Just for your viewing pleasure

Here are a couple pictures of Kenzie being silly........

yes those are my glasses she's wearing. Yea that's my kid, she's a weirdo!!

Halloween- Times 2

All Kenzie wanted to be for Halloween was a doggy. After the complete panic attack she had last year in the halloween store, mom was left with the daunting task of finding the costume solo. So I had to wait until a weekend she was gone which just happened to be the weekend before. What a mistake, I felt like the desperate shopper on Christmas Eve. Luckily before Kenzie left for the weekend she had given me some last ditch alternatives, just in case no doggy was to be found.

So I set out on a beautiful Saturday afternoon along with everyone else. After two costume stores I was starting to feel a bit nervous, the only dog costumes I could find were for babies and the alternate ideas weren't panning out either for as some of you may know shopping for a Halloween costume in Michigan can be hard because the weather can completely ruin it. Finally I saw KMart and thought what do I have to lose. I surveyed the disasterous area they called a costume display, all the costumes were randomly hung, boys mixed with girls, adults mixed with kids. It was so frustrating but I knew I had to try my best because as a parent I know that although she had said she would be ok with something else I knew I couldn't let her down. I turned down the final aisle and low and behold there it was...... the one and only doggy costume. It was prefect; one piece, zipper up the front with a hood, and super soft like a stuffed animal. The only down side was it was one size too big but I didn't give a second thought- I grabbed it. So now gloating to myself I realize I have the perfect Michigan costume, it will be nice and warm and easily fit over her clothes. Then I have an 'oh crap' moment. Kenzie is having a costume party at school earlier in the week, this costume is way too warm for her to enjoy herself. Just as I'm wondering what to do I see as sign above the racks- 50% off ALL costumes. YES!!!! So I found a really cute, light weight fairy costume. I ended up spending less than $20 on both and she can enjoy dress up with them through the year. All in all- go KMart, who knew.

Then I had to wait the rest of the weekend until she came home to see what I had found for her. Both ended up being a great hit!!!!

It's Halloween!!!!!!

Happy Halloween everyone!!!!!! I remember Halloween was so exciting as a kid and now having a child of my own brings all those emotions back. It's GREAT!!!!!! Watch for Halloween pics coming soon.....

Let me toot my own horn!!

So this blog was designed to give updates about Kenzie but I would just like to take a moment for my own recognition. So it is official... drum roll please............................................................................. I have my first U.S patent!!!! Thank you, thank you. Ok so it really doesn't mean a whole and it's not like I see any royalty checks or anything but still none the less, I HAVE MY NAME ON A PATENT!!!!! It just sounds really cool to say... or type. For everyone in the science community, yea it's ok to be a little jealous, I won't hold it against you, hehe just kidding.
I will give my employer a bit of credit, I should be receiving a certificate and a solid silver coin with the patent number on it. Yea I feel cool now!! The first one was the hardest. For those of you who don't know about the patent process let me be the first to say it's ugly. It is actually a really touchy subject who gets put on as an inventor. We had three go through at once and I only ended up on one so I'll take.

Soccer Star

Well it is official, I have a little soccer player. I have signed Kenzie up to play soccer this fall. This past Saturday was her first game. What a blast!!!!! I don't know who had more fun me watching the chaos of 6 four year olds running around a ball or her actually playing. She got to play quite a bit since there are only 6 girls on the team and 3 are on the field from each team at a time. She was lucky enough to play the final minutes of the game and with about 2 minutes to go she stole the ball and was on a break away towards the goal (the correct one even!!!), she set up the shot and kicked hard just narrowly missing the goal. Afterwards she ran up to me and said 'Oh that's how you play soccer. Ok I get it now.' Gotta love it!!!!!

I had to add the 'Charlie Brown' action shot just for Ted.

Birthday girl!!!!

For Mackenzie's fourth birthday Tim and I got her a new bike. She had to open her bell and helmet first. Then we made her find her bike which was hidden under blankets in the kitchen. She is really enjoying riding her big girl bike now.

Her face says it all!!!!

Yes we let her ride outside too.

Here we are!!!

Thank you Ted. I got it set up and you were right, super easy.