Pig!

Katie's friends, Nick and Marie, gave her a pig Pillow Pet for Christmas last year. At the time, Katie was scared to get on her rocking horse, so she would sit on the pig and use it as her rocking horse. I would sing a small song, pause, and say, "Pig!" She would then stop rocking and tap the pig's nose as we'd say, "Oink, oink, oink!" It became something that had to be done each time she had the pig. The pig was much closer to the floor than a rocking horse, and therefore, a lot safer in her mind.

Time has passed, and she's anything but scared of her rocking horses, but she still likes to sit on her pig too. When she sits on the pig, she still likes the same routine.

Hi, Pig! Are you ready to play?

No pictures please! This is my bonding time with Pig.

Okay, you can take pictures now.

Oink, oink, oink!

I love routine!

I love my pig too!

Katie's Energy

Katie is like most kids. She has a ton of energy. Sometimes she moves so much that it's hard to get a clear photograph of her!

I'm finished with my watering duties. What should I do next? 

Well, I'll stick this foot out. 

I'll add one hand! 

Make that two hands! 

Now I'll think of a new idea.

I'll see if I can get into the garage. 

That didn't work, so I'll just jump across the driveway. I find that jumping is a lot more fun than walking! 

Finally I'll show off my friendship bracelet that my friend, Ina, made for me.

A Watering Can

We bought Katie her own little watering can this year because she loves to take care of the flowers. She has been so funny with it. She takes her responsibility very seriously and waters everything - even the weeds.

It's heavy! (That's how all of her watering trips begin.) 

Okay. I'm ready now! 

I try to water all of the flowers, but I mostly get the flowers closest to me. 

I really like to watch the water come out of the can. 

All done for today.

Meeting a New Baby

After music class one week, Garyldine took my mom and Katie to visit her friends, who happen to be neighbors with Katie's music teacher. Katie had met Nadia last Halloween, and she was excited to see Nadia again - especially since she had a new baby girl, Ella.

A baby! She's so cute! 

I wish I could hold Ella, Grandma. 

I love babies!

Cheese!

Lately, Katie has enjoyed letting us know when she wants her picture taken. She usually grabs a toy, poses with it, says, "Cheese!" and looks at us. Her "cheese" is our hint to take her picture.

Cheese!

Leotard Fun

After Katie's last summer dance class, she decided she didn't want to change out of her leotard. She wanted to play outside in it.

I have to check out my surroundings before I begin.

This can be my dancing stage!

Here goes my twirling.

I can twirl for a long time.

I hardly ever get dizzy.

It's just fun for me!

Ta-daa!

Celebrating Kai's Birthday

Kai celebrated his first birthday while we were on our cruise, so Jennifer took Katie over to Kathy's house when we got back, so Katie and Kai could have a little mini-celebration together. Katie was thrilled to get a gift bag when she left and was able to commiserate with Kai over birthday parties at age one.

I'm ready to party!

Let's catch up. I haven't seen you for awhile!

You're looking pretty grown-up, Kai.

I like this new toy you got.

Your teepee is pretty great, too!

It's easy to keep busy with all of your toys. It's nice of you to share with me!

Uh-oh! I remember what used to happen when people put hats on me when I was one.

Yep, that's what happened.

Don't worry, Kai. I'll hold your hat for you.

I felt the same way about parties when I was your age. Before you know it, you'll be dreaming of them all the time!

Trying to Color

One night, Katie was trying to color on the floor. Jennifer looked down at her at some point and saw Katie in a very thoughtful position, so she took some pictures of what she saw. The coloring had to be replaced by modeling for awhile.

What are you doing down here, Aunt Jennifer? 

Do you have your picture yet? 

Here's a smile for you!

Playing with Everyday Objects

As much as Katie likes her toys, I think she gets the most joy out of things she just finds around the house. She has a really good imagination, and she can instantly transform an everyday object into something magical in her mind.

She loves to use kitchen utensils and go on an imaginary ant hunt around the house. She finds "ants" in the rugs, digs them up, and puts them in an ant trap. Her ant digger is a wooden spoon, and her ant trap is a corn on the cob butter spreader. Katie really doesn't like real ants, so I think it's funny she spends so much time trapping imaginary ones!

Katie also likes to be the coach for ball games. She uses a USB flash drive for her whistle, and an extra garage door opener for a stopwatch. I hope she always has such a good imagination!

I still love my berry colander! It makes a great hat.

I also like laundry day because I get to sit in the basket! It becomes my train or my car.

I can shove my colored pencils in the furniture, and I magically have a car with gears that will go anywhere.

I keep finding uses for my Easter basket. It's a good hat, or a good container when I'm picking imaginary fruit.

I'm not cold…I'm Super Katie! My blanket easily becomes a cape or a picnic blanket.

Raiding the Stroller Basket

One morning, I heard Katie digging through the basket beneath her stroller seat. She found some good things in there! After she found her treasures, she went upstairs to find more to add to her collection.

I found my summer hat and my winter mittens!

When I got upstairs, I found the purse that Aunt Jennifer gave me.

I also found my ballet slippers.

It's a great outfit!

My hat might need just a bit of straightening.

Who needs a mom to get dressed?

I don't like to take life too seriously!