The Mac Kinnon Family

Mac got his braces off yesterday, he was sooooooo excited.  He only had them on for 6 months, it's amazing how fast teeth move.  He has to wear a retainer to keep the spaces open for many years but it was well worth it to get it done.  Mac was also super excited, his name was chosen for "oral hygine winner" for the month and he got to pick a special prize.  

Of course since the girls were going to have a fun afternoon.....the boys had to do something too.  Of course theirs included mud!  They went on a mountain bike ride and had a great....muddy....time!

Last weekend I took Emily for a girls afternoon to see a play.  Annie was being performed by our local kids theater.  Emily loved it, of course she wanted to dress up.  We got a little treat and then enjoyed the show.  The boys made us a great dinner when we got home, we felt like princesses!

Since we all had the day off yesterday we decided we'd have a fun family adventure.  I wanted to go to the wildlife park but the kids weren't too excited about that for some reason.  So after mulling over lots of options we decided to do a family bike ride.  Emily really wanted to try to ride with us instead of on the trail a bike....so we thought we'd give it a shot.  She surprised us and did amazingly well.  She biked about 5 miles and only walked up part of 2 big hills and she didn't complain at all.  She was tired afterwards but now I think wants to ask Santa for a bike....with gears :)!  

Mac's swim team is composed of 3 levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold with Bronze being the first/beginner level which is the level Mac was at.  Last Wednesday night after swim team practice Mac's coach asked  him if he would like to "try out" for the Silver's on Friday.  Mac was told he would have to swim a 100 IM (25 yard breast, butterfly, back and freestyle) in less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds, he was so excited when he got home.  Friday he was pumped up, very excited and ready to give it all he had,  we thought they would do the try out's before practice.  Nope.....they had their normal 1 1/2 practice then had him "try out" by doing not only one, but 4 IM's in a row.  He made the 2 min and 30 second time 3 out of 4 of the swims, poor kid was pooped.   As Mac is anxiously waiting to hear...they tell him they will let him know Monday if he made it.  Poor guy was exhausted and now had to wait all weekend to find out. Yesterday at practi...

John and I celebrated 10 wonderful years together today. Mac was a great photographer today! We actually got a date night....a first in a long while.  We enjoyed a quiet dinner, a wonderful movie and time together which was fabulous.  It's been an amazing 10 years with lots of adventures.....were looking forward to continuing our wonderful journey, we've been so very blessed.  I feel so very lucky to have met such a wonderful man who is a great husband, father and my very best friend!  I love you John!  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!

We had a great Halloween.  I made the kids a fun Halloween lunch, including "mummy dog" (which John helped to make :)) and then headed out for trick or treating in a nearby neighborhood.  Mac wanted to be a Seattle Seahawks football player (even help to pay for the costume) and Emily wanted to be a mermaid.  They had a blast trick or treating with friends and collecting lots of candy!  HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Mac is playing in a 3 on 3 basketball league for 4 weeks, we thought it would be good for him to brush up on some skills before rec league starts in December.  He is having fun, 2 of his classmates are also doing it.  Emily also enjoys going when her friends are there too.....!

Monday Mac's swim team had a Halloween party with games on Monday night.  They were put in teams of 8 or 9 with mixed ages and had several relay events.  The first was to carry a bag of ice one length of the pool, the second was to take a pumpkin down and back in the lane, the third was a tug of war and the last was "bobbing for apples".  They had a blast, it was fun to watch.  They enjoyed pizza and candy afterwards!

Mac had his first swim meet last Saturday.  He swam in 5 events and placed 3rd in his age group for the 25 and 50 yard freestyle and 6th place for the 25 yard backstroke and breaststroke.  He was disqualified for the 50 yard butterfly, he did not do a two hand touch on his turn.  We were so proud of how well he handled himself.  John was timing the event and I was in between his meet and ballet for Emily so he had to make sure he was on deck at the proper time for his events.  He self managed extremely well and worked very hard.  Way to go Mac!!!!