Dear Mackenzie – Florida rocks

Dear Mackenzie,

I know this letter is hopelessly late this month…but we were having so much fun in Florida for those two weeks around Christmas that I couldn’t tear myself away from enjoying time with you and your daddy to sit down in front of the computer. But that doesn’t make this letter any less interesting. In fact, it may be one of the biggest letters ever since you’ve had a huge list of “firsts” come about in the past month.

You’re now any expert present opener — which is good since you had the pleasure of opening presents from the end of November until the beginning of January. Those are the perks and the downfall of having a birthday fairly close to Christmas. They’re still far enough apart to warrant two gifts — but  you don’t experience a surge of presents twice a year.

You got to go to your first indoor playground for a birthday and it was epic. I actually had a great time in the place too because everything is big enough for adults. So cool…but I’ll write more about that another time. You are now officially obsessed with ball pits and I think we may have to see about converting your room into one. No, not really. But that would be cool, right? At any rate, some how, some way, in the midst of all those balls — you managed to find the only purple on in the bunch. You are the purple queen.

You got to visit the veterinarian’s office with me a LOT over the last month as we were taking care of Princess. And for some reason, you actually seem to like going there. Maybe one day you’ll become a doctor of some sort — although perhaps it’s just the concept of someone other than you going to the doctor that you like. Going to your own doctor you’re still not so fond us since she always has to poke and prod you.

You seem to have had an awesome time in Florida…as much fun if not more than your parents. You got to chat with everyone and you don’t know a stranger. Obviously we don’t want you to get too carried away with talking to strangers, but you’re pretty good about limiting yourself and don’t just wander off without us. And speaking of your language skills, it was actually entertaining that you picked up more German while in Florida than you probably have living here in Germany — mostly because we were staying with your Oma & Opa so you were hearing German all the time.

Your new friend, the mime at SeaWorld for the sea lion show

You just loved how friendly everyone was almost everywhere we went in Florida.  And believe me, people were in love with you too. One guy who really would have taken you home if he’d had the chance told us you look like Nicole Kidman. I honestly don’t see it, but hey, I guess it’s a pretty good pickup line although most 3-year-old have no clue who she is. And for anyone who wants to get through customs and TSA lines quickly & happily, take a cute toddler with you with a baby picture in her passport taken when she was 4-weeks-old. Seriously, people will not stop smiling after they see her then and now.

Ready to devour a big cupcake at SeaWorld

Before we left for Florida, you were growing like a weed and started to enjoy late afternoon naps again. But with the time difference and the insanely long trip we had getting to Florida, your internal clock was just all sorts of confused for about a week. So many changes, so many new things to experience in Orlando as well as Naples. It was sensory overload for all of us. And aside from a few mornings when you were up at 4:30am, you dealt with it all quiet well.

You got to experience your very first flights in an airplane, and I have to say I was pretty impressed with how well you held up. Getting to Florida was the world’s longest trip with our layover in Dallas, and we ended up being on the road for over 24 hours. It was grueling to say the very least… By the time we arrived at 2am, we were all just done for.

We were all pretty beat after being on the road for 22 hours already...and then having to wait forever for our luggage

And thanks to all the flying and travel, you have officially become a wiz on the iPad & iPhone. Not only can you easily unlock them, but you’re loading the games, playing them for a while, changing to new ones — you basically just don’t need us anymore when it comes to either of them unless you run into a problem. And so far you haven’t managed to call China or buy $50 worth of apps either.

SeaWorld was just incredibly awesome, and you really liked many things about it. But one of your favorite things was the sting ray tank where you could actually feed and pet them. I think you would have stayed there at that tank all day if we’d let you…and of course you also would have been down in the tank in a heartbeat, sitting among the rays. But it helped us to finally formulate a cool idea for your room since you loved all the animals and the beach in general while we were there…

You started learning how to swim and had no real fear of the water — not even getting upset about the water splashing you in the face or anything. You nearly learned how to dog paddle hard enough to keep yourself afloat, but I think it’s going to take a few more tries to really get it right. In fact, we might even start going to an indoor pool soon for some swimming lessons since you enjoy it so much. And really, you’re never too young (or old) to learn how to swim.

And once again, you made your mom and dad just a little bit sad as you showed off your independence. You no longer needed us to sit with you on the kiddy train at SeaWorld. *sniff* You hopped up on there and were totally cool when I said I wouldn’t be able to ride with you. I thought for sure it would be a problem, but you were too stoked about the train. And you rode it again and again and again…in a different spot each time. After the second go, you were unhooking your seat belt on your own and had the routine down pat.

You are the apple of my eye — and even when you’re a bit cranky and dealing with jet lag, you’re still a cool kid. Of course, your daddy and you together as cranky pants; not so fun for mommy. But we’re all learning to work together better as a team still. You are such a fun-loving, happy little girl, who definitely seems to see the glass half full — and has so many opinions already that it sometimes gives me a headache. But I hope you continue to embrace your individuality and continue marching to the beat of your own drum. Cause I’ve got to say, your rhythm is an awesome one.

My love,

Mom/Mama (you’ve been playing with my name lately)