4 Years...

Maya coming home from the hospital... 1st Birthday... 2nd Birthday... 3rd Birthday... and 4th birthday... Happy Birthday Poppy!

Big Shoes, er Boots, to Fill

Really the picture says it all.


I think she tromped around in Maya's boots for 15 minutes and we laughed the entire time! We've definitely entered into the "I'm-going-to-do-everything-Maya-does" phase.

December Visit to MN

We were lucky enough to sneak in a pre-Christmas visit to MN to see all the family. We trekked up to Portland on Monday night and flew out on Tuesday morning. Thankfully we sneaked into MSP before a winter storm.

Things were slow moving on our way south to Owatonna but nothing too awful. Somewhere between Faribault and Medford Maya alerted us that she had to pee RIGHT NOW. So, I took the next off ramp and the poor kid peed outside in a MN winter storm. Good to see she is hearty stock! :D

It doesn't look "that bad" in the picture but it was windy, snowing and quite cold.


Tuesday night it snowed all night. Danny and I ran out to Target in the blizzard after we got the kids tucked into bed. I knew we wouldn't be getting out much the next day and I wanted the girls to have snowpants/jackets that they could go out in the snow in. I think we were the only people dumb enough to be out but our mission was a success.

Maya loved the snow. Fin, on the other hand, thought the snow was ok as long as she wasn't in it!


Porter came over to show Maya "the ropes" of snow play. Maya showed him how to make an snowball store. They had a good time playing together.

We spent a lot of time visiting family and eating food, of course. We had supper with Grandma Babe, played 500 with Grandma Babe and Shirley. Maya had her first overnight at Porter's house. She didn't get much sleep but she did manage to stay over all night. She went swimming with Jonathan, Teresa and Porter as well.

Four generations picture.

We went to see Santa at the Owatonna Arts Center. There were pics with Santa and then a reading of "The Polar Express". Fin wanted absolutely nothing to do with Santa. Maya was wiggly and squirmy but we managed to get a quick shot.
There was a stunning Christmas tree and we managed to get Porter, Maya and Fin sitting their momentarily. This picture captures each of them in an interesting light!



We had a very Merry Kuchenbecker-McKinney Christmas at the Geneva Bar and Grill. It was great. Dad and Barb made prime rib, fried chicken, au gratin potatoes, and green bean casserole. It was fabulous. The entire family was there.

There were family pictures.




There was family bingo with fabulous prizes!!!! Maya was an excellent caller. She would walk over and personally tell you the number.



There were quarters aplenty for pool, the claw game and...the juke box. Of course Danny was the first to put music in the machine and out blasted our family favorite "Single Ladies" which wasn't that big of a deal EXCEPT it was at Saturday night full bar volume on a Sunday evening. Holy hell it was funny. The kids all got into a little dance party with some Lady Gaga, a little Abba and other raucous tunes.

Maya alternated between using her cue stick as a guitar and using it as a vehicle for applying chalk.


Fin, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with the actual presents in the bag. She just wanted to pull her bags around. So she did.


After much fun and relaxing it was time to take our leave. We had a couple last minute cuddles, smooches and pictures with Grandma Sandy.





We drove up to MSP a day early because the McThor clan were kind enough to make the trek down from Fargo so we could hang out before getting on the plane. We had adjoining suites which worked perfectly. We had sleeping rooms and a bit of room to run. It was great to see them and finally meet Griffin and Duncan. Their family is beautiful and it was great to be able to sit and chat.

We got to do a little swimming.


And Maya got a chance to practice her mothering skills.


We flew out Thursday morning (12/17). We allowed a ton of extra time but after returning the car, getting through security and peeing we walked onto the plane just before they closed the door! The flight was pretty good although we were all pretty tired. Getting back to PDX we got our luggage and then had to wait for the shuttle, install the car seats, get back to our car, install the car seats....whew!

Needless to say we were ecstatic to be home and in our own beds that night!!!!

Chucker Cheese

Saffie, Maya's BFF, had her birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. We'd never been there; although, Danny and I knew full well what we were entering into. Maya would periodically point at the building (it's located next to Target) and ask us what was in the building. We'd skillfully avoid her question and move on. But on December 6th all that changed. :D

It was a really fun birthday party and we only started to lose our minds at the end. Danny and I decided that Chuck E. Cheese is the kid-version of Vegas--no clocks and lots of oxygen. Holy hell we kept wondering why Fin was fussing and being a crankpot. Well, once we got out to the car and realized it was 3pm we understood. (We arrived at 11:30.)

First a little air hockey between friends.


Then a little off-road action in the Hummer. This freaked Fin out because it tips way back and then tilts back and forth.


Fin found her stride with the Teletubbies.


Maya was FREAKED out by Chucker. She couldn't figure out what he was and quite honestly Danny and I were little help because he freaked us out as well. We finally told her he was a mouse. But the big teeth still pop up in conversation periodically.



She had a ton of fun dancing in front of the camera which then projected their image on the tv wall. Hmmm...shocking... (Maya's in the guitar shirt in the middle of the screen.)


Here's the kicker. We drove home to immediately turn around and head out to the next party at the Science Factory. Yes, that's right folks, 2 back to back birthday parties the day before we flew out to MN. Danny was a trooper and took Maya while I put Fin down for a nap and worked on my dissertation. Craaaaazy!!!!!

Oh to be young again!

I mean honestly, who can squat like this? Or, unabashedly show such surprise!
She is quite a character these days!

a walk in the park

we were prety excited to play in the park

we brought maya's bike - and went for a short ride

there was so much beautiful autumn nature and wildlife to enjoy
and we played for a bit on the playground -
Fin tried some new things - the merry-go-round and the tire swing!

it almost seems like Maya is saying, "what happened?" and Fin is saying, "JUST DRIVE!" and we played for a bit on the playground -
Fin tried some new things - the merry-go-round and the tire swing!

Thanksgiving w/Kate & Joe

We were some of the lucky few who didn't have to travel this year for Thanksgiving! We were also the lucky to have guests from Seattle...Kate and Joey made the (very long) holiday drive. Unfortunately the Henry's couldn't make it but we will get them down here yet! Moo-ha-ha-ha!

It was a wonderful visit that was stress-free holiday, filled with good food, good friends and hot wheels of course!

I think we've written about it before but Ray, the back neighbor, describes Maya as a warrior. He always tells us how amazed he is by her strength and forward nature and how much he admires her. This is coming from a combat marine...so...

Well, Maya displayed some of this warrior attitude on Thanksgiving. She was relentless and was working Joey over. There was no relaxing and watching football (although we did plenty of that as well). Maya had him building racetracks and holding cars. She even went as far as to teach him the names of a few of them! (:


Of course there was some quality bonding time with Auntie Kate. Clink!


We forgot about taking pictures of our meal or table because we were too busy wolfing it down! Suffice it to say we had a most thankful and gratitude filled Thanksgiving.

An Inappropriate Funny...

This is a story about a preschooler swearing. Close the window if you have sensitive eyes.

*****

Seriously...


^^^^^


OK...you asked for it.


#####


This morning we were rushing around the house doing the morning ritual. Maya's class was going on a field trip to a ceramics studio and asked that all the students be to school before 9am. We usually roll in about that time so we were pushing ourselves to get out of the house a few minutes earlier. I know Danny and I both mentioned that we needed to hurry so Maya wouldn't miss the bus which resonated for Maya. She was storming about the house hollering at us to "hurry" and shuffling Fin to the door. Danny was off to brush his teeth and I decided to take the kids out to the car. We barely get out of the house and Maya, realizing Danny is still in the house, lets the following sentence rip:

&$(#($%

One last chance to look away...


***&*^%$$



"Goddammit! Now I'm going to miss the bus!"

Yes. That is what she said. Just imagine the perfect inflection and sense of urgency...because Maya nailed it spot on! I quickly stopped and we had the following conversation:

Me: "Maya I didn't hear what you said but I don't think it was very friendly."
Maya: "But I didn't say stupid."
Me: "No you didn't. But I think you said God-something. I couldn't quite hear and..."
Maya: "Oh, yeah I said Goddammit."
Me: "Ah, yeah. Yeah. Well, that's not ok."
Maya: (silently smirks)
Me: "Maya...it is not ok."

She slunked off to the car quietly. Meanwhile I picked up Fin and buried my face in her belly to stop up the laughter. I know it's inappropriate but holy hell...

Chalk it up to another brilliant parenting moment from Jen and Danny!

Dancing Queen & Sleeping Beauty

While one princess sleeps...


another busts a move!

Jobs / Applications -- The List

It's that time of year...and I don't mean the holiday season. I am diligently plugging away on the dissertation and at this point, barring a major setback, I am slated for a June 2010 graduation! I have a rough draft for 4 chapters--when I say rough, I mean pretty rough. I am working on revisions and hope to give the document minus conclusion to my committee at the end of January! It's all very exciting and a bit scary. The deadlines are looming but I am meeting them head-on which feels oddly empowering.

I am applying for jobs again. The market seems to be a bit better than it was last year but I know there are still a whole lot of people applying for a limited number of jobs. Academia has been plagued with budget freezes and cuts just like every other industry. But, as my adviser reminds me, it only takes one job.

Here is the list of jobs I have already sent application materials to:
-Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, PA)
-York College of Pennsylvania (York, PA)
-Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL)
-University of South Carolina Upstate (Spartanburg, SC)
-College of Wooster (Wooster, OH)
-Columbia College (Chicago, IL)
-Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT)
-North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND)
-Le Moyne College (Syracuse, NY)
-University of Missouri St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)
-Pine Manor College (Chestnut Hill, MA)

These are still on the docket to be done (very soon):
-North Central College (Naperville, IL)
-University of Nevada-Reno (Reno, NV)
-Missouri State University (Springfield, MO)
-Bradley University (Peoria, IL)
-Kenyon College (Gambier, OH)
-Winona State University (Winona, MN)
-West Chester University (West Chester, PA)
-East Carolina University (Greenville, NC)
-Beloit College (Beloit, WI)
-Southern Arkansas University (Magnolia, AR)
-Illinois State University (Normal, IL)
-University of Missouri (Columbia, MO)

So, if you have positive energy to spare...send it any / all on this list. I will add more as they pop up but I realized that I hadn't put out my "list" yet.

There you have it!

Learning Moment...

Sometimes you have a choice.
Sometimes you make good choices and sometimes you don't.
The above sentences apply to parents and children alike.

This is what happens when you are a kid and make a bad choice.
This is what happens when you are an adult and you make a "so-so" parenting choice.

In the end...this is what happens when you ask you kid to go to the bathroom before putting a pull up on. And, instead of doing what you ask, goes to the bed and pees on it. This is what happens when said parent refuses to change the sheets.



It's all about choices.

Finley Update

Our quiet, docile baby is...well, simply put...GONE! Fin is ... I don't even really have the words to describe her! She fluctuates between sheer simplicity to utter chaos and terror.

She loves Maya! She loves Maya! She loves to watch, follow, bother, act like, pull push...anything to / be like her big sis! Clearly Maya is the apple of Fin's eye which periodically gets bruised by Maya's over-lovin' arms! There is still a fair amount of Fin getting tugged around but Danny and I pretty much let Fin defend herself except for a random extreme case.

Fin is in the Wobbler room at the Co-op. She loves her independence and is a pro at taking her bowl, spoon and sippie to the "all done" bucket. She recently got her first pair of "kicks" to run around on the playground with as her little Robeez were causing her to slip and slide. It was amazing watching her have a "shoe experience" when we were shopping and trying on various pairs to see what fit her foot the best! She was running all around the store just in awe. It was quite cute.

She is definitely picking up words here and there although Mama/Dada/Maya are all really interchangeable for her. There is book, Puss, caca (cracker), choo (shoe) and a lot of other unintelligible words that a whole lot of sense to her. She still holds the nickname of "Chairman" because she does quite a bit of extemporaneous speaking. She understands a ton and follows directions really well. She loves to be part of the gang. A few weeks back she came storming out of Maya's room carrying a little ladybug backpack and went and stood by the door. Of course she did...that's what the rest of us do in the morning.

She, like her sister, is really observant. She pays attention to details and is always ready to give you a hearty, growly laugh. She has a strong aversion to loud noises and is really sensitive to Maya's tantrums or outbursts. Basically this means once Maya starts you have about 3 seconds to get her calmed down before Fin starts! Oh yeah.

Fin LOVES bike riding. If she so much as sees her bike helmet she starts stamping and spouting about bike riding! It's pretty fabulous. She is still a good eater. She loves scrambled eggs, bananas, rice & beans and milk...especially mine and especially at night. She is still sleeping with us and still nursing for most of the night. Some days I don't deal very well with this and other days I'm at peace with it.

Overall she is growing leaps and bounds. She is quite magical.

Some photographic evidence.


Trying to figure out how Maya throws rocks so far...


shoving a little cracker in her mouth...



smiling in the sunshine...




figuring out drinking fountains...



did I mention her eyes are changing colors??? I'm guessing they will be a hazel or brown...




Funny face in a bike helmet...



the new "kicks"...


Sing with me..."anything you can do, I can do (better)"



and still a snuggly little bug

Maya Update

So what has Miss Priss been up to these past few weeks?

Last reported via the blog was her first day at LFS (Little French School). So we are about 6 weeks later and she is doing...well, she has some good days and some not so good days. It's been a total transition for her and for the most part I think she is taking it in stride. We are having a meeting with the "school" teacher and the "aftercare" teacher on Monday morning just to check in and make sure we are all on the same page. She can already count to 10, knows several of her colors, can ask to go to the bathroom and excuse herself from the table and a few other ditties--it's pretty impressive what their little minds soak in.

We've had a serious increase in potty accidents which I think is probably related to control issues. We've also had an increase in temper tantrums and sassiness which is either genetics or being a near-4 year...probably some combination of both. Some days are pure bliss and some days are absolutely trying and we love most minutes of both!

She has taken to telling me how to drive. "Mom turn your knocker [her word for blinkers] on!" "Mom, this is NOT the way to ______!" "Mom can dad drive? He uses the windshield wipers more." The list goes on and on. This is definitely my karma coming through. I know I used to torture my mom and dad with incessant questions about how the car went, did it hurt to hold your foot like that on the accelerator, why the blue light came on when you stomped on the floor (bright lights), etc. It is a trip.

She also notices every.thing.you.do! Mom why did you tilt your head that way? Dad why did you laugh and say oh. And on and on and on.

She is full of energy and life and questions. In the middle of the night a few weeks ago she asked Danny what a tarantula was. Danny quickly replied "a fuzzy bug--go back to sleep".

She doesn't like pants that flap / wiggle...aka any pants other than leggings. She tried tap class but couldn't handle the noise so we transferred back to ballet. She digs riding her bike and thinks that riding in the rain is a lot of fun. She likes tights with feet now--last season's no-no. She is really finding ways, periodically, to really express herself and her feelings/emotions/thoughts. It's quite surprising and astonishing. It's hard to believe that she will be 4 in two quick months.

Here are some pictures to catch up with.

The last few days of summer...throwing rocks...


hanging with Saf...


Some tap dancing feet



some high flying feet...


some cool outs at the park...




a bit of exhaustion...



what do you do when she looks at you like that?


Or this...