A Day in Coronado

We decided we wanted to spend the day together doing something fun in this gorgeous sunny weather.  Sean loaded the beach cruisers on the Tahoe and we were off for the day.  We headed down to ride around Coronado, it is one of our favorite places.  I think we would all move there in a minute if it didn't cost an arm and a leg to buy anything.   You would have to sell your soul to get a house there, even with the market as bad as it is.  There is NO affording a place in Coronado.  So, we do the next best thing and drive over for the day.  

Mackynzie wanted to get a little sun in before Hawaii, which is just around the corner.  Mack thought it was just wrong how white she is compare to Kayla.  Kayla can be in the sun for about 1 hour and be darker than Mack would be after all summer.  We do like being in the sun, but we lather up in the sunscreen for protection.  Everyone is pretty good about that.  I even got Sean to put the sunscreen on before the bike ride.  He fights me the worse on that but he is getting better. 


Mackynzie got to pick the restaurant to eat at.  It was a little diner on the main strip.  It was definitely not our favorite food experience, but we had a good spot in the sun and we had fun being together.




It was a great day together.  We had to be back home for the Young Woman's Broadcast that evening.  So, we didn't get to stay and play around at the beach.  That will have to happen next time.  

 

Sometimes You Need Your Mom

I have to say that Mack is a great kid!  She really accomplishes a lot and I am so proud of her.  However, we were having some challenges when it came to her room.  Frustrated and wondering how to motivate the kid to clean it, I realized that this was one of those moments when she really needed me.

Mack was not acting like the kid I knew.  She was grumpy and had feelings of being so overwhelmed.  In todays world these kids are required to do so much.  I had been pushing her along like I always do and I could sense that I needed to really listen to her.  After we talked for a while it was clear that I was a place she could break down to and find relief from.  It made me feel like I was on track to being a good mom if she can realize and know that I will be there for her and that I AM there.  Sometimes kids have things pile up on them.  They have school, church, seminary, friends, piano, jobs and sometimes it all gets to be too much.
I decided to dive into Mack's room with her and help her get it organized.  She was in need of my help.  Her tired, over worked soul was in need of another memory of us working together to make her life easier and better.  It was actual a blessing to be able to show her my unconditional support of her.  I know that NO one can function in a messy room or disorganized place.  It is always so much easier to be successful and happy in a clean environment.  I love the smile on Mack's face as she is showing off her newly organized room.  It had been a while since we packed up clothes and made room in her closet.  Before we started it was a massive mess.   She had felt like she didn't have the time to get it done.  Sometimes when it is too much they don't know where to start.

Look at this, I can actually see my clothes!

It feels good to have it clean.

On the Saturday before we cleaned her room, I went into Mack's room and found her asleep on the floor.  Her bed was so filled with crud that she decided that sleeping on the floor was a better choice.  When I saw her on the floor I just thought REALLY?  I told Sean to grab the camera.   At that point I knew she needed to get busy and work in her room.  I still wanted her to just clean it, I thought she was old enough and should make it happen.  But the spirit really taught me a lesson that sometimes kids need help and that was one of those times.




All this stuff finally found a place.  It makes a big difference in our lives if we are clean.  Mack is going to keep up on her room and if she doesn't than the next time she might find all her stuff in boxes where she has to earn it all back.  However this time was my turn to help her.  She was in definite need of her mom.  

St. Patrick's Day

What can we make green that the school will let the kids eat?

BAGELS

CREAM CHEESE

Mom helping out in Kayla's 5th grade classroom.

We had a St. Patrick's Day Party at San Elijo Elementary.  It was a short, quick party.  We ate green bagels, had crosswords and made special THANK YOU cards for Mrs. McCarthy.  Short and sweet was the objective and the kids loved it.  

The kids were excited because they got an entire bagel.  The last time we had bagels we had to cut the bagel in quarters to make it last, we did that at the end of the year party in 4th grade.  We had tons of kids so it worked best that way.  But today they got a WHOLE one.  It is crazy that something simple and small makes such big impacts. 

Who doesn't love a bagel and cream cheese?!

Mackynzie wanted out early from school today so, I dragged her in to be my little helper.  I didn't have to pull hard, she wanted to come.  But there was not much to do, so she enjoyed a bagel for herself.

Thanks Mack for always supporting your sister.  Sometimes it is the little ways that really count.

Classroom fun on March 17, 2009

TWINS SEPARATED ON EARTH!

Matthew and Mackynzie are two of the same kind!  Maybe Heavenly Father knew that one parent shouldn't have the JOY of both of these kids.  I always tell Liz that she stole my boy! These two just love each other and love hanging out.  I gave them the assignment to quickly head into Albertsons and grab a few things.  It was about 11:45 pm and I was waiting in the car.  I think after about 45 minutes they headed back out to the car.  Silly kids.  I didn't mind because their time together was so limited.  Matt was going on his first cruise in the morning and he was only in town for the evening.  He had called me about two months ago and begged me to let Mack go with him and his family on their vacation.  I have to say I thought about it, TOO BAD she had school!

Activity Days Daddy Daughter Date

Kayla scored this month on the Daddy Daughter Dates that were planned for her through school or church.  Mackynzie was a little sad  that when she was young there weren't these cool Daddy Daughter Activities.  This one was held at the church house and they had dinner and games.  Kayla and Sean enjoyed being together.

THE MAN!

Night out at the Duck's Game

Sean scored tickets from work.  He called so excited about getting tickets.  He knew exactly who he wanted to take.  Chad Clifford loves the Ducks!  Sean and Chad have gone to a game or two before together and had such good times.  He loves the enthusiasm that Chad gives at the games.  The bonus this time was that there were enough tickets to take Michele and me.  What a great time.  Michele taught me the ropes of all the good food to buy.  They were a bunch of fun.  Thanks for the great night guys!

Chad and Sean in their jerseys.

Having fun letting loose....

Chad, Michele, Karyn and Sean

It was a great night because Chad had a recent birthday and this was a dream come true for him.  They mentioned how this is his THING.  However, Michele's birthday was the following week so it was fun to listen to them tell each other Happy Birthday Honey!  However, we all know this can't be Michele's present.  As a women, she has to get some girly gift coming her way.

Sean and Karyn posing with the DUCK.

And they win....

This is the guy really letting loose.....