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!

Keeneland 2013

Dear Kate,

Last weekend, we made our way to Lexington, KY to the Keeneland Thoroughbred horse races.  If you recall, you've made a visit to said races last year, but slept the majority of the time.  This year, different scenario all together.  We knew things were going to be a bit different when you decided not to nap at all on the way up there.  The ride was fine, though, because you had a big milestone - headphones!!!  You can't wear the ones that go with the car because they stay open by your head (hard to explain) but you can use these, which we just happened to have in the car.  It was perfect considering you didn't nap. Now, Mommy and Daddy can listen to something up front while you and Sista listen to movies/music in the back!  Hooray!

Once we got to Miss Jenny's house (that's who we stayed with), we got things situated and you made yourself at home playing with all of Tripp's toys, especially the 3 balloons that you found in his room and somehow got caught on 2 different fans... The adults got a sitter for you little ones that night and had a nice dinner out.  The sitter had strict instructions to put you to bed as soon as dinner was over and she followed those perfectly.  Now, the ones for your sister are a different story, but you can read her blog to find that out.
Sleeping arrangements were a bit different than normal since we weren't at our house.  You slept in the pak n play in the guest room with Daddy, while Mommy slept in Tripp's bed with Sista.  Daddy said Saturday morning you woke up and snuggled with him for a good 30 minutes.  He was happy, other than the waking up earlier than normal bit.  But we had a big day ahead of us - off to the races we must go!  Mr. Roy and Miss Jenny bought an RV just a couple weeks before we came, so we were happy to break it in for them.  We packed it up with everything - and i mean everything - and headed that way.  You were thrilled with the idea of sitting in Mommy's lap rather than a car seat, although I am still unsure what the right thing to do was.  It wasn't very far, so I wasn't too too worried, but you did like to wiggle a lot and if we were going any further, I'd have to strap you in somehow!  You also really enjoyed the bunk beds, including a little fall off the top.  You survived and didn't let it bother you from climbing right back up!

We arrived that morning to tailgate and the races didn't start until 1ish.  I tried, tried being the key word, to put you down for a quick morning nap, but you would have none of it.  So, we partied on and eventually made it to the races, which, if I do say so myself, you LOVED.  You loved cheering for the horses and every time you'd see one you'd say real loud "MOOOOOO".  Even after we corrected you every single time, you still moooo'ed away.

And, why yes, a cheetah did attack you.  Or at least that's what we are going with.  Mommy has no clue really.  You were in Tripp's room by yourself while we were getting ready that morning and you started crying, screaming really.  When I went in there, you had a mark already on your face and by 1:00 it looked as if a cheetah did indeed attack you.  We still can't figure out what it was, but you are all healed at this point, beautiful as ever.
We watched several races and made our way down to the races so you could pet some of these "mooo's".  Sadly none of those walked by to pet...

Eventually it was clear that sleep depravation was upon all three of you kiddos, so the mommies took you all back to the RV.  On our way, we decided to just see if we could pet some horses in the horse barn. Well, sure enough, we could!! It was the best part of the race!  

You loved seeing the horses, and insisted on getting close, but you just could not mustard up enough strength to actually pet the horse.
We finally made our way to the RV and I put you down again for a nap (yes, I brought the pak n play on the RV!!) and you did actually snooze for about 30 minutes.  Or at least it was quiet in there for about 30 minutes.  It's hard to imagine though because a bus was right beside us having a Fraternity/Sorority reunion, and, well, it wasn't the quietest thing you ever heard.  Eventually you were awake so you joined the party next door and won them all over with your blonde curls, dance moves and monogrammed outfit, or at least, so I was told :)
The Daddy's made there way back to the tailgate and we enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon people watching, dancing to our own beat and eating some delicious chocolate bundt cake!

It was another late night, or so it seemed, so as soon as we got home we all headed straight to bed.  On Sunday, we got to drive through the beautiful horse farm and enjoy one of the best breakfasts I have ever had, and you got to see one more horse!

It was such a fun time at the races.  We love going there and can't wait to make the trip next year, RV included!!  

Once we got home, we realized we've missed our cousins and friends way too much due to our busy busy weekends, so we had everyone over to grill out on the pretty day.  Jake and Kipper and you are all getting so darn big (and cute!).  We couldn't believe that you 3 are all now sitting at this little table we bought for the big kids!  So sad, but still puts a smile on my face :) 

Love you sweet Kate!

Week or So Worth of Pics

Dear Kate,

After Easter weekend, we had a fairly calm week with a couple errands including some construction needing to be done...

And sporting some shades... 

Over the weekend, you and I went to Munford for a baby shower.  Sister stayed with Daddy and you got to visit Mimi (and Mammaw, and Papa Rob, and lots of others!).  We got in town Friday and went to Mammaws to help set up for the shower then grabbed our usual Mexican.  Sarah decided to join us along with Mimi and Pic-pic and Kim and Marc (who the shower was for!).  Saturday was low key for you (not Mommy, I was down at Mammaws again, getting set up for the shower!) and you and Mimi chilled for the most part.  The shower was at 2:00 and after saying hello to a few folks, you went to the back to take a nap.  After the shower, we headed back to Mimi's and rested up, then headed back home on Sunday where we grilled out with some friends.  On Monday, we had a play date with Jacob and Anna and you amused yourself with the beautiful weather and their playground! 

While Tuesday was typical, Wednesday was nothing but!  We headed to Abby's friend Chloe's birthday party at Krispy Kreme!  Yummmmm is right!  

 And then afterwards, we headed to Pump it Up to burn that energy off!  You did rather good there but still are scared to go down that big o' slide! You did love the wind tunnel though, even if we never put money in it to make it work.  Opening and shutting the door was fun enough for you!
Thursday was gymnatics for you and Friday Mimi came for a little visit.  Mommy and Daddy had an event to go to on Friday night so she was nice enough to put you to bed and on Saturday, we had a soccer game to go to.  That's code for "you had a gummy worm to eat"!!  Gag!  You get that from your Daddy, and Sister!

 Saturday night we went to a charity basketball game and met Aunt Amy and the gang and Papa at the Perfect Pig where you proved to be the imperfect child by NOT sitting in your high chair at all.  Thankfully, Mimi was there to help, and it was the Perfect Pig, so it wasn't too big a deal you were running back and forth to the window!  You continued your wildness at the basketball game by swinging on the rails and scaring everyone to deal.  You LOVE to swing.  Love it...

 It turned into a late night, but we all slept in on Sunday and later grilled out that afternoon (and enjoyed the beautiful weather and playground  - hence the monkey bar pic!).
A couple other exciting things - Sister got some golden shoes...

 And you were quite jealous...

 But then again, should we put shoes on these dirty feet???  This is after about 30 minutes at Goofballs (because Sister is back to sleeping in her bed all night long!!! woo-hoo!!).

Sweet dirty feet girl!! Love you!!!

You

You are quite the talker.  Granted, we don't know what you are saying, but you've got lots to say...

And you love your Sista...

And you are SUCH a monkey.  An impressive monkey, though.  Very impressive...

And I love you all the same!!!  

Easter 2013

Dear Kate,

The weekend before Easter, Mommy and Daddy took a little trip by ourselves to Las Vegas.  No kiddos were allowed - it's Vegas rules, so you got to stay at Kipper's house!  Uncle Jaybee picked you up Friday afternoon and you enjoyed the entire weekend with them.  They said you did fantastic, and that you and Kipper may fight more than Ellie and Abby argue, but we'll assume that's just an age thing!  You did great with going to bed and sleeping in, like I knew you would and because Mommy and Daddy were having such a great time, we decided to stay one more night and Papa came over to watch you Monday until we got home.  He was thrilled to watch you because you NEVER leave my side when he (or anyone, really) is around.  It was just you and him and he said that at first you didn't want anything to do with him, then he learned the trick.  Let the dog in!  You were so afraid of Cheeto that you just jumped right in his arms and didn't let loose until we came home!  You seemed happy when we got there and you weren't mad at me this time for leaving you.  I take that as a good sign!  

Now, you may be asking where Sister was, right? She went with Mimi and CL and Ash-ash to Chicago!!! I know right?! So when I picked you up on Monday, we had until Thursday until we saw Sister.  You missed her and kept asking for her - a lot!  

Finally on Thursday, you and Mommy headed to Mimi's house where we were finally reunited with Abs.  I am positive she missed you, too! 

On Friday, we were going to head to the Children's Museum, but instead, Aunt G decided to just take Abs, John Michael and Em, so me and you and Mimi ran a few errands and met Lynnie and Mammaw for lunch.  You showed off your awesome 'I refuse to sit in a high chair' skills, but Mammaw was still convinced you were such a sweet thing :)
Saturday morning, you went with Mimi and Abby to an Easter egg hunt at Clara Lee's church.  Mimi said Sister was so sweet and helped you put eggs in your basket.  All I know is that when you came home, your face/lips/tongue were all covered in blue, from a blue ring pop.  Can you say filthy...

 And I'm not referring to the 2 bunny rabbits that Clara Lee got, although they were a little filthy, but they were pretty darn cute, too!

Thankfully, a bath was not too far along. And neither was the Easter bunny!  

 We got all cleaned up for an Easter lunch at Mimi's house.  Unfortunately things got a little crazy for a bit because Uncle Bubba had to got to the ER for some chest issues.  Thankfully it wasn't anything serious, but lunch was a little more hectic than expected.  We were still able to eat a yummy meal and hang out with the family, and that's what counts anyway, right!

After lunch, we did a little egg hunting (and Mommy's camera died so we'll have to get those pictures from Mimi!) and you even found a golden egg! Sooner than we preferred, we had our car packed and were headed back to our house.  It was a 'egg'ceptional Easter weekend sweet Kate!
Love you and your ridiculous cuteness!!