The World of Mackay

Can't believe it's been 3 months since my last post. We've been busy with work, and kids and life, and somehow finding a quiet moment to sit down and write has been impossible. We recently returned from a fabulous Kauai vacation. We finally opted to sell our house there, as we were finding less and less time to make the trek, and when we did go, the kids demand a pool. So, we joined Bill's brother and his family  at the Westin Princeville (highly recommend it!). Incredibly relaxing for us, and the kids were worn out from pool slides, swimming and Owen's incessant chasing of any bird within a 10 foot radius. I think, left to his own devices, he could single-handledly reduce the chicken population by about 25%. Mackay is 4 1/2, is loving preschool, and other than a few moments of high drama each day, is doing just great. Owen's now 2 1/2 and his health has been good. In fact, I think this is the first vacation that didn't involve a trip to the emergency room...

THANK GOD 2011 is over. For 2012, we don't need anything spectacular -- I'd be happy with a slow, boring, uneventful, but healthy year. Despite our bumpy road in 2011, we did have a lovely Christmas, with - as Bill pointed out repeatedly to everyone who came within 10 feet of our house - the world's most beautiful Christmas tree. It truly was gorgeous. And this year, we got smarter and put plastic ornaments on the bottom, significantly reducing the volume of glass shards that occurred last year when Owen could no longer restrain himself and had to pluck them off and huck them across the room. We were able to celebrate with friends and family for Christmas, and then headed to Tahoe in search of some snow and Mac and Owen's Bennett cousins. Unfortunately, it was clear and largely sunny the whole week, with not a snowflake to be found. We drove all the way to the top of Mount Rose (10,000 feet) just to find a patch of ice to take the kids sledding. They had a great time an...

This morning, as I was tidying up yet another mess from the kids' post-Christmas toy frenzy, I noticed that the paint pens Mac and Owen had just been playing with were sitting on the table with the caps off. I think to myself 'What a good opportunity to teach Mackay how to take better care of her things.' Me: 'Mackay, if you leave the caps off your paint pens, they will dry out and you won't be able to play with them anymore.' Mackay: 'Really? Well, I'm trying to watch Phineas and Ferb right now. Could you just put them on for me?' Mackay, 122. Mom, 0.

Owen just came into the kitchen with a small, sticky fleck on his finger. He says 'Mewey Cwishmush, this is for you.' Me: 'Is that a booger?' Owen: 'Yep' I suspect his father had something to do with this, but I have no proof. Mewey Cwishmush.

December is once again upon us. Can't believe how fast the time is going by. Owen just turned two, and Mackay is four. Relatively speaking, the family health meter is up a few notches. Owen just got great news (after having to undergo surgery to repair a hernia he was born with). Since they had to knock him out for the surgery, they were able to also do an MRI on his heart. It's been awhile since they've had good heart pics (he will no longer sit still for the ultrasound), and we were all pleased to learn that his heart is continuing to grow - especially in the places where it was seemingly too narrow before. In fact, his normally reserved cardiologist went as far as to say that if things continue this way, he may never need another heart surgery. We are incredibly grateful and relieved. Bill and I hardly know what to do with ourselves now that we don't have this looming worry! Bill is continuing to recover. 3 months post chemo, he's still in remission, which is a g...

Lots of news. Owen turned two, and is proud to tell anyone who asks! He'll answer either "I'm two" or "Woody." I guess age and halloween costumes are easily interchangeable at this age. I'll upload pics of birthday and halloween soon! Mackay recently had a funny incident with my mom. After diligently trying to explain something to her nana several times, and my mom (who is a tad hard of hearing in one ear) not understanding, Mackay said 'Nana, I don't think your ears are hearing what I am trying to tell them!' And just tonight, I overheard Bill talking to Mackay, For all the world, I thought I heard Bill ask her "So, what do you think about Jesus." Those of you who know our household might understand why I would be surprised to hear this question. Had I given it a moment's thought, though, I would have realized that I had just delivered them a cup of Cheez Its. Bill now thinks we have a mass market for a bumper sticker called...

Appropriate for the upcoming holiday... the last time we were up visiting my Mom (up in the woods, where various creatures large and small abound), I was packing up our bags to head home. Behind me, I hear Owen say 'Bug on head! BUG ON HEAD!!' I turn around, and sure enough, he has an enormous spider on the top of his head. Owen's just pointing at it, and is clearly waiting for me to do something. Those of you who know how much I love spiders will not be surprised to hear that I actually considered leaving the room and letting him deal with it on his own. However, I'm proud to say that I grabbed Mackay's sock and successfully knocked the spider onto the ground, where it skittered under my Mom's bed. Come to think of it, I don't think I mentioned that to her. Sorry, Mom.