the mckinney boys

Niece & nephew cuteness

2012-01-31T20:04:00.002-05:00

It is AWESOME being an aunt. That is all.

B in Egypt!

2012-01-28T14:19:00.001-05:00

Look for him if you need a taxi.

Spencer's Food Pyramid

2012-01-28T14:02:00.001-05:00

He drew this today, using a version from the back of a cereal box as his model.

Mouth of Babes #61

2012-01-24T22:06:00.002-05:00

B: What's "grave"?
Me: A grave?
B: Yeah.
Me: It's at a cemetery. It's the hole in the ground where someone is buried. Why?
B: We're singing it in one of our songs on Monday.
Todd and Me: AT THE NURSING HOME?!?
B: Yeah!

[We tried to get some of the song, but he didn't know much. We thought it a bit cruel to sing to the elder folks about graves, but what do we know.]

Mouth of Babes #60

2012-01-14T11:33:00.002-05:00

When Bennett wants to say: What in the world are you doing? He says: What are you doing in the world? Suddenly, it's a very existential question.

They come in, they fall out

2012-01-10T21:45:00.002-05:00

Tonight was a big night for the McKinneys. B lost his first tooth! It's been hanging out for awhile in there (you might remember this). Tonight I was watching as B was eating dinner and I could see that thing flapping back and forth. He was very jumpy about us even looking at the tooth. Occasionally, he would let me touch it as long as I didn't wiggle it. Tonight, though, we told him how the McKinney family celebrates losing your first tooth: ice cream! So, he starting wiggling it with a bit more drive. And, he agreed to let me try to pull it out. He really wanted me to, but was scared to death. He was nearly crying and bit my fingers or pulled away every time he let me close. Finally, we got him to lie on the bed, and the first time I pushed the tooth back, out it came. It's the tiniest little thing! I remember how excited we were to see that little tooth come in. And, tonight, we cheered and high-fived when it came out. Then, ice cream!

Tulsa!

2012-01-10T21:31:00.001-05:00

After Christmas at home, we drove out to Tulsa for Christmas part two. The boys got a play camping set from Oma and Grampy complete with raccoon caps:

Then, we celebrated New Year's eve with fondue and homemade hats. We told the boys they could stay up until midnight. They tried--and outlasted Oma, Grampy, and Papa--but went down a bit before 10.

Cutie patooties

2012-01-10T21:17:00.000-05:00

Year End Catch-Up

2012-01-10T21:15:00.005-05:00

The McKinney boys had an awesome end to 2011. B got to be a wise man in his kindergarten play. This made him SO happy.

We had a great Christmas. We celebrated at home first. The boys got lots of fun stuff and declared, once again, that this was the best Christmas ever! The best part for us was that the boys were as excited about giving us gifts as they were about getting their gifts. They both wrapped up drawings for us--such treasures.

B's first craft tutorial: Christmas Ornaments

2011-12-21T10:37:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago, Bennett was making ornaments for our tree. He then told me I should put them "on the line." I had no idea what he was talking about until he explained that I should take some pictures and put them on the computer so other people would know how to make ornaments, too. (I think he was inspired by his aunt Katie's blog! It's her birthday today, so this post is dedicated to her!)

So, he arranged all of this. He told us when to take a picture and he dictated all of the captions here. (Totally my kid, right?!?) Enjoy.

Here are the supplies you need.

First, you draw the picture.

Here's my picture.

Then, you color the picture.

Here's what the picture looks like.

Then, you cut the picture out.

This is what it should look like.

Then, put a hole in the picture on the top.

Then you use a paperclip and make it look like this.

Then, you put it in the hole in your picture.

There you go!

Here's my ornament. She's wearing a turtleneck dress!

They're not late. They're new year's cards. :)

2011-12-20T14:38:00.001-05:00

Here are some outtakes from our Christmas, er, New Year's card photo session.

Mouth of Babes, Sassy-Pants Edition

2011-12-20T14:31:00.000-05:00

Me: Bennett, what should you do with your clothes when you take them off?

B: [pause] I don't want to get a speech about that.

Me: [tears hair out]

Guess what...

2011-12-18T22:11:00.001-05:00

Happy 40th!!!

2011-12-18T21:39:00.002-05:00

My mom and dad celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary today! I tried to get the kids to record touching, heartfelt messages. Here's what we got instead:

Spencey:

Spencey anniversary wishes from jackie grutsch mckinney on Vimeo.

And, B-Bop:

ben's anniversary wishes from jackie grutsch mckinney on Vimeo.

Knowing my mom and dad, though, I think they'll enjoy these smarty pants versions just fine. Congrats, mom & dad. We love you.

Teacher Love

2011-12-15T20:42:00.002-05:00

Close-ups

2011-12-15T17:15:00.000-05:00

So, the video I posted yesterday, admittedly, was a bit of a Where's Waldo to see the boys. Here they are in their costumes. I'm still figuring out my new phone, so I took videos instead of still shots. Oh, well. I probably would have missed their smiles if I didn't!

Advent Program

2011-12-14T20:36:00.002-05:00

Tonight the boys had their first advent program. It was basically 5 songs long, which was just about right. The boys and the other pre-k and kindergarteners were only involved for about 45 seconds--one song, one verse even, of Away in the Manger.

Here it is in classic mom & dad video style. B is the tall shepherd in brown on stage. Spence pops in and out of the shot. He is standing in front of the stage, looking like a Jedi shepherd, in the bottom right.

Untitled from jackie grutsch mckinney on Vimeo.

First Sleepover

2011-12-03T21:08:00.001-05:00

Last month, the McKinney boys hosted their first sleepover. We had tortelli and ice cream sandwiches (menu courtesy of the boys, naturally). We went on a "night" walk with flashlights (it was 6 pm) and decorated pillowcases (my idea to draw the planets was quickly vetoed). Story time by T and everyone asleep by 8:30. I have a feeling it might have been the easiest sleepover we'll ever have!

Where's Spencer?

2011-12-03T21:06:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving!

2011-12-03T21:00:00.001-05:00

This year for Thanksgiving we stayed in town & were visited by my baby sis Katie and her adorable family. It was a load of fun & I loved getting to know my first niece and first nephew better. Little Mari tried to keep up with B and S (despite B trying to keep her away). Little Jack is a cutie-patootie. He learned that I laughed every time that he said "mmm-mmm-mmm!" when he was eating. So he would look right at me and say it at every meal. Totally adorable.

Here's a first...

2011-11-17T19:21:00.001-05:00

B is right this moment reading himself a book in bed. Every few seconds he yells out. "What does F-O-U-N-D spell?" "What does S-A-W spell?" "What does S-O-M-E-T-H-I-N-G spell?"

It's hilarious and adorable.

Mouth of Babes #59

2011-11-15T22:16:00.001-05:00

B: Moooooooooooooooooom! Spencey tattled on me!

Keep Out

2011-11-01T21:19:00.001-04:00

We've been banished from the boys' room. Just like that. Huh.

Oma & Grampy Come to Muncie

2011-10-31T20:14:00.005-04:00

Oma & Grampy came for a visit this weekend & had a good old time with the boys. (Of course, I took 4 whole pictures!) Here is a cute one though: Oma is reading Bennett's story "India," which is a crowd pleaser. Thanks for the visit!

Halloween 2011: The Knight & the Police Horse (with Special Guest Sadie the Sheriff, Georgia the Ghost, and Oma the Prairie Lady)

2011-10-31T20:09:00.004-04:00

The Big 3!

2011-10-26T20:33:00.000-04:00

Bennett achieved the kindergarten BIG 3 today! This means he can recite his address, phone number, and can tie his shoes. (Well, if he actually had shoes that tied.) He was VERY proud of himself. The school gives the kids a crown that say "The Big 3" on it & some smarties. So cute.

Show and Tell

2011-10-21T22:23:00.001-04:00

Both Spencey & B are learning to sound out words. Today for show and tell, in fact, Spencey read a little story to his class. He reports that his classmates laughed (at the hilarity of having a rat in a hat, I guess) and his teacher clapped. I'm just in awe that he was brave enough to talk in class!

One big crazy family

2011-10-21T11:27:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday, Papa!

2011-10-20T21:39:00.001-04:00

Pie

2011-10-20T21:26:00.004-04:00

B, taking a giant bite of birthday pie, "Pie is the goodest food I've ever eaten."

Cousins!

2011-10-13T07:46:00.001-04:00

We got to go to Minnesota for a special weekend trip last month--a surprise party for my Mom! We got a little photo session with all of the grandbabies. [Left to Right: Bennett, Freddie, Zach, Jack, Mari, Spencer]

Sometimes we wear sombreros

2011-10-13T07:40:00.000-04:00

Mouth of Babes #58

2011-10-13T07:35:00.001-04:00

Spencey: Mama, I have one miyon (million) hearts for you. And papa you get one.
Papa: Hey!
Spencey: You get what you get and you don't throw a fit.

Do you see something?

2011-10-10T20:35:00.000-04:00

Scene: weekend morning about 6:30 (aka everyone should be sleeping in). Spencey comes into our room.

S: Mama, do you see something?
Me: Is this an emergency, Spencey?
Todd: Go to bed, Spencey. It is still night time.
S: But, mama, do you see something?
Me: Spence...[sigh]
S: I have dried chocolate on me.
Me: Wha....? Come here.

Spencey walks over. He has dried blood smeared across his face. An old bloody nose. I take him to wash up and check out his bedding. Bennett is awake & says, "What is that on his face?"
Me: Not chocolate. Let's go back to sleep.

Mouth of Babes #57

2011-10-10T20:30:00.001-04:00

B: Spencey, since you are my royal servant, you should take this broom and fan me.
S: OK!

Where have we been?!?

2011-10-10T20:28:00.000-04:00

I don't even know the last time I got a blog post up. It has been quite a month. Days start early. We have to wake the boys at 6:30, which means we have to get up earlier than that if we want to be dressed & even earlier if we want to exercise. Then one of us takes them to school, the other goes to work. Work, work, work. School, school, school. Then one of us picks the boys up & the other one continues to work. After school snack. Homework. Start dinner. Eat. Start baths & bedtime. Then, usually, more work, work, work for us. We crawl to bed, pooped, and repeat until the weekend.

I'm not complaining. In the grand scheme of things, we've got things pretty awesome. It just is such that the days go so fast & then a month passes & I've forgotten to blog entirely.

So, some updates.

Spencer: He is doing great at preschool. He was the only child in his class who went the whole month of September without losing any stars (you lose a star for naughty behavior). He LOVES coloring. He carefully colors in the lines & has a particular style now which involves making things rainbow-y. He likes to please us almost as he likes to please his teachers. He jumps up from the breakfast table after a few bites so he can be the first one dressed. He likes things as they are: he even wore his uniform on out of uniform day.

Bennett: He is also doing great at school. He talks to both his teachers and classmates, which is HUGE for him. He tells me when he raises his hand to answer a question (he got to identify a great horned owl last week, which rocked his world). He is doing 100x better with his behavioral problems from last fall. He still has his moments, but his self-control is so much better that the anguish of his 5-year-old tantrums are fading. He is finally showing some sustained interest in reading & writing; both B and Spencey did an impromptu spelling test for a good 30 minutes while I made dinner last night. They both had a pad of post-it notes & I called out a word (we've been practicing 3-letter short a words) and they would write it down and beg for another word. Nerds, huh?

We have so many pics to post, (I haven't posted our family cabin week pics from August!) so stay tuned!

Bookmarked

2011-09-11T21:03:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I taught Bennett how to mark your place using post-it notes. He REALLY liked this idea.

Homework Time

2011-09-11T21:02:00.002-04:00

Mouth of Babes #56

2011-09-04T15:05:00.002-04:00

[Me, using lint roller]

S: Whatcha doing, mama?
M: I'm getting the cat hair off my pants.
S: Oh, you want to be fancy?
M: I guess so. You want me to do your pants?
S: No. I'm not catted yet.

[I love that being free of cat hair at our house qualifies one to be "fancy."]

Pre-K and Kindergarten so far

2011-08-28T21:26:00.001-04:00

So far, the boys are happy at their new school. Bennett takes his work very seriously. They have started with learning the letter C and writing numbers in the air (they call this skywriting). He gets homework two nights a week & does it, so far, without complaint. They have gym, art, Spanish, library, tech, or music each day. At recess, he says he plays vampire, which means, from what I can gather, running around and not getting tagged by a vampire or you'll become a vampire. He LOVES hot lunch--he raves about how good it is. He told me this week that after somebody says what they want to pray for, you say, "Lord, ear our prayer." Close enough. :) He thinks to make new friends that you have to ask someone to be your friend. He had the courage to ask one little girl so far, but reports, "I didn't ask anyone today" when I ask if he's made any more friends. It's one part cute and one part heartbreaking. His teacher reports that he is doing terrific.

Spencey is being a bit shy at school. He says he likes to find Bennett at recess and play with him. He likes drawing and coloring--he's getting good at both. Some girl at his table has been stealing the other kids' snacks. He told us she took one of his graham crackers one day. We asked if he told the teacher & he said, "No, I just bothered myself," which is two parts heartbreaking. He is always the first one dressed in his little uniform in the morning and has the biggest smile at the end of the day when he comes walking out with his backpack on.

Tomorrow night: first rollerskating party. Seriously.

First Day of School!

2011-08-17T16:34:00.000-04:00

The McKinney Boys love hotels!

2011-08-11T23:09:00.000-04:00

Where's the rain!

2011-08-11T23:00:00.003-04:00

B's Sixth Birthday

2011-08-11T22:57:00.000-04:00

Bennett had a birthday party up in Minnesota at the family cabin. Two of his new cousins got to be there for the fun & Grandma found a bird of prey balloon!

Back home, he went to the Children's Museum with his best gal pal Sadie & her sis Georgia. The museum has an exhibit on Egypt. (If you missed the last post, two of B's favorite things in the world right now are birds of prey and Egypt, especially ancient Egypt.) He also got to chew some bubble gum. I think year number is six is off to a good start!

Bennett at Six!

2011-08-11T22:47:00.002-04:00

Last week, Bennett turned six years old!

Some things B likes at age six:

Birds of prey

Ancient Egypt

Costumes

(Belly) Dancing

Swimming

Tortelini

Burgers: Veggie burgers or cheese burgers, he doesn't care which

Playing with Spencey (all day, without stopping)

Riding his bike (still with training wheels)

Where's Waldo

Jeff Corwin

Phineus & Ferb

the color orange (still his fav)

creating things and making art

world geography

playmobil, legos, and trio blocks

Nearly every morning for breakfast he asks for a bagel toasted with peanut butter and a glass of rice milk.

Nearly every night he tries to get out of taking a bath. (But, he is FINALLY out of night time pull-ups!)

He is mostly shy around people until he knows them. Then he will belly dance for them & boss them around.

He hates picking up. He has a temper & visits the time out station most days.

He is curious about everything. Just yesterday he asked me how the universe got all this stuff in it.

I cannot imagine this world without him. He is such a fantastic and funny little being. He invites us everyday to slow down and appreciate small details. At least once a day he asks me to look something up for him--the tallest tower, the smallest animal, the hottest place on earth--I can't believe how much I've learned being his mother about this world, and frankly, about love. Happy Birthday, my little B.

Sometimes, it seems like we are living with this kid

2011-08-11T15:54:00.002-04:00

A couple of days ago, we spotted some butterflies in our garden. B launched into a lecture on monarch butterflies. "Do you guys know that monarch butterflies are the only butterflies with poisonous wings...". He hears these little facts and retains them ALL. It is stunning.

And, yet, it is, in every way, awesome.

Mouth of Babes #55

2011-07-16T22:12:00.000-04:00

B: I love you more than popsicles.
Me: Oh, that's nice B!
B: I love you more than ice cream sandwiches.
Me: Wow--that's a lot.
B: But not more than the three-flavor ones--with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry...
Me: Yeah. I can see that. They're really good.

Mouth of Babes #54

2011-07-14T09:28:00.002-04:00

[Spencer having a giant tantrum because I took the art supplies out of his bedroom.]
Me: Have I ruined your life, Spencer?

A few minutes later.
B to S: How did Mama ruin your life?
S: Yes, she did for ever and ever.

Mouth of Babes #53

2011-07-10T21:35:00.002-04:00

B: Whose coloring is better, Mama?
Me: They're both very good.
B: Yeah, but mine is just a tad bit more awesome.

Indiana Beauty

2011-07-10T21:15:00.000-04:00

There is something truly magical that happens in Indiana in the height of summer right at sunset: a lightning bug show like none other. Since sunset is at nearly 10 pm, the boys have never seen this nature show before. Last night we took them out for a drive in the country in their pjs to see the lightning bugs. It was pretty cool--we tried to get pictures but I don't know how to capture something like that on our camera. But these are fun:

Watering hole

2011-07-10T21:09:00.002-04:00

Grocery Store

2011-07-10T21:07:00.000-04:00

Food sorted by food group

Cashier

Bag boy, bored

King Parrots by B

2011-07-10T21:05:00.000-04:00

Fourth of July

2011-07-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

For the first time, we let the McKinney boys stay up for 4th of July fireworks. Here they are (lovely picture courtesy of our friend Tim) watching with wonder. Though they liked the display, I think they had more fun running around with their friends throwing poppers, doing sparklers, and waving their glow sticks.

Mouth of Babes #52

2011-07-07T23:22:00.000-04:00

Spencey comes in my room early this morning & pulls all the blankets off of me. "Wake up, mama! Wake up! Don't you want to eat? Don't you want energy? Don't you want to grow big? Don't you want to grow up to be a Grandma?"

I think it speaks volumes about the McKinney boys' grandparents that both boys see becoming a grandparent as the ultimate goal in life. However, I could wait a few decades myself. :)

Level Orange: Accomplished

2011-07-01T23:53:00.000-04:00

So B got right in the water today for his last swim lesson (with his spiffy swim mask) went under 10 times and was instantly promoted to level orange. (If you missed it, the swim lesson backstory is here). He was VERY proud of himself. We took the boys back to the pool later in the afternoon & they swam some more. Spencey was even jumping off the side, going under, and then swimming another 5-10 feet. Todd and I lounged on the side, and it felt very decadent to not have to be an arm's length away.

Lil Swimmers

2011-06-30T21:49:00.001-04:00

Spencey going off the board at swim lessons.

Our little McKinney boys have been taking swimming lessons again. This time, we're at the community pool we joined (the one which Spencer puked in & closed the pool on our first visit, if you recall). They do pretty cool lessons there because the lead teacher watches closely, knows all the kids, and throughout each lesson promotes a kid from one class to the next when they seem ready. Well, most kids. The McKinney boys, especially the elder McKinney boy, haven't exactly been "reaching for the rainbow" as the swim brochure puts it.

During the second class, the teachers in "red" class (level one, where our boys were) were trying to move all the kids into "orange." The only skill they had to master was going under water 10 times. At the end of the hour, 3 kids remained--2 of them ours. The next day, Spencey took the plunge & moved up to orange. (He is a happy little fish--today he went off the board twice at lessons with an assist. It was funny because both times he got to the end of the board & when they told him to jump he just shook his head 'no.' Then they'd drop him in to the teacher.) B absolutely refused to put his face in the water even once on his own accord over the past 8 classes. We got him goggles. We bribed him with gummy bears. The teacher (with my permission) took to dunking him once or twice a lesson to show him he would survive. Still. He was NOT going to do it. He was too stubborn to even feel the shame of having his little brother pass him by.

Until tonight.

Tonight, on the eve of his last lesson while we were playing at the pool, he finally agreed to try out a swim mask. (Over the two week swimming lesson drama, we learned his resistance was because he didn't want water up his nose.) At first, he just looked through it without putting the strap on. Then, he agreed to wear it while he walked around in the pool. Then, he started looking under water. Within 5 minutes, he was going all the way under to grab toys--repeatedly!--holding his breath for a pretty long time. Soon, he started kicking his legs as he looked under & holy moly the boy was swimming. SWIMMING! When it was time to go, he was whining, "But I want to stay and swim underwater!"

Spencey, too, during his turn with the mask just started swimming underwater. So in a matter of an hour, we went from two boys who wouldn't or couldn't swim to two boys who could swim a little bit. We were laughing from the shock of it.

It is sort of miraculous to watch your kids just start swimming. There's not much you can do about it--like when they learn to walk--they just start doing it. You just stand around with your arms out big to scoop them up if they need it, to hug them if they don't, with a big, goofy smile fixed on your face.

Mouth of Babes #51

2011-06-30T11:39:00.000-04:00

Spencey: I'm so happy I'm in orange class [at swim lessons].
B: Why are you so happy you're in orange?
Spencey: Because I like one of my teachers.
Me: Is it a boy or a girl teacher?
Spencey: A girl. [Smiles]
B: Is it the teacher in the orange swimsuit?
Spencey: Yes. [smiles again] Why is she so lovely?

Mouth of Babes #50

2011-06-29T11:47:00.003-04:00

Bennett: Mama, "million" doesn't seem like a real word to me because Cat in the Hat uses it and he is just supposed to be silly.

Happy Father's Day (& Mother's Day & Anniversary), aka The New Kitchen!

2011-06-20T00:37:00.001-04:00

So, this summer as many of you know, we have been remodeling our kitchen. We pretty much gutted and started over. We did most of the work ourselves--we drew the line at plumbing and electrical--because we're crazy, but not that crazy. This project was our mother's day/father's day/anniversary gift to one another. We have some finishing touches left (lights, outlet covers, etc.), but we've had requests for pictures so I'm posting now. I put them into a little slideshow.

(By the way, I tried to show how icky our kitchen was to make the "after" really seem like a vast improvement, but I'm afraid it came off looking like we live in squalor. You'll see. Fear not. We do clean the house. In fact, we have two small kids, so we clean the house all day every day. Or so it feels...).

So far, we love it. We gained about a TON of floor space by using standard countertops & taking out the wall oven & unused desk. We have a big table in there now--one that we can happily all eat at together & even have room for guests. It was really worth all the time and money; however, now Spencey told us we now how to fix up the rest of the rooms! Come on over and see it for yourselves. I'll very happily cook for you!

A Summertime Riddle

2011-06-17T21:20:00.000-04:00

Guess whose child threw up in the swim club pool we just joined yesterday? And guess what that meant: about 50 parents and children getting out the pool on a steamy, hot 85 degree afternoon with nothing else to do but look around for the offender as the pool staff had to net up chunks of vomit and vacuum up smaller bits. One guess.

Dancey Dance Time

2011-06-15T23:14:00.000-04:00

For a few days in a row this month, the boys staged an elaborate dance party. Their costumes, as you can see, included twirly skirts from Mama's closet and, oddly, winter hats & gloves. They would then put on African drumming music & dance until they were red & sweaty. Maybe that had something to do with the winter hats & gloves in the middle of June? People often ask what the boys are "into" these days--and the thing about it is that it changes about every other day. Some weeks, it is dance party. Other weeks, it is being animal rescuers. Whatever they are into, it's a whole lot of fun to watch their imaginations twirl.

Our cutie cutie

2011-06-15T23:02:00.000-04:00

First Baseball Game! First Cotton Candy!

2011-06-15T22:56:00.001-04:00

The McKinney boys & parents went to their first minor league game yesterday--the Indiana Indians played the Gwinnett Braves. (The boys ate the ENTIRE time we were there. Or they were asking for more food. Little oinkers.) Spencey fell in love with the cotton candy; he is the biggest sweet tooth so that was hardly shocking. We did get B interested in pitch speeds and got him to cheer for the home team. Spence felt really upset about the players getting "out." All agreed we'd have to do that again.

The Garden of 2011

2011-06-12T14:41:00.001-04:00

So it is June & I haven't posted a single garden post yet! What was I thinking!

We started our plants from seed this year.

They grew well under a florescent light. All previous attempts at growing from seed, apparently, lacked light. Duh!

Our new additions to our gardening this year include berry plants: blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry. Here's a blueberry with a few green berries on it. Hopefully we'll get to them before the birds do.

Here's the garden on tomato planting day: Mid-May.

Here is one garden bed Mid-June. We've planted peas, cucumbers, herbs, berries, green beans, squash, greens (kale & spinach & swiss chard), carrots, and radishes, and rhubarb.

Here's the other bed, Mid-June. In this one we have tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and edamame.

So far we have harvested a few snow peas and a few blueberries. Something ate an entire swiss chard plant--it wasn't us, I'm afraid. The boys have started grazing daily to see if there is anything to eat. I have no better trick (aside from ranch dressing) for getting kids into veggies than giving them free range to munch on anything they find in the garden. In fact, Spencey has taken to eating a big piece of chive each time he visits the garden. The boys certainly present us with challenges, but getting them to eat fruits and veggies is not one of them.

Splash Balls!

2011-06-12T14:22:00.001-04:00

The McKinney Boys have a very cool Aunt Katie (actually, they have two). One of these Aunt Katies sent a kit for making splash balls (which she describes in her awesome little blog here). The boys opened the kit this morning & insisted on making the balls even before we had breakfast. (This is significant because these boys don't let anything come in the way of breakfast.) They were in their swimsuits and begging to go out in their kiddie pool before Todd and I were dressed or properly caffeinated. They had a GREAT time even though it was only about 65 degrees. Thanks, Aunt Katie!

(Oh, and how about that last shot--getting the balls in the air & the water droplets spinning off?)

It's starting to feel like summer

2011-05-25T21:41:00.000-04:00

Graduation

2011-05-25T21:34:00.001-04:00

Bennett had an adorable preschool graduation last week with singing, diplomas & cute little hats. We have some video that I'll try to post soon, but here are some pics.

Bowling Party

2011-05-25T21:26:00.002-04:00

Spencey celebrated his birthday with a few friends at the bowling alley. It was pretty fun!

Birthday Fun! [repost]

2011-05-13T21:32:00.000-04:00

I posted this once & blogger erased it. So, here, again, is birthday fun!

Mouth of Babes #49: The Dispute

2011-05-11T13:54:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, on the first day of my summer vaca, who comes to my room but one little 3-year old with a question very early in the dawn...

Spencer: Mama, are big things fast?
Me: Like what?
Spencer: Like T-Rexes and giants? Bennett says T-Rex is fast but only medium is fast.
Me: What's medium?
Spencer: Horses and camels and cheetahs.
Me: I don't know, honey. We'll have to look it up.

[seconds later]
B: Mama! T-Rexes are fast.
Me: I don't know. We'll have to look it up...
B: [Shoves dinosaur book in my face, open to the T-Rex page] See?

We didn't end up figuring out how fast T-Rexes were but I was less disgruntled about my early wake up call when it was a matter of intellectual dispute and they were offering evidence to back up their claims...I think I have some students who still need to learn this. :)

Baby turns four. Four! Four...seriously: Four!

2011-05-11T12:34:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it: our little sweet Spencey is four today. He is an awesome little boy. He is funny, charming, snuggly, and stubborn. He has amazing self-restraint. Yesterday we went to Build-A-Bear because we finally figured out what the stuff machine was--it was the build-a-bear stuffing machine! And, he asked for this for his birthday (also he asked for a balloon, a bowling party, and a "dentist with a horse a cat and dog" set he saw at the bookstore which was actually a vet). Anyway, he left it in the box the whole way home from Indy. He left it in the box the whole evening and didn't open it up until the morning because it was for his birthday. That's something, isn't it?

He is almost exactly as tall as B at age 4 though I suspect he weighs a bit less. He has huge feet--wears a size 11 last time I checked. Lately, he has taken over as my sous chef. He actually will help me bake, which is something our other little cooker doesn't have much patience for. B likes to make his own creations. Spencey likes to tease and be teased. He has a great time with his teachers at school for this reason. He recently has started sounding out letters and counting up to "60-100" or "67-16". He does alright but seems to have something against 23. He loves to run and play with balls. He is competitive and I have no idea where he might get that from.

He is a huge sweet tooth--we try to load him up on fruit rather than candy. Though, he can eat a pint of blueberries in one sitting & ask for more. When he wants to do something naughty, he tells me not to watch. He vacillates between liking being the smallest to insisting he is big enough for everything.

We are so lucky to be his parents. What a joyful four years. Happy Birthday, my boy.

Cheeseball

2011-04-28T23:06:00.000-04:00

Here's Spencey at school making birdseed balls. When he saw his teacher taking his picture, he posed for the one on top & asked that she send it to me. How cute is that?

Spencer Style

2011-04-28T22:59:00.001-04:00

Last weekend, we went on a day trip to Cincinnati for a little Ikea fix & a venture to the wild and wacky land of Jungle Jim's. Spencey, who is really ready for summer, picked out his outfit that day. I hope you can see the Hawaiian shorts on top of the sweat pants [thank you, Shane and Katie, by the way]. After he put it on, he started cracking up. "It's so SILLY!" he laughed.

Anyway, one thing about it, it was a conversation starter.

Mouth of Babes #48

2011-04-10T21:23:00.002-04:00

B: Mama, where is my sperm [pause*] whale?

*The length of this pause was sufficient enough for me to go into panic mode. And, a big thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Grutsch for the whale and that heart attack.

Whole Heart

2011-04-09T23:59:00.001-04:00

Love notes B made for me at school. The B is for Bennett & the M is for Mama.

Todd has been out of town since Wednesday. Tonight I was telling B that I was excited to see him when he gets back tomorrow. "Why?" he asked.
I said, "Well, because I love papa with my whole heart."
"Do you love me with your whole heart?"
"Of course. I'm going to love you with my whole heart every day of your whole life. Even when you are grown up and become a man."

B turned away from me after this and I caught him wiping a few tears from his eyes. I often tell people that B is sensitive. I know this because I am, too. And, I know that when you are "sensitive" that love can make those tears flow more than anything else.

Mouth of Babes #47

2011-04-07T20:22:00.000-04:00

Me: Spence, your pjs are wet. We need to change them.
Spence: I was sweaty.
Me: I think it's pee pee.
Spence: No, mama, I was REALLY sweaty. Super duper sweaty.

Mouth of Babes #46

2011-03-24T20:10:00.000-04:00

We were talking about my parents coming to visit soon, which brought us to a discussion about having guests and using our best manners with company. I gave a couple of examples of how to be a good host like maybe putting a chocolate on their pillow and letting them fix their plate first.

Bennett stopped me right there. "But Mama, what about Thanksgiving?"
Me: "What about Thanksgiving?"
B: "When we were at Oma's house for Thanksgiving, she made turkey and she took some turkey first."
Me: "She did? Are you sure?"
B: "I'm SERIOUS. She did."

(I have no idea if this happened--and Oma happens to be one of the most generous and thoughtful hosts I know so I don't see it as likely--but it cracked me up that he has stored that little nugget in his little noggin. You all are on warning. He's keeping track.)

Mouth of Babes #45

2011-03-21T13:53:00.000-04:00

We read a lot of books in this family, but we don't usually tell stories. The other night, I asked Spencey to tell me a story, and he told me one about a mouse. Then, he asked me to tell him one. I told him a couple.

Fast forward to yesterday: he crawled up next to me and said, "Read me a story."
Me: Ok, go get a book.
Spencer: No, I want one from your throat.

The Wonderful Wonderlab

2011-03-20T15:27:00.000-04:00

Last week, we went on a day trip to Bloomington, IN to go to the awesome Wonderlab--a children's science and technology museum. It was so fun. The bubble room and water table were our favs.

Our little bowling team

2011-03-11T21:03:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, we took the boys bowling. There's a little 10 lane ally on the campus which was just perfect for their first time on the lanes. They had bumpers and a helper ramp which made the boys pretty successful--as you can see from the final scores. They LOVED it and have been begging us to take them back.

B at swim lessons

2011-03-11T20:54:00.000-05:00

Bennett is going to swim lessons with his preschool class right now. His first lesson was Wednesday, and he had a really good time. He's more confident in the pool than he was last year. My favorite of these pictures is the last one because it shows how tall B is. Aside from the very small little boy, the other kids are B's age.

Mama tries to teach preschool

2011-03-11T20:36:00.000-05:00

Since we were on Spring Break this week, I took the opportunity to volunteer at the boys' preschool. Wednesday I went to swim lessons with Bennett's class (pictures to follow). Today, I was in Spencey's room talking about veggies. They are learning about farms, so I said I'd come in for a veggie taste testing. It was fun. Bennett came into Spencey's room to be the helper--a role he loved. Spencey (as seen in the last picture) showed all of his friends how to eat spinach like a giraffe. We brought carrots, tomatoes, peppers, spinach, and snow peas. And, carrots won--a favorite of 7 of the 14 kids.

March Madness

2011-03-06T23:31:00.000-05:00

So, in case you are missed the announcement on facebook, Todd and I are both taking on a project for the month of March as part of our first-year writing courses. We're having our students take on some sort of immersion for 30 days. We thought it was only fair to do it ourselves, too. Todd's students decided he should "let himself go." Todd translated this into growing a beard. You can follow his progress here. My students decided I should learn the ukulele. You can follow my (lack of) progress here. It's been fun to see what they are tackling. So far, a good project.

Mouth of Babe #44

2011-03-06T23:26:00.002-05:00

B: Mama, you hop on pop!
Me: No, he's not my pop, remember?
B: What is he? Is he your lovable?
Me: Yes [laugh] and my husband.
B: Mama, hop on hus!

Mouth of Babes #43

2011-02-21T11:07:00.002-05:00

Spencer: When we going to grow some wheat and make some wheat thins?

Welcome Baby Zach!

2011-02-20T15:20:00.000-05:00

My brother Shane and his wife Katie welcomed little Zachary Bernard to the world on Friday afternoon. Isn't he adorable?! We can't wait to meet him. Love to your new little family. May you all get some sleep!

Clipman

2011-02-17T19:26:00.003-05:00

Big Balloon from Aunt Katie & Uncle David

2011-02-17T19:26:00.000-05:00

Undermen

2011-02-17T19:25:00.000-05:00

Mouth of Babes #42

2011-02-17T13:16:00.000-05:00

B: Don't those girls look like twins?
Me: Oh, sort of.
B: But turtle twins.
Me: Turtle twins?
B. Turtle twins. I learned about that on Sesame Street.
Me: Oh....fraternal twins?
B: Yeah.

Mouth of Babes #41

2011-02-16T21:12:00.001-05:00

B: I think I'll get a wife for Christmas.
S: A person?!?

A Love Letter, in 20 parts

2011-02-13T21:38:00.000-05:00

1. Mom
No one knows how to forgive a mother for being human and for simply being a mother until she has kids of her own. It is then that she sees the Herculean work it takes for mothers to not hop in their cars on particularly bad days and just keep driving until the car runs out of gas, and then taking to foot until her shoes wear right to the ground. Mom, you never drove away. You were my constant. You brought me a box of peanut butter cups after some boy or another (who you had the good judgement to dislike) broke my heart. I knew you understood me when I found a word processor on my bed when life at college was hard and I longed to be a writer. You drove with me and my cat for three days from Minnesota to New Mexico and never spoke of the panic on your face or the terror on mine as we drove on and on. I love you, Mom.

2. Dad
You taught me many things, but two stand out. One: laugh and make others laugh. This I'll forget from time to time and let myself get all wound up in the tension of the moment. But a laugh, especially a shared laugh cuts through hurt, pain, anger, and confusion so sharply that to return is hard. Two: praise. Growing up, you drove me home from hundreds of soccer games and there wasn't one where you didn't talk about something I did right (and you sure had to be creative on this when I was benched). Still to this day, you compliment my fixer-upper (money pit) house, my occasionally chaotic job and life, my cribbage-challenged husband, and my silly, stubborn children. I don't know if you know how much this means to me. It means a lot. I love you, Dad.

3. Shane
Remember when you were graduating high school and we drove up to school together? I bawled the entire twenty minutes. Then, during the ceremony, I cried more. Look for yourself in the pictures after the graduation: I'm either teary eyed or actively crying. At 16, I didn't have the words to process it all, so I just wept. But 20 years later (dear God, we're old) I can put it into words: you were my best friend. You were my guardian, my comrade, and, also, a serious pain in the ass. Let me be real about that. As you have grown up, the last part (you being a jerk) has faded and you are this remarkable man who continues to have my back. And now, what continues to amaze me is your unwavering courage to change. It is easy to keep doing as we have been, but you keeps wanting to do better. And, do. I love you, Shane.

4. Ryan
Ryan, I think your life is both the most blessed life and the most cursed. If something can go wrong for you, it often does. If something easy could get complicated, it probably will. (Let me offer the coup in Honduras as an example of that.) Yet, everyone loves you. Everyone. And, everyone is right in this regard. You are funny, sweet, smart, and thoughtful. You are the best gift-giver in our family; you never gives anyone anything they would know even existed but it is always spot on right. (Check out our Rosie the Robot cookie jar, for example.) I try to channel you and your steadfast recovery when I think I'm dealing with something difficult. I love you, Ryan.

5. Katie Norton
Katsie, your drive and level-headedness impresses and confuses me. I was pretty much a child at your age and you are instead this beautiful, loving, and strong woman. How do you do that?! My, what will you be doing when you're my age? After I saw you in a high school play, I wrote to the principal complimenting the theater director for inspiring confidence in you and the others in the play. I'm sure that he did have a part in all of that, but you've also got some deep source of assuredness from which pull that I admire. I love you, Katie.

6. Donna
Sometimes when I look at you now--all tall and teenagerly--I think about how little you were when we first met. You were the sweetest little girl with wide-eyed innocence behind those cute little glasses. Like everyone else, when we were around you, you pulled at our heart strings. And, still do. You are earnest and hardworking. Your word is good and I can't think of a time when I've heard you complaining. These are admirable things, that I still work on. I love you, Donna.

7. Johnney
Outwardly, especially compared to Jade, you're pretty quiet. But then you get on the piano or on the violin, and wow!--you can make music. There is something wonderful about people who can bring forth so much beauty to this world. And your reading! I remember when Mom would have to tell you to stop, to come up for air. Entering into books and music are wonderful ways to make your world a bigger and better place. I admire you and I love you, Johnney.

8. Jade
Jadie, the bambino. What would this family be without you--well, besides quieter? :) You are joyful, spirited, fun, and the life of the party. I loved reading your little notes when you were just learning to write and remember how hard you were on yourself if your drawing or letters didn't go as planned. I also remember giving you about 64 lollipops as you rode along with mom and me as I moved to North Carolina. Even as you've become a teenager (!), you've continued to play unrelentingly with our little boys, teaching them the joys of imaginative fun. I love you, Jade.

9. Todd
What is left to say about our love after so many years? Plenty, really. You are my everything. Whether I turn to you with joy or sorrow, you know just what to do with it. I want no other thing at the end of the day and can see never wanting anything more or less than snuggling into you and finding us both in this unbelievably lucky life embrace when morning comes. You never hold me back. You never let me fall. Alabadoo, tdm.

10. Bennett
Your curiosity astounds me. You soak in the world around you and whirl it around your noggin a bit. You are tender-hearted though occasionally bold. You do sweet and loving things for your brother, your papa, and me. You like being silly, and, you like to get your way. You have told us that you are never moving out of our house, that you'll always want to live with papa and me, and we'll be sure to remind you of this when you turn 14 and have had enough of us. I love you, Bennett.

11. Spencer
Spencey, you are a heart-melter. You give ferocious hugs and full body smiles. You have lots of energy and silliness. I wish you wouldn't sing that song you made up so much ("Bob Dylan is a good one, Bob Dylan is a good one..."), but I prefer to think you sing it with irony. I love watching you do puzzles and one of my favorite part of the days is seeing all of the art you made at school. I love you, Spencer.

12. Jane & 13. Jim
I have known you both for over a decade now, and despite my imperfections as a wife, mother, or human, you've never made me feel like anything less than wonderful. You have been warm and welcoming since day one. Your generosity is nothing short of remarkable. The amount of your lives that you have given to the care and love of others is unparalleled and that you do it without reward, without resentment, and with peace blows me away. Lucky are those in your circle of love, for they will be forever showered with it. I love you, Jim and Jane.

14. Kim
When I first met you, I thought maybe you were a little meek. You seemed sort of quiet and didn't want to tell any of what to do for your wedding. I've realized in the past few years how I was wrong. You are this awesome, strong, smart, and content woman. You have made Ryan a better person and, frankly, all of us. I'm so glad you've joined our family and brought us little Freddie! I love you, Kim.

15. David
Not just anybody was going to be right for my sister, you know. I'm sure she had her own hopes and wishes for a spouse, but I did, too. I wanted her to find someone that loved and encouraged her, that was man enough to live with this awesome woman. I think she did all right. :) You are light-hearted and good at pointing out the positive even when no one wants to hear it. Your home-schooler ways crack me up. I love you, David.

16. Katie Jane
I can't be happier for Shane that he found you. He has never been happier or such a decent person to be around. He certainly has lucked out. And so have the rest of us. You are considerate, warm, smart, and fun to be around. You make some seriously awesome salsa and will listen to my never-ending stories about the boys as if each story is as interesting and charming as I think it is. I love you, Katie.

17. Mari, 18. Jack, 19. Freddie, and 20. Lil Bernie
Oh, my little nieces and nephews. Each of you is just a little bucket of love & I wish I could hug on you more than I can. I look forward to seeing you grow up and sending you really loud and obnoxious toys. I look forward to telling you stories of your mamas and papas, hearing your secrets, and sneaking you candy from my purse. Most of all, I look forward to seeing you run and play with Bennett and Spencer, as the rest of us sit back on the big back porch and smile at the wondrousness of life. I love each of you.

The Belly Dancer

2011-02-07T07:21:00.001-05:00

So, we went out to eat Friday night to a little restaurant called the Nile which, as it happens, has a belly dancer on Friday nights. The boys were absolutely spellbound, especially Bennett. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. He was practically standing in the booth so he could watch wherever she went. He had this huge smile on his face, and when she put her veil over his head, he blushed. He asked me later: "How does she not forget all those dances?" And, when I asked if he could do that thing she did with her tummy, he said, "I think she has better tissue than we do."

Spencey was also very curious but kept ducking down in the booth when she turned her head in our direction. I asked him why and he said, "I don't want to look in her eye." Turns out, he didn't want a veil on his head.

The dancer danced an entire song with a sword balanced on her head & put it on Todd's head to get a laugh from the boys. Pretty funny stuff.

Why I haven't posted lately

2011-01-28T13:32:00.000-05:00

Yep, that's four antibiotics. At least one of us has been sick every day since before Christmas it seems, and we've now reached a crescendo this week with all of us being sick at once. It's a little pathetic, yes?

Stuff Machine

2011-01-18T18:14:00.001-05:00

Spence has recently introduced us to the "stuff machine." He drew a picture of Todd as a snowman and pointed to one part and said: "He has a stuff machine." In fact, when he spelled S-E-X on the magnet board, he told me that he was spelling "stuff machine." We've asked and asked: "Spence, what is a stuff machine? Where do you find a stuff machine?" No avail. A couple of days ago when we were talking about putting a cityscape mural on our basement playroom walls, Spence requested a stuff machine. B was drafting a plan and asked Spence what a stuff machine looked like. He said, "There's one in the spoon book!" And this is the picture he showed us.

Any ideas what he is talking about? I said, "Oh, like a factory?" No. It's not a factory...

Sneaky Pete

2011-01-17T18:24:00.000-05:00

We've got a Sneaky Pete at our house, only his name is not Pete. At Christmastime, our Sneaky Pete during quiet time used his scissors to cut the strings off all the ornaments to make some "yarn" for Maya.

Our Sneaky Pete, when the local pizza place puts a half dozen tootsie rolls into the pizza box, sneaks into the kitchen when no one is looking, sits under the table, and eats them all. "My tummy wanted me to eat them," our Sneaky Pete explains.

And, our Sneaky Pete when he visits his aunt Katie and uncle David's new house (which is lovely) spies a gingerbread house complete with candy lake and pontoon...yet before we leave the pontoon has gone missing and Sneaky Pete has no idea--despite pressing interrogation--where it might be. No idea, I tell you.

Thoughts at 5.5

2011-01-17T18:15:00.000-05:00

Todd: Ben, you're almost five and a half! How do you feel about that?!
B: I think it's gross.
Todd: Why?
B: Because I don't want to go to that gym and do jump rope.
Todd: What gym?
B: Mama said in kindergarten I have to go to the gym and learn jump roping.

[Yeah, so much for my "hooray for kindergarten" talks I've been giving B...]

Notes from Preschool

2011-01-05T12:52:00.001-05:00

Each day we get a little email about how Spencey is doing at school. Here's some of our note today:

1/5/11

Today Spencer was exploring the letter magnets. He put the letters s-e-x in order and said to Jessica, “Look! I spelled a word!” He didn’t know what it spelled when she asked him…but he was VERY proud of his work! =)

Mouth of Babes #41

2011-01-04T20:43:00.002-05:00

I ask Spencey to find the Candy Land cards.

S: I caaaaaaaaaan't, Mama. I not a super hero. I just Spencer A'Kinney.