JC Penney - Where All the Cool Kids Go.....

First of all, Anna Claire has been planning her 4th birthday (10/30/10) since October 31, 2009, the day after her 3rd birthday! She has established the fact that she wants a Hannah Montanna birthday with matching plates and napkins. Just the other day in the car, she kicked it up a notch by informing me that she would like to have her party at JC Penney. When I said, "JC Penney?" (not that I have anything against said store, I was questioning more using said store has a party destination), she quickly informed me, "Mom, it's a store in the mall, you know." Riiight, AC.
The other night, I needed to go bring the trashcan back from the driveway. I asked AC if she wanted to walk down the driveway with me and somehow she heard, "Let's take Sophie for a walk". Poor Sophie. She didn't get a say in the matter. Before we could go outside, AC needed to put on shoes. If it rains at any point in a week, Anna Claire thinks she needs to wear her rain boots at all times. Off we went on a brief walk.

After all this, we forgot to bring in the trashcan, so we had to go back out to get it. Brad needs to come back home. We miss him greatly!

Anna Claire keeps impersonating the cheerleaders that she saw when she performed at the LSU basketball game. She dances around (in this case, she couldn't find her pom-poms, so she grabbed a t-shirt), yells a "cheer", and flips her hair. Silly.

Today, we took advantage of the nice weather we are experiencing by playing outside for a while. AC shot a few hoops. I had to use the super zoom on my camera to get this shot b/c every time I went to take her picture, she would stop playing. And yes, I know the b-ball hoop doesn't have a net. Our neighbors put this out to the curb one day for the garbage man to pick up and at 11 o'clock that night, Brad went over and got it for us. Classy. AC loves it. Way to give it a second home, Super Dad.

Another highlight of the day....a new American Girl Doll catalog arrived in the mail. Anna Claire made a wish list for her 4th birthday....yes, the one at JC Penney.

"Coach, do you hear me?"

A while back, Elizabeth brought this inflatable headset to Brad. I think she won it at the state fair. Right, Elizabeth? Anyway, AC loves to play with it, especially when watching football. As was obvious by the score of Sunday's game, Anna Claire and Coach Phillips were not on the same signal.

Blog Name Changed

Our new blog address is http://mckenzieadventures.blogspot.com
Same blog, different address.

Keeps Us Laughing....

Here are just a few statements Anna Claire has made over the past several days that keep us smiling:

1. Last Friday night, we went out to dinner, just the three of us. We were waiting for our food, when Anna Claire rested her head on her hand and let out a deep sigh. Brad said, "Sweetheart, are you ok?" She looked at him and with in all seriousness said, "I've had a rough day." Silly girl. (Sidenote: the schools were closed on Friday because of 'cold weather'..no snow. no ice. just cold. She had been home all day with me, playing. Not sure how that was rough...ha!)

2. Yesterday, Anna Claire came home wired from school! I don't know if they nibbled on sugar packets for their afternoon snack, but regardless, she was hyper. At one point in the evening, she was running circles around the living room and Brad asked, "Anna Claire, what are you doing?" She put her hands in the air and exclaimed, "I've got so much energy, I'm freaking out!" We both started laughing and asked, "Where did you hear that?" She looked at us and said, "At high school!"...Well of course.

3. When you ask Anna Claire how old she is, she will respond with "I'm 3, my dad is 33, and my mom is 31." Cute...but not for too many more years ;)

4. For the last month, Anna Claire daily requests having a Hannah Montanna birthday party for her 4th birthday (mind you, it's not until October. Before Christmas, she came to me and said, "Mom, do you think you could buy Hannah Montanna cups and napkins for my birthday party?" I told her I'm sure we could do that and she said, "Perfect! This will be the best birthday!"

Friends

Anna Claire had a blast hanging out with Avery while we were in OKC. Avery's dad is Mark (Brad's best man in our wedding).

Anna Claire also thought she was pretty cool getting to hang out with the big girls, as she called them! Haley and Haven were so sweet to entertain Miss Anna Claire at dinner.

Adorable T-Shirts

Our sweet friends in Horshoe Bay sent Anna Claire and Gigi the most adorable t-shirts for Christmas.

2010

Happy New Year from our family to yours!
I've updated the blog with 7 different posts below...Enjoy!

Party in Pampa....

We've been able to spend some time with my parents, sister, and grandmother in Pampa this week!
We hadn't been here an hour when Anna Claire found this desk and decided she needed to do some 'homework'! If you can't find AC, check the desk. She has spent so much time there this week drawing, cutting paper, etc! Too cute.
Sophie also came with us on this trip, and she has yet to thaw! She is not a fan of this cold weather, so we've kept her coat on her at all times.
Mom was kind enough to clean everyone's teeth while we're here. AC wasn't too sure about the whole process, so Mom cleaned AC's doll's teeth first!
My parents' rent house here in Pampa is a trip! One room is red, the master bath is turquoise, the main hallway is black and white horizontal stripes, and the list goes on. It's a fun house! Here's AC in the tub in the master bath!
There was a little snow on the ground when we arrived...left over from Christmas Eve. This was AC's first time with snow, so she was estatic! It wasn't long before it started snowing again!



While here, we had a family Christmas dinner like no other. According to Anna Claire, it was a princess Christmas dinner because she got to wear the dress she has nicknamed her Cinderella dress. We all dressed up and enjoyed some delicious food! My sister and grandmother stepped up to the plate in a big way and made the most unique and wonderful meal. Mom busted out the china and silver and we had ourselves a great evening.




Anna Claire was ready to ring in the new year decked out in some festive glasses.
We made a trip over to Amarillo, and AC wasn't too sure about the "Amarillo aroma" (read: COWS).
On New Year's Eve, we woke up to snow...and it kept snowing!



AC took a little break from the snow to help Gigi make some sugar cookies. Of course, a little flour fight ensued.

At dinner, AC felt the need to help herself to a helping of mashed potatoes. Who needs a plate?
And today - New Year's Day...we were able to go sledding again. Fun, fun memories.

Christmas in Dallas

After Christmas in Baton Rouge, we headed to Dallas to celebrate before heading to Pampa.

Christmas Morning

Anna Claire slept until 9, when we finally woke her up to see what Santa brought!




At one point, Robyn was opening the mixing bowl set we bought for her, and Anna Claire immediately said, "Look, Roro, you can wear it as a hat!" Well, of course.
A great morning with family and gifts.