A Make-Over

I was in the basement when Katie decided to go spend time at her vanity. She informed me that she was going to make herself look like Elsa from Frozen. She was so proud of her work!

I concentrated hard to make myself look like Elsa. 

Perfect!

A Surprise Card

Katie was so happy to get a message in the mail from my sister, Debby. She has been working on a return letter, but it has been taking awhile in our busy spring!

Thanks for the card, Aunt Debby! I loved it!

Showing Her Strength

When we got back from the beach, Katie wasn't tired. She kept going and going. In fact, she decided to show how strong she was.

I... 

…wasn't... 

…the... 

…least... 

…bit... 

…tired!

A Day by the River

On a beautiful spring day, we decided to go down to the beach by the river. Katie was just excited to dig around in the sand. She quickly found out that the river beach sand didn't have nearly as much moisture as the ocean sand. It was still fun to play in though!

We weren't the only ones to enjoy the river on the hot day! 

When I found out we were going to the beach, I insisted on taking my sand toys. 

It was a fun way to spend the day! 

No one in my family thinks it's comfortable to sit like this except for me. 

Aunt Jennifer thought that I needed to get my legs buried in sand, but I didn't like getting dirty. I quickly brushed it all off! 

She had a better idea when she found sticks to play with! 

I quickly buried the sticks just to show I could. 

Then I started all over again. 

Every time I stood up, I had to shake the sand off of me like this!

After that, I found this big rock that had to be used in some way. 

I just decided to bury it, too! 

After we left the beach, I had to find some shade to cool off.  

While I was standing in the shade, I saw this bunch of leaves that I knew I needed to take home. 

The last thing I did was to find a stick. I felt really tall when I could touch the tree branches with my stick!

A Really Big Garage Sale

We decided to take Katie to a county-wide garage sale just to see what it was like. Since Katie had never even experienced one garage sale, it was a little overwhelming for her at times. It all got better when my sister, Jennifer, found a deal on a toy for her.

Not everyone dressed up as fancy as I did for the event. My mom didn't expect me to find so many accessories to go with my outfit! 

There was a lot to see! It was really fun to find an old picture of President Lincoln and a blanket with President Kennedy on it! 

Aunt Jennifer found the best thing though. I couldn't wait to get a closer look! 

She bought me this Barbie motor home! 

When Grandma and my mom were looking at something, Aunt Jennifer helped me with the motor home. It had an attached tent with it! What could be better? 

When we got home, we played the Disney Trivial Pursuit game Aunt Jennifer found. It's one of my new favorite games!

Almost Caught Up to Aunt Jennifer

The other night, we decided that Katie and Jennifer should compare their finger length. Katie was pretty happy to be almost caught up to Aunt Jennifer!

I'm almost there!

Adding Numbers

Over the past year, Katie has developed an interest in math and numbers. Often, she'll just shout out a fact like "4+4 is 8!" When she's not telling us addition facts, she'll say something like, "10 is bigger than 3." My favorite is when she uses her favorite number, "eleventy." "Eleventy is bigger than 17."

One morning, Katie wanted me to give her some addition equations. I started to give her some problems that I knew she could solve on her fingers. We all know she counts on her fingers, but she wants us to think that she automatically knows the answers, so when we ask her a problem, she'll say, "Can I duck?" and she'll duck under a blanket or table to do her figuring. 

On this day, I was giving her turnaround problems in hopes that she'll soon makes the connection that 1+4 has the same answer as 4+1. She's not quite there yet, but she'll get there. At the end of the video, I tried to trick her with the problem of 5+7 since I knew she'd run out of fingers. 

Some of these problems are tricky!

Fashion Designer

Katie has really enjoyed fashion designing for quite some time, rather it's creating outfits for herself, putting on fashion shows with her dolls, or coloring different clothing designs. When I saw one of my favorite childhood toys in the store, I knew I had to get it for Katie. I had a feeling she would love using Fashion Plates too.

I love to create and color beautiful clothes.

Looking Like a Tulip

Ever since we visited the Tulip Festival, Katie has liked to talk to me about those flowers. She was very excited to rediscover one of her dresses from last year. When she looked at it, she exclaimed, "The bottom looks just like a tulip!" Of course, she had to spin in it to make the tulip dress fill up with air and life.

Everyone needs a Tulip Dress!

A Fun Walk

At the end of my Spring Break, we decided to go for a walk. Katie got to see the oldest apple tree in the area - almost 200 years old. Then we walked past the old army fort and through town. It was nice to get fresh air and enjoy the area!

We liked seeing such an old tree. It was looking prettying good! 

On our walk, we got to see some art work! 

It was nice to have a few spots to sit during the walk. 

We passed the old army fort. 

I thought I better stop by this tree because it looked so huge! 

The Japanese writing I found was fun to trace! 

Near the end of our walk, we found this cannon. I wouldn't stand by it until my mom said it wouldn't shoot cannon balls at me!

Taking the Dogs Out

Katie wanted to help me take the dogs outside. She threw on her "glass slippers" and followed me out the door. She didn't help me with the dogs. She didn't stand and watch. She just danced a little to pass the time.

I just love to use the driveway as a stage!

Dancing makes life happier!

Katie's Book Recommendation #2

Here's what Katie has to say about this book…

My favorite page in this book is where it shows Martha's beautiful wedding dress. She married George Washington. It "teached" me about George Washington. He wore fancy clothes. 

George Washington had a home called Mount Vernon. He used to measure land. The book told me about all of that.

I learned that George Washington was in a war, and he helped America win. After all of that, he became the president, and I LOVE presidents. Kids should read this book, so they can learn new stuff!

I like learning about the presidents - especially all about the clothes they wore!

Here is Martha's beautiful wedding dress! Don't you love it?

Playing Teacher

One night, Katie decided to teach the dogs. She sat down and read to them with questions and all.

Do you like this cat book, Sophie? 

Look at its scratchy tongue!

A Big Hike for a Small Girl

My mom, sister, and I decided to take Katie to see her favorite waterfall when the weather was warm. Jennifer and I decided that we would see if Katie could hike to the top of the waterfall, which for Katie was a very big hike.  Katie ended up walking two and a half miles and gained over 600 feet in elevation. It was a beautiful day!

Even though it was a warm day, it was pretty cold next to the waterfall. I had to keep my hands pulled in my sleeves until we were past the water.

The hike to the first bridge was fairly easy.

I got to see small waterfalls on the way.

They were pretty!

Grandma hiked to the first bridge with us.

Even though you can't see it in this picture, the waterfall behind me was really big!

This is where Grandma turned around. It was still cold, but we were about to tun the corner into warmth.

I loved this cave we found on the hike. I had to check out the rocks all around me!

I think an animal would love to live here!

There was one spot where I could climb up to a tree and back. My mom probably shouldn't have dressed me in white.

Sometimes climbing makes me a little nervous.

I felt like I climbed up high.

After that climb, I found a little cave for a little animal.

After a lot of uphill climbing, I made it to the very top of the falls. Right behind me is where the water falls over the mountain.

This was the little waterfall before the big drop.

I was proud of getting to the top!

After we left the waterfall drop, I found the perfect rock to sit on and watch the water.

It was nice and comfy!

Even though I was having fun here, Aunt Jennifer and my mom took me on a side trip from our path.

First, we found a bridge.

Then we found a rocky area by the stream!

I had to celebrate when I climbed to the top of the rock.

Then I tried to climb bigger rocks.

I found out that I can still pose when I'm on a rock!

I loved watching the water!

On the way back down the path, I found another little cave. When Aunt Jennifer smelled skunks, she got me out fast.

As we neared the bottom, I couldn't believe how high up we had hiked.

After we met up with Grandma, we all went out to lunch. I loved the whole day!