holiday fun at our house, we have been baking cookies and shopping for Christmas gifts. Since we are traveling to Wisconsin for Christmas this year we have decided to forgo putting up a tree. Instead we went to Home Depot and got a wreath made from evergreen branches that keeps the scent of the a real tree in our home. We are so excited to be heading to the Northwoods for the holidays with family and friends. In our house we are dreaming of a white Christmas, if is going to be -10 degrees we need snow!:)

Another malfunctioning elbow

Well it is official, Colin has dislocated one of his elbows! Today while at Nana and Papa's house Colin was playing on a Big Wheel riding toy. When he fell off he was still holding onto the handle and we believe that is how he dislocated it. When I got there after work this afternoon he was keeping his left arm by his side and refused to use it to do anything. I called Neil and he told me how to set it back and luckily it worked perfectly on the first try! (Avery's never went back into place easily, so we always ended up in the emergency room) I was shocked that Colin's elbow dislocated because he is always hanging and climbing and it has never happened. So word to the wise be careful around these little McKenzie kid's arms.

Life through the eyes of little ones

Just wanted to add a few cute things that the kids have done recently:

* Avery was watching a cartoon on PBS kids called "Martha Speaks" based on the books. I asked her if Dolly (our dog) would talk if we gave her alphabet soup. She replied "no because it is pretend, and alphabet soup is out of season".

* Colin has figured out how to hold his monster trucks in one place while turning the back axle to make it do a "burn out". (He likes monster trucks and drag racing).

Life is never dull in our house! The kids are changing so quickly it is hard to keep up. Avery is starting to read and is able to write most of her letters. She is constantly asking Neil and I to spell words for her to write a story or make a card for someone. Colin is talking more each day and becoming quite the entertainer. He will sing a song (most of the time you can not understand the words), then take a bow while saying "thank you, thank you". We are amazed everyday with all the wonder around us, life is GREAT!

Avery's lunch with the Principal

Avery had lunch with the Principal at school today because she is the "PRIDE" student in her class for the month. Avery has been so exciting since she found out last week. She has been planning what to wear and what I need to make her for lunch. She was telling me about it at dinner and I had to share. I asked her how lunch was today, and she told me she ate lunch with her class because she was nervous. She told me she was the smallest kid there (she is in PreK at an elementary school). After lunch she went on stage to get her treat (a cookie) from the principal. I asked her if she said thank you and she told me she was too shy. I asked her why and she responded that there were too many big kids around. Then she told me about a pretty big girl with a pony tail and that she was too nervous to tell her what her name is. Avery was so serious about being shy and concerned at the same time. I told her she is only 4 and it will get easier when she is 5.

Also I must add that when her Papa picked her up from school she told him she was starving because she was too nervous to eat her lunch.

So much excitement for a little girl in one day, all because she follows the rules and has good manners!

Life in Florida

Well I have decided to start a blog to keep everyone updated on life in Florida for the McKenzie family. As the years go by and the kids get older life gets busier and busier. I can not imagine how it will be once the kids have their own schedules!
We try to step back and enjoy life as much as possible, which is sometimes easier than others. Neil enjoys fishing in his Gheenoe, usually along the intercoastal. Avery is his first mate on occasional, but she does not have the patience to do much fishing. Once Colin is bigger I am sure he will be by Daddy's side. I am busy just trying to stay ahead of the game. I am lucky to have had the summer off with the kids, but it made going back to work full time in August an adjustment. I think we are finally getting into a groove. Avery is in her second year of PreK at a local public school. She is so proud because she made student of the month in her class. She gets to have lunch with the principal next week. Colin is my busy little man and is always moving. He will be 2 years old in a week, which is amazing! He loves watching monster trucks and the TV show Pinks. He is talking more each day and becoming more of his own person.
I will try to keep everyone updated on what is happening here from time to time.