First Tricycle!!

We got Kate a used tricycle and she couldn't be happier. She hasn't quite got the peddling down but she's trying. She has a book in which Zoe learns to ride and at one point in the video, she says "like Zoe!" She's so proud of her new tricycle.

My Little Ballerina

Kate started a Dancer's workshop last week. She gets to do tap, ballet, creative movement and gymnastics as well has have craft, snack and storytime. I leave her for 3 hours so it's a little break for me as well. So far, she loves it. She went to a make-up class last week since we were out of town but today was her first class with Aubrey and Grace. She was not happy about it at first, she took off her ballet shoes and threw them when I left. But when Grace and Aimee got there, Aimee came out and said that Kate saw Grace and said "GRACE! I'm going to do ballet, are you going to do ballet?" The teacher said she was fine from then on.

Everything is ballet right now. She wears "ballet pigtails" and whenever she sees dressy shoes on anyone, they are "ballet shoes" or "tap shoes". She also has a new love for Angelina Ballerina.

Hanging with Grandma

We spent a week with Grandma when we were back east. We had a great time playing, shopping and eating. Grandma enjoyed spoiling Kate. Kate even got to play with my old dolls and weeble house that mom had saved. She walked up and down the stairs about a million times and once did a somersault down them accidentally and about made me have a heart attack. We got to see all of the step-family including Tim, who had just gotten back from Afghanistan which was exciting. We had a really great time.

She also got to meet my second grade teacher whom I'm still very close with and see mema, my paternal grandmother, a couple of times. Mrs. Lawler is the one in blue and mema is the darker haired one.

Trip video

Here's Kate with Grandpa(my dad) at the boat(I love the part of her driving the boat) and visiting Poppy (Ryan's dad). We had a great time.

MORE San Antonio video

Here's Kate at the petting zoo and playing in the water at Seaworld.

GRANDPA!!!

Kate and I finally got to spend some quality time with grandpa. We stayed in the lodge where his boat is docked and really had a great time. She got to feed the fish, "drive" the boat and even took a nice nap on the boat, but she didn't know it. She fell asleep in the car and I carried her to the boat, put her in a life jacket and put her below. She woke up when grandpa had to swerve and she rolled over and almost fell off the bed! She was NOT happy! We also got to meet my step-sister's husband and baby, Lillian. Kate was so excited to meet her cousin!

Visiting Jennifer

Kate and I just got back from a two week whirlwind tour of VA and PA. The first couple of nights, we stayed with my friend, Jennifer, whom I've known since I was 5 years old. We're the kind of friends who can go without talking for months and then just fall right in like we never missed a beat. Anyways, Kate had a blast. We also hooked up with our friend Stacy. I hadn't seen her in over 10 years so it was cool to get to see her. Kate loved them both. Here's a picture of us all. Jenn has dark hair and Stacy has light hair.

When we arrived, there were tornadoes touching down in places along the way to her house. It was weird to go from TX back east and be facing possible tornadoes! The lights were out at her house so I think Kate thought we'd gone back to the dark ages. We didn't have power until 1PM the next day!

Seaworld and the zoo!

We just got back from spending three days at Seaworld and the Zoo in San Antonio. We had such a great time. Kate loved feeding the dolphins at Seaworld. Last time we went, she wouldn't even lay on the wall, this time she saw it and said "lay on wall" and ran over and jumped up. We got her the fish and she loved throwing them in the dolphin's mouth.

She loved the splash area. It took her a little while to warm up to it the first day we were there but by the second day, she couldn't wait and was already trying to strip down to her bathing suit as we pulled the stroller up. She ended up getting to do it twice because she played in the sand after the first time and needed a wash down!

I love the picture of her with the pony because she waited patiently until every other kid had pet him and got to spend several minutes with him. She was so happy. I also love the one of her sitting in front of the aquarium because she had been avoiding getting her picture taken. At the aquarium, she said "take my picture", sat down and waited!

At the zoo, her favorite thing was holding a butterfly. We got lucky right off the bat and found one that was willing and she was so proud, holding him gently on her finger. We spent about 10 more minutes trying to no avail to get another one on her finger after that one flew away! At least she got to hold one!

It was sooo hot! The kangaroo picture says it all. It was 100 on our third day and pretty close on the first and second. We were all tired and ready to go home by the end of the third day.

Seaworld

I haven't had time to go through the over 100 photos yet but had to share the silly scream. Kate LOVES this ride as you will be able to tell when you see the video! I'll post more pics and videos soon. We had a great time and we are all very tired!

Bedtime with mommy?

Last night, Kate would not go to sleep so Ryan brought her in our room where I was reading. Not sure if she was feeling sick, I said "do you want to come lay down next to mommy." She said "YEAH!" and hopped into bed, making herself totally comfortable. Ryan had to get the camera...