Columbus Day weekend

We traveled to northern New Hampshire and took the girls to both StoryLand and Santa's Village! The weather was absolutely great, we couldn't have asked for better ... it was hot & sunny almost all day Saturday, then rained a bit late Saturday afternoon, but by then we were done at the park anyway! Sunday was cooler, but still sunny and gorgeous. The girls had a great time and were very well-behaved. We went with our friends Jim & Dee and their two daughters, Anna & Jessica. Can't wait to go back again next year!!! Pictures are in my photobucket account ... here are a couple of slideshows!

Soccer has begun!

Katie now plays on her very first soccer team at the town Y!! She's so excited that she is playing soccer, just like her big brothers :) Her games are on Saturday mornings and practices are on Thursday afternoons.

Her team name (chosen by the majority of the team) is the "T-Rex's" ... Katie isn't thrilled with the name, she'd rather have the name be "Green Light" (yes, they wear green t-shirts LOL) ... but she's adjusting.

It's so cute to watch them try to understand the fundamentals of the game. Her coach is really nice, and is dedicated to instilling a love of playing in all the kids ... did I mention he's a brave man to be coaching 4 year olds??

Preschool

Katie started preschool on Sept. 17th!! She is loving it :)

Her teachers are Miss Toni and Miss Karen; she goes Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 9 to 1, packs a lunch and eats it at school. They play outside some days, do lots of learning activities inside, and will have "Fitness Fridays" in the main gym and will get to swim in the Y pool once a month!!






First picture is on the way to school on the first day;









second picture is Katie standing in front of her new cubby at school;











third picture is her playing legos with a new friend :)

I've lost 20 pounds!

Ok, so color me boastful ... but I'm proud of myself for *finally* losing weight :) I've been doing Weight Watchers with my best friend, and we're both doing great! I've lost a total of 20 pounds in just over 3 months ... and {ahem} just a few more to go ;) Seriously, I'm hoping that by this time next year, I'll be a whole new me ... well, still me, but alot LESS of me!!

Katelyn Hope is FOUR!!!

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We had Katie's party on March 11th, and she had a great time. Lots of wonderful presents and we enjoyed having both families at our house :)

Can't believe she's FOUR ... my baby is growing up!

Mackenzie's evaluation

Three people from the early intervention came to the house on Thursday. They sat at the table with Mackenzie and had her do certain activities (puzzles, pegs, sorting, drawing, etc.) and she did really well. Too well, I'm afraid. Because she's so far ahead in everything except her speech, she doesn't qualify for services right now. The occupational therapist gave me some exercises to do with her to help strengthen her mouth, lips, and tongue, and hopefully those will help.

I have seen great advances in Kenzie's speech in the past couple of weeks, so hopefully she's just catching up at her own speed in the speech department. She can now say "Katie," which she hadn't been able to master previously.

Mackenzie's 2-year pediatrician appointment

Today we took Mackenzie for her 2-year check-up at Dr. Rappo's office. She's doing great, weighing 24 pounds 4 ounces and measuring 34 1/2 inches tall (4 ounces heavier & 1 1/2 inches taller than Katie at the same age) ! Dr. Rappo is pleased with her progress. She had blood drawn to check her iron and lead levels, and got a flu shot (big sister got one, too, and did really well, such a big girl!).

We discussed Kenzie's delayed speech, and Dr. Rappo agreed that she should get a "speech, language, and hearing assessment" for speech delays. I've already called the school and left a message, hopefully will hear back and get the ball rolling on that tomorrow. We'll keep everyone updated :)

A side note ... today was the 1-year anniversary of my Dad's passing. We stopped at the cemetary on the way home from the doctor's office. Katie & Kenzie were eating lollipops and watching a video, but Katie looked out the window and said, "Hey, this is where Grampa lives! I love you, Grampa!" then proceeded to blow him a kiss and said, "I blew him a kiss up to the sky so he'd get it! I miss Grampa." Awwww, how sweet is that?

Mackenzie is TWO!!

Hard to believe, but Mackenzie Louise has turned TWO! Seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital :) We had a party for her on the 6th and she had so much fun ... she's finally figured out opening presents, and loves ripping the paper!








Mackenzie is loving little Eva Marie, here she is keeping Eva occupied during her "tummy time!"
















This last shot is Mackenzie playing on the back deck, it's her favorite spot to be! Her play food and pots & pans are her favorite toys and she would stay outside and play tea party forever if we let her :)