Face Painting

Dear Kate,

We headed to a festival in downtown Franklin one Sunday afternoon.  It wasn't the prettiest of days, but we thought we'd give it a shot.  

 It turned out perfect, but mainly because we ran into our buddies, the Kizers!

 And along with that came face painting.  I wasn't sure you would do it, but what do I know!

 It was super cloudy and looked like a storm would hit us at any time, but when the Kizers are around, we live on the edge, so instead of heading home, we went to Pucketts Boathouse where we ended up staying for 2 hours!  You kiddos ate lunch and 2 desserts!!  Finally, it was clear the weather was on our tails so we rushed to our cars.  We got in the car, buckled up and BAM, the rain came.  You didn't seem to mind though, perfect sleeping weather...

Sleeping

Dear Kate,

Overall, you are a 9 out of 10 sleeper.  You always have been since you were a baby.  You go to bed perfectly, you sleep all night in your bed, blah blah blah.  But the second I mention that to someone, it's like the sleep gods say "Don't get to cocky momma" and then lay a big doozie on me.  We went through about 2 or so rough sleep weeks with you that ultimately resulted in holding the door shut while you screamed for hours.  All that to say, you are back on track (FOR THE MOST PART!!!!) and I will not complain, nor brag about your sleeping habits :)

I will, however, document the randomness of that 2 weeks of, well, non sleeping...

We could not find you one night on the monitor.  But all I had to do was look in the ridiculously messy playroom where a random umbrella was set up...

 At one point you became obsessed with things to take to bed that included a towel, a baby doll and your pillow and blanket.  That pillow (3 months later) still is on the must have list.

 A few nights required me holding you.  A lot.  so much my back hurt so I had to just lay on the ground.  But not in the bed.  You would not have that.

 And then just when I thought I was in the clear, I wasn't, so I had to rock you to sleep.  Let me just say, I never had to do this with you, even as a baby.  So not cool, Kate.  So not cool!

And then there was the naptime that I panicked.  Your sister did it to me once and was under her bed.  You were in the tent.  Of course, I didn't know that until I searched everywhere else, including the neighbors pool!  

Like I said, we're back to normal.  Back to 9 out of 10.  A night here or there that throws me off course, tests me a little, but not enough to complain!
Love you little sleeping bug!

Easter 2014

Dear Kate,

Easter came and went, leaving lots of eggs and chocolates and memories behind!  

You had an Easter Egg hunt at school and did a marvelous job and hunting down eggs, if I do say so myself! 

 You even showed off how brave you were by getting your picture with the "Easter bunny" :)

 You also showed Mommy your favorite swing on the playground.

 And snapped a picture with your teacher, Miss Amber!

 Easter at our house was definitely memorable.  Your silly cousins (Caroline, Harrison and Spencer) all spent the night.  It's always loads of fun with the Ings staying the night!  That bunny decided to leave you a pretty cool princess tent and a few special goodies in your basket.

 including lots of chocolate eggs...

 We got prettied up and took a few pictures and headed to brunch at Gray's on Main.

 Oh shoot, I almost forgot, your silly cousin Caroline decided to make cupcakes on Easter morning!!! Mommy about had a mini stroke, but it was all cleaned up in time for us to go to brunch! 

 The Clark Family Easter brunch!  What a pretty looking group, huh.

 And look at this awesome pic Aunt Amy captured.  We are submitting it for a photo contest :)

 After brunch, we came back to our house, but you sadly needed a nap and missed the egg hunt.  I think you will be okay.
Or, well, maybe you got back at me when I left you alone for a few minutes a few days later and found lots of chocolate egg wrappers on the ground...

 You said you did not have any.  None.  Not a one... hmmmmm....
Also, in perfect style, we forgot to actually dye the easter eggs, so about a week or so later, I had Kipper and Ellie over and we decided we'd dye them after all!!  We had all the stuff, so why not!

Yay for Easter !!!

You

Dear Kate,

You make me smile.  

Love you!