"The Power of Words"

It's not very often we rent a good movie, but yesterday was an exception. "The Great Debaters" with Denzel Washington was superb. Both Dave and I loved it, and what makes it difficult to find a good movie is that we have different tastes. You can only rent it from Blockbuster, and I don't get a kick-back for saying that. 

Anyone else seen it? What do you think?

(Oh, and Johnny, Dave had already seen "What About Bob?" It was funny. :) Thanks.)

Backyard Fun

While having flowers, trees, and green grass may seem "normal" to people in most of the nation, it is more of a rarity in Arizona. Now that this is our third summer, we are learning what works and what doesn't in our yard. We are excited that our grass is now softer and has extended past its original borders to almost reach the prerimeter of the yard. Makana likes to help water the potted plants that are not hooked up to the irrigation system.

Daddy also set up the pool for Makana to enjoy on a hot day. Makana didn't want to get out at all. It made for a long naptime that day. :)

More Makana-isms

As we were painting yesterday:

Makana: "Good job, Daddy!"

Daddy: "Thank you, Makana!"

Makana: "You're welcome!"

*A few minutes later, looking at Daddy's painting:

Makana: "Wow, Daddy! That is amazing!"

:)

*****************

At 5 something this morning, as I was changing Makana's diaper:

Makana: "Mommy, what are you thinking?"

Mommy: "About sleeping. What are you thinking about, Makana?"

Makana: "Milk."
(She had already asked for milk a little earlier.)

:)

***************

Makana: "Where's Caillou, Mom?"
(Caillou is a PBS Kids show.)

Mommy: "He will come on television in about 7 minutes."

*2 minutes later:

Makana: "Where's Caillou? I don't see him!"

Mommy: "He will come on in 5 minutes."

Makana: "Let's fast-forward now!"

***************

Makana is not allowed to tell PEOPLE to "Go away!" There were several occasions whereby Makana was reprimanded for using that phrase. After she finally realized she didn't want to face the consequences, she got a little creative.

Mommy reached out her arms to pick up Makana to give her a bath. Makana tried to resist.

Makana: "No, hand; go away, hand!"

**************

On a similar note, because Makana isn't the best in discerning which objects are more detrimental than others when thrown, there is a rule that she cannot throw anything besides a ball, unless Daddy or Mommy gives her specific permission to do so otherwise.

Mommy: "If you throw anything but a ball, you will go into time out."

Makana: Throws a piece of paper up in the air, knowing it is perfectly harmless, but definitely defying the rule.

Mommy: Follows through with the time out. Sigh.

***********

We usually head home from an outing around Makana's nap- or bed-time. Nothing can slip by her, and she is a planner, so as we head home now, she makes her plan clear.

Makana: "I'm not tired anymore."

Daddy or Mommy: "Oh, really?"

Makana: "Yes, I don't need to take a nap." 

(Yes, she always says "nap," even though it may be time for bed.)

Daddy or Mommy: "We'll see."

Makana: "I play with my trains when I get home. We can play together, otay?"

Either 2 minutes after this conversation or two minutes after arriving home, this not-so-tired little girl falls deeply asleep. :)

**************

After seeing Dave off in the morning to go to work:

Makana: "Will Daddy turn right?"

Mommy: "Yes, Daddy will turn right."

Makana: "Oh, yeah. And then he will turn right and left and right again."

Mommy: "Yes, Daddy will turn his car right and left and then right again."

Makana: "No, Mommy, Daddy will turn his TRUCK right and left and right again."

*************

Makana loves identifying animals and making them relative to her bank of knowledge.

Mommy: "What's this animal?"

Makana: "It's a skunk!" (Actually, with her lisp, it sounds more like, "thkunk.")

Mommy: "What is unique about skunks?

Makana: "Skunks are stinky, like Uncle Johnny!"

(Yes, she does know about John's skunk encounter.)

Thank a Cow

Makana dressed up for "Cow Appreciation Day" at Chick-Fil-A on July 11th. :) She was excited to sport her bovine attire, and was even anticipating meeting the "beeeg cow" at the restaurant. However, when we arrived, she froze as we tried to document the scene. Two years ago, I found a cow outfit for Makana at Children's Place, and we gave her a cowbell and a sign, "Eat Mor Chikin." I forgot to bring the bell, but I found her sign. We printed ears from the Chick-Fil-A website. It was fun. She told Auntie Diane (the marketing director of that restaurant), "Eat Mor Chikin!"

One of Makana's favorite thing to do now is to hang, especially on the stairwell of the playroom at Chick-Fil-A.

Open Wide! Ahhhh . . . Eeeeee . . . .

Makana's first dental appointment was about a month ago, and she did exceedingly well. The hygenist and doctor were both so wonderful to her, as they had a teddy bear with an opened toothbrush waiting for her on the chair when she arrived. Makana especially liked the apparatus that polishes teeth, for the hygenist first demonstrated what it could do by polishing her right index finger. Makana was intrigued by it so much that she quickly handed over her left index finger to get polished as well. :)

Although our child is somewhat strong-willed, she also likes to please people. She was thrilled when the doctor and hygenist told her that she had good looking teeth. I don't know if she was exceptionally good in her appointment or if they do it for all the children, but after her appointment, Makana not only got to score a toy from the treasure chest, but she also was given a ton of stickers. I also told Daddy and the rest of the chapel staff as we walked in to the chapel (for Bible study) after the appointment that Makana was soooooooooo fabulously good at her dental appointment. Now, when it is time for Makana to brush her teeth, I give her her toothbrush, and she more than willingly brushes, "Ahhhhh . . . Eeeeeee . . . ." She even lets me help.

GiGi's visit through Sabino Canyon

Unlike our first attempt two summers ago to hike through this canyon on a Sunday afternoon at around 3 pm, Dave and I have learned how to bring our guests through this canyon without getting dehydrated, lost, and super heated. Makana calls it the trolley, and we think the tram ride through the canyon is a great alternative to keeping everyone safe. :) We also get to learn little tidbits each time we tour. For example, did you know the cacti contract and expand, depending on how much water it is able to access?