Your First Birthday Party, sort of

Dear Kate,

You went to your first birthday party for a friend without Sister!  It's kind of a big deal!  It's your own personal friend, not family or a family friend, although Claire is sort of a family friend, but anyway, you went to Claire's birthday party!  It was at My Gym and you had so much fun singing and dancing and jumping and playing and, of course, eating cake!!!

 Here's you with the birthday girl!

You are growing up baby girl!

Princess Mermaid Loves to Swing

Dear Kate,

You have taken on a whole new level of princessness.  You insist on wearing your princess costumes everywhere.  And, to be honest, Mommy gives in, a lot.  It's just not worth it.  You love it, so why not. You love to swing in them!  

  And jump on the trampoline!

 You even BEG to wear them at night.  To compromise, we found some gowns of Sister and convinced you they were princess pajamas.  For the most part you believed us...

 But typically you wake up and walk down the stairs with a princess dress to put on...

 And I can't get you out of them, so we wear them to the grocery store and to pick up Sister, and, well, everywhere, really...

 Here's you one morning, waiting for me to put on your dress.

 And now we're all smiles!

This is a little out of Mommy's comfort zone because not only did your Sister not really care for princess dresses, she also didn't question what I put on her.  You, my darling sweet angel, argue with me EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.  Pick your battles.  That's my motto with you :)
Love you sweet princess!

The Dentist

Dear Kate,

You had your second visit to the dentist and this time was a breeze!  I will give the majority of the credit to your sister, though.  Since she was so excited, you were so excited!  You couldn't wait to get up on the chair, and even insisted on joining Sister for a bit!

When it was your turn, you did perfect!

The nurse said she was so impressed with how well you had improved, AND, no cavities!!!
After the dentist, we enjoyed a lovely day outside with Knox!

Such a big girl!!! Loves you!

Catching Up - Speedy Edition

Dear Kate,

Ready, set GO...

We had to pick Knox up from our awesome dog sitter (Ms. Beverly) and we met her at Loveless Cafe. I'm  not sure how we've lived here this long and not had Loveless, but here we are, trying it out!  Biscuits = awesome. 

 Speaking of Knox, he's definitely made himself at home...

 We've taken many a trips to the pond, pretty much any decently nice day, which this winter was few and far between.

 And we made a pit stop at the mall one day after gymnastics.  Someone was excited to ride!!

 Ummm, did I mention you love pedicures?  Mommy has realized for a small $5 fee, I can get a pedicure or manicure while you get a kids pedicure.  You both LOVE it! I think you both got pink with a flower on the big toe!

 Back at the pond (Knox loves it too!)

 

 You have Knox's spot!

 Oh, this was a fave - Sister decided she'd pretend to have a baby in her belly...

 And of course you had to try it out!

 Ahhhh, you two learned to share the spot!

 One random Sunday, we decided to head out to the Science Museum, just the 4 of us.  We rarely do things with JUST the 4 of us, so this was a lot of fun!  It was a nasty rainy Sunday, so the Science Museum was perfect!

 Even Daddy had a blast!

 And we HAD to eat Pei Wei on the way home!

 It was Pancake day one day, so, we made REAL pancakes!  I say real because you two love the little frozen ones so much it's really not necessary for Mommy to make real ones, that is, unless I'm eating them!

 Did I mention Knox is just another member of our family...

 Yep, just another member I'm cleaning up after...

 OH!  You got a new bed!!! Like your own bed, not one we dragged from Sister's room.  You LOVED it!

 One Saturday after Sister's soccer game, we decided to pop into downtown Franklin for some lunch and look who we saw!  They asked us to sit with them and we had a perfect impromptu lunch with best buddies!

 Another weekend day we decided to do some yard work and Daddy made the playground really nice and pretty, so while he was working and because it was SOOO nice, we decided to have an impromptu picnic!  We're getting good at this spur of the moment stuff!

 Later that afternoon, the gang came over for a grill out.  We just could not waste this beautiful day!

 You had Donuts with Daddy Day and loved showing Daddy your friends at school, along with eating a donut or two :)

 Speaking of, you and Kipper shared some donuts one afternoon on the back porch.

 We did some swinging...

 And we visited Mimi during Spring Break.  She took us to Pump it Up AND a movie!

 I discovered your love for tomatoes...

 And Kipper's love to imitate you :)

 And your love for wearing Mommy's shoes!

 And, well, I'm not sure what's going on here, but it' trips me out!

 I pulled out your baby swing for a friend and you just thought it was the greatest thing ever!

 Daddy and Mommy MAY have had a couple back to back weekends out of town watching some UT basketball...

 But that just means you got to spend 2 straight weekends with Mimi!!!!

 We also celebrated my birthday!  I got to pick the restaurant and Indian it was!!

 You were pleased with my choice!

 We've had really REALLY crazy weather so far this year.  Here it is snowing in early April!

 Oh, did I mention we took a little trip to the candy store?  And that they sell milkshakes there?  And that you and Sister had never had a milk shake before???

Again, you were pleased!  To say the least... Sucker AND a shake, that's the way to live my friend.
Well, that catches me up with pictures I had downloaded on my computer!  I know a lot more went on these last couple of months and maybe something will come to me, but for now, just be thankful for camera phones!!!
Love you and I will try try try to do a better job.  We've got lots of adventures coming up so I need to get my act together!!!