Pop-Up Princess Game

Katie loves to play board games. They're all fun, but what could beat a board game with princesses and a pop-up castle?

I couldn't believe it! When I opened the game board, a castle popped up! 

The princesses got to travel on the path to the castle. 

I loved everything about the game! 

Do you want to play?

A New Game

When we found a spare deck of cards, my sister, Jennifer, decided to teach Katie how to play clock solitaire. Katie loved it!

I always like learning how to play a new game. 

I'm not sure it would be quite as fun if I was playing by myself!

Dancing Pictures

A week or so before Katie's dance recital, she had to go to her dance studio to get recital pictures. It's always an exciting day for her because it's the first day she gets to wear her recital costume with ballerina hair. I don't have the photos yet, but here are the pictures of her waiting for photos.

I was so excited to be dressed in my bird costume! 

I practiced my flying while I waited! 

Then I kept thinking of the other dance picture I liked and hoped mine would be just as nice.

My cousins, Garyldine and Teresa, always had nice dance pictures. Garyldine and I love this picture the most! I look at it a lot!

Father's Day and a Birthday

This year, we combined Father's Day with my dad's birthday since they were only a week apart. Katie was very excited to go to my parent's house to have dinner and spend time with my dad. We decided to get him a new office chair.

We got Grandpa some food from our favorite new Mexican restaurant! It was yummy! 

After my mom and Aunt Jennifer finally got done building Grandpa's chair, I got to go for a spin in it.

I was trying to sing Happy Birthday to Grandpa. I knew I had to sing loud so he could hear me, but I thought it was really funny to sing that loud!

I tried again, but I couldn't stop laughing. Hopefully Grandpa still knows I wished him a Happy Birthday!

School Pictures

This year Katie's school had a picture day. It wasn't just any old picture day though. They brought in a pony for pictures with the students. Of course, Katie couldn't have been more excited!

I loved meeting the pony!

A New Use for Play-Doh

As you have probably gathered, Katie loves Play-Doh. Most often, she uses it to design clothes for her dolls. She recently discovered that she could make accessories for herself. Of course, they break pretty easily, but they're fun to make nonetheless!

How do you like my new headband?

Entertainment

Katie was excited to get to spend a morning at Garyldine's house. As soon as she heard, she started packing her bag. She wanted to share some of her favorite books.

If you're five years old and you haven't read the Piggie and Elephant stories, you should read them!

A Friend Returns

Nothing makes you feel better like seeing a long, lost friend. While Katie was sick, Garyldine left a surprise for her on the doorstep. She had taken Katie's chewed-up Winnie the Pooh and had worked her magic to fix him. Katie was so happy to see him again. She felt better as soon as he was back in her arms!

I was heartbroken when the dogs chewed up my Winnie the Pooh. 

Garyldine told me she could fix him. She had to take everything apart first and buy a new Pooh Bear for the arms and legs.

When she was done, he looked as good as new!

 I loved finding him on my doorstep. Aunt Jody also got me a Mickey Mouse bag that I loved!

Winnie the Pooh was finally back where he belonged. Thank you for making my heart happy!

Not Again

Not too long ago, Katie was sick for over a week. She had only been healthy for a short while before she got sick again. In the middle of our very hot weekend, Katie developed a fever. As our house was almost 90 degrees, she was wrapped up in blankets. When her fever finally broke she was miserable because she couldn't cool down in all of the heat. We came up with a solution though.

When I couldn't cool down in the house, my mom put a bag of ice on my back. 

Eventually I cooled off enough to lose the ice.

How Else Can I Cool Off?

When we had our mini-heat wave, Katie needed a way to cool off when she wasn't in her soaking pool. Luckily we found her Disney misting fan. Even though she thought it felt good to spray herself, she enjoyed spraying everyone else even better.

It's a good thing I can keep everyone cool!

Expressive Communication

After Kai invited Katie over for a play date, Katie started making plans for what they should do together. Anytime she feels strongly about something - whether it's about spending time with friends or capturing monsters - she speaks very expressively with her hands and her facial expressions. I tried to capture some with a camera, but I'm not sure I did it justice.

First, I'll go to Kai's house. 

Then he can come to my house and play with my kitchen. 

Finally, we should end by going to the zoo together!

Ready to Go

When we asked Katie if she wanted to go shopping, it didn't take her long at all to say yes!

I'm ready to go!

Relief for Hot Weather

We had a bit of a heat wave recently with temperatures getting near 100. Of course, our air conditioner broke the same weekend as the heat hit. Katie knew right away that she wanted to get out her soaking pool to help with the heat.

Sophie really wanted to get in my pool, but I didn't want her to drink the fresh water.

It was a losing battle! 

I dressed my doll up for swimming weather. All we had to do was wait for the water to warm up. 

In the hot, hot afternoon, the water felt so good!

On the Lookout for Bugs

Katie always seems to have one eye open for bugs. She doesn't like to be around them. As soon as she sees one, she calls the alarm. For whatever reason though, any little bug on the driveway doesn't usually bother her. She likes to watch them.

I can always find ants out here!

Doing the Dishes

Every time Katie is around when I'm cleaning the house, she likes to do her dishes that belong in her kitchen. I wish I enjoyed cleaning as much as she does!

There's not a lot that's more fun than playing in soapy water! 

I use one dish to rinse the other. 

Why don't adults like this?

I explained my whole cleaning process to Aunt Jennifer.

Getting Ready for the Recital

Katie is so excited to be dancing in her next recital soon. She takes her practice time very seriously, but every once in a while, her responsibility takes a break in order for her to just be a kid.

Before we practice our recital dance, we practice our tap moves. 

Sometimes I have to stop thinking about learning my dance and play with my skirt. 

I like my new look! 

Eventually, I quit playing and went back to practicing.

Hair Model

When Katie went to dance class a couple of weeks ago, she was asked if her hair could be used, so parents could see how to make a ballet bun. Katie was a little hesitant of what they were doing to her hair, but she liked it in the end.

 I wasn't quite sure what was being done to my hair.

I tried to take my job seriously though.

Enjoying a Magazine

Katie still loves her magazine, Chirp. It won't be long before she's out of the age range for the magazine, but she'll enjoy it for as long as she can.

Grandma loves to read my magazine with me!

Discovering Gold

Katie was playing with her Play-Doh one day when she shouted, "I found gold!" She rushed over to show me and was so proud. I'm not sure what it was, but to her, it sparkled like gold!

I can't believe I found all of this gold! 

I think I'm rich!

Trying on Grandma's Shoes

When Katie went to visit with my mom, she thought it was the perfect opportunity to try on some new shoes!

I think these shoes feel just about right!

All Made Up

On one of the weekend days, Katie asked if we could go in the basement, so I could do her hair at her vanity. It seemed like an easy request. I should have known that she had a bigger plan than that. As soon as her hair was done, Katie put her own make-up on. Once again, it was perfection.

I liked my eye shadow and lip gloss!

A Tasty Dessert

We took Katie out to eat at a Mexican restaurant. We were surprised at the end to get a complimentary dessert. It was a sweetened tortilla chip with whipped cream and strawberry sauce on it. Katie decided to try them and thought they were very delicious.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this. 

I tried the whipped cream first. 

Then I had a tiny bit of the chip. 

I was sold! Yum!