Dressing Up

When I was cleaning the house one day, I heard Katie rattling about. When I turned around, I found a pretty funny sight!

I found my earmuffs and old bike helmet!

Practicing Ballet

Katie's dancing class has been working on one of the ballet positions in class. Katie is really good at getting herself into position and holding steady. When it's time to bend her knees in that position though, it's a little tougher!

I like to get into position with my hands on my hips! 

I also like to watch myself in the mirror. 

Who knew it was so hard to bend your knees like this? It's hard to keep my hands on my hips at the same time! 

My teacher makes it look so easy! Maybe I'll just try my own move!

A Treasure

One night, Bingle had her head shoved under the couch, and she was trying to reach something. Katie became curious and looked under the couch as well to see what was so important to Bingle. I asked Katie what she saw, and she happily reported, "It's a Cheerio! It's my Cheerio!" I guess Bingle's controlled diet was getting to her!

That's my Cheerio, Bingle!

Painting

Katie has rediscovered her love of painting lately. It's funny to listen to her when she paints because she gives painting lessons to her Ariel doll. I have to say she is patient with her lessons.

My favorite things to paint are lines and rainbows. 

My favorite color to paint with is blue!

Starting a Day with a Laugh

One weekend, Katie was playing in her bedroom while I was getting ready for the day. I never know what I may find when you go in her room to check on her. She always has the door closed. Sometimes, she's reading. Sometimes, she's playing music. Sometimes, she has almost every toy scattered throughout her room. On this day, I was shocked to walk into the hall and see her door partly opened. Then Katie appeared, as happy as can be, ready to begin her day.

I think I'm ready. I have my building toys, an Easter basket, a wand, and a bucket on my head!

A Walk on a Warm Day

It was one of the first days of the season that was warm enough to go on a walk without a coat. Katie was thrilled to get outside, but before she could leave, she had to put on her earmuffs. I was at a loss as to why she might need earmuffs on a beautiful day, but she was happy with her choices!

You never know when your ears will get cold!

Adding to the Princess Attire

We took Katie out shopping one afternoon just to get out of the house. Katie ended up getting some accessories to go with her princess costume. She got some Little Mermaid jewelry and some Cinderella "glass" slippers. She was very excited!

Did you see my jewelry, Chloe? 

How about my shoes? 

I love my slippers! 

Whenever Aunt Jennifer asks me what I want to be when I grow up, I tell her a princess. 

It's so much fun to dress up! 

Aunt Jennifer let me look at my new things in her mirror!

Cleaning the House

On Saturday mornings, I try to get all of my house cleaning done. Katie has lately determined that I need a helper. Last week, we started by wiping down the kitchen counters. She loves this part because "It's just like a  bubble bath!" On this particular Saturday, Katie grabbed a spare rag, started playing in the bubbles and saying, "I love cleaning! I love cleaning so, so much! I love to help you clean!" (If only we could all be so excited about cleaning!)

After the counters, Katie helped me dust the living room. Then, as I vacuumed, she got her corn popper and used it as her vacuum. She's still looking for her version of the steam cleaner that I used at the end, but I'm sure she'll find something soon.

When I was finished and putting away my vacuum, Katie clapped for me and said, "Great job! Great job helping me clean!"

I love to clean! 

I try to be helpful whenever I can!

Sharing with Bingle

Bingle recently had her teeth cleaned, and since then, she has been a lot more cuddly than she normally is. Katie loves the new attention. One afternoon, Bingle came over to Katie to be petted. Katie petted her for awhile, and then she went to get Winnie the Pooh. She said, "This will make Bingle happy!"

I was shocked as she put Winnie the Pooh next to Bingle. Bingle was still purring from being petted and was massaging her paws in the air. As soon as the stuffed bear was next to her, she grabbed it, and Katie laughed and laughed. "Look! She's hugging him! I made her really happy!"

Bingle loves Winnie the Pooh as much as me!

A Show-Show Audience

Katie has been having her Show-Shows like she has had in the past, but now, she has added a large, animal audience to enjoy the show. Quite often, Giraffe takes part in the entertainment with her. It's nice to have extra entertainment.

Ready, everyone?

Seeing Kai

Katie's friend, Kai, came over to visit. Katie had a lot of fun "cooking" with him, eating with him, playing "Peek-a-Boo" with him, running with him, and playing with her zoo with him.

I haven't seen you in awhile, Kai. 

I'll still give you a hug and kiss! 

I'll share my kitchen as long as you stay on that side. 

I'm pretty protective of my sink! 

Come on, Kai. We have food to eat. 

Here's a cracker for you! 

Excuse me for a minute while I answer my phone. 

Peek-a-Boo! 

It's fun to play with you. Thanks for coming over!

Having Fun with Kai

Helping a Friend

A Coffee Machine

Katie hasn't been drinking enough water lately, so we've been trying to get creative in our attempts to get liquid into her system. We decided to show her that her toy coffee machine that she got at Christmas really does run water through it. She had a lot of fun filling the machine and watching it drip into her cup. The best part is she had plenty of water that day!

 First I have to put water up here.

Then I can watch my cup fill up when I push the button. 

After enjoying my coffee, I got to "eat" my plastic doughnut!

A Present

A little while ago, Garyldine and Aunt Jody surprised Katie with a new outfit. She loved her new, comfy clothes. "They're so soft to me!"

When she first saw that Minnie Mouse was on it, she thought of her cousin, who comes from a Disney-loving family. "Minnie Mouse! Is this for Ian?" If she outgrows her ruffle and heart outfit, we'll be happy to share with Ian!

I posed for a picture and thought it was really funny to make this face! 

I like to move the zipper up and down. 

Thanks for my new clothes!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, 2014!

Katie got an early start to her St. Patrick's Day celebration when she got a card in the mail from my friends, Noreen and Joe. She always loves to get mail. She opened the card and was delighted to find shamrocks and stickers inside. Right away, she started decorating her shamrocks with the stickers.

I was pretty happy when my mom said I got some mail! 

She asked me to guess who it was from, and I quickly guessed, "Grammy 'oreen and Grandpa Joe!" 

As soon as I pulled out my card, I saw sparkly things fall to the floor. 

Stickers! 

The sticker with the rainbow was my absolute favorite!

Thank you!

On St. Patrick's Day itself, we don't do a lot out of the ordinary. Katie got to wear the shirt she personally picked out that had a lot of green on it. She was happy to get dressed!

Do you see my favorite mermaid on my shirt?

Sometimes I get tired of my mom taking pictures, so I gave her a taste of her own medicine!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A Dancing Update

Katie's dancing class has a lot of the same dances and skills most weeks, but new things are also slowly added each week. I love to watch her class take on new skills. It's so funny to watch a class of 3-year olds try new dance techniques for the first time. They are always very wobbly. I'm always shocked though to see how soon they master their new techniques.

A while ago, Katie's class was learning to bow like a ballerina. Her teacher demonstrated, and the whole class tried it. Then each student got a chance to try on their own. When Katie tried, she had her legs and arms placed the correct way but forgot to do the actual bowing. Her classmates clapped for the attempt anyway!

I did it! I did it!

Katie was also proud a couple of weeks ago because she got to be the line leader. All of the girls love to lead the line. I was glad she was attempting to go beyond the tiny circle she likes to make as a line leader.

I can't believe I was picked as the line leader!

Bingle's Vet Appointment

Bingle's diabetes has been acting up again, so she's had a lot of vet appointments to try to get back on track. Katie hates when the pets have a vet appointment when she doesn't get to go with them. She thinks it's one of the saddest things ever to watch her pets leave the house. The whole time Bingle was gone, Katie was asking about her.

When Bingle was finally done with most of her appointments, she came home with four shaved spots to make it easier to give her insulin shots. Katie likes things in order and likes things to stay the same, so when she saw Bingle's new haircut, it took some adjusting for her.

Why do they take Bingle without me?

I don't want her to leave. What will I do without her?

Just look how she came back! I don't like it!

Hello Kitty Lip Balm

Katie has some Hello Kitty lip balm that she has really liked using lately. She loves to apply the balm to her lips and all around her lips, almost up to her nose. It has a light pink color, so she'll pucker her lips at us and say, "Look at me! Do you see my pink lips?"

I put my lip balm on really carefully. 

Finding the Hawaiian Costume

After her bath one night, we found Katie's Hawaiian costume that Garyldine had gotten her a couple of years ago. Right away, she wanted to try it on again. We put it on, and she ran to her closet to get the doll out that Uncle Jeff and Aunt Grace gave her for Christmas. "It's a match!" It wasn't long before she was sharing her outfit with everyone!

It's a match! 

She has a flower necklace, and I have a shell one! 

I went to Aunt Jennifer's room and saw myself in her mirror! 

Bye, Aunt Jennifer! 

I showed Ariel my costume, and she loved it! 

This was the last time I wore my costume. I've grown a lot!

It's fun to dress up!