Jungle Bungle Big Girl Panties Party

So to celebrate a few days of dry big girl panties - Mackenzie got to go to Jungle Bungle with a friend. She asked Gracie to join her.

The girls jump for joy with excitment over Mackenzie's accomplishment!

Even Daddy had fun playing to celebrate!

Let' s hope the dry panties and celebrating continue....

Super Market Sweep?

Remember that supermarket game show from the early 90's where players had to race through the aisles and fill their carts with the maximum monetary amount in set designated time?? (My sister and I used to love to watch and discuss how we would do it - although we always argued about which one of us would go for the sweep. If we would have the opportunity now - I would HAPPILY let Kate do the running....fyi, Kate. :) ) Anyway - that is what these pics remind me of due to the presence of shopping cart. Now for the story behind them....this is 100% all Mackenzie. She did this to herself. The only thing I can take credit for is the hair styling.


Went to the garage and got her shopping cart, put her socks and shoes on and asked to go play on the deck with the shopping cart, conveniently forgetting to put on shorts (and with her underwear on backwards and one sock inside out, I might add).


These are definatly being filed away for future embarassment with potential suitors! However, I am quite happy that these were taken on day #2 of her insisting to wear big girl panties and keeping them dry.

Mackenzie's Photography

so I found Mackenzie had helped herself to our big camera and was taking pictures of things. here are her photography skills. Please note: i overheard her saying "Foster - say Cheese! MOOO, MOOO" I am assuming she was making animal noises to try to get his attention, as this is something her Daddy often does for her. :)

Kids Bix

Even though she was excited all day to do her race, Mackenzie was none to happy to be a participant in this year's Kids Bix festivities. :( She cried the whole run, refused to wear her medal and wouldn't take pictures with any of her friends we saw down there. But at least she looked cute doing it. Maybe next year will be better....

Parks, Picnics & Paddleboats

so we headed to West Lake Park for some outdoor fun with some friends....

Mackenzie shows off my grandma's picnic basket, which came in quite handy for holding all the essentials. (she choose to sit on it when I asked for a picture, which I think turned out super cute!)

Monkey see, Monkey do....

Blowing bubbles with Caleb & Adie

Friends....getting ready to go boating.

Mackenzie enjoys boating on the lake!

Our friends in their boats

The guards came to check on our welfare....only because we know her and she wanted to say hi. :)

Cooling off from boating with a slushie.

Barrette Buddies

As we were styling hair, Foster whined at us - which was interpretted by Mackenzie as Foster wanting a barrette in his hair too. After a bit of work and manipulation - Foster too joined the fashionable barrette club and was proudly walked around by Mackenzie.

Unfortunately, Mackenzie was too excited about this to be bothered to stand still long enough for a good pic of both them.

NOT Pictured this week:

The Things I WISH I had been able to get pictures of:

* a better shot of the naked saxophone player

(I had to hide and sneak around the corner and click to get this one!)

* a shot of Jamey dancing around shirtless, playing the Cookie Monster saxophone

*a shot of Mackenzie's lower, more grown up pony tails - so cute, curly and LONG!

*Mackenzie with her baby in her shirt, telling me she has a baby in her belly like my pregnant friend Kelly

*a shot of me (Cara) picking up dead shrews in yard, courtesy of the cat - as it was a MAJOR accomlishment for me to actually take care of any sort of critter disposal!

*our family, all playing Rock Band together at Best Buy (Jamey on drums, Cara & Mac on guitars)

*our family, all swinging together at the park (all wearing Crocs, I might add)

*the cat, stuck underneath the front porch

Daddy's Zoo Outtakes

Only Jamey could and WILL capture these shots.....

Day Trippin'

So last Friday found us on an impromptu day trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo in downtown Chicago....

She really enjoyed it - I swear!!

despite an episode of carsickness, and being rained on - we all had a fabulous day!!!

Church School

So this week, Mackenzie attended Vacation Bible School at our neighborhood church. This was her first time and she LOVED it!!!!!!! All we have heard about from her is her church school activities, teachers, friends, lessons, etc. She is going to be so sad when she realizes it is over. But I am SO HAPPY that she had a wonderful time, did well and learned something in the process.

A Bit hesitant on her first day....

With her special helper friend...

with two of her favorite teachers

entering the special parent program
performing

This was Mackenzie's prefered performance method...stand and look cute, suck on buttons on her shirt.

lots of dancing and singing
When she had enough - she went and sat with another one of the volunteers

Even if she didn't participate well tonight - it was well worth it, when earlier this week she told me "she prays because God is in her heart". awwwww. And i am hoping I can get some pictures of her with the different craft projects they did as well, so there may be more to follow...