Smokey the Bear

Mackenzie's class learned about fire prevention and safety at school this year. They also learned the Smokey the Bear song. Yesterday, Smokey and some fire rangers even visited the school. She's been singing this song for the last couple weeks. I hope you enjoy her little performance.

Emma Rocking

Today, Emma found this little baby book that plays Rock a Bye Baby. She just kept playing it over and over. It was cute how she pretended it was a baby and would rock it. Just in case you think she's sweet and innocent all the time as I was typing this she got into the butter softening on the counter. Never a dull moment with her! I'm sure she doesn't mean to cause trouble, she's just curious. I guess it's appropriate she likes monkeys so much. She's a lot like Curious George! 

Random photos

We've had some beautiful fall weather lately. Today, it's pretty cold and dreary. Seems like it always is on Halloween. I had hoped it would stay nice for today. There isn't much to MJ's Tinkerbell costume. Luckily, Emma is Tigger and her costume will keep her quite warm. 

These photos were taken just last week. The girls were enjoying sometime outside. MJ was showing me some concoction she made in her playhouse kitchen. And as always Emma was running around everywhere.

Summer water park

So, these pictures were from back in August, but I just picked them up from Wal-mart. Stephanie and I both forgot our cameras, so I just purchased a disposable one for the day. It was a fun day playing in the water and lying in the sun.

Halloween Party

On Wednesday, Mackenzie had her preschool Halloween party. All three classes had a big party together. They paraded each class around to show off their costumes, then the kids went around to different stations for games, activities and treats. Mackenzie told me she had decided to be Tinkerbell since it became fall. I was in charge of Bingo. I think all the kids had a good time.  

Nothing particularly exciting about these photos, but I just thought it was cute how the girls were playing with all their kitchen stuff. 

Picking pumpkins

Although it was a cold and dreary day, we enjoyed a field trip with Mackenzie's preschool to the pumpkin patch last Thursday. It's become a family tradition to get pumpkins from the local farmer's market, so it worked out great to meet her class down there this year. The kids enjoyed the hayride out to field. Mackenzie and her friend Madison walked all over the fields looking for the perfect pumpkins. I never thought she'd find and decide on one good enough to come home with! I told the girls they could only get one as big as they could carry, so luckily I wasn't stuck lugging around two huge pumpkins. Mackenzie wanted one she could carve, so stay tuned for pics from that!

Beauty salon

Here are a few pics from our beauty salon morning. In case it isn't obvious, the girls are blowing on their toes to dry to their polish. 

What cuties we have! 

Emma's monkeys

A funny story about Emma and her monkeys. Last Christmas, Josh and Mackenzie picked out a teddy bear for Emma. MJ thought she needed a bear because she didn't have one. Well, Josh picked up a monkey for Emma to give MJ. A few months ago, Emma latched on to the monkey and it has since become her "lovey." MJ wasn't too disappointed as the monkey didn't seem to interest her much. Emma started looking for her "mommy" every night before bed. She pronounces it "mommy", but we somehow know when she is meaning "monkey" and not me. She loves this thing and gets very excited when we talk about monkey. It sleeps with her at night and during naps and usually comes upstairs in the morning. We try to make monkey stay at home so he doesn't get lost, but he has ventured out a few times. The other day, Emma was with me in Boise and we stopped by a maternity store so I could get a few new things to wear. Well, she saw this little baby monkey at the checkout stand. In order to keep my little two-year-old occupied and out of trouble in the fitting room, I relented and let her carry it around. After checking out the price tag and seeing he was on sale, I decided he could come home with us. She was so happy with it and kept saying monkey over and over again. It was just too cute to pass up. Now she calls her big monkey, mama monkey and the little one baby monkey. It's kind of appropriate that she would love monkeys as she is the little climber in the family. She's so adventurous and up for all kinds of mischief. Now, when we say monkey, she dances around and says "hoo hoo hee hee". Now hopefully no one gets any funny ideas about starting a monkey collection for Emma. I believe two is plenty. :) But, I just had to share this story. P.S. MJ wanted to get in on the picture taking today. 

Soccer

Mackenzie had her last soccer clinic last Wednesday. She enjoyed doing the fundamental drills and running after the ball in the free for all at the end of the practice. She said she had fun, and says she wants to play again. I don't know much about soccer so I was glad to learn some drills to do with her. We'll see if she is still interested next fall. It was fun watching all the little kids. 

Emma playing babies

The other day when it was just Emma and I at home. She kept coming in to the office with babies and bears. She wanted me to put diapers or clothes on them. I came in to check out what she was up to. She had gotten out all the doll stuff and was packing this bear around. 

Weekend recap

On Friday, Josh and I headed over to Boise for dinner out and a stay at a bed and breakfast. We took the girls to their Nana's to stay. It was so nice to have time with just my hubby. We walked around the mall looking at stuff and just being together. We didn't check out until we had to the next day-noon. Then, we spent some more time in Boise before picking up the girls. They enjoyed a fun weekend with Nana too. That evening we headed up to Mark and Carla's for the BSU game. Jared, Stephanie and Joe were also there. It was a nice time with family.

Can't believe it's the middle of October this week! It's going by so fast.  This morning the girls were driving their babies around the house. MJ said she was stopping my the beauty parlor (I was in the bathroom getting ready.) So, she stopped in; Emma of course followed. I asked what I could do for her and she said she'd like her hair and nails done. So, I obliged. She got a ponytail with the ends curled and clip in it. Then, it was a clipping of nails and painting of toenails. Emma got some curls and a barrett, clipped nails and painted toes. They picked out their colors and climbed up on the counter. MJ opted for a bright red, while Emma chose a much more subdued peach color. They were so cute getting dolled up. I have pictures to post. 

Now they are playing dress-up. I can hear Emma going through all the jewelry. She is like MJ's little shadow, yet when MJ is at preschool and Emma's by herself, she's very independent and plays well by herself. She'll go into the playroom and get out baby stuff or kitchen stuff and play. It's neat to see her do her own thing when big sis isn't around. Her favorite word right now is "No." Imagine that. She is two. She says it in different ways, with different inflections in her voice. It's hard not to laugh at her about it. She does say yes to some things, but it's not nearly as often. 

The weather has gotten considerably colder now. It even snowed on us Friday in Boise, but it was really wet so it didn't stick. I hope we stay with fall weather and not get too into winter yet. Not ready for that! Well, enough rambling for now. 

A few more projects completed

When my folks were here, Mom and I (mainly my mom) made this curtain for MJ's bedroom. It's out of the fabric from her quilt. We were happy with how it turned out. It's not a very big window, so it's a little more for decoration than actual lighting, but it still lets light in. I couldn't have completed this project on my own. I can visualize how I want something to work, but I'm not the best at the actual engineering of it. Thanks Mom! We also found this stick on circles for her wall and it dresses it up some too. I told Mackenzie her room decor has to last her until she's a teenager and she said she just loves it all. 

This the cabinet in the basement TV room. One evening Josh said he wanted to get it painted. That had been my plan all along, but the motivation was missing. Luckily, he did the whole first coat and I just touched up the edges and put the second coat on. We're happy with how it turned out. Looks a lot better than before. 

It's official

I have had a passion for photography for a long time and without going into a lot of detail here, I have officially started my portrait photography business. I have found capturing beautiful memories for other families is what I love to do. I'm in the process of launching my new website, but until then, if you're interested, you can check out my current one at web.mac.com/maggiejomalson/maggiemalsonphotography. I also have a new blog dedicated to my photography at maggiemalsonphotography.blogspot.com. I appreciate all of you who have encouraged and supported me in this decision. We'll see where this road takes us!

Reflecting

Just reflecting on some things I was thankful for today. 

Stopping by the local farmer's market for fresh produce this morning.

Seeing all the fall colors. Autumn in Idaho is gorgeous!

Feeling little flutters and kicks from the baby inside my womb.

Sipping hot cider while reading my Bible this afternoon.

Breathing in the fresh, crisp air and visiting with family while watching Matt's football game.

Praying with and kissing my girls goodnight.

Snuggling up to my hubby in a warm bed.

Catching up

Yesterday we went to Bruneau with Josh to visit our friends the Colyers. They were having a heifer sale and dinner. Kyle and Bobby Jean are Emma's godparents and they have a little girl, Piper, who is a couple months older than Emma. It was nice seeing them and some other folks we hadn't talked to in awhile. We always end up staying late because we don't see each other often enough, so it was a very late night, but we're so glad we all went. 

Seems like the week went by fast, but I can't remember what all we did! It was nice to not have a work deadline and focus on more time with the girls and some house stuff. One afternoon MJ and I played restaurant. I wish I could bottle some of her energy and imagination. It would come in handy many days! I finished trimming rose bushes and hedges outside today, so I feel the yard is almost ready for winter. I'd like to get some fertilizer on it soon and cut one more time before it gets too cold. Yesterday we woke up to rain, which was nice for the lawn. I haven't had to water it much lately. Luckily, the weather cleared when we left town. 

Mackenzie had another soccer clinic in the morning. She has gone three times and has one more this fall. She says she's having fun. Last Wednesday, she kept running off the field and back to me, but this time she participated in all the drills and did well. They are just learning all the fundamentals. We'll see if she likes it enough to play in the games next year. Right before they ended the session, they let the kids all go after the ball and try to make a goal. She got right in there and enjoyed running around with the other kids. Some days she seems really timid and not interested; others more aggressive and ready to play. Not too concerned about it. I just want her to try the things she wants and stick with whatever activity she decides to do. 

My friend Jennifer recently posted about things she was thankful for. I thought I'd try that too. It's always nice to stop and remember the good things in life even if we're caught up in the craziness of it all. 

Things I'm thankful for today:

Spending time snuggling with Josh and the girls in bed in the morning.

Watching my children running around the yard laughing and enjoying the fresh air.

Catching up with old friends. 

The smell of a homemade apple pie baking in the oven.

No immediate work deadlines.  

Trip to the firestation

Last Thursday, Mackenzie had her first preschool field trip-a trip to the local firestation. Emma and I were able to go along too. They learned about fire safety, got to use the hose to put out pretend fires and rode in the fire truck. Mackenzie even answered some of the firemen's questions about safety. Both the girls enjoyed the outing. 

When the EMT asked if the kids wanted to climb inside the ambulance to look around, Emma was the first to jump right in. She didn't want to get out either! She's our little adventurer.