Monday, August 5, 2013

The Fair!

Dear Kate,
On Saturday, we had plans to go to the Williamson County Fair.  I heart the fair, like major heart it, and when we walked out the door to get in the car and saw it suddenly downpour, my heart was broken.  At first I tried to deny it, so we all got in the car and headed that way, but Daddy insisted that his weather man tweeter guy was right and our fair day was going to be blah if we went.  So, we met up with Kipper and fam at Goofballs!  It's like the fair, right?  NO - it's not.  But we still had a blast!  You loved riding the carousel over and over again.  

 And loved playing all the games, too!  
 You did a little dancing!
 And shot some hoops with Daddy!

 You were so awesome, that you walked away with tickets!! I think that was your favorite part, putting the tickets in the machine that counts them for you.
 After a couple hours at Goofballs, we headed to Tzaiki's or something Greek like that for lunch and then home for naps/baths.  While it wasn't the fair, it was fun spending some time with the fam.  After naps, we quickly got showered and ready for a baseball game.  Daddy's work had a special family night at the Sounds and we got to go enjoy dinner and face painting, oh and baseball.  It turned into a beautiful evening weather wise and we all had a great time, minus the small encounter you had with Ozzie, the mascot.  You did not like that 'bear'.  You would wave at him, but if you got close, panic attack no doubt!!  No clue where you get that from (SISTER!!!!).  Other than that, you had a great time running that place, I mean running AROUND that place :)  Daddy's co-workers just went on and on about how stinkin' cute you were.  You thankfully got out all your tantrums earlier so it was indeed a good night!!
Sunday came and Mommy insisted we got to the fair, but I also insisted it had to be after naps.  So, we ran a few errands that morning which included a trip to Old Navy, the Dollar Tree and a VERY quick trip to Best Buy, all with Daddy in tow.  I like doing these errands with him so he can see why it's so hard for me to 'just stop by here' when I have the 2 of you!!
So after naps, we jumped in the car and headed to the fair with nothing but sunshine in our eyes!!!  While you are still just a little too short to do most rides, there were 3 or 4 that you could do, and boy did you LOVE them!!!  You rode the boats with Sister and Ellie and then again with Kipper and Sister and I even think you did it again in there somewhere!





 Then there was Nemo which you loved, too!


Oh you were having so much fun on those rides!  You wanted to do the bigger ones but we'll have to wait for DisneyWorld to enjoy all those!  Thankfully you were a good sport and watched Sister ride them, though!  You were also very proud of your stamp on your hand and you and Daddy had a secret stamp club where every time you'd see him you'd rub your hand on his hand, stamp to stamp.  Daddy said that was your secret handshake.  



 We enjoyed the afternoon which eventually turned into evening and ate a good healthy dinner (absolutely not true) and then you and Daddy headed home while Mommy and Sister stayed a little bit longer to enjoy just a few more rides.  Next year I think you will be tall enough to ride all of them, or at least all the kiddy ones!!  
I'm so happy you love rides like Mommy.  I can't wait to post a picture of me and you on a roller coaster :)
Love you and the fair! 

Week With Mommy

Dear Kate,
You had me all to yourself for a solid week!  Nothing but you, me and the world.  With that said, we really didn't do a ton of things.  I loved the idea of Mimi taking each of you for a week so I could have one on one time with each of you for that week and while we didn't go, go, go like I did with Sister, we  did the opposite, and chilled!  We'd go to the gym in the morning, after taking our time getting up and eating breakfast.  Then we might run an errand or come back home and do laundry or straighten up the house, we'd eat lunch, then you'd nap, then you'd wake up really late (I think you were catching up on your sleep from your week with Mimi!!) and we'd eat dinner, play with Daddy a little and then off to bed at 7.  Now, that's not to say we didn't do ANYTHING fun.  I had fun watching you throw lots of fits.  You have reached that stage - the infamous "terrible two" stage, yet you are not quite 2, but it doesn't matter.  Daddy swears it's a stage.  Fits are being thrown like a fish makes bubbles.  On Monday we went to Costco and you were fine and dandy for the first 4 aisles.  Then you wanted my phone WHILE walking and I declined your request.  You did not care for that response.  Three different mothers (THREE!) said "Stay strong Momma" or something similar.  One old lady said "Oh, she must be tired" and one old man said "When mine did that, I just said 'I'll be over here when you are done crying' and I just left him there."  By the time I was checking out, I was tempted to get on the loud speaker and tell everyone to mind their own business, I have a 22 month old! Point is, you threw a fit.  It was lovely.  It's a stage.  Repeat that 3 times :)
You also have these ridiculously cute pouts when you don't get something you want.  I probably should get mad at you or put you in time out or something, but you always just make me smile instead...
Stage 1:  The Pout - includes eyes closing, head down and lip poking out. 
Stage 2:  The Look Up - includes eyes popping open, head raising, but lip still poking out.
Stage 3:  The Is She Looking - includes finding someone looking at you, lip still poking out.
See what I mean.  I can't get mad at that.
There were sweet times, too.  I mean, how could this sweet little face be any trouble, huh???
On Wednesday, we went to Green Hills mall.  I had a couple stores I needed to run into and we were meeting Aunt Steph and Aunt Amy for lunch at the Nordstrom Cafe (which, btw, was fabulous, but anyway).  You were SO good, sitting in your stroller, sweet as can be.  You even tried on some shoes and helped Mommy try on a few things of her own.  We met them at noon for lunch and it was fabulous.  You got out of your high chair but you were still fine.  But then it was time.  I knew my luck would run out eventually.  You wanted to play on the Ipad, but wanted to lay on the floor in the middle of the restaurant aisle.  I said no, and, well, the fit was thrown.  A man asked to switch tables.  It was that bad.  Now, it was a little much from that man and we didn't stick around, just enough time to get my purse and holler at someone to fetch the stroller, but it was enough to make everyone stare.  Oh you!  Mommy was not expecting this stage so soon!!!  But seriously, how sweet is this...
That's you, 5 minutes after being in the car.  Yes, you did finally get the Ipad, but at that point you had screamed your head off and didn't even want to play it!  Oh well.  You will be sweet Kate soon enough :) For now, we survive!
Thankfully you were able to swap over to your crib from the car so I had some recovery time of my own.  I will say, with you taking great naps and no Sister to entertain while you are napping, I have been able to get a lot done.  I have been working on outfits for our Disney trip and am SOOOOO excited about them all.  Here's a sneak peak (and yes, I made you but only took pics of Sisters).
Jammies for the plane ride (since we leave at 7 am!)  and then the Animal Kingdom outfit...
Bathing suits! 
And even shirts and matching jammies for your baby dolls!
Seriously, super excited.  And 4 more shirts to come!
I realized by Thursday that I didn't really take any pictures of us doing anything, even if it was just throwing fits at Costcos so I decided to document our day on Thursday.  We started off with a walk, but you got mad at something and started running toward the street then bolted into the flower bed.  I had to get a pic, pouty lip and all :)
We nixed the walk and decided a bike ride was better but you for some reason refused to look at me for a picture and purposely looked the other way!
We had an art lesson, which was happiness, so yay for that!
And then there was the back rides that always seem to put you in good spirits!

You like to jump off the counter onto my back, then me spin you, then you let go and hopefully fall onto the couch, if I can get over there in time.  If not, I have to stretch my arm back this weird way and catch you.  Good times - all smiles!
We tried on princess costumes, you know, for Disney :)
And spent some more time outside on the swing!
It was a fun week bonding with just you.  Hopefully next year we will be rid these tantrums and the paci!!!  If not, we'll just ride on Mommy's back the whole time!
Love you SWEET Kate!

Another Weekend at the Lake

Dear Kate,
Sister and I met you and Mimi and Ash-ash and Clara Lee at the lake on Friday.  We both missed you and were ready to see you AND were ready for a fun weekend at the lake!  We didn't get on the water on Friday but you did enjoy dipping your feets into the kiddy pool with Nachuuu!  Friday was over before we knew it and by Saturday we were itching to be on that lake!  It started off kind of cloudy, but eventually that sun shined like no other and we had so much fun!


 We had CL's big brother Jesse with us and 2 of his friends (all 18 and older) and you just found your place right there in the middle of them!  It was funny watching you when we were all swimming in the lake, you just swam right in the middle of them and stayed right there!  And they didn't seem to mind!
We also found our way back to goat island, which is always a treat!


We spent ALL DAY on the lake (just how we like it!) and you learned a new trick thanks to your sister and cuz!!!  

You notice someone is wake boarding behind you?? Yeah, so you were standing on the cooler while the boat was moving.  Mimi was right there and you were loving jumping into her arms!  
We had tons and tons and tons of fun on the lake that day and afterwards it was so late when we got off, we just stopped by the local restaurant for dinner!  By the time we got home, it was after 10 and we were ALL exhausted!  But such a fun weekend.  On Sunday, you and Mommy said our goodbyes and off to a week of bonding for you and me!!  

Mimi's Mini Vacay

Dear Kate, 
Mimi got to spend a whole week with you and just you!  No Sister, no Clara Lee, but actually, maybe some Emily, but she had camp, so only a little of Emily - nonetheless, you got some major quality bonding time with Mimi!  
I'm sure you did lots of stuff, including swimming and swinging, but here's what Mimi sent pics of... 
BUBBLES!






 Love this look! I can only imagine what went down!! 
 And BAM, just like that you are happy again!  It's a talent, that's for sure!
Lots of Punky playtime, too, it seems! 


I'm sure you had a blast with Mimi, but I'm also pretty sure Mimi was ready for the trade off, as you can get to be a handful at this age!!  
Missed you handfuls and all!