Trying to Meet a President

When we heard that President Clinton would be in town to campaign for his wife, we knew we had to take Katie to the event. I got permission to leave work a little early, and my mom, my sister, and I drove Katie to the community college that was hosting the event. There was already a line waiting, but luckily, it wasn't that cold - at least it wasn't that cold for the first half hour. After that, the wind and rain started feeling colder and colder, but it was worth it for Katie to see another president.

The line finally started moving, and as we got to the outside of the building that was our final destination, some of the volunteers told us that we might be in the overflow room. It was disappointing news to hear, but we still held out hope while others in the line left. The next news we heard was that they were trying to fit more people in the original room with Bill Clinton. Our hopes were raised again as we moved forward. Then, about ten people in front of us in line, general admission was cut off, and we were led into the overflow room to watch the speech.

It wasn't nearly as exciting to be in the overflow room, but we stayed. At the end of the speech, another volunteer came in and told us to stay in the room because President Clinton sometimes comes in to thank the people in the overflow rooms. We waited, but it didn't work out. He had to move on with a scheduled dinner.

Katie was a little disappointed that she didn't meet President Clinton until we got to our car. Right as we got there, an elderly gentlemen was getting into his old Volkswagen next to us. Katie looked over and said, "Look! I think that's President Clinton! He's had a long day. I think he's driving home to the White House!" It was a positive way to end the experience!

We had a long line to wait in to get into the building. As I held out hope that I would meet President Clinton, I waved to the TV cameras behind us. 

When I got colder, Aunt Jennifer was nice enough to donate her coat and tie me in it! 

We were happy to get in a room to warm up - even if it was the overflow room. 

Even though I didn't get to see him give the speech in person, I listened to President Clinton with happiness. 

When the speech was over, I waited to see if I could meet the president. To pass the time, I tried to do toe dances like a ballerina. Someday I still want to meet you, President Clinton!

Using Her Imagination

One afternoon, we were all relaxing, and Katie decided to add some adventure into her life. She turned her table and chairs into a car and traveled all over the world and into outer space!

It doesn't take much to go around the world!

Going to a Play

I got an email from our local children's theater, and I saw that they had a musical called "Rock the Presidents." Of course, I knew right away that Katie would probably love it. I asked her if she wanted to go, just in case she wasn't interested, but she didn't hesitate in telling me she wanted to go.

Katie and I took off for the city and drove around and around to find a parking spot. Katie suggested I should stop driving in circles and just pay for parking. I told her that I knew I could find free parking and kept driving. When Katie took money out of her purse to tell me she'd pay for parking, I decided it was time to just pay myself. It was nice of her to offer to pay though.

We got to the theater in plenty of time and got a good seat for the show…up until two minutes before it started. At that point, the tallest man in the theater sat right in front of Katie. We made the best of it. Between moving from side to side or sitting on my lap, Katie was happy with what she was able to see.

When we go to a play like that, I never know what Katie will hear or get out of it. However, she woke me up at 3:00 in the morning to talk about President Kennedy and President Lincoln. The next morning, she was able to tell me about President Truman. She was also singing the songs she had learned. We definitely got our money's worth out of the show.

I was pretty happy to finally get out of the car! 

Of course I had to bring my wand, purse, and pony to the show with me. I offered to give my mom my pennies and dimes for parking, but she paid with her own money.

I knew exactly who I wanted to learn about!

Once we got in the theater, I was so excited to see the play!

Happy Easter, 2016!

We had a great Easter. It started with Katie announcing first thing this morning that it was Easter. She let me know that she had already looked out the window but hadn't seen the Easter bunny. She was pretty sure that the Easter bunny had still been to the house though. She went downstairs and right away, she saw an Easter egg. As she came into the living room, she was excited to see her presents, but just like every Easter, her egg hunting came first. She found all of the eggs and opened them to find the treasure.

After opening the eggs, Katie spent some time with her new toys. We built her My Little Pony castle, she played with her Easter Play-Doh set, and we read her book together. She continued to circle through her toys until she discovered that the Easter bunny had left some more eggs outside. Off she went on her outside Easter egg hunt and then it was back to playing some more until dinner time.

This year, we ordered dinner to go from a favorite restaurant and took it to my parents' house to eat together. We had a good time enjoying each other's company, and after dinner, Katie was thrilled to see that the Easter bunny had also delivered some eggs to Grandma's and Grandpa's house. It was a fun day!

I saw this egg as soon as I came downstairs, and I knew the Easter bunny had come! 

I loved opening every egg! 

The Easter bunny must have known I've been dreaming of this! 

It has already been a lot of fun! 

I played with my Easter Play-Doh kit for awhile and made my chick grow hair! 

Then I opened cards from Grammy Noreen and Grandpa Joe,... 

…Aunt Lois, and... 

…Ian, Eva, Uncle Jeff, and Aunt Grace! 

Before I went on my outside Easter egg hunt, I tried on my Easter basket as a hat. 

I found lots of eggs. 

Easter egg hunts are so much fun! 

It was a little chilly out, but at least it wasn't raining. 

The Easter bunny gave me this Frozen bubble machine. 

I just had to dip the top in the bubble solution, and... 

…blow bubbles out the top!

Of course I had to do some princess poses before I went inside. 

As soon as I found Easter eggs at Grandma's house, I had to rush to tell her! 

Happy Easter!

An Early Easter Surprise

Garyldine gave Katie an early Easter Surprise by turning our planters into a fairy garden. The night before Easter, Katie walked out to find a few gifts and the new planters. She was so excited and was pretty sure the fairies had visited her!

I found a real pair of wings hanging on the door knob! 

I also found a My Little Pony stuffed toy and new decorations in my planters! 

I couldn't believe when I saw some fairies! 

I loved everything about it! 

Before I went in, I had to count all the fairies!

Nap Time for Sadie

Katie loves to sit next to a napping dog. It gives her a chance to use her mothering skills!

Are you comfortable, Sadie?

Presidential Enjoyment

After taking time to look at the letter she received from President Obama, Katie took her envelope upstairs to put it with her other letters from presidents. She didn't want to put it away though. She kept it with her bedtime stories. At night, she'd take all of the pictures out of the envelope and play with them, almost like they were dolls. After having many made-up conversations, she'd pose the pictures on the bed and borrow my phone to take pictures of the pictures.

I especially love to look at the pictures of the dogs and read about each one on the back of the picture. 

Would you like to read it? 

I like to see the whole family together. 

It's fun to play with the pictures!

Spending Time with Aunt Jennifer

Katie loves to color with her Aunt Jennifer! They both take their coloring time very seriously.

Coloring is relaxing for us!

A Letter from the White House

Katie was very excited to see a letter from the White House in our mail box. Along with a letter, she received some pictures of the first family. She also received some sticker pages, which made her very happy!

When I see a big envelope with my name on it, I know it's usually something important! 

I found my letter first when I opened the envelope. 

The sticker activities were so much fun! 

I always like getting pictures too! 

This was the first time I've gotten pictures of the president's family too! 

I love being friends with the presidents! 

Here's my letter!

I especially loved getting pictures of the first dogs with information about them on the back of the pictures! Thanks for writing, President Obama!

Enjoying Dolls

Katie loves her dolls. She goes back and forth between playing with all of them. As with other toys, she has learned that it's always safer to play with them up high where the dogs can't reach them!

I like to make up my own fairy tales, starring all of my dolls! 

I just love playing with them!

Rainy Day Fun

Katie has had plenty of chances to play in the rain this winter, but it never gets old for her. She would stay out there for hours if I let her!

I love to walk through the puddles! 

 It's mostly fun to wear my rain boots, and...

…hold my umbrella!

I always make sure to wear my hat along with holding my umbrella! You can't be too careful!