Time for a REAL Update

It's been a long time since I posted a real update. And since we've had many "post worthy" events going on in the Mowry household I thought it was definitely time.

I'll start with this picture. You may recognize it even though it was just taken this morning. I have posted many a picture with the kids in this exact same spot. It's probably because this is how I am most likely to catch them sitting together. It is also how I view them ALOT. It's because they are sitting at the bar in our kitchen. And of course, I am often on the other side serving them any variety of breakfast, lunch or dinner. We also can be found in this same spot with coloring books, paper and a vast array of crayons, markers and stickers in front of us. Yes, we spend a fair amount of time gathered around our penisula.

Now, on to McKenna who has probably had the most noteworthy week in our household. This past Saturday she literally almost blew us out of the water by swimming unassisted from one end of the pool to the other using only a bubble. For those of you who might not be familiar with a bubble, it is a stack of 4 foam squares strapped to the childs back for the purpose of swimming. It forces them into the correct position to learn to swim which means it pushes your head toward the water and brings your feet up behind you. This was a huge accomplishment for McKenna and the most progress she's made thus far at swimming.

She has also been our "go to" girl for Olympic updates. Each day she informs us of the medal count and any other important Olympic happenings that may have occurred. She has taught us the basics of curling and continues to sing the praises of the men's snowboarding team. She is even sensitive to the fact that some (Russian) people don't think the USA should have won a gold medal in men's figure skating. "They're just poor sports," she'll tell you.

And in most recent news McKenna has her very first loose tooth. A tiny little baby tooth that sits in perfect alignment on the bottom row. This morning when she showed me I immediately brought out the camera and started snapping pictures of my little girl and her perfect little smile. A perfect little smile that I'm sure not to see again until she's about 16 and out of braces.

Cooper continues to do well. He had his six month ENT appointment last week to check his ear tubes. They are still in place and doing their job. The doctor wanted to know if his speech has improved...my mom and I just laughed. Umm, yes you could say that his speech has improved. Just last evening as McKenna sang, "I see London, I see France..." Cooper said, "McKenna, that's rude." Yep, I think his speech is just fine.

His passion at the moment is all things Cars. The movie, the cars, the yogurt. You name it and we probably have it or have tried it. Even Pull-Ups with Cars characters on them. He takes them everywhere and asks to watch the movie as least once per day. Which by the way, we don't allow. But let's just say that he's watched it enough to recite some of the lines.

I love this picture from this morning. I think he was finished having his picture taken at this point. His expression seems to say, "Mom, that's enough." I feel sure I'll see this expression many times in the coming years.

And last, but not least, our furry buddy Tucker. Our constant companion. The constant source of dog hair and bad breath and scratched floors in our house. But really, who can resist this face??

Each night he makes his rounds from room to room. After initially falling asleep on his blanket beside our bed (and not the pricey dog bed I recently bought him - ahem) he eventually will make his way to Cooper's room for a few hours and then he proceeds to visit McKenna for a few hours.

Most mornings Tucker can be found like this as I wake the kids for school. He patiently waits in each bed for the kids to get out. They often are the recipients of a few of his kisses which goes a long way in ousting them from their bed.

So, that's our update for tonight. Mom and Dad, if you're reading this from your posh room in the Virgin Islands, we miss you and we hope you're having fun! Hope you enjoyed the pictures. See you soon! And I think I speak for all of us when I say please, please - bring us some sunshine.

An Ordinary Monday

I like routine. I'm not crazy about it, but it does sort of make me happy and keep me on track. In the mornings before I dry my hair or sometimes just before I wake the kids for the day I like to take a few minutes for myself. There's a particular blog I like to read (because it posts at midnight each night) and I like to check in on facebook, too. There's a few of us on there in the early morning hours so it's a nice way to start the day.

This morning my facebook status was going to read, "Ready to face another day. Too bad the kids can't get up and dress themselves." See, while I don't really mind early mornings I sometimes find it a drain to get the kids up and ready. They don't like to get up early, Cooper doesn't like to brush his teeth, the dog waits impatiently to be fed, lunches and backpacks need carried to the door, and none of this is done without McKenna's constant chatter. And by constant, I mean constant. (I love you, McKenna!)

But this morning I never had the chance to post my status on facebook. Instead of reading my usual blog, I read a different one. One I only peek in on from time to time. One I haven't read in months. But one that today I decided to read before starting my day. I'm sure glad I did because this is what I found. (Before you watch the video make sure to pause the music at the bottom of my blog screen.)




I'm thankful that McKenna and Cooper are still small. Thankful that they still reach for my hand when we're crossing the street. Thankful that they still rely on me to pack their lunch and wash their lovey blankets and bears. But I have learned a lot in the past year. McKenna now reads to me each night instead of the other way around. She spells things so Cooper won't know what she's saying. She takes his hand when mine are full. Cooper wants to wear his own backpack full of toys and snacks and diapers whenever we're out. He can eat a piece of pizza without it being cut into small pieces. He tells his sister, "that's rude" when she is in fact being rude. Our life seems to change a little every day as the kids never have seemed to grow faster in every possible way. It's both amazing and a bit sobering. No one really tells you how to deal with this part of being a parent. Well, I guess no one really mentioned it until this morning....

I like my morning routine. But a little perspective is also a great way to start a Monday.

This Day In History

When we purchased a new video camera this past fall it came with new photo editing software. It's not as easy to use as I thought it would be, but it does have some cool features. For instance, it has a calendar that displays the pictures I have uploaded according to date. I'm sure lots of people have been using this for years but it's new to me. It's fun to look back at a year ago today....

You've got to love McKenna's face...it seems to be saying, "Hey Mom, I'm not crazy about this Valentine's Day outfit." One year later, I might have to agree. And did you catch the fact that she has no coat on? Do you know that last year on this date it was close to 65 degrees. Oh what a difference a year makes!

And then there is this little gem that's been hiding out in my computer files...

I have to admit that I had to double check to make sure that these were in fact from last year. Partly because it seems like they were taken only yesterday. And partly because it seems more like years ago.

Tonight my little ones are watching Sesame Street and soaking in the tub. McKenna is looking forward to her Valentine's Day party tomorrow. We put the finishing touches on the famous Valentine's shoe box last night. It's all prepped and ready to be filled with tiny folded pieces of pink and red paper tomorrow. Parents are invited to attend the party to help the kids read the Valentines once they are all passed out. It amazes me how smart those teachers have become! I'm happy to say that I'll be one of those parents reading the lines of Hannah Montana, Spiderman and Princess Valentines. McKenna has already picked out my outfit (jeans, my pink sweater and of course the heart earrings she got me for Christmas last year). What would I do without her?

And though Cooper cannot quite grasp the concept of Valentine's Day yet, we delivered Buzz Lightyear cards and lollipops to his daycare class this morning. He'll miss the official party tomorrow but not to worry - he'll be spending the day soaking up lots of love from Mimi and Pappy.

We've Been Waiting

We've definitely been waiting for a snowfall like this. And it could not have come on a better day. Earl and I were already scheduled to be off from work today and McKenna will welcome any day at home to play in the snow. So, that's exactly what we did.

Cooper was completely annoyed that he could not push his Fisher Price lawnmower through almost 8 inches of snow so I guess next year we'll have to get him a snow blower! He settled for the weed-eater but that only lasted a short time.

McKenna and Earl continued to sled ride long after Cooper and I had decided the mower would have to wait until spring. They came inside with rosey cheeks and wet mittens - a sure sign that a great time had been had by all.

Sleep Tight

I apologize that I don't have any fun snow pictures from our first actual snowfall this winter to share with you. The truth is that while Earl was out sledding with the kids I was wasting away in my bed sick with God only knows what virus. Yuck! At any rate, McKenna is all but healed, I'm beginning to feel better, Cooper's just getting sick and Earl is hoping to be spared of it all. We'll see how that goes.


Right now they are all safely tucked in for the night, or at least for the next 10 minutes. Cooper and I spent a little time snuggling on the couch before I carried him up to his bed tonight. He sure is getting big for me to carry up a flight of stairs. I can so vividly remember the point in time when McKenna became to heavy for me to carry to bed. And here we are again, my baby's are growing up.



So, with that in mind, I thought it would be important to document their current sleeping rituals. Though she was never what we would classify as a "good" sleeper in her early days (and even in some of her later days) McKenna goes to bed without a second thought. Most days I think she is just so tired out that she welcomes the chance to snuggle in her bed and close her heavy eyes. Shortly after my cousin Nicole got married last year, I framed a picture of me and McKenna at the wedding. And for some reason ever since then McKenna has insisted on actually sleeping with the picture beside. She says that it reminds her of me if she gets awake in the middle of the night.



Cooper on the other hand has taken a much more practical approach to bedtime. He doesn't put up much of a fight. He knows that when Sesame Street is over that it's time for bed. Some nights he "cons" (and I use that term loosely) his daddy into holding him on the chair for a few minutes until he is ready for bed and announces, "I go to my bed now." Before making the trip of the stairs we must remember a few key elements - monkey blanket, sippy cup of water and most importantly Lightning McQueen, Mater, Chick and Big Mac. For those of you who may not be familiar with the latter list of items - they are all toy cars from the movie Cars. And I should probably add that he does not just take them to bed...he takes them everywhere.



So, McKenna and Cooper, this post is for you. So that some day when I'm not cool anymore I can remind McKenna that she once loved me so much she even slept with my picture. And for Cooper, for the day he comes and wants us to buy him a car- I can remind him that once upon a time a rusty old truck would have done just fine.

Good night my loves.

Meltdown in Isle 10

For the first time in my adult life I almost cried in the grocery store tonight. Not the full blown ugly cry, just the "I have had enough of this day and I'm completely exhausted" streaming tears kind of cry. Luckily, I didn't completely melt down in isle 10 of the Weis store. I know what you're thinking, my kids must have really been misbehaving to drive me to the edge. But, oh, how wrong you are. The kids could not have been more angelic. Well, except for the small episode where Cooper fell off the end of the cart where he had been standing. I picked him up, brushed him off and put him back on the seat where he belonged next to his sister. Then I wiped my brow and looked up to catch the gaze of an older woman who was staring at me. And let me just say that her eyes did not say, "Oh, that poor woman with the cart full of groceries, her two kids and her work uniform still on must be so tired." No, not at all. It was unfortunate that this whole pseudo-exchange occurred in isle three and I had to endure passing the woman in every other isle after that.
I might have been okay with the woman who felt the need to stare at me. But what really was starting to get to me was the fact that it's only Thursday people. The snow isn't coming until tomorrow and I guarentee that you will not wither away if you don't have bread and milk to last you through the predicted 2-4 inches of snow. Not to mention the fact that you do not have to park your cart in the middle of the isle while you study the poptart selection and talk on your cell phone with your wife. They're just poptarts. And they're not good for you anyway so move along.
Now, I acknowledge the fact that I can be a little dramatic. And I can appreciate the fact that there are other people out there who are in a hurry just like I am. Time is valuable. I get it. I really do. But was it really necessary for some woman to nearly knock over a display of frying pans just to get past me in the egg isle? Part of me wishes those pans would have tipped right over. Can you imagine the noise that would have made. Not to mention the comments that would surely have slipped from McKenna and Cooper's lips!
I also have to acknowledge the fact that while I know Weis must change with the times in an effort to keep up with stores like Super Wal-Mart, it would be nice if they provided their customers with a map or a personal shopping assistant at the front doors. They could not have made it any harder to find just about anything in the store. And if you haven't been there to notice, their isle signs have not yet caught up to their new floor plan. Nice. I don't know about anyone else, but I do not like to spend half my evening with two kids, pushing my 18 wheeled shopping cart (as one polite and very single gentleman pointed out) through Weis on a scavenger hunt.
So I guess that brings me to the end of my ranting and raving. I'm sure you're relieved. I know I am relieved that we all got home in one piece tonight and yes, with enough bread and milk to last us through the storm.

Never A Dull Moment

My first conversation of the morning went something like this:

Me : McKenna, it's time to get awake. Mommy needs your help this morning because I'm not feeling well.

McKenna : Well, Mom, I have bad news for ya'. I don't feel well either.

I have to admit that it made me chuckle just a bit. Not the fact that she didn't feel well, but the fact that at 5:45 am my six year old thought enough to preface her comments with "Well, Mom, I have bad news."

Later today when I picked Cooper up at daycare I overheard this conversation between Cooper and his teacher:

Miss Kim : Cooper, do you have a hug for me today?

Cooper : No, I left it at home.

Miss Kim : Well, that's okay - I don't want one of your stinky hugs anyway.

(At this point Cooper usually goes running to Kim to give her a hug, but not today. Instead he responded...)

Cooper : Well, then how about a kiss?

Nope, never a dull moment. I still cannot get over how different my two children are in just about every single way. McKenna usually needs talked into having fun and hates to tease, be teased or hear other people tease. Cooper, at the ripe old age of 2 1/2 has mastered the art of teasing, which I'm sure just makes my mother cringe. We love him anyway though. Plus, someone has to lighten up this bunch!

Penny Candy

After what feels like countless days in the house, Cooper and I decided that even though we had things to do at home, we were breaking out today and doing something fun. We put McKenna on the bus promptly at 8:06 and then headed to the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. (By they way, this was not considered the FUN part.) I also wanted to get some pretzel rods to make chocolate covered pretzels but I left without ever even venturing down the snack isle. Figures!
Later in the morning my mom came over to help me iron the new curtains for the dining room. We successfully completed the sheers and then set out to tackle the actual curtains, only to find out that they said "dry clean only". And so we quickly folded them back up and headed to the dry cleaner. That sure was easy!
A trip downtown to Dwellings was next on our list. I gave Cooper strict instructions that there was no running and no touching. If any of you have been in Dwellings you might agree that a big sneeze would probably be enough to cause a catastrophe in that store. He did pretty well for about 15 minutes and then, like any other man, he was ready to go.
We were all hungry so we headed to Country Cupboard. Cooper ran down the side walk ahead of us and to our amazement was strong enough and tall enough to open the door. He was halfway in the lobby and already attempting to take off his coat by the time we caught up to him. One man said to me, "I hope you ate your Wheaties this morning because you're going to need them to keep up with that boy."
Our lunch was quite delightful as we feasted on the buffet and held an actual conversation with a two year old for most of the meal. He ate well, offered up a bite of his tasty ice cream treat to Mimi and was otherwise well behaved. He was happy to have earned his wooden nickel and surprised both me and my mom when he announced that you weren't allowed to eat the candy in the store. At that point I started to wonder who this child was that was referring to me as Mommy.
Soon we were on our way home. I was hopeful that a nap was in our future but I wasn't going to bet all my wooden nickels on it. But surprisingly my little guy fell fast asleep in my arms shortly after we got home. My to-do list flashed through my mind a couple of times and for a moment I had to actually force myself to sit there and cuddle my buddy. But, I reminded myself, these moments are fleeting - both the ones where he is asleep and especially the ones where he is asleep and in my arms.
He certainly is becoming a big boy in more ways than one. Just ask my mom. At one point during the morning we thought he said "poopey". My mom repeated it as a way to clarify that what he really said. Cooper quickly responded, "No, Mimi - that not 'propriate."
We had such a fun morning and afternoon. The kind of day I vividly remember having with McKenna and my mom when she was the same age. And I am so grateful to now have the chance to share those same kind of days with Cooper. I still sometimes feel badly that he does not get the same type of undivided attention that McKenna was accustomed to before her brother came along. But I am so happy to have days like today when I can share my time with him even if the highlight of his day was jumping over the sidewalk cracks and eating a few pieces of penny candy.