McKinley's MRA

Picture taken yesterday...she's feeling better :)

McKinley got her orthodontic device cemented in last week. I meant to post about it last week, but between her mouth pain and an unrelated fever illness, she has been miserable.
I have to turn her device once a day for four weeks to expand her palate. The first few days were tear-filled. I couldn't help but draw similarities between the torture we were inflicting and the Mayan head elongators or the binding of little Asian feet. How will history view the Americans and their orthodontic devices all in the name of beauty?
It is getting better now for her, and it will be worth it in the end. After four weeks are over, she will get braces on and keep the device on for about a year to let the palate bone grow and stabilize.

Science fair

The science fair is completely optional, so McKinley signed up right away.
This was our first science fair using the official scientific method and all the rules attached. Needless to say it was a lot of work.
She worked hard and I had a lot of fun putting it together with her (I only helped her make sure she had included all of the necessary report parts), but next time we won't procrastinate and finish up at 11:10 pm on a school night!

***Update- McKinley is advancing to the district science fair! Good job Kin!***

Sweet

Nap time is my favorite. I wish I could climb right in and snuggle him.

B-ball

McKinley decided that since there's no field hockey here she'd play basketball this spring.  They had their first game this Saturday.  Unfortunately they lost 8-6.  She was disappointed she didn't make a basket.  She was a litte timid for a while.  As soon as she channels her field hockey spirit, she'll be unstoppable!

Playing outside

The weather has been fantastic this week.  I've been taking Josh out for my runs after Hayden goes to school, and I've gotten a little sun and lots more freckles.  I'd forgotten how much the sun shines in Utah.  The next few days are supposed to be rainy, that will feel more like Connecticut :)  I get to wear my rain boots, legitimately.

The boys and I went outside to play.  Josh is definitely an outside boy.  It will be nice when we have a yard and fence.  He is always trying to make his way out any opened door.

Hayden likes to play on the 'mountain' in the neighbors yard.  He named it Mt. H.  There is a volcano at the base of it.  He reassured me today that it is actually just dirt that has black in it, and not a volcano like he originally thought :) 

Growing

My herb garden is growing! Yay! This is my baby basil.

Toddlerhood

The past week or so has been a challenge with this little one.
It started with a cold, turned to a feverish illness, and has teething thrown on top of it.
His illness is gone, but now he is moody, refuses bottles, and throws things.
Sometimes a bath works. Sometimes a stroller ride works. Sometimes it doesn't.
I hope it passes soon.