The Ing Trio's Visit

Dear Kate,

I'm playing that catch up game again!  Sorry, but I think I can capture everything, or well, at least by way of pictures :)

So, the infamous Ing trio came and stayed with us for several days while Aunt Amy visited family in England and Uncle Martin supposedly worked (shhhh, he gets mad when I say that, so don't tell him).  While it was probably more fun for your sister, you did enjoy the week long of fun activities.  You also enjoyed your every day activities, including petting Kitty...  

Looking for the mailman..

And just running in the still empty dining room...

We played outside a good bit and while Harrison and Spencer played basketball with Ian, the next door neighbor, you took a few shots yourself.  Mommy couldn't be prouder :)

We also made a little stop at the trampoline park where you thoroughly enjoyed yourself!!!

Spencer has this special touch to convince you to do anything, and so we ended up at a Japanese Steakhouse, his favorite!  You were NOT thrilled with the fire in the beginning, but otherwise, you were happy to watch a man throw knives.

We had some dirty moments...

And took a little time to catch up on our reading while waiting for sister to finish swim...

And overall, it was a great week with the Ing kiddos!  Harrison is especially sweet with you and while you didn't always get along with what Sister and Caroline were doing, you did enjoy aggravating them, or so it seemed!!
A fun week at Camp Auntie Nicole, or Camp Mommy, however you like to look at it!
Love you!!!

Mimi's 2013

Dear Kate,

Well, we did it again.  We went on a vacation without you, but you will understand, one day.  We went on our annual ski trip, and, well, there really isn't much you can do on a ski trip now is there.  So instead of being cramped in a house all day while Mommy and Daddy and Sista skied, you got to spend a week with Mimi!!  Hooray!  

The week started off in full throttle with Mimi having to take you to the doctor.  See, it all started with a rash.  On Friday, we went to the gym and when I got you out of the car, I noticed your feet were kind of splotchy.  You had taken your shoes off, so I put them back on and headed into the nursery.  Well, I was passing you over when I saw your hands were a little splotchy, too and Miss Nicole (who works at the Y and who you love!) raised your shirt up and BAM! you were splotchy all over!  Well, they wouldn't let you go in, that's for sure, so I took you home and just monitored it.  It kind of went away, but didn't all the way, but you were fine and didn't have a fever so we carried on with our day.  That night it was mostly gone and I didn't think much of it.  We left super early Saturday morning and around 9ish, Mimi called to tell me that the rash was back and back with a bang.  She said your face was swollen and it was kind of concerning her, so I called the doc.  Oh, and by the way, you were on your way to Memphis.  So no going to our doctor.  But I did call him and he said to get you to a doctor in Memphis to see what you were allergic to, more specifically, if you were allergic to the medicine you were taking.  Well, long story short (and LOTS of phone calls later) Mimi had you at the doctor.  Unfortunately, we never really did figure out what it was.  The doctor says it was not the meds but I'm not convinced of it.  I still think you might be allergic to penicillin, which kind of stinks.  We will see though.  Anyway, so Saturday was a tough day for you and Mimi, with running around and stuff.  But apparently the week got better!  

 And John Michael even came over to visit!

We Facetimed you a couple times, but I think you were mad at me because you would have nothing to do with me.  I also think you showed Mimi that you do, indeed, have a bit of a temper and when you want something, you want it now!  Mimi says that pretty much once a day you threw a fit, but other than that one time a day, you were great!  Clara Lee came over to play with you, too, but I think after one day she decided she'd rather have Mimi to herself!!  Mimi said you took CL's toothbrush and she got mad so she went and hid it from you!!  On Thursday and Friday, Mimi had to work so you went and stayed with Miss Lisa (CL's babysitter).  Mommy wasn't thrilled about this, but Mimi swears to me you did fine.  And, I guess at the end of the day, it didn't hurt you to stay with some random person, huh!  I think Mimi needed the break, anyway!!
Mimi and Pic-pic brought you home on Saturday and when we walked in the door you just cried and would NOT get out of Mimi's arms.  You were clearly angry at me for leaving you for a week and were going to make me suffer.  You didn't want me to come near you and insisted Mimi do everything for you.  And, that lasted the next day, too!!  I gave you your time, though, and sure enough, by Monday you were all over Mommy and Mommy only!!  I missed you sweet girl and I am sad that you didn't get to enjoy the ski vacation with us.  Maybe next year???  Maybe Sista will teach you to ski!  She's really good!
Love you and glad we're back together!!!

Cinderella

Dear Kate,

Last Wednesday, we went to visit Cinderella at the toy store.  We have visited a couple princesses/storybook friends at the toy store, but you never really have shown much interest.  It's more of your sister sitting and listening to her read a story, then talking to her, and taking a few pictures, all while Mommy chases you around the store.  But this time, you were right up in the middle of it!!!  

WEll, at least for a little bit.  You did kind of wonder a bit, during story time and you wouldn't dare go near her for a picture, but you are getting better at the storytime princess shows!!  It's so cute to see you mock everything your sister does!  You love you some Sister and she just eats it up!!
Love you princess!

Valentine's Day 2013

Dear Kate,

We celebrated Valentine's day with lots of love and yummy food!  We started the day off at gymnastics where you did an excellent job at jumping on the trampoline.  After gym, we headed to Sister's school for her Valentine's Day party.  You fell asleep on the way there and slept in my arms for a good 15 minutes.  Then, I decided to just lay you down on the big soft pillow in the corner, but, as imagined, that did not work and you were wide awake!  You are sooo loved in that classroom and just make yourself right at home with those big kids!  

And you were dying to get your hands on Sister's ice cream sundae!!!

And, of course, she shared it with you!

After a yummy dessert, you played with a few of Sister's friends, including Maylee, who just loves to hug you all the time.

After the party, we headed home to take the real nap of the day and after nap time, we headed to eat yummy Indian!  You loved the naan and rice, but I decided not to let you try my meal after your sister shot fire out of her mouth because of the spiciness of it!  After dinner, we ventured to a new ice cream shop and man alive, was this not the best ice cream ever.  The man hand makes it every day and we came on a day where he had made samoa ice cream!  I was in heaven.  So were you and your sister!!!

You loved you some chocolate and it showed, all over your face!!!
A fun valentine's day, my sweet love!  Love you so so so much!

Ellie's 4th Birthday!

Dear Kate,

Ellie Bean celebrated her 4th birthday last weekend and what a fun party it was!  We helped her celebrate at Shipwreck Playhouse.  That place is AWESOME!  It was our first time there and it was perfect for a birthday party!  First off, it was just you and your friends, no sharing of a place.  AND,  it was the whole place, just for you and your friends, so no switching rooms or having a specific time to leave to eat cupcakes.  You can play, then eat, then play again, which is what parents prefer in order to burn off that sugar.  Awesome I tell you.  Not to mention the playhouse was pretty darn cool and had all kinds of different toys.  Oh, and it had a 'baby' section, for those little kiddos.  Not you, of course, you preferred the big kid section.  Oh, did I mention it has a place for parents to sit, as well as an outside area where you can watch through a glass.  Okay, so yeah, I'm sold on this place!!!

Anyway, you were too!!!  

 You found a baby doll and that was all you needed!

 Well, that and then eating cupcakes after singing to the birthday girl!!! (and yes, they even had little tables and chairs AND high chairs - for those little kids :)!)

  Kipper enjoyed his as well!

 Then back to playing!

 

 It was such a fun birthday party.  Afterwards, we headed to Ellie's house to have pizza and even more cupcakes.  You ventured off to bed after a little dancing on Ellie's new stage, but all in good time.  A fun day!
And the next morning we went out for a little stroll, that is you and your toothbrushes.  Still holding on tight to those...

Love You!