The Mackeys

No More Running Away

2009-07-19T13:28:00.002-04:00

We picked up Charlie and Sarah from camp. They had a blast! In fact, Sarah was crying that it was time to leave and asked to stay two weeks next year. Allison, for one, was glad to have her siblings back.

It was a 3-hour drive home. When we reached our street:

Allison: OK, new rule for the summer: no one can run away from me anymore.

Me: What do you mean?

Allison: No more running away from me.

Me: Who ran away from you?

Allison: Well, Charlie and Sarah just ran away to camp, and before that, well I guess I ran away to Gran Gran's. And before that you ran to Africa. So I just want us all to stay together now.

Get a Job

2009-07-19T13:21:00.007-04:00

David: Mommy, when I'm a grown up, are you going to give me money?

Me: No. You'll have to get a job.

David: Oh! And they give you money?

Me: Yes. You find something you're good at and you like to do, and get someone to pay you to do it.

Allison: I know how I'm going to earn money: singing. Because it's fun, and I can hit the high notes.

David: I'm going to sing too.

Fluffy

2009-07-19T13:19:00.001-04:00

We were talking about our next vacation, to Boston.

David: Are we driving to Boston or flying?

Me: Driving.

David: Oh, too bad. I like airplanes because I like the fluff on top of the clouds.

Little Mama

2009-07-19T13:16:00.002-04:00

Allison and David suggested a family walk after dinner. David asked if we could bring the dogs, so we did. Allison brought her twin dolls in a double jog stroller, with a blanket wrapped around them, and she brought her purse.

At one point, I started singing something silly to her.

Allison: Can you please sing quieter? My babies are sleeping.

Me, later: Are your babies still asleep?

Allison: Yes. I think they're down for the night. I hope they are. I want them to get a good night's sleep.

Deep Thoughts ... Or Not So Much

2009-07-19T13:15:00.001-04:00

Allison, lounging on my bed one morning while I got ready for work: Mommy, what's your favorite thing in life to do? I mean, what's your favorite color?

When I Grow Up

2009-07-19T13:12:00.002-04:00

Allison: Guess what I want to be when I grow up?

I made several guesses, all of which she said were wrong.

A: Want me to just tell you?

Me: Yes.

A: A doctor, a singer, an ice skater, and I may want to try to be President.

David: Know what I want to be? A hockey player, a baseball player, a football player, a soccer player, a basketball player, a hockey player, a golf player, and a croquet player.

Missing Our Campers

2009-07-19T13:07:00.003-04:00

When we dropped Charlie and Sarah off at camp, the car seemed empty on the drive home.

At one point, David asked who was singing the song on the radio.

Daddy: I don't know, David.

David: If Charlie were here, he'd know.

********

Later on the drive...

Allison: Where are Charlie and Sarah?

Me: At camp. Remember?

Allison: Oh yeah, I forgot.

********

Arriving at home ...

David: Where's Charlie?

Me: He's at camp.

David: Oh yeah, I forgot.

Allison, moaning: I miss Charlie.

David: I don't really miss him. Because Charlie gave me his heart.

Should Have Seen This Coming

2009-07-19T13:05:00.002-04:00

We were listening to country music on the car radio.

Allison: Mommy, what does "sexy" mean?

Me: Uh, it means pretty. In sort of a grown-up way.

David: Mommy, you're sexy.

Jerry Garcia Would Sing Bass

2009-07-19T12:59:00.003-04:00

In the car on the way to camp, we spoke to some family members on the phone.

Sarah: Uncle's voice sounded deeper on the phone.

Me: Oh really?

Sarah: Yeah. Maybe it was just the phone. Phones can do that, you know.

Me: Mmmh.

Sarah: Or maybe he grew a moustache. That could do it too.

Me, laughing: No it couldn't.

Sarah: Really it couldn't? I thought it did.

PG-13

2009-07-19T12:55:00.003-04:00

We had lunch in Applebee's on the way to take Charlie and Sarah to camp. Allison and I walked through the restaurant on our way to the restroom. She glanced up at one of the TVs and said, "Eww. What is that DIRTY show that's on the TV?"

I looked up quickly, ready to shield her, thinking about all the grown-up ads that play during sports shows, then answered, "Oh, that's monster truck racing."

Red State or Blue State

2009-07-19T12:47:00.006-04:00

David, in a moment of rebellion: When I grow up, I'm going to drink Pepsi.

Me, annoyed, but trying not to be: David, you know that all the money we have to do everything with comes from Coke.

David: Yeah, but I'm still going to drink Pepsi.

Me: Well, I guess you can decide that.

There was a moment of silence while he thought about that.

David, contrite: Actually, I am going to drink Coke.

Me, not won over: You can decide that too.

David: I'm cheering for Coke and Coke Zero.

Me: Fine.

David, still working to get in good graces: Because Pepsi's not good for your body. If you drink Pepsi, you turn into a chicken.

He totally had me. Me, laughing: You would not turn into a chicken!

Old Friends

2009-07-19T12:33:00.004-04:00

Our friend Jeff came to town, so the Dolans had the old gang over for a pool party. (Tom is David's Godfather). We all knew each other from the Young Adults group at the church in the early '90s.

Top row: Jeff, Tracey, Bryant
Front row: Kate, Tom, Cindy, Eric, Joanna, Steve, Paul, Pam

The next generation. Some of the older kids were missing/at camp, but here are the younguns. Everyone had a lot of fun, and for once there were plenty of BOYS for Charlie to play with. The got a big ball game going so everyone was happy.

Pretty Young Thing

2009-07-19T12:27:00.005-04:00

At the hair salon, Sarah saw a copy of TV Guide with a big picture of Farrah Fawcett on the cover from her Charlie's Angels days.

Sarah: That's Michael Jackson??

Me, laughing: No! That's Farrah Fawcett.

S, pointing to the text at the top of the magazine: Well, it says "Farewell Michael Jackson."

Me: Yeah, but that's a white woman and Michael Jackson was a black man.

S: Well, he had plastic surgery to look like a woman, and to make his skin white. And he sings like a woman.

Me: Well, OK. But that's Farrah Fawcett.

Tough Guys Pray Too

2009-07-19T12:20:00.003-04:00

We were saying grace before the meal, and after the usual blessing, David asked if he could add on, and spoke from the heart.

Me: Thank you, David, that was lovely.

Allison: Can I add on too? (She did.)

Me: Beautiful, Allison.

David: Hey, how come you said, 'Beautiful, Allison,' but you didn't say 'Beautiful, David'?

Me: Oh, David, your prayer was beautiful too.

D: No, mine wasn't beautiful, mine was tough.

Bored Game

2009-07-19T12:19:00.003-04:00

Allison, during a loooong game of Monopoly that we started and stopped several times over the course of four days: I just don't see how this is supposed to be fun.

Don't We All

2009-07-19T12:18:00.002-04:00

Charlie, at dinner one night, out of the blue: I wish Willy Wonka was real.

Fourth of July - Pool Fun

2009-07-19T11:57:00.005-04:00

After a hot morning of running or cheering for runners, we spent the afternoon at the pool. It was great fun, with lots of fun and games to celebrate the Fourth. We had a great time chilling out with friends and neighbors.

Flipper Race - age 8 and up

Charlie in the shaving cream relay race - swim to one end without losing your shaving cream, swipe it off your head and pass to the next kid.

Sarah swims in the shaving cream relay

Allison takes her turn - great swimming, everyone!

David, swimming without shaving cream

Water balloon fight - parents against kids

Mommy and David take a little break during adult swim

Charlie cools off with a fudgicle

Fourth of July - Peachtree Road Race

2009-07-19T11:21:00.006-04:00

Charlie ran his first 10-K (6.2 mile) road race on the Fourth of July. He ran with Daddy and they did fantastic. It's the largest 10-K in the country, with 55,000 runners. At age 10, Charlie was one of the youngest runners.

We all came out to cheer them on. We are very proud of our runners!

The boys, pre-race

Race fans Sarah, Allison, and David in their July 4 regalia

Here come our runners at Peachtree Battle. Way to go, Charlie and Daddy!

Allison's use of the South African vuvuzela is a big hit with the runners.

Allie expresses her support. Many runners cheered for her.

Charlie at the after-party. He signed the poster

Charlie and Daddy in Piedmont Park after the race

The whole family at the finish line following the race

County Swim Meet

2009-07-18T18:18:00.005-04:00

The kids had an awesome swim season this year. Charlie even got Most Improved for his age group. Way to go, Charlie!! Sarah had a terrific year too - both of them collected some First Place ribbons. Allison moved up from Junior Penguins to Under Six competitions mid-season.

All three of them participated in the County Meet, which concludes the season. They did great! Charlie and Allison both qualified for the final round on July 3. In the finals, Allison and her freestyle relay team finished 9th in the County. Charlie's breast stroke time was 7th best in the County. Way to go, Penguins!!

The aquatic center at Emory

Allison on the starting block in the semi-finals of the Freestyle Relay.

Charlie - after an incredible race

Allison before the Finals

Allison getting last-minute tips from Coach Joel before her leg of the relay

Allison swims her leg - lane 1 (black bathing cap)

Allison post-race

Charlie and his friends: Ethan, Matthew, Charles

Sarah and Aaron hanging out in the bull pen

Allison's Special Vacation

2009-07-18T18:13:00.004-04:00

Allison had a wonderful vacation in Myrtle Beach with Gran Gran and Granddaddy Lane. She went to Vacation Bible School, which is extremely well-done and FUN. She had a ball. Before she left, she was a little worried she'd miss us, so we took some good-bye pictures.

Kaleidoscope

2009-07-18T17:59:00.005-04:00

We signed the 4 kids up for our church's version of Vacation Bible School. It's called Kaleidoscope and each class focuses on a country and learns about that culture.

A few days before it started, Liam's mom called and said Liam was signed up for baseball camp that same week and did Charlie want to join him. Can you guess which activity Charlie selected? [Hint: not Kaleidoscope.]

Kaleidoscope culminated in a Mass on Fathers Day when the children wore their shirts from that country and the Kaleidoscope choir sang at the Mass. Sarah and her two friends, Autumn and Samantha, were chosen to sing as a trio the song after Communion, Heavenly Father. Sarah chose to surprise her Daddy with the Fathers' Day song. It was beautiful.

Charlie - American baseball (no Kaleidoscope shirt); Sarah - Mexico; Allison - Ireland; David - Native Americans

Braves v. Red Sox

2009-07-18T17:44:00.002-04:00

The boys (Bryant, Charlie, and David) had a night at the ballpark to see their beloved Braves face their beloved Red Sox. As you can see, Charlie mixed it up with a Red Sox cap and a Braves shirt. Dave went with the Braves cap/shirt combo.

David got a ball in batting practice from a nice guy standing near them who caught one and tossed it to the nearest kid. He was exuberant.

David runs the bases in the Kid Zone at Turner Field.

Africa

2009-07-18T17:35:00.000-04:00

(pictures to follow)

Thought I Could Slip One By You

2009-07-18T17:33:00.002-04:00

Before my trip to Africa, we were on a walk one evening after dinner.

Allison: Mommy, will you bring us home presents from Africa?

Me: Oh yes.

Allison: Can you bring me something girlishy?

Me: Sure. Like what?

Allison: Like an African dress, and an African scarf, and a certificate to get my ears pierced.

Hard of Smelling

2009-07-18T17:31:00.002-04:00

I lit a scented candle, and commented that it smelled nice.

Allison: I don't smell anything.

Sarah: Me neither.

Me: Really? Neither of you can smell it?? I think it smells pretty strong.

Sarah: I guess they should call you Tracey SMELLFIELD Mackey.

I'm Guessing Cocoa Puffs

2009-07-18T17:25:00.001-04:00

David, coming into our room on a lazy Saturday morning: Can I have my breakfast?

Me: Yes. Are Charlie and Sarah downstairs?

David: Yes.

Me: Then ask one of them to pour your cereal for you.

David, trotting off: OK.

Me: What are you going to have?

David: Oooh, I'm not telling. You'll have to smell my breath.

Teenager in Waiting

2009-07-18T17:20:00.002-04:00

Allison, after admiring herself in my full length mirror for a few minutes, stood to face me, left hip cocked, right foot forward, left hand on her hip.

"Mommy, which looks more cooler: this?" [Pauses, then shifts her weight to right hip cocked, left foot forward, right hand on hip.] "Or this?"

Mustang Allie

2009-07-18T17:19:00.001-04:00

Allison: When I grow up I'm only going to have two kids so I can have a convertible.

David: When I grow up, I'm not going to have kids, because I don't want them to get in trouble.

Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, and the Mackadorables

2009-07-18T16:43:00.008-04:00

Our Valentine's Day presents to the kids were tickets to the Taylor Swift/Keith Urban concert - the kids are all country music fans, and Allison has a huge Taylor Swift fetish. This was everyone's first concert, and we made a big night of it. The girls especially enjoyed Taylor Swift, and the boys especially enjoyed Keith Urban.

When the concert was over and we got to the car, Charlie immediately asked for Daddy's iPhone. When I asked why, he said he wanted to use the calculator. In about 30 seconds, he announced, "I knew 82.3529% of the songs."

Me: What? How many did they sing?

Charlie: I'm just talking about Keith Urban. He sang 17 songs, and I knew 14 of them.

Me: Wow.

Charlie: Yeah. There was another song so it would have been 18, but that's the one he was improvising as he went along, so I didn't count it.

Me: Charlie, you are just like Uncle!

So here are some pictures from the big night out. The ones from the iPhone are a little grainy, because I pulled them in from Facebook, but they are too cute not to share!

And a full body shot so you can see those sassy boots on the girls!

Sarah made a sign. One side says Taylor Swift, and the other side says Keith Urban. We were in the upper deck, but I still think, somehow, they knew.

Happy Birthday to David

2009-07-16T23:29:00.004-04:00

David came home from Portland on the night of his birthday - but he still had enough energy to have a little party with his family.

Here he is opening presents

Where does it say you must give the birthday boy bunny ears?? It must be in the kid manual, right next to the part about screaming "Eat More Chicken" during the happy birthday song.

David opens another cool gift

Then we take him upstairs and let him unwrap the gift from us: an aquarium!! I did some reading about it and learned you have to get it all set up and stabilize the water first, before you can put any fish in there. In fact, I hadn't quite gotten the filter figured out, so there wasn't water in there yet either. But David was very excited.

Look at me! I'm four!

He made his birthday wish out loud: "I wish I can get some fish to go in my new fish tank!" Well yes, David, that is the point. And no, that's not too much to ask. After the tank was established, we got 3 fish who thankfully seem to be quite hardy and can live with variation in tank temperature, water level, and frequency or timing of their fishy food. David named them Joe, Bro, and No. Or maybe Coe, Roe, and Bo. I can't keep it straight, or else he keeps changing them. D'oh!

Daddy and David Visit Portland

2009-07-16T22:56:00.005-04:00

That's funny, I thought Bryant went too, but from the pictures it seems to be all about David and Rowan!

Working in the yard...

Makes getting clean almost as much fun as getting dirty

There he is -- handsome Samuel Bryant! Look at that sweet face.

The big guys watching an even bigger waterfall

Rowan's face is excellent!

Aunt Dargan and Uncle Matt had a cake for David's birthday - the last day of their visit was on his fourth birthday - so they celebrated early with cake and some boys.

"I'm four!"

Apparently trying to best the giant ball was the sport of the evening for the four-and-under crowd.

Hanging at the park

They had a blast picking strawberries. Yum!

Sarah's Birthday Party On Ice

2009-07-16T22:10:00.005-04:00

For Sarah's 8th birthday, we threw a surprise party. She mentioned around Christmas time that she'd never had a surprise party, so she and I agreed a few months in advance that we would do it that way. I asked her for the guest list but said we would take care of all other details. So we went ICE SKATING. In JUNE. It was so much fun, and a great way to cool off from the heat.

Sarah thought we were going to look for light fixtures when we all climbed into the minivan. We had just told Charlie, but Allison and David didn't know until we got inside and I told them to crouch down and yell "Surprise!" when Sarah walked in. While we were in the car, I untied Sarah's shoelace, so when we parked I brought Charlie, Allison, and David inside while Daddy waited for Sarah to re-tie her shoe. Somehow, she didn't find any of this strange. But when she got inside ... BOY was she surprised!

Sarah's friends were great about keeping the secret ... in large part because most of their parents' opted not to tell them about the party until that morning.

The kids waiting to jump out and yell "Surprise!"

Sarah arrives. "This isn't Lowe's, and what are all my friends doing here??"

This is Sarah's "surprised" face.

It's so nice on the ice!

Lara, Chloe, Sam, and Kate

Mommy teaches David to skate. David immediately asks to sign up for hockey.

Allison and Daddy take a lap

Sarah and her good buddy Griffin - a very good sport about being the only boy, just as Sarah was a good sport about being the only girl at his party. He is also quite the skater.

Hopie having a ball

Sarah, Griffin, Samantha, and Charlie take a lap

Sarah and her cake

Party time!

Allison's First Swim Meet

2009-07-16T21:25:00.004-04:00

Allison rocks! The swim coach told her if she could swim a lap in under 60 seconds she could swim in a big meet with the 6-and-under age group (not just the Mini-Meets she'd been in as a Junior Penguin). She swam it in :42. She's continued to shave time off each time. Here are some pictures of the newest LBC penguin at her first meet.

She went on to compete in the Finals of the county meet on a freestyle relay team, finishing 9th.

Allie on the blockComing up for air during her freestyle

Waiting her turn during the freestyle relay

Allie and her little swim fan

Charlie's 10th Birthday

2009-07-16T21:04:00.004-04:00

Charlie ushered in his second decade at the Gwinnett Braves. It was awesome! He had a party with a bunch of his friends. Between innings they invited him to stand on one of the dugouts with a couple of other birthday celebrants and the whole stadium sang happy birthday! His name was on the jumbo-tron, too, but the picture came out dark so you'll have to look hard to see it.

Happy birthday, Charlie!!

Hey, hey the gang's all here!

Note the cupcake the size of a kid's head. (In fact, one kid had to go home with a bellyache!)

Great seats!

Charlie and Liam

Look closely....

David shared his baseball glove with one of Charlie's friends who didn't bring one. "That's OK," said David excitedly. "I can bring this glove!"

Mmmm - cake!

David's End of School Celebration

2009-05-31T16:20:00.002-04:00

David and his class were precious singing to us for the end-of-year celebration.

Look at how earnest he is

But he still had time to yuk it up with his silly friend Chase

Afterwards, with his adoring fans. David Cook and David Archuleta got NOTHIN' on David Mackey!

Yesss!

Charlie and Sarah at Awards Day

2009-05-31T16:05:00.004-04:00

Charlie and Sarah got lots of awards, including Principal's Honor Roll (for all As), Perfect Attendance (Charlie for the full year, Sarah for the second semester because she was sick one day in the fall), Citizen of the Month, and Reading awards (Charlie silver, Sarah bronze). Way to go, Mackadorables!!

We say goodbye (for now) to Mrs. Mach, after 4 years -- she taught both Charlie and Sarah for first and second grade. Now she's staying in second grade, so it will be a while before we may have her again for Allison.

Allison's End of School Celebration

2009-05-31T15:48:00.004-04:00

The Pre-K invited us in for a slide show, reception, and Pre-K send-off. We're so proud of Miss Allison! She is all ready for Kindergarten!

With friend Ellie
With teacher -- who also taught Sarah and who is looking forward to having David in her class next year

The gang's all here

Allie and her proud Momma

Field Day

2009-05-31T15:02:00.004-04:00

Charlie and Sarah had back-to-back field days as the school year drew to a close. They both did awesome and had a blast!

Charlie with some friends

Running hard in the baton relay

I think 4 legs would work better than 3!

Charlie and Lawrence going neck and neck in cross country. Lawrence ultimately prevailed, with Charlie taking a well-deserved second place.

Sarah horsing around with her friends.

The girls

Sarah gives it her best in the baton relay

Running like the wind

David's Early Birthday Celebration

2009-05-31T14:54:00.003-04:00

Since David has a summer birthday, we had an early birthday party for him at school. He loved it! Happy Almost-Birthday, Big Guy!

When the Time Comes

2009-05-31T13:29:00.003-04:00

David: Mommy, I want to die with my sleeping animals.

Me: What? I don't want you to die at all.

David: Well I didn't mean today.

Piano Recital

2009-05-31T13:16:00.007-04:00

Charlie and Sarah took piano this year and both are off to a great start.
Here they are at their piano recital.

Sarah performs "Feeling Sneaky"

Charlie plays a duet of "Hurdy Gurdy" with his teacher, Ms. Michelle:
A group of students from their music academy:

Kids these days! Who knew you get TROPHIES for piano?!

Spring Sports Come to a Close

2009-05-31T12:33:00.008-04:00

Our sports seasons ended a few weeks ago. Here are some shots from the grand finales:

Allison and David played on the same soccer team. Daddy was their coach. They had a great time and got better and better as the season went on. They had lots of fun playing and scored lots of goals. David ended the season with a hat trick -- not bad for the youngest player in the league! (Perhaps the payoff for being dragged to various soccer games and practices for as long as he's been alive.)

The Strikers celebrate the season with a giant cookie cake. And giant smiles.

Sarah also played soccer, and wrapped up her third season with this coach and most of the same teammates. They had a blast.

Coach Steve,

Devon, Annabette, Sarah T, Rachael, Sarah M, Sam, Chloe, Erin

Charlie picks baseball instead of soccer for his spring sport. He played for the Gators. He had a great season. He hit well and played a mean first base and pitcher. Go Charlie!

Maybe We Need to Work on Old Testament

2009-05-31T11:17:00.006-04:00

David, admiring Sarah's piggy bank: Daddy said he's going to get ME a piggy bank too.

Me: But you already have a bank.

David: But it's not a PIGGY bank.

Me: No, it's a Noah's Ark bank.

Allison: What's Noah's Lark?

Me: Noah's ARK. It's a boat.

David: Oh! Like Noah in my class. He gave me that bank.

Me: No, like Noah from the Bible.

David: Oh. Noah from the Bible gave me that bank.

Me: No he didn't. Aunt Ginny gave you that bank.

David: Then why'd you say it was NOAH's ark?

Happy Early Birthday, Mr. Precise

2009-05-23T21:24:00.003-04:00

Me, at bedtime: Charlie, when you wake up you're going to be ten years old!

C: No, I won't.

Me: You mean because you weren't born until 3:53 in the afternoon?

C: Right. But I set the alarm on my watch to go off at 3:53 so I'll know exactly when I turn 10.

Not-So-Good Housekeeping

2009-05-23T21:23:00.002-04:00

Me: Hey, guys, guess what: we're having a cookout for dinner!

Sarah: With a lot of people?

Me: No. Just our family.

Sarah: Then why were you cleaning the house?

Evidence #567 That My Kids Watch Too Much TV

2009-05-17T12:10:00.003-04:00

Allison, pretend vacuuming, taking off a hose: Wait a minute David, I have to get in hard-to-reach places.

I Have Loved You

2009-05-17T12:06:00.002-04:00

Me, singing in church, with David in my lap, on his knees, facing me: I have loved you/ with an everlasting love/ I have called you/ and you are mine.

David, loudly: Hey! I have called you, too, Mommy, and you are mine! Just like in the song.

Me, smiling, and still singing: I have loved you/ with an everlasting love.

David: ME TOO! I loved you like that too, Mommy!

God Even Makes the Bad Guys

2009-05-17T12:00:00.002-04:00

Driving to church ...

David: God didn't make monsters.

Me: No, you're right.

David: Or bad guys either.

Allison: Yes he did! God made everybody, and everyone has the opportunity to be a good guy or a bad guy, and God wants them to choose to be good.

Me: Yes, Allison, that's exactly right.

Mommy Rocks

2009-05-17T11:55:00.004-04:00

I received an award at work this week, and I came home wearing a corsage.

Sarah: What are the flowers for?

Me: Because I got an award today, and they gave me this corsage.

S: What award?

Me: 2009 Coca-Cola Corporate Women of Achievement.

S: What does that mean?

Me: It means.... Coca-Cola says I rock!

S: But I thought you already knew that.

Me, hugging her: Sarah, you're so sweet. Thank you.

S, looking blankly: Mommy, I'm serious. I thought you knew that.

Me: Oh. Well, I do. But it's nice when other people know it too.

It Was the 70s, After All

2009-05-17T11:52:00.003-04:00

We're renovating the kitchen and den, and the walls and floors are in various states of completion.

Me: Hey Charlie, come look at this. You can see this old wallpaper that used to be up in the kitchen.

C, looking: So?

Me: So! So it's interesting. It tells us about our house's history.

C: What, that some people who lived here before us had bad taste in wallpaper?

But Somehow It Sounds So Civilized

2009-05-17T11:47:00.004-04:00

Sarah recently read The Indian in the Cupboard. She enjoyed it, so I picked it up and started reading. A few pages in...

Me: Sarah, did you understand this book? There are a lot of unusual words in here.
S: Yeah, I understood it.
Me: But it's British English. Did you understand all of that?
S, in fake British accent: Yes, and I'd like some tea.
Me: Oh, OK, so you get it?
Charlie: And she did start saying, "I'll bash you in straight!"

Baby Sam's Baptism

2009-05-11T21:58:00.005-04:00

We had a wonderful but quick trip to Myrtle Beach to celebrate Baby Sammy Mudge's baptism. Somehow I didn't have my camera at the right times -- how do we have no pictures of Dargan and Matt? We are relying on the kindness of others to fill in our gaps!

The Baby of Honor, Samuel Bryant Mudge

Rowan and David - look out world, here comes trouble! These two are going to have a ball together when David and Bryant visit Portland in June!

Who likes cake? Oh me! Me! Me! I do! Me!

Big cousins playing ball in the driveway

Sarah and Sam

Allison with her God-Mother on Mother's Day. Not sure who was happier!

Girl cousin picture ... Amelia, JuliAnna, Allison, Sarah

Throw in some boys to make things interesting: David, Charlie, Amelia, JuliAnna, Allison, Sarah, Sammy, Rowan

Every girl's crazy 'bout a Sharp Dressed Man

Hanging with Ro-Dog

Granny Time

2009-05-11T21:46:00.002-04:00

We had a lovely week with Granny while Daddy was fly-fishing in Montana and trying really hard not to think about all of us too much.

Here we are at David's Mother's Tea. He was quite the host -- seating us in the right spot and offering us tea and cookies. When we stopped eating cookies he brought us all manner of plastic food: banana, tomato, cheese, an ice cream cone, and even another cookie. No one's gonna starve on this kid's watch! He also gave me lots of Mothers' Day presents which he made at school. It was fun for all of us to be there together!

David, Allison, and Granny watching Charlie's baseball game. Charlie played awesome! Granny got to see two amazing games of his this week. She and Grandpa also got to see Allie and David play soccer last Saturday afternoon. What a treat!

Granny and her baseball-playing nearly-ten-year old. Go Charlie!

Anything But That

2009-05-11T21:30:00.003-04:00

David bonked his face on Gran-Gran's dining room table and got a bloody nose. I cleaned him up and cradled him in my arms.

Me: Want me to sing something?
David: Yes, please.
Me: OK. What?
D: You pick it.

I started singing "Little Green Frog."
D: No, not that.

I began "Abba-Dabba" (his favorite nail-trimming song).
D: No.

Me: Then what?
D: I want you to pick it.

I offered "Barges."
D: I don't want to sing that one.

Me: "Rainbow Connection?"
D: Nah.

Me: "Edelweiss?"
D: Nope.

Me: Well then, what do you want to hear?
D: You pick it, Mama.

I then sang the first bar of about twenty songs, from "Twinkle Twinkle" and "ABCs" (which of course, are the same song), to "Three Little Monkeys," and even, quite randomly, "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)", which had come up earlier in the adults' conversation. For all of them he said no almost as soon as I began. Finally at the Sesame Street theme song, he said yes. I've never sung this to him before. I only tell you this in case a fickle nearly-four-year-old tells you you get to pick it when really you don't.

The Un-Days

2009-05-10T20:17:00.003-04:00

Friday night

Sarah: I can't wait for the Un-Days!

Me: The Un-Days?

S: Yeah. You know: Sunday, Monday. Because Sunday is Sam's baptism, and Monday swim practice starts!

I Bet You Think This Blog Is About You

2009-05-05T23:46:00.003-04:00

We were reading a chapter of Heidi, and all 4 kids were piled onto my bed with me. They were lovely: relaxed, sitting or lying quietly and listening intently. I paused between sentences, glancing down to admire them. I caught Allison's eye, and smiled at her.

It just so happened that the last sentence I read before my smile was something about Clara in the mountains, looking healthier and more beautiful than she ever had in her life.

Then I resumed reading.

Allison instantly interrupted. "Mommy, did you just smile at me because I look more beautiful than I ever have in my life, too?"

Whose Side Are You On?

2009-05-05T23:41:00.003-04:00

I am reading a trashy chick lit book called "Certain Girls." Allison saw it on my table.

A: Mommy, what's that book about?
Me: A teenager and her mom.
A: Yeah?
Me: And the mom wrote a book. It was a grown-up book so the daughter couldn't read it.
A: Did the mom teach her how to read?
Me: No, she knew how to read.
A: So did she read her mom's book?
Me: Yes, she did.
A: Oh. Did she sneak-read it?
Me: Yep.
A: Oooh! Did she get in trouble?
Me: No. Her mom doesn't know she read it yet.
A: Oh, I hope her mom doesn't find out.
Me: I hope she does! I'm on the mom's side.
A: Yeah. I'm on the teenager's side.

Hence the Name

2009-05-05T23:39:00.001-04:00

We were talking about Germany (I went there a couple of months ago, and brought back a copy of "Heidi" for Sarah, and the 5 of us have been reading it.)

David: Are there a lot of germs there?

Sarah's First Holy Communion

2009-05-03T23:12:00.011-04:00

Sarah made her First Communion today at Holy Cross Church. We're so proud of our Sarah.

(Note: these pictures are in reverse chronological order - so if you want to see them in sequence, scroll down and start at the bottom.)
Some of Sarah's family was able to come to be with her on her special day. Others offered their love and prayers of support.

There were a lot of children receiving First Communion. This picture is Sarah's class, with the pastor.Before receiving Communion, while waiting her turn, Sarah (a) checked out her beautiful manicure, then (b) practiced how she would receive the Eucharist. So cute.

Sarah was asked to do the First Reading - she did a fantastic job!

Sarah and Friends: Autumn, Clara, Sarah, Sam, Matthew, Kate, Elise, ( )Sarah and her giant ice cream cake from Bruster's - YUM!

Hang the Pitcher on the Wall

2009-05-03T23:04:00.002-04:00

Grandpa wore an excellent tie for Sarah's First Communion. It shows a baseball game, with an unidentified red team playing an unidentified blue team. In the stadium you can see a Coca-Cola billboard. He pointed it out to me and reminded me that I'd given it to him.

Me: Charlie, did you see Grandpa's baseball tie?
C: Yeah, I saw it. But it's impossible.
Me (thinking maybe those to-me-unidentified teams were identifiable, after all): Really? Why?
C: Because it's a baseball tie. There's no such thing.
Me: What do you mean?
C: There are no ties in baseball. They'd just play extra innings.

Has Somebody Already Thought of This?

2009-05-03T23:02:00.002-04:00

Charlie: I just read a book that should get the Lebon Prize for Literature.
Me: What's the Lebon Prize?
Charlie: It's Nobel backwards. That was the worst book ever written!

Flavor and Nutrional Content: Optional

2009-05-03T22:54:00.004-04:00

David: Mommy, I'm hungry for a snack.
Me: OK. What do you want?
D: Um, I don't know.
Me: How about a granola bar?
D: Nah.
Me: How about string cheese?
D: Nah. That's not messy enough. I want something messy.
Me: Something messy??? What do you have in mind?
D: I don't know.
Me: How about some fruit?
D: No, it's not sticky enough. I want a snack that's messy and sticky. How about a lollipop? That's messy and sticky!
Me: No, candy's not a good snack when you're hungry.

He settled for leftover popcorn shrimp, with a plate of ketchup for dipping to provide the messy, sticky experience. He ate it with his fingers and did a pretty good job making a mess of it.

Several hours later, we had ice cream cake for dessert after supper.
David, excitedly: This dessert is messy AND sticky!

He Sure Can Pick a Winner

2009-05-01T21:06:00.001-04:00

David: Mommy, want to play something?
Me: I can't. I just told Sarah I'd play chess with her.
D: Oh! Can I play?
Me: Sure. You can be on my team.
D: No thanks. I want to be on Sarah's team, because Sarah's going to win.

Big-Year-Old, and Beyond

2009-04-28T22:29:00.003-04:00

David and I were in the car, talking about his play date tomorrow at Chase's house.

Me: Chase has a brother named Charlie too!
D: Yeah, I know. Except Chase's Charlie is a baby and my Charlie is a big kid.
Me: Yeah.
D: But when Chase's Charlie is a big-year-old, then he can be friends with my Charlie.
Me: Well, by that time your Charlie will be a teenager.
D: Yep, he sure will. ... Mommy, how old is a teenager?
Me: Any age that ends in -teen: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Like that.
D: Is 18 a teenager?
Me: Yep.
D: I want to be 18 when I'm a teenager.
Me: Yeah, 18 is a fun age. That's when you get to go to college.
D: I want to go to college. And then I'm gonna gradulate.
Me: I know you will graduate from college, because you're a smart guy.
D: And then after I gradulate, then I'm gonna go to State.
Me: To where?
D: State.
Me: What does that mean?
D: I don't know.

My Teacher Is a Jedi Warrior

2009-04-26T17:48:00.002-04:00

I was going through Charlie's school papers (4th grade) and found a math worksheet that he got a very bad grade on. He's never struggled with math, so I looked carefully at it to figure out what they're doing in math that he didn't understand. It was just notebook paper with his responses on it, and he had left all of Section 2 blank.

Me: Charlie! What happened on this math?
C: Um, I don't know.
Me: Did you not understand how to do Section 2?
C: No, I did.
Me: Then did you run out of time?
C: No.
Me: Then what happened? You left the whole thing blank.
C (very earnestly): The instructions said, "Solve mentally."

You Call That An Adventure?

2009-04-23T23:17:00.003-04:00

Dinnertime conversation:

Sarah: Guess what! Daddy signed me and Charlie up for camp again this year! I can't wait!

Me: Terrific! I know you'll have fun.

Allison: Am I old enough to go to camp this year?

Me: No, but you're going to have a special vacation too. Gran Gran invited you to come visit her when church camp is going on. Won't that be great?

Allison: Yeah! And last year when I visited her guess what: we saw "Kit Kittridge"! And we got to go on these rides that went up in the air!

David: Am I going to visit Gran Gran too?

Me: No, but want to know what you're doing for your special vacation? Daddy is taking you to visit cousin Rowan and baby Sam! And you're going to go on an airplane to visit them!

D: Cool!

Me: Yeah, you're going to have a great trip with Daddy.

D: (Pause) But how will I get out of the airplane up in the sky? Will I have a parachute?!

Me: No, honey, you're not going sky-diving. The pilot will land the plane and everyone will get off on the ground.

D: Oh.

Almost Famous

2009-04-21T21:24:00.002-04:00

Allison, at the dinner table: Is Uncle famous?
Me: Yeah, I guess he is.
A: So are WE famous?
Me: No, we're not famous.
A: But Uncle can give us piggy-back rides, right?
Me: Yes, he can.
A: Is Uncle older than you or younger?
Me: Older. He's my big brother.
A: Then he can give YOU a piggy-back ride too.

The Adoration of Taylor Swift

2009-04-21T21:12:00.002-04:00

Allison, a few months ago: Daddy, is Taylor Swift a teenager?
Bryant: Yes.
A: Then can you call her to baby-sit us sometime?

Tonight when I came home she was sitting in a chair by the iPod speakers listening to Taylor Swift songs and singing every word to most of them.
A: I love Taylor Swift!
Me: I know you do.
A: I mean, I love her more than anybody else in the world!
Me: I'm not so sure about that. What about her mom?
A: Well, OK, maybe not more than her mom. But probably a little bit more than her dad... No, maybe not more than anyone in her family ... No, I think I do love her even more than her family. Even more than her mom and dad.
Me: Wow. That's a lot.

5 minutes later...
A: Do you think if I was a country music singer that I'd know Taylor Swift AND Miley Cyrus?
Me: Yeah, I guess you would.
A: Wow, that's cool.

1 minute later ...
A: But do you think by the time I'm a singer they'd be grown-ups already?
Me: No. ... Well, maybe. ... Actually they're both pretty young. ... But yeah, by the time you're a singer I guess they'd be grown-ups.
A: Yeah, that's what I thought.

5 minutes later, during "Love Story"...
A: Do you think this song has music in it?
Me: Music? Yeah. Can't you hear it?
A: Well in the video they don't show any music, I just see her.
Me: No, there's music playing.

5 minutes later ...
A: I love Taylor Swift. I want to marry her.
Sarah walked into the room: You can't marry her. You're a girl.
A: So? Cole has two mommies!
S: Cole has two mommies?
A: Yes. Cole has two mommies and no dad, so I could marry Taylor Swift.
S: Well then she's too old for you. She'd be the grandma while you'd be the mom.
A: She's not that much older.
Me: Allison, you can't marry Taylor Swift.
A: Oh, all right.

The six of us are going to the Taylor Swift/Keith Urban concert in June. So I think my little girl is going to be the one holding a "Marry me, Taylor Swift!" sign.

Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt

2009-04-20T22:19:00.003-04:00

Some friends of ours from church hosted their second annual Easter brunch after 9:00 Mass. We had a great time.

The children gather for an Easter photo while the dads hide the eggs in the playing fields across the street:

Sweet girls: Sarah, Elise, Kate, Samantha, Autumn, Sydney, Bailey, and Ellie

The children wait in the yard for the egg hunt to begin

My friend Ellie gets her basket ready:

On your mark, get set, go!

Run, Forest, run!The kids full of sugar (Allison on far right):

Allison goes straight for the good stuff:

Sarah finds bubbles in one of her eggs:

Sarah and Mommy after we've both had a little chocolate:

Easter Morning

2009-04-20T21:53:00.005-04:00

Here are some shots of Easter morning at the Mackey house:

Waking up with high hopes that the bunny came. We have a long-standing tradition on Christmas and Easter that we all go downstairs together, so here they are eagerly waiting to head down:David finds his Easter basket under the comforter in the guest room. Silly rabbit!

Sarah: hanging with my Peeps

Allison: I'm not sure what it is, but if it's sugar and marshmallow I'm all over it!

Cleaned and dressed for church

4 sweet children Easter morning

Allison Grace, in her beautiful dress made by Gran Gran

Sarah Mack - in HER beautiful dress made by Gran Gran

This is the way David eats his chocolate bunny: it's a multi-sensory experience.

This is the way Charlie eats his chocolate bunny: chew absently while reading a book.

Georgia On My Mind, But Not In My Ears

2009-04-16T00:25:00.003-04:00

Daddy put the kids to bed, then I went up to kiss them.

David: I didn't really like the song Daddy sang me. Will you sing another one?
Me: Sure I will. What do you want to hear?
David: Ummm... do you know any songs about Georgia State?
Me: About what?
David: Georgia State.
Me: Georgia, the state?
David: Yeah.
Me: Uhhhh [blanking, but then suddenly thinking of "Georgia On My Mind"] - yes! I do know a song about Georgia.
David: Well that's not what I want to hear.
Me: You don't?
David: No.
Me: Do you want me to sing you a little of it, just so you can learn it?
David: No thanks.
Me: Well what do you want to hear?
David: It's a Small, Tired World.

Getting Ready for an Egg-cellent Easter

2009-04-12T22:47:00.004-04:00

Cousin Derek Visits from Dublin

2009-04-12T22:37:00.004-04:00

We were so excited to have a visit from Cousin Derek, who was in Atlanta for a few days. We had a lovely dinner and a bit of a sing-song from Allison, who, for the record, is not shy. In fact, she did a song (Taylor Swift's "Love Story"), a poetry recitation (Edward Lear's "The Owl and the Pussycat"), and an interpretive dance (original) until she was ordered to stop by her daddy. If she makes it on "American Idol" or "Dancing with the Stars," her daddy is going to be sorry he squelched her budding talent.

Nonetheless, despite the homespun entertainment, we all enjoyed ourselves and got caught up on news from across the pond. We tried to talk him into getting the Irish cousins all on Facebook, but we don't think we convinced him. We did get ourselves geared up to see the rest of the family at the next Irish reunion, whenever that will be.

Derek begs for mercy: "No mas!"

Spring Break - The Aftermath

2009-04-12T22:24:00.005-04:00

We left the lake on a cold rainy day -- in fact, it was hailing as we actually left the house. The clean up process was painless.

Some children actually argued over who "got" to vacuum (it was a cute little thing) ...
... while the "older and wiser" set played a game of War that went on for about an hour and a half and eventually ended in a draw.
During the course of our spring break we experienced all four seasons, with snow, wind, hail, rain, and beautiful, balmy sunshine!

Spring Break Hiking - Tallulah Gorge

2009-04-12T21:54:00.005-04:00

OK so these pictures got out of order but here we are hiking Tallulah Gorge in North Georgia. Despite the order shown here, we started at the top of the gorge, hiked down, crossed a scary suspension bridge, and got to some gorgeous falls at the bottom. Then we had to climb back up. Charlie counted over 1,000 stairs (up and down). Pretty good for little legs and for out-of-shape mommy legs too! Thank goodness for the Reese's pieces or we may not have made it!

Heather, Bryant and Tracey -- self-portrait at the bottom of the gorge

Spring Break at the Lake

2009-04-12T20:49:00.004-04:00

We had a great vacation to a friend's lake house over spring break. One day we rented a boat and cruised the lake --here we are. We were the first rental of the season and the motor gave out on us for 1 1/2 hours, but since the 6 kids and Bryant were stranded with two Brownie leaders, we made it fun by SINGING! Much to Charlie's chagrin, of course, but at the end of the vacation, five out of six kids picked getting stuck in the boat as their favorite part of the vacation.

Here is the fateful, self-timer photo we cut the engine off for: it better be good!

Evidence #462 That My Children Watch Too Much TV

2009-04-11T18:30:00.000-04:00

Me, handing David a wet cloth: Will you please wipe down the table for me?
David: Sure, Mommy.
A few minutes later, handing it back to me: Here, Mommy. I'm done fighting stains!

Shoe Shopping with Rosie and Ellen

2009-04-11T18:28:00.001-04:00

The girls and I were shopping for Easter shoes. Allison stopped to admire every garish pair displayed. She had a particular soft spot for gold and silver tinted shoes, particularly the ones with large rhinestones.

Me: You sure like the sparkly ones, don't you?
Allison: Yeah. If we were dating, I'd be the girl and you'd be the boy.

Flat Sarah's Adventures in Boston

2009-04-05T17:02:00.017-04:00

Sarah had a fun assignment at school. Inspired by the book "Flat Stanley," the children made flat versions of themselves and mailed them to someone far away to have adventures and then report back to the school on their adventures. Sarah mailed "Flat Sarah" to sunny Florida, but due to the early arrival of cousin Maggie, Flat Sarah was rerouted to Boston. Flat Sarah had a great time, and Auntie Caroline and Uncle John made sure she saw all the sights of Boston. Here are the highlights. Look for Flat Sarah in all the pictures!

Visiting Boston City Hall

Boston Common - America’s oldest public park, it began as a common grazing ground for sheep and cattle.

Boston Latin School – America’s first public school. Girls weren’t allowed to attend until 1972.

The Bull and Finch pub, made famous by the TV show “Cheers”

Hanging out in downtown Boston

Granary Burial Ground – the burial place of Sam Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin’s parents, all 5 victims of the Boston massacre, and many others.

The Massachusetts State House – Built in 1798, the golden dome was once made of wood and was later overlaid with copper by Paul Revere to prevent leaks.

At the Irish Famine Memorial

King’s Chapel Burial Ground – the oldest burial ground in Boston, this is the resting place of Mary Chilton, the first woman to step off the Mayflower, among others.

Visiting Sarah’s newborn baby cousin Maggie in the hospital – look, we’re almost the same size!

Watching the NCAA Basketball Tourney with Grandpa

Having a parade with Granny

Playing dress-up with cousin Sydney

Having a snack with Sarah’s cousins, Jack and Mallory

Relaxing at Sydney’s house. Phew, I’m tired!

I Don't Think That Word Means What You Think It Means

2009-04-05T17:00:00.002-04:00

Me, to David: Look, I put a new picture in your room. Isn't that nice?
David: How dare you!
Me: Excuse me??
David: I mean, how lovely of you.

What's-His-Name Sure Is Funny

2009-04-05T16:57:00.004-04:00

Charlie, to Gran Gran, at dinner, quizzing her: Gran Gran, what do you know about the Louisiana Purchase?

Gran Gran: Charlie, I don't remember any dates or names or anything, but you know who remembers all of that stuff? Granddaddy Lane, and your mommy.

David: You don't remember our names?? You don't know MY name?

Charlie's Baseball Book Report

2009-04-05T14:28:00.003-04:00

Charlie wrote a book report on Jeff Kiseloff's Who is Baseball's Greatest Hitter? I need to find a way to add his photos and captions because they are great, but for now, here is the text. Enjoy!

Who is Baseball’s Greatest Hitter?
By Jeff Kisseloff
Mackey Typing Studios Presents
Who is it?
By Charlie Mackey

Who is Baseball’s Greatest Hitter? is about what the title suggests. Who is it? Maybe Mark “Big Mac” McGwire, who hit 70 home runs in 1998. Or maybe Henry “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron, who hit 755 dingers (another word for home run) in his career. But maybe it’s someone less heard of, like Rogers Hornsby, who has the second highest lifetime batting average in history, and arguably the best five years of any hitter ever from 1921 to 1925.

There weren’t any characters as we think of them, because they were real people. But there were lots of hitters, from the Babe (Babe Ruth), to Ty Cobb, to someone from the 1800s, like Dan Brouthers or Harry Heilmann. There were also odd records, like Babe Ruth’s record for setting records, 192! There were some stats every true baseball fan knows, like Ty Cobb’s lifetime batting average of .367, or Joe DiMaggio’s record 56 game hitting streak. The book also tells about what problems the player had. But what I don’t like about the book is that it says the problem with singles hitters like Ty Cobb, was that they didn’t hit for power, and the problem with power hitters was they didn’t hit for average.

The book mentions a lot great hitters. Ken Griffey Jr., Tris Speaker, Joe Jackson, Mickey Mantle, you name it. But not Roger Maris. I agree with this decision by the author completely. But the inexperienced fan might wonder why. That is because Roger Maris’ best year was 1961, when he hit 61 homers. Other than that year, he had 214 career home runs. So if you pretend 1961 never happened, Maris barely has 200 home runs. But, in comparison, players like Chipper Jones (not included in this book, it was written before his prime) already have 400 home runs in their careers.

But let’s get away from Maris. This book has all kinds of players. It has current players, like Tony Gwynn (he was current when the book was written). It also has mid-period players like Lou Gehrig. And the book even has 19th century players, like Jesse Burkett. A problem the book has is that it includes admitted steroid users such as Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire (Well, actually, McGwire admitted to taking HGH, or Human Growth Hormones, and league officials found steroids in Bonds’ locker after the book was published).

Whenever anyone thinks of Joe DiMaggio, they think of his record 56 game-hitting streak. They might also think of a terrific centerfielder. But you also have to think of the advantages he had. Let’s look at some players on the 1940 Yankees, a team DiMaggio played on. He had pitcher Tiny Bonham, who had 1.90 ERA, and went 9-3. He also had Hall of Fame catcher Bill Dickey behind the plate with an astounding .994 fielding percentage. Of course, DiMaggio himself had 31 homers and 133 RBIs (runs batted in). I mean no offense to Joe DiMaggio, but one reason he had so many RBIs is that he played with terrific players, like catcher Yogi Berra and pitcher Whitey Ford.

Hank Aaron is my favorite player of all time. I like him for more than one reason. One, he played for the Braves. Two, he is the all time home run king (I know Barry Bonds has more, but he is involved in steroids). Let’s look at some stats to see how good he was compared to Dusty Baker, former Cubs manager and fellow Brave. Baker played in 149 games; Aaron 112. But they both hit 20 home runs and had 69 RBIs. They had similar statistics, yet Aaron played in 37 less games. That was how dominant Aaron was.

Babe Ruth is undoubtedly the most famous player in the history of baseball. Ask anyone. From 60 homers in a season, to originally being a Red Sox, anything can happen when Babe Ruth is involved. What happened with Babe Ruth and the Red Sox was that the Red Sox general manager Harry Frazee sold Babe Ruth for money to make a Broadway play (Frazee was also stage owner). Red sox fans (including myself) still haven’t forgiven him.

In conclusion, this was a good book. One thing I must mention is the omission of Pete Rose. When discussing a list of greatest hitters, Pete Rose must be included. After all, he is the all time leader in hits. He has 4,192. But the reason he is excluded is he admittedly gambled on games. But what I don’t get is how can you exclude Pete Rose but include “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, who was involved in the “Black Sox” gambling scandal.

My decision for best hitter of all time is Ty Cobb. But my decision for the best year was Rogers Hornsby’s .424 average in 1924. So who do you think it is? It’s your choice.

It's Not That Small a World, After All

2009-03-29T23:18:00.002-04:00

Since our trip to Disney World a year ago, David's been asking me to sing him "Small World" for his bedtime song. The second verse goes, "There is just one moon and one golden sun/and a smile means friendship to everyone..."

Today when I sang that part he said, "But, Mommy, there are other moons in outer space. There's not just one, you know."

The Nursing Home Years

2009-03-29T23:13:00.002-04:00

At the movies, we saw a poster for "17 Again," a new movie featuring Zac Efron, the star of High School Musical (1, 2, and 3). David saw it and said excitedly, "Look! High School Musical 7!"

The Opposite of Sass

2009-03-29T23:10:00.002-04:00

Me, standing behind Sarah brushing her hair in the bathroom: How do you want your hair?
Sarah: How about a side pony?
Me: OK. Which side?
S: Either one.
Me: OK. You don't have a preference?
S: Whatever side you think looks better, then I'll like the opposite.
Me - arching an eyebrow: Excuse me?
S: What?
Me: You'll like the opposite of whatever I like?
S: Yes. Because I'm looking in the mirror.

(I should have known my sweet Sarah would not sass me like that!)

Exclusive Prayers

2009-03-29T23:07:00.000-04:00

David, in church, praying for his family and naming us one by one.
Me: Good. And how about baby Maggie?
David: Oh no! Babies aren't allowed in this prayer.
Me: But remember - she's coming home today.
David: Well, OK. But just one baby.
Me: Well what about baby Sam?
David: OK, two babies. But that's IT!

Baby You Can Drive My Car

2009-03-18T21:49:00.002-04:00

David: Daddy's a better driver than you.
Me: Mmmm, we're both good drivers.
David: Well you sometimes go the wrong way and Daddy never does.
Me: Oh, yeah, well you're right about that.

10 minutes later, he came up to tell me goodbye when I left for work. He brought up a tiny folded toy brochure that came in a cereal box or something. He unfolded it, pretending it was a map. "OK, this is where you work, Mommy. This picture is supposed to be your work building. So that's where you're going."

Rewards for Good Behavior

2009-03-18T21:47:00.002-04:00

When I was telling Bryant goodbye this morning before I left for work, I noticed he had a sticker on his T-shirt. On the days he goes to the gym to work out, Allison gives him a sticker as a reward. Today she asked him if he planned to go, and when he said yes, she gave him his sticker in advance. (You wouldn't think stickers motivate adults, but he said he HAD to go to the gym today since she'd already given him a sticker.)

President Obama

2009-03-18T21:44:00.001-04:00

Dinnertime conversation...

David: I know who the last President is: Barack Obama!
Allison: He's the last President? You mean there isn't going to be a next one?
Me: No, there is. He just means it's the last one so far.
Allison: I've seen Mrs. Obama on TV.
Me: I have too. She's beautiful, isn't she?
Allison: Yeah. ... But she's not as beautiful as you, Mommy.

What's In a Name?

2009-03-18T21:34:00.005-04:00

I heard David and Allison talking in the other room, when Allison called out to me, "Mommy, what's David's middle name?"

"Robert," I answered, and went on talking to Bryant in the kitchen.

A minute later, Allison called out, "David's starting to cry."

I called him in to me and he appeared in the doorway with a very sad face and huge tears in his eyes.

"What's the matter?" I asked him. "Are you hurt?"

"I don't want to be a Robert," he said sadly.

"A what?" I asked. (I thought he said "robber.")

"I don't want to be a Robert!"

I knelt down and looked him in the face. "Well you know WHY you're called Robert? Robert is a very special name. It's Grandpa's name! And it's Uncle's name! And it was even Daddy's Grandpa's name! Isn't that wonderful?"

"No. I don't want it to be my name."

"OK. What do you want your middle name to be?"

"I don't want to have a middle name. I just want to be David Mackey."

"OK! You can just be David Mackey."

Flashback - More of Family Camp

2009-03-07T22:16:00.006-05:00

More fun photos from Family Camp!

Sarah, Aaron, and Ann B don't rock the boat, baby

Sarah takes a joy ride on the rope swing. Mommy and Auntie never quite master it, and live in mild fear that videos will someday surface on "America's Funniest."

This one inspires me to write some haiku:
Chillin' by the lake.
Rockin' while the kids limbo.
Mmmm, camp is fun. Mmmm.

The aforementioned limboing kids. Hint for next year, if you cried when you got out, or simply failed to acknowledge you got out, they let you stay in. And in, and in, and in.

Mommy and AllisonTaking a walk - for Allison, the easy way

Geoff - a.k.a. Spiderman. Geoff, Ann B, and Bryant all did the high version of the high-ropes course. I did a lower version and was scared stiff - but it was very cool. Especially coming down!

Sarah kayaking around the lake. She didn't know I was watching, but I walked over from the cabins and saw her out there.

Charlie "hanging out" on the water zip line

Geoff makes a splash

Aaron and Matt paddling around

More of the ropes

Buds in the dining hall

The walk of glory, after the water zip line

David has fun in the sand

My favorite line of Family Camp came from David. I was trying to get him out of bed one morning and he was still lying there sucking his thumb as we all were getting dressed and ready to go. I told him he needed to get up or he'd miss breakfast and he said, "My thumb's for breakfast!"

Flashback - Family Camp, Labor Day 2008

2009-03-07T01:02:00.010-05:00

We had an awesome time at Family Camp over Labor Day Weekend. It was our second year going, but this time we had the immense pleasure of sharing the experience with Auntie and with our good friends, the Boyers. Here are some of the many things we did at Camp.

Dr. B goes up up up in the ropes course

Sarah takes a leap of faith off the platform - brave souls of the week include Sarah, Charlie, Daddy and Auntie.Charlie goes kayaking

Auntie and David check out where the horses live

David rides Rum

Auntie with RumThe Boyers kick back, lakeside

Sweet Allison, singing for her supper

Auntie, the gun-slinger

Sarah and Auntie wait their turnCharlie -- don't worry, that is not blood dripping down his arm. We had just come from tie-dying T-shirts.Note to self: don't mess with Sarah.

Coming back from a Polar Bear Swim. Well, for the folks who do that sort of thing.

A glimpse of wildlife. Don't worry, nowhere near the riflery range.

Sarah's Thanksgiving Checklist

2008-11-28T23:38:00.001-05:00

M ackey bowl - football
A ckermanns come over
C ome to the table to eat
K eep a prayer in our hearts
E at as much as we can
Y ou will finish with a chess toriment

Flashback - The Beach House at Garden City

2008-08-17T13:03:00.018-04:00

We had so much fun at The Beach House!!!!!!

Here's the ocean-side view of the house.

Charlie on the pier, with a view of the house in the background. We saw people fishing off the pier 24 hours, and even got to touch a baby shark someone accidentally caught. We also saw a couple of funny bands playing at the bar at the end of the pier at night.

And this is the view from the house

Granny and Grandpa with (almost) all the grandchildren: Jack, Allison, Sydney, Mallory, Charlie, Sarah. Not cooperating/pictured: David

Charlie and Sarah have boogie fever Uncle John, Sydney, and Allison watch the big kids boogie and play in the wavesGrandpa: Book? Check. Corona? Check. Ocean breeze? Check. All is well.

The Swingball World Series. I forget who won, but as in the 1999 Bonnie Baby Contest at Puck Fair in Ireland, "the smart money's on Charlie Mackey"!

The Swing Ball Junior Championship: 4 and under

For the first few days, this was as close as David wanted to get to the ocean. He was worried about the waves "getting him." Keep reading, though; he becomes surfer boy by the end of the week.

Jackie and Auntie walk on the beach

Sydney in her Red Sox glasses, eating a sandwich that is all about "Crazy Vacation Rules" in the Mackey house!

How to get soaking wet without going near the ocean

David finds he can stand at the hose and all kinds of fun people will walk by for him to sprayGranny gets some beach time with mellow-mushroom Mallory and don't-let-the-water-get-me David. Mallory was the talk of the town in her shady pool by the sea.

Auntie Caroline and Jack have fun in the sun

Allie and Ally, on the deck

What's a beach house without playing cards? The boys played Uno - toddler rules. (Meaning take as many cards as you can out of the box, spread them all over the table, call out any numbers you recognize, then swipe the cards on to the floor, roll in them, and laugh your head off.)

Uncle Bryant teaches Sydney how to boogie board

Triumphant surfer girl

Auntie catches a great wave

Grandpa and Allison go for a swim Against all odds, Brave Dave overcomes his fears. He not only goes willingly into the ocean, but he even takes up Boogie Boarding. He loved it!!
I was totally stoked, dude!
Is this fun or what??

Check mate!
Uncle is not a jungle gym. Oh wait, yes he is.
Gran Gran and Grandaddy come for a visit

ReunitedGranddaddy Lane gets a lovely shot of the Hanlon 5

Baby Hog Ally, Sarah, Uncle, and the lovely Miss Mallory
Out to dinner
I finally get my mitts on Miss Mal

Flashback - Gone Fishin'

2008-08-17T12:01:00.004-04:00

Daddy took Charlie and Sarah fishing again. Boy do they all enjoy that! They got home at 11 pm, exhausted and smelly and full of stories, content as could be.

They also saw a few deer on the property. (Daddy says, "Eat up, y'all!")

Jefferson and Molly Meet Toonces

2008-08-17T11:58:00.004-04:00

In the car...

Me: Hey guys, did you see that the dogs got some ID cards in the mail?
Allison: What are ID cards?
Me: You know, like a driver's license?
Sarah: Dogs can't drive!
Me: No, dogs can't drive.
Allison: Then why did they get a driver's license?
Me: The vet sent them. So that in case they get lost, ...
Allison: They can drive themselves home?
Me, laughing: No! So we have a description and picture to help us find them.
Sarah: Dogs can't drive, remember?
Charlie: Is that going on the blog?

Mutual Admiration

2008-08-17T11:56:00.002-04:00

Me, to David: I think you're cute.
David: I think you're pretty.
Me: Thank you.
David: I think your nails are pretty. I think your head is pretty. I think your feet are pretty. I think your everything is pretty.

Flashback - David Turns Three

2008-08-16T18:19:00.003-04:00

David was so excited when it was finally his birthday. He had a party with his friends: Gabriel, Steven, Hudson, Patrick, Peter, and James. They had a "Cars" cake, and opened presents and everyone played baseball and dinosaurs. How great is that???

Opening presents from the family

Flashback - Swimming with the Penguins

2008-08-16T17:22:00.006-04:00

Charlie and Sarah had a great swim team season this year. They are super fast and had a ball at the few swim meets we were in town for this year. They each won lots of ribbons, including blue ribbons (first place)!

Charlie's got his game face on.Sarah comes up for air on her free style.
Sarah's got a mean back stroke.
Charlie dives in

Sarah and Alice at the Echo Ridge meet. In sign language, this symbol means "I love you." But in Sarah language it means "I want to live in a world of rock and roll peace!" We know this, because usually she yells it as she makes her gesture.

Allison has been taking swimming lessons from Coach Amanda, and she did so well she was asked to join the Swim Team as a Junior Penguin. Here she is at the Junior Swim Meet with fellow Junior Penguin and next door neighbor, Fiona.

Fiona and Allison and another friend waitin their turn

Coach Amanda helps Allison (left) and Fiona as they prepare to jump off the blocks

Allison with the kickboard
Coach Joel guides Allison as she swims a lap

Allison won two ribbons!

Flashback - All Stars

2008-08-15T23:21:00.007-04:00

Charlie made the All Stars for his baseball team. The guys played in two tournaments and really gelled as a team. In the second tournament, they won a triple-header to take the championship. Charlie played great defense and showed good hustle as a baserunner. Great job, Charlie and team!