Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Mother's Day

Dear Kate,
We had a very special Mother's Day on Sunday.  We were in Cookeville on Saturday night for Aunt Jill's graduation (she got her Master's!!!) and stayed with Aunt Amy, so Sunday morning we woke up and just headed home.  We decided to put you down for an early nap so we could enjoy the beautiful afternoon together.  Once you woke up, we got geared up to go on a hike at Radnor Lake.  Now, I use the work 'hike' loosely because A) it wasn't that LONG of a hike, although it did take awhile, and B) you hardly hiked, but instead preferred being held by Daddy or Mommy, or just running the opposite way that we went.  All that said, it was a fun, fun 'hike' where we saw ducks and squirrels and lots of people saying how precious you were :)









By the end of the hike, you were exhausted (as we all were)...
Once we got home, Daddy grilled the best tasting fish so far, Mahi Mahi, and we all ate it up while sitting outside by the fire.  It was a lovely Mother's Day.  Nothing makes me happier than getting to be your Mommy.  Each morning I feel like the luckiest person in the world when I see your beautiful face.     I love you so much little bug...
(Daddy got on Pinterest and found a project for you and Sister for Mommy!  Isn't it the cutest!!)

Love you!

So Far in May

Dear Kate,
We are wrapping up spring and gearing up for summer.  We've had lots of rainy weather, then a random hot day, then a couple cold days, so we are making the most of it, and, as usual, staying busy.  You are busy as a bee with doing whatever it is your sister is doing.  She can be swinging on a cabinet door (which she gets in trouble for) and low and behold, you go an pull a cabinet door out and swing, too.  Keeping up with two of you this summer is going to wear a momma out, but it sure will be fun.  
Know what else is fun?  Dressing you two alike.  I can't even remember where we were going, maybe just school for Sister, but nonetheless, I had to take a picture of the two of you.  Maybe next time I'll try not to take it in the direct sunlight...
We've also had some fun drawing on the sidewalk.  We don't have too much traffic at all on our street (since we are at a dead end), so it's nice to sit on the front porch while you two draw in the front yard.
You also got to spend a weekend at Mimi's house, without Mommy - that's when it's extra fun or so I hear.  Mommy and Daddy had a costume party to go to on Saturday so Mimi said she would take you for the weekend vs. us paying a baby sitter two million dollars for the long night that we would have needed her.  And, to top it off, she kept you until Monday!  Here's Mommy and Daddy dressed up.  The theme was "Futuristic" (your Aunt Amy's crazy idea) and so we tried to be as simple as possible (read = cheap and normal as possible), so we went for the Hunger Games charactors Peeta and Katniss.  And no, Daddy is not trying to stab me.  That's just part of his costume...
Here's your even crazier Aunt Steph dressed up and apparently playing the role of some alien from some movie called Fifth Element.  I let her be in her own world...
You got to tag along with Mommy for Sister's Mother's Day tea at her school and all the little girls loved playing with you.  You are SOOO ready to start school next year.  Also, you are ready to surf, apparently.  This is your new way of riding "in" the shopping cart.  What's crazy is my choice is either strap you in teh correct (and safe) way and let you scream the whole time or let you ride like this and be in and out in no time.  So far, I'm with choice #2, but don't tell anyone.

Sister had a loose tooth and had to go to the dentist.  Because she did such a great job there, we went to Sweet Cece's.  Girly, you LOVE you some sweets.  I mean, like crazy love.

That was Tuesday.  On Wednesday we had to eat dinner out and we (the 3 girlies!) chose our favorite, Mexican!

Sister had her last soccer game and you were spreading the love to Daddy.  He was super excited to get hugs all morning from you.
And after the game we took a quick trip to Target.  Daddy thought it was all fun and games until he had to push the big boat around Target with 2 kiddos in tow.  I think he got a little feel for Mommy's trips with both of you :)
We took our first trip to the zoo this year with Anna and Jacob.  It was your first time to really walk around and enjoy those animals and man alive, do you love animals!!  And climb like a monkey!
 You loved petting all the goats in the petting zoo...


 And we even made it over to the farm animals where you got to see cows!  We opted for a photo right outside the farm, where it was strangely quiet.  Apparently this was the "let's go to the zoo on a field trip" day because SOOO many schools were there!


 Silly faces!!
 We had so much fun with the Porter's and know we will be back there with them sooner than later (the baby camels are coming!!)

We also have a zoo in our backyard, or at least a farm, or at least cows.  And you LOVE said cows.  Every time the door opens, you say "Moo?" and 90% of the time I have to say "No Moo's today Kate" but this one day, there were moo's!!! We were all super excited, even if it meant Sister was a bit late for school :)


 We also went to story time this past week.  It was supposed to be "If you give a mouse a cookie" but for some reason they switched it up on us and read a book about a puppy.  Either way, you were more interested in the surrounding toys :)
 That same day, you found a blue marker...
 And decided to eat it...
 Not cool Kate, not cool at all.  What is cool is your Aunt Carly (Daddy's little sister) graduated from high school.  What's NOT cool is your other aunt, Aunt Amy, and her decision to get t-shirts printed with Carly's face on them.  Or at least in my opinion...
Thankfully we did not wear them the entire time, well, most of us did not.  And Carly LOVED everyone in their shirt.  Here's all your Clark aunts and uncles in the infamous shirts.  What's funny, or rather sad, actually, is 3 people asked Papa Larry how she died...

You did not go to the graduation though.  It was late AND in White Bluff, so Miss Lauren watched you and Sister.  Then the next day we rolled out to Mimi's house where Mommy went to another graduation - your cuz Kateland...

Again, you and Sister did not go and instead got to stay and play with the greatest babysitter in the world, Bebe.  She really is awesome.  She even brings a 'project' to play with.  This time, edible play-doh!  She reminds me of Kristy from the Babysitter's Club.  Don't worry, you will know those books eventually :)
On Saturday, we went to John Michael's soccer game that morning and then to Emily's HOT softball game later that day.  It was our first dose of summertime hotness and I was not prepared.  I did put sunscreen on, but clearly not enough, nor did we drink enough water!  You however, ate 2 whole hotdogs at the ball field!  AND, I looked down and saw Mimi was just holding her cup of diet coke and you were just drinking away.  I screamed "MOM!" and she realized what she was doing and yanked it away from you, claiming she just thought it was water (even though we didn't have water in cups!).  We laughed (sort of) and then 5 minutes later I look down and Mimi is holding the cup of coke AGAIN for you!  I really screamed at her this time, and took it far away.  She just has this instinct to give you whatever you want.  I can't believe you were actually drinking it.  Sister hates the taste of anything carbonated, but apparently you are going to be the kid who will drink anything!  Good news is you didn't get enough to keep you up, or maybe you were just that tired, because we went straight home to take a nap and let Sister stay with Mimi.  At least I know Abs won't be drinking Diet Coke!
I eventually had to wake you up and throw you in the bath because we were meeting Papa Rob and Gramma for dinner at the wildest, craziest place I have ever been - Incredible Pizza.  It was insane.  People everywhere.  Video games everywhere.  Go Carts, Bumper Cars and even miniature golf!  Oh, and a huge pizza/whatever else you can throw on there buffet.  Mimi warned me about it, but man alive, this place was huge.  Thankfully Gramma took you under her wing, and by that I mean she followed you around while Mommy and Sister and Papa Rob played games :)  She said you just wondered from one thing to another to another to another, never looking back.  When I left there, which was WAY later than I assumed, I felt like I had been in a casino for 8 hours.  I am convinced they pump oxygen in that place...  
It ended up being a VERY late night for us all but we made it home and into bed eventually.  Sunday morning came and we headed out the door by 9.  Daddy grilled yummy hamburgers for us on Sunday and we enjoyed the afternoon/evening.  This week - we prepare for the beach!  And then there we have it, May will be gone.  
Summer is going to be so much fun little bit!  Can't wait for the beach.
Loves you! 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Marathon Weekend 2013

Dear Kate,
We had our annual Marathon weekend, despite the nasty weather.  We started things out with a super random breakfast with Lizzy and Uncle John (who live in Houston, but were here for Uncle John's high school reunion).  We met them at Pancake Pantry, but one look at that line and we walked down to the Pet Shop for some yummy food.  You enjoyed your bagel, especially after it fell on the floor.  Uncle John made a point to tell me that he was impressed with me and my mothering skills because I didn't get all panicky when you dropped it and then immediately put it in your mouth.  He thought I would be the freak out kind, little does he know my "5 second rule" usually goes no longer than a minute, or so :)
After breakfast, Lizzy came back with us to the house and eventually picked Sister up at school and then grabbed some lunch at the local deli in downtown Franklin.  Later that afternoon, while you were napping, Mimi and Ash-ash and Clara Lee showed up!  Everyone played/chit chatted for a bit and then we decided to grab dinner.  I made an executive decision to let you stay at home with Daddy while we went to eat pizza and what a wise decision that was.  For one, you were tired, but also it took FOREVER, as always.  
The next morning, Mimi, Mommy and Ash-ash headed to the race in the pouring rain...
But we finished it, and 15 minutes quicker than last year!  I guess that rain will speed you up, huh!

One day you will get to see us cross the finish line, but for now, we met you and Daddy and Pic-pic and Uncle Jay and Sister and CL at Hard Rock Cafe for some lunch.  After lunch, we made our way to Robert's for the annual celebratory get together for Mr. Rodney at Robert's.  You dazzled the crowd with you strong dance moves and, of course, that pretty face of yours.  After Robert's we headed home, rested, and let Daddy grill us some yumness.  We all crashed fairly early, not surprising, and woke up Sunday to a pretty nice day.  We decided, after breakfast, to head to the Franklin Festival and try out some corn dogs and ice cream!!  Daddy and Uncle Jaybee had some fun, too!
You pointed out every single 'pup pup' and wanted to touch every single pup pup, but when it came to this big old pup pup, you were just a wee bit hesitant.  No clue why...
Mimi even tried to get you to touch him while she held you...
But you'd have none of that!
We watched sister ride the horses and while I think you wanted to go, I was a little hesitant, but maybe next time...
After walking around a bit, we ventured to the amusement park rides to watch your sister have the time of her life!  You were held the majority of the time because it was smack in the middle of your nap, but you stood strong and even showed Sister how to hold her hands up!!
And she did!
Eventually we did make it home for that nap, something all of us wanted!
A fun weekend!  Can't wait for you to start running the race with me!
Love you!